M Sport package considered an "M" car?

04-01-2021

Winter.M3 wrote
Kinda controversial but I couldn't find anyone else's input. I see 3 series with the M sport package with M badges, M stickered calipers, M color stripes, etc. In my opinion, it's excessive.

Now, would you consider this upbadging? I would say yes, but I'm not sure. What's your opinion?

However; I still think it's cool to an extent to do it to some BMWs, especially if you have some performance mods. So don't get me wrong there.

You searched everywhere huh? Couldn't find anything about the over proliferation on the M branding? I think you just need some attention.

No they are not real M cars. M sport has the appearance. M performance add some performance. M cars are race cars, purpose built. You are lucky to have one because ALL years of the M branding are special. Now go get a hug or something.

04-01-2021

I'm no BMW expert, but I thought M Sport is just cosmetic for the most part. You get big brakes, a thick steering wheel, and an nice looking set of wheels. The M Performance tier adds some meaningful things with bigger engine and adaptive suspension. M is a street legal race car.

04-01-2021

Endless debate. But BMWCCA M Chapter says the M Performance cars are allowed in their chapter. I don’t agree but the M240 and M340 guys are happy.

04-01-2021

My 330D E93 is an m sport. It's not an M car, just a branding exercise. If it at least had the stronger bushes on the rear sub frame and the ali suspension links etc. When I were young it would have just been the sport model. At least the only external m badges are the tiny ones on the wheels!

04-01-2021

SYT_Shadow wrote
Just like Porsche owners have to deal with some shithead saying 'I have a Porsche Turbo' when they have a base 911.....

I actually have a non-turbo 911 Carrera (e.g base) and love it and must be a low-life (e.g. shithead) because I stuck an "S" on the trunk.....I've only been called names by 911 Turbo owners.....and in a like manner, I've only been called names by M owners....

I did NOT badge my car, BMW did...and most M-Sport owners are not M-posers.....I could care less if you have a turbo 911 or an M vehicle...we are not "less" than you.....

Ranting on this forum isn't going to change the world....

[Hint to SYT_Shadow, my user name doesn't make me poser if I own one, right?....Well, I own an ///M, along with my poser M-Sport, and my poser base 991 S]

04-02-2021

M_Bimmer wrote
I actually have a non-turbo 911 Carrera (e.g base) and love it and must be a low-life (e.g. shithead) because I stuck an "S" on the trunk.....I've only been called names by 911 Turbo owners.....and in a like manner, I've only been called names by M owners....

I did NOT badge my car, BMW did...and most M-Sport owners are not M-posers.....I could care less if you have a turbo 911 or an M vehicle...we are not "less" than you.....

Ranting on this forum isn't going to change the world....

[Hint to SYT_Shadow, my user name doesn't make me poser if I own one, right?....Well, I own an ///M, along with my poser M-Sport, and my power base 991 S]

I'm not sure you understood much of my post. Perhaps you should read it again

04-02-2021

I just want 8 cylinders and a 6MT, most of everything else can be upgraded quite easily.

04-02-2021

I just delivered a new 2021 X2 M-Mesh Edition to a long-time customer. It came with the small //M logo on the front fender right from BMW, just like the early M235i cars. It's not the owner's fault!!

04-02-2021

SYT_Shadow wrote
I'm not sure you understood much of my post. Perhaps you should read it again

I did...and the use of "Shit-head" stuck out, loud and clear.....

...A long time ago, BMW enthusiasm was based on owning a vehicle with the roundel badge.... now derogatory names are used to refer to us sub-class of over-badged, and over-bragging car enthusiast ...

04-02-2021

I wish they bring back the "Ti" or "is" monikers...

04-02-2021

GORDON.M3 wrote
Personally, I think BMW has ruined the ///M branding by adding these cars that aren't true ///M cars, like the M340i, M235i, etc...

It started a long time ago with some exclusive cars like the E34 M540 (32 built) or the E28 M535i, the E12 M535...
They usually have all or most of the M car stuff but the engine.

04-02-2021

Here's my (un-asked for) take:

BMW has diluted the M brand by sticking the M logo by putting it on other cars.
Perhaps they copied Mercedes/Audi and figured they could squeeze some more money out of the consumer. I don't know - I don't care for it.

My other point of annoyance is the amount of M branding on an M car - like the M3, M5 have that area below the headrests that says M3 or M5 - why for god's sake?
Same with the dash - why does it need to say anything other than a simple ///M?
Same for the sides and grill - less is more, ffs.

I have the 'M sport package' on my car - I didn't order it - it just came with it. But that doesn't make it a true M car.
I know it's an attempt to brand it as something to make people pay more.
And I guess they can't say 'M lite' for things like the stiffened lowered suspension and some extra speed + idling rpm. All cutesy attempts at getting more money.
So it's all capitalizing on the M brand name, yes.
Good idea, not to the purist - but to the balance sheet, likely yes as they likely sell a ton of them.
Some happy accidents like the M240i, M340i but again, not true M cars.
Lets see, there's M2/M3/M4/M5/M6/M8 - but even that's too many M cars - and I'm sure I'm missing some)

04-02-2021

para38super wrote
I am BMW enthusiast and have owned several BMW's over the years. But I still ask my self what is a true M car? M3/M4 is nothing special now a days. M sport is just m sport, m3 is just a m3. They are both 3 series cars, nothing special. Some times on this forum it seems like we are comparing a family sedan vs super car. They are more alike than some like to accept. Again this is coming from a BMW enthusiast and I like 3 series cars.

Nothing special compared to any other sedan ever made or bespoke 100K purpose built sports cars?

Even if the M3 isn't the fastest car on the road, it doesn't take away the fact most reasonable car enthusiasts would say the M3 is at least somewhat special for what it is. It's also reasonable to say the E90 M3 drives, handles, feels, looks and performs at significantly higher level than a badged up 335 does. So why then wouldn't it bother people who really understand these things at a level to understand.

Badged up m sport cars emphasize 0-60 times and looks. Shallow stuff to judge car on IMO...

You can't convince me a properly modded E9x M3 isn't a special car despite not posting the fastest lap and 1/4 times out there.

04-02-2021

As far as a real M car, no it isn’t. However the only people who really care are the ones willing to pay more for a real M in the first place.

To someone who doesn’t know the difference, they probably don’t care what car you drive anyways. The name M3 means just as much as the name M340i to the person who doesn’t know the difference - nothing.

The way I see it, M snobs were M snobs before the brand dilution and still are after it. And nobody really cares except for the M snobs. To clarify, I’m not calling all M owners snobs, I myself owned an M3. But if the M badge means that much, then the brand dilution didn’t change anything practically speaking.

04-02-2021

MPizza wrote
M-Sport already has M logos that are acceptable (door sills, steering wheel, rims). Anything else added by the owner is unacceptable.

LMAO, unacceptable to whom?

04-02-2021

No.

04-02-2021

Wait, even the wealthy do it too? Hurry, call the ///M Police...de-badge that 850i M poser....

04-02-2021

The opposite: unbadged: BMW E30 320is:

"What makes the E30 320is unique?
The E30 320is is a special 3 Series model that was sold exclusively in Italy and Portugal in order to take advantage of the reduced taxes in those countries for cars with engines that displace two liters or less. It is powered by a 1990cc version of the four-cylinder S14 engine developed by BMW Motorsport for the E30 M3 and also shares its close-ratio Getrag gearbox with the M3. However, all other components are standard 3 Series items.

If the E30 320is is powered by an M engine, why is not badged as an M model?
The reason the E30 320is is not badged as an M model ultimately comes down to marketing: Unlike the limited-production M3, which was created primarily as a competition machine and utilizes many unique exterior body panels and chassis components, the 320is was never intended to be a homologation special. It was conceived instead as a sportier and more affordable alternative to the torquier and more refined 325i, which was taxed heavily in Italy and Portugal due to its 2.5-liter engine.

What makes the two-liter S14 engine unique?
The two-liter S14 engine in the E30 320is is essentially identical to the 2,302cc version found in the E30 M3 except for its shorter stroke (72.6mm versus 84mm) that yields an overall displacement of 1,990cc. Like all S14 engines, it combines the basic four-cylinder block from the M10 family with a four-valve head derived from the one used on the six-cylinder M88 and S38 motors. Special features of this engine include individual throttle plates for each cylinder, machined intake and exhaust ports, and a crankshaft with eight counterweights. Like the M88 and S38, the S14 does not have hydraulic lifters, and thus requires periodic valve adjustments.
The two-liter S14 is rated at 192 hp (DIN) at 6,900 rpm and 155 lb/ft of torque at 4,900 rpm. This is down slightly compared to the non-catalyst, 2.3-liter S14 used in the E30 M3 which is rated at 200 hp (DIN) at 6,750 and 176 lb/ft of torque at 4,750 rpm.
The S14 engine fitted to the 320is has an identical appearance to the unit found in the E30 M3 and thus shares the "BMW M Power" inscription on its cam cover."
(source: here)

04-02-2021

Rux wrote
You searched everywhere huh? Couldn't find anything about the over proliferation on the M branding? I think you just need some attention.

No they are not real M cars. M sport has the appearance. M performance add some performance. M cars are race cars, purpose built. You are lucky to have one because ALL years of the M branding are special. Now go get a hug or something.

I just had a conversation with my friend and we were wondering. We both knew but wanted some opinions of actual BMW enthusiasts. No need to get hostile

04-02-2021

Mason Hatcher wrote
LMAO, unacceptable to whom?

Everyone in this forum

04-02-2021

BMW should just drop the B and W and change their corporate name to M. Problem solved! :lol:

04-02-2021

M-sport is what an M-technik was in the 80's, not an M but a package deal that gave you a slew of great parts for slight bit less money than a real M.

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M Sport package considered an "M" car?