[21M2C-ya]

Originally Posted by Brandoch

I love how everything there is a new design, model, render, news, anything at all NEW the same people comment. "BMW has lost their way", "Diluting the brand", "M stands for marketing".


News flash......... the world moves on.

EVERY SINGLE AUTOMAKER has to keep up with the changing world. Not just BMW.

Porsche hybrid
AMG 4 cylinder
Dodge Charger EV
Chevy Camaro is gone
Toyota loosing reliability
And the list can go on......

Exactly. Some people are determined to stay stuck in the past—if that’s what they want, just buy an older M and call it a day. The rest of the world is enjoying having options.
Me? I’m excited to see what both versions of the M3—ICE and electric—end up looking like and, more importantly, how they feel to drive. My current plan is to pick up an ICE M3 in 2029 and keep my 2021 M2C too.

[Brandoch]

Originally Posted by 21M2C-ya

Exactly. Some people are determined to stay stuck in the past—if that’s what they want, just buy an older M and call it a day. The rest of the world is enjoying having options.
Me? I’m excited to see what both versions of the M3—ICE and electric—end up looking like and, more importantly, how they feel to drive. My current plan is to pick up an ICE M3 in 2029 and keep my 2021 M2C too.

I have an E93 M3 and that is the newest that I want. However saying that, I'm always excited about what is new. My dad can only comprehend cars from the 60s, but he even understands that we have to keep moving forward.

[tsbrown]

Originally Posted by dantm3

Every brand does it.. not everyone can afford the full m version. I remember I went to look at a c class for my wife and it was a c300 with amg package. It was parked next to a c63 and I couldn’t tell which was which. At least bmw changes body hips, grills, bumpers and carbon roof. I can tell an m car from a mile away.

Not everyone WANTS a full M version with cost not a factor. Like me. The E90 M3 I spec’d and owned for almost 7 years from new delivery at Spartanburg PCD was my favorite in 30 years of BMW’s until my M550i. I drove the F90 M5C and really liked it, but it was too stiff for me as a daily and I don’t have space for more than one car. I’d have a 911 with space for an extra car anyway. So the M550i was the right answer. Not as sharp as I’d like a couple days a week but Goldilocks the rest of the week. At my age it’s the right choice and my favorite BMW along with the M3 (1 and 1a).

For people that think the M-lites dilute the brand, clearly are clueless about the E28 M535 and E24 M635 from the ‘80s when the M brand was still young. Those were highly desirable at the time and helped build the brand. Maybe I’m more an Alpina target customer now….I want all the M power but with the Alpina comfort.

[ledphut]

Once people realize BMW has spent the last decade designing/engineering most of its lineup for the CHINESE MARKET, things will fall into focus. Chinese demand (huuuge air quotes) “luxury + comfort + tech” and could not give rats behind about performance or curb weight.

All I’m asking for is a true Halo M car, alã i8 but with V8 and performance to match the looks.

[BRGreen]

Since he says there will be manual transmission for next several years at least does that mean the next generation M3 will come manual transmission to start?

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by ASAP

where exactly is 30 coming from here?

There is the new ice m3 and the ev m3...

Can someone share the other 28 lol?

Oh right... the other 28 are not actually M models...

Well TBF the decision is up to BMW.

Is the M340i part of the M-line?
Is the M3 still a M if there's a M3 Comp or whatever?

[xlover]

Originally Posted by BRGreen

Since he says there will be manual transmission for next several years at least does that mean the next generation M3 will come manual transmission to start?

Current M2 and M4 production runs until 2029

[sinuous_sausage]

Gonna be wild when Germany’s still clinging to EVs in 2032 despite tepid consumer demand and BMW decides to move M car production to Spartanburg alongside the X3, X5 and X6 M

[meko]

Originally Posted by mckman

There was a time not long ago when a BMW was the "Ultimate Driving Machine”. There were just a few M cars and they all stood out in the marketplace. They may not have been the fastest, but they were always engaging and handled well. BMW M has been trading on that history for quite some time. An “M car” now stretches from a simple appearance package to a plug-in hybrid and soon an EV. What does it even mean to be a modern “M car”? Can they really create 30 new models that each embody a concise brand statement besides simply having an M badge?

BMW has made a lot of money the past few decades selling the M badge. However, when you drive cars from other brands you realize that M cars have lost their soul. It isn't simply about the performance numbers, but the way they drive (with some exceptions). BMWs are no longer the "Ultimate Driving Machine". So tell me BMW, in a a few concise paragraphs what is an M car and what makes it special?

As an E92 M3 owner and having owned a number of BMW’s over years, this is pinnicle modern classic. For the reasons you mentioned, I’m now more interested in Porsche and not the new ones. There is no reason BMW M can’t make a Porsche like driving experience. Steering feel, brake feel, suspension with more feedback and for gods sake stop with the manual being killed off. Drivers want manuals. The used car market screams this daily.

[Msparta]

Originally Posted by DrKevM5

Talk about diluting the brand…the “M” badge used to denote exclusive high performance.

I keep saying the same exact thing. Glad I’m not the only one observing this.

Brand jump imminent for many true M clients…

[mbanck]

Originally Posted by sinuous_sausage

Gonna be wild when Germany’s still clinging to EVs in 2032 despite tepid consumer demand and BMW decides to move M car production to Spartanburg alongside the X3, X5 and X6 M

If you talk about the German government, that is a conservative government these days deep in the pockets of fossil fuels, especially the chancellor y and the ministry of commerce. They reintroduced some BEV subsidies for lower income households based on pressure by their social democrat coalition partner, but that's it - they are trying to walk back renewable energy as well.

If you talk about the German population - well, people can do whatever they please; most people who tried out a BEV don't want to go back.

[Erebor]

Originally Posted by ASAP

where exactly is 30 coming from here?

There is the new ice m3 and the ev m3...

Can someone share the other 28 lol?

Oh right... the other 28 are not actually M models...

I tried to count all the M coming in the timeframe mentioned here and figured 11 new M models. So yeah, the rest is definitely M-Lite.

[dezzracer]

Originally Posted by maticCRO

Good to hear ICE engines are not going to the history books of M department yet. Looking forward to seeing them offer iM3, but 99% sure i wont be buying such a car

Seems like the government genius’s have come to their senses. Temporarily anyway… 🙄

[mattmcb345]

Glad my M3 6 speed is on a boat crossing the Atlantic!

[Joe AUTOID]

Seeing as we're moving away from pure ICE and manual gearbox into a hybrid era it would be great to see BMW explore steer by wire to potentially reel in feedback and involvement we've lost.

Ride by wire – although physically detached has the opportunity to simulate road feedback moreso than purely electric racks.

[trife.]

I don’t believe the manuals going away stuff. Not saying it can’t happen, but they seem to say this every couple of years. They fooled me into buying a base M3 b/c I swore they were going away. Two years later they’re still available.

My tinfoil hat is firmly planted on my head when I say they do this to boost sales to justify the existence of the 6MT. 🤣

[Erebor]

Originally Posted by trife.

I don’t believe the manuals going away stuff. Not saying it can’t happen, but they seem to say this every couple of years. They fooled me into buying a base M3 b/c I swore they were going away. Two years later they’re still available.

My tinfoil hat is firmly planted on my head when I say they do this to boost sales to justify the existence of the 6MT. 🤣

As long as the G8x M vehicles exist, so do 6MT.
After that, the future of 6MT is very very uncertain.

[robopp]

Originally Posted by Erebor

As long as the G8x M vehicles exist, so do 6MT.
After that, the future of 6MT is very very uncertain.

G84 is the successor to the G80/1/2 that introduces a mild hybrid to the S58 in 2027-28. Are you saying that the G84 will come with a manual transmission option?! I really, really hope so, but not sure how BMW could accomplish that with the hybrid motor(s).

[Erebor]

Originally Posted by robopp

G84 is the successor to the G80/1/2 that introduces a mild hybrid to the S58 in 2027-28. Are you saying that the G84 will come with a manual transmission option?! I really, really hope so, but not sure how BMW could accomplish that with the hybrid motor(s).

Hmm, ok i meant specifically the current G8x series M cars.
I highly doubt, that the G84 with the mild hybrid will be available with a 6MT.

[sinuous_sausage]

Originally Posted by mbanck

If you talk about the German government, that is a conservative government these days deep in the pockets of fossil fuels, especially the chancellor y and the ministry of commerce. They reintroduced some BEV subsidies for lower income households based on pressure by their social democrat coalition partner, but that's it - they are trying to walk back renewable energy as well.

If you talk about the German population - well, people can do whatever they please; most people who tried out a BEV don't want to go back.

I don’t think there’s a government in the world less “deep in the pockets of fossil fuels” than Germany. Between shutting down their nuclear power plants and developing a crippling dependency on Russia, their energy policy has been insane. Car manufacturers surely notice this hostility.

I think your contention is the German government is somehow stymying organic EV adoption whereas I’m of the opinion EVs would barely exist at all without massive market distortions by the German government. The upshot is German car manufacturers might keep rolling out their mandated electric widgets for Europe in Europe while moving perforMance car production to a more hospitable locale

[kudos]

Originally Posted by DrKevM5

Talk about diluting the brand…the “M” badge used to denote exclusive high performance.

Perhaps it's time you move on. If you want exclusivity you need to move up into exotics now.
Also, anyone jumping to a new car brand because of a badge and not because the car itself is worse is stupid. I'd even go so far as to say it's a visible personality flaw.

[dsforman13]

Originally Posted by 3dw4rd-3a

Interview with BMW M CEO Frank Van Meel:

Article: https://www.carsales.com.au/editoria...-years-151437/

The Key Details

• Up to 30 new M and M Performance models due for release by 2029
• Multi-powertrain approach including plug-in hybrids and electric
• Internal combustion engines safe indefinitely, manuals on borrowed time
• BMW’s hot shop accrues 14 consecutive years of record sales

I'm old enough to remember when M stood for M3 and M5. That all you got.