[sonick]

M Performance Line to Replace “is” Models in Next-Gen BMWs (http://blog.caranddriver.com/m-performance-line-to-replace-is-models-in-next-gen-bmws/)

BMW further butchers the "M" symbol. :rukidding:

BMW’s M Performance line of vehicles will be replacing the brand’s “is” models, we’ve learned from a BMW source. Slotted between the brand’s regular lineup and the true M GmbH–developed high-power cars, the M Performance models are developed in close collaboration with M. On BMW’s home turf in Europe, the first M Performance models are the X5 M50d, the X6 M50d, and the M550d xDrive with a tri-turbocharged straight-six diesel engine, as well as the gasoline-powered M135i hatchback.

The powerful turbodiesels have been added to the lineup, while the M135i comes as the slightly more powerful 1-series M is killed off. In the future, there will be further high-powered M Performance derivatives of various BMW models, including the 3-series coupe or 4-series, and the Z4. M Performance versions will replace the currently offered “is” models. “We won’t make the change right now as it would confuse customers, but with the next model generation change, the successors of these models will be M Performance vehicles,” a BMW source confirmed. The Z4 M35i could come to market in early 2015; the M335i (or M435i) will be launched next year.

The M Performance models don’t follow the purist approach of the true M cars; the M135i, for example, comes with an optional torque-converter automatic instead of a dual-clutch transmission. The turbodiesels also come with conventional automatic gearboxes, and their chassis, as well as the driver interface, is developed from BMW’s regular turbodiesels instead of employing a trickle-down approach from the M5, the X5 M, or the X6 M. The engines used by the M Performance models typically also are used in other BMW models without the M Performance moniker.

[twitchyzero]

i guess this mean every 3rd car in Richmond will soon be carrying the M badge

////Marketing

[StylinRed]

:heckno:

[1mcoupe]

Cheers to the end of true BMW M-cars. Some may have considered this already once the x5m and x6m came out with the automatic transmission.

[Energy]

They keep diluting their M brand. And whenever I see the x5m or x6m I just :facepalm: and don't really consider them to be true M cars.

[knight604]

NUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

[tofu1413]

only "is" monkier i can think of thats still around is the E90 335is coupe... (great car imo)


theyre just going to end up M sporting everything...

back then, there were only a handful of those "m-technic" packaged cars.. ( a few e30 wagons, cabs, sedans, coupes)

[Energy]

Is the z4 35is still available? Those were pretty impressive too.

[trollface]

It's not big really... look at all the "S-line" Audis or Benz with AMG trim.

[Harvey Specter]

Yup, it's the same thing with Mercedes and Audi, Every new e class in town has the AMG package, same with the S classes.

It's sad because exclusivity of owning an actual M series or AMG is gone now because you just mix in with cheaper models with these packages. And it's even sadder when you can't tell the difference between the f10 m5 or a f10 535i with a the m sport package.

[too_slow]

^Buy a Rolls-Royce, problem solved! :D

Oh wait,

http://intorg.netfirms.com/Cars10/RollsRoycePhantom/RollsRoycePhantom1.JPG

[belaud]

Yup, it's the same thing with Mercedes and Audi, Every new e class in town has the AMG package, same with the S classes.

It's sad because exclusivity of owning an actual M series or AMG is gone now because you just mix in with cheaper models with these packages. And it's even sadder when you can't tell the difference between the f10 m5 or a f10 535i with a the m sport package.

I had to do double takes on the 535's with M packages, replace the badge with an M5, and bam, you got yourself an M5.

[Geoc]

BMW was never the same company since the E46 and E39 went EOL.

[Sky_High]

i guess this mean every 3rd car in Richmond will soon be carrying the M badge

////Marketing

Or

///Mainlanders :troll:

[see.lai]

It's just a marketing tactic . :nyan:

[Energy]

The M badge is just another way to get more ///Money.

[Z3guy]

Man I hope m cars become so popular that BMW are forced to launch a csl or gts line to keep hardcore enthusiasts with the brand. I hope an e30 m3 evolution occurs!

[tofu1413]

M division needs a skunk works division just like how MB ended up making those "black series" cars...

wicked sick.

[dangonay]

On the one hand I'd like to see only true 'M' cars, and not 'M Package' cars as it does diminish the 'M' history. On the other hand, I LOL at people whining about dilution when 99% of them can't drive anyway and only bought an 'M' car as a status symbol. So to see BMW do something that pisses them off makes me grin a little.

[Redlines_Daily]

It really only matters if you care what people think. You know you drive a real M car, you bought it to drive it, so who cares if other guys are driving an "M performance line" car..doesn't make your M3/M5/M6 any less of a car.

[belka]

///Mbecile

[ALEX1988]

which means...
more of this in town?
Ricer BMW - YouTube
:fullofwin:
Forgot how to post a youtube video:okay:

[death_blossom]

naming monikers are going to be too confusing. they should just called it an "M-sport" or something, with a small half-sized ///M badge on the car.

Audi's "S-Line" seems to do it right, doesn't confuse the consumer too much between their full "S" cars. I didn't know that Mercedes had AMG packs or whatever.

[wstce92]

It already pains me that almost every e9x m3 I see around town is autotragic.
It was good on BMW to push out the 1M in only manual though; hopefully they keep doing that.

[Dinan3]

It already pains me that almost every e9x m3 I see around town is autotragic.
It was good on BMW to push out the 1M in only manual though; hopefully they keep doing that.

The E92 M3 M-DCT is the best BMW I've ever driven. I actually prefer it more than the 6 speed.

[belaud]

Unfortunately, the only reason why they push out so many automatics, is because the majority of the buyers don't want stick. Otherwise, we'd still see many manual options as standard on the luxury sports cars.

The only car I'm surprised that came only in auto is the GT-R :okay:

[604STIG]

I didn't know that Mercedes had AMG packs or whatever.

You can get Mercedes with "AMG" styling (ie. AMG bumpers, side skirts, grille, etc...) but they don't label those cars with the AMG emblem. Mercedes only labels true AMG cars with the "AMG" emblems. It's those idiots that go on e-bay or whatever and get badges and stick them on their regular version cars and douche them out.

[spyker]

Unfortunately, the only reason why they push out so many automatics, is because the majority of the buyers don't want stick. Otherwise, we'd still see many manual options as standard on the luxury sports cars.

The only car I'm surprised that came only in auto is the GT-R :okay:
The reason for so many autos is,many people don't know how to drive a manual car,or they have gotten lazy.

I have a friend that purchased a Porsche instead of the GTR due to the lack of a manual transmission as a option.

[Tapioca]

The E92 M3 M-DCT is the best BMW I've ever driven. I actually prefer it more than the 6 speed.

Even if the latest and greatest autos shift faster than any human can, manual transmissions have always been about having control over the car. Most people don't keep their Bimmers after the warranty period now anyway, but I wish any future owners well when that transmission needs to be serviced.

Man > Machine.

[optiblue]

M stands for MOOOOOO? The death to the M already came when they put it on their fat SUV's. Simple fact, no human can ever shift faster than a DCT and I know because I had it in the Evo! I absolutely hated it in slow traffic, but it was amazing at higher speeds. The fun factor vs manual however was completely destroyed.

For all those who use the excuse of how F1 cars and racers all use paddle shifts, please watch this video and the punch line at the end. For the lazies, 11 minutes is the best quote regarding manuals.

World Exclusive: Pagani Zonda 760RS driven! evo Diaries - YouTube

[bcrdukes]

Looks like these manufacturers are going the way of what Toyota did.

Start selling "TRD" branded merchandise, accessories and "packages" if you will. Then again, the same idea saved Harley-Davidson from bankruptcy.

[spoonek4]

i guess this mean every 3rd car in Richmond will soon be carrying the M badge

////Marketing

yeah and that probably means I may see M cars almost everywhere in Richmond, just like taxi cabs...that's sad.

I still like how they do that during the E30 generation also. It was cool and also more rare compare with the regular models.

[death_blossom]

Looks like these manufacturers are going the way of what Toyota did.

Start selling "TRD" branded merchandise, accessories and "packages" if you will. Then again, the same idea saved Harley-Davidson from bankruptcy.

but Toyota never sold exclusive TRD tuned cars. what they are doing is more akin to domestics, with their Mopar divisions and whatnot.

[JoshuaWong]

The E92 M3 M-DCT is the best BMW I've ever driven. I actually prefer it more than the 6 speed.

+1 drove my friends 6MT E92 M3 and it felt slow, like the engine is too fast for the gearbox to catch up if that made any sense... the DCT is so direct and so mechanical and lightning fast... I wouldn't get an M any other way. I mean going from 7th gear to 2nd gear and shoving you back in your seat in the same time it takes for you to blink is pretty awesome.

Banging through the gears in S6 with DSC off is every bit as engaging and visceral as a manual if not more overwhelming. Its easy to live with once you get used to it and has pretty much all the comfort of an auto + all the performance of a manual.

Manual is fun, but the DCT is just as fun in a different kind of way and frankly if I could only have one, I'd still take a DCT.

[Tapioca]

Back on topic... BMW is a relatively small company in the car world so they're doing what they need to do to survive in a world of higher fuel prices and more demanding consumers who want their cars to become personal computers.

It seems that the 1M was the last stand for the engineers and driving enthusiasts left in the company. If I had 70K lying around, I would buy one of those cars and store it for the next decade.

[tofu1413]

^ id probably buy three.. haha.

[Harvey Specter]

So which ones the M5?

http://f10.m5post.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=741834&stc=1&d=1346107729

http://f10.m5post.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=741825&stc=1&d=1346107658

[wstce92]

+1 drove my friends 6MT E92 M3 and it felt slow, like the engine is too fast for the gearbox to catch up if that made any sense... the DCT is so direct and so mechanical and lightning fast... I wouldn't get an M any other way. I mean going from 7th gear to 2nd gear and shoving you back in your seat in the same time it takes for you to blink is pretty awesome.

Banging through the gears in S6 with DSC off is every bit as engaging and visceral as a manual if not more overwhelming. Its easy to live with once you get used to it and has pretty much all the comfort of an auto + all the performance of a manual.

Manual is fun, but the DCT is just as fun in a different kind of way and frankly if I could only have one, I'd still take a DCT.

Not to be a dick; but I don't think you're driving the 6mt anywhere near it's potential.

[GLOW]

which means...
more of this in town?
Ricer BMW - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHzDk9V8rMU)
:fullofwin:
Forgot how to post a youtube video:okay:

saw the intercooler part and i almost went

http://images.thetruthaboutcars.com/2012/03/CerealSpitting.png

[Matsuda]

So which ones the M5?

http://f10.m5post.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=741834&stc=1&d=1346107729

http://f10.m5post.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=741825&stc=1&d=1346107658

the right one! right?

[!SG]

the one with the fender grill. you cant get that on any m package.

[Tapioca]

Btw, BMW bastardized the "is" moniker when it started using them to denote all 3-series coupes in the E36. The "M-performance line" is just a rehashing of what they did 20 years ago.

The "is" moniker used to mean something in the days of the E28/E30: LSD, sport seats, on-board computer, upgraded stereo, leather wrapped tri-colour wheel, BBS basketweaves. The only E92 I'd consider owning is the 335is - at least it is different than your run of the mill E92 with options.

[heleu]

+1 drove my friends 6MT E92 M3 and it felt slow, like the engine is too fast for the gearbox to catch up if that made any sense... the DCT is so direct and so mechanical and lightning fast... I wouldn't get an M any other way. I mean going from 7th gear to 2nd gear and shoving you back in your seat in the same time it takes for you to blink is pretty awesome.

Banging through the gears in S6 with DSC off is every bit as engaging and visceral as a manual if not more overwhelming. Its easy to live with once you get used to it and has pretty much all the comfort of an auto + all the performance of a manual.

Manual is fun, but the DCT is just as fun in a different kind of way and frankly if I could only have one, I'd still take a DCT.


I also disagree. I've driven a 2012 BMW M3 DCT and a 2011 M3 manual. The DCT is no doubt faster, and yes, with the sportiest setting has lightning quick shifts. But it feels do disconnected from the driver. It's great that it blips throttle when it downshifts automatically when you slow down...but it's just removing even more driver involvement.

I'll take the 6 speed manual any day. BMW IS somewhat listening though. They still offer the manual on their new M5 and had to bring it back on the old M5 after people complained.

[Mkhun]

So which ones the M5?

http://f10.m5post.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=741834&stc=1&d=1346107729

http://f10.m5post.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=741825&stc=1&d=1346107658

white one.

great example that shows real M and M PKG comparison..

Real M vehicles don't seems to be UNIQUE as much as the older ones before..

[bcrdukes]

The aero mirrors, grille, BBK, wheels and fender flare are a giveaway.

[sonick]

I just look at the front air dam. The shape of the openings (especially the wrap around outside edge) is immediately recognizable of an M and is consistent throughout the current M line; I love that consistent lineage BMW designs have always had like the hofmeister kink and "round" headlights.

http://www.carspride.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011-BMW-1M-Raze-P450-by-RevoZport-Front-Picture.jpg

http://www.carvegasus.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011-BMW-M3-Exclusif-Car-Front.jpg

http://f10.m5post.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=741825&stc=1&d=1346107658

http://automotorcar.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/2013-BMW-M6-Coupe-Front.jpg

http://www.bmwblog.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-post-thumbnail/bmw_swSEm.jpg

http://www.carzi.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/bmw-x6_m_front.jpg

[Energy]

+1 drove my friends 6MT E92 M3 and it felt slow, like the engine is too fast for the gearbox to catch up if that made any sense... the DCT is so direct and so mechanical and lightning fast... I wouldn't get an M any other way. I mean going from 7th gear to 2nd gear and shoving you back in your seat in the same time it takes for you to blink is pretty awesome.

Banging through the gears in S6 with DSC off is every bit as engaging and visceral as a manual if not more overwhelming. Its easy to live with once you get used to it and has pretty much all the comfort of an auto + all the performance of a manual.

Manual is fun, but the DCT is just as fun in a different kind of way and frankly if I could only have one, I'd still take a DCT.

I disagree. I've tried the DCT on a 335is and while it is fun for awhile and definitely shifts much faster than I ever could, not having a third pedal makes it feel really disconnected. Its like playing a playstation game where you just press a button and that's it - how fun is that? DCTs are good on the track for the few extra tenths of a second but in real world driving who needs that? A lot of people don't even bother with the paddles and just leave it in full auto mode too lessening the amount interaction you have with the machine. That's fine for a family car or SUV but to fully enjoy a sports car I believe it has to be a manual.

You don't have to drive fast with a manual transmission to have fun - that's not the point. Nailing a perfect upshift or downshift is just so gratifying. I find that the results are always more pleasurable when you have to work for it or play a part to get there - you don't get that when you just press some paddles. Rev match downshifting and heel toeing really up the fun factor of driving a bimmer too. The fact that not a lot of people are capable of those or of even driving a manual makes it even more special because it took time and practice to get there while any 17 year old mainlander can take mommy's m3 and shift super fast.

[Harvey Specter]

Well the next big thing for BMW might be the reported M7 in 2015/16 which should make things quite interesting in a segment were you have Mercedes wiping the floor with the S63/S65. Part of me doesn't want BMW to go ahead with the M7 because it'll kill off the Alpina B7 which is an amazing car and such an exclusive car. I own the 750i, it's fast enough but it should never wear the m badge. It's a luxury barge, it's not a track car or a car you drag race.

In a prefect world I would only want to see BMW produce the M3 and M5 and maybe the M1 and M6, scrap the useless X5m and X6m and any other M models but it's not going to happen. You have an on going German horsepower war between Audi, BMW and Mercedes and they're going to keep producing M series cars in every model segment until someone says enough.

[bcrdukes]

^
Agreed.

BMW should just keep the 7 series as-is and let Alpina live on with the B7.
(By the way, I recall an Alpina B7 at Autowest BMW on their showroom. Did that ever sell?)

[Harvey Specter]

^
Agreed.

BMW should just keep the 7 series as-is and let Alpina live on with the B7.
(By the way, I recall an Alpina B7 at Autowest BMW on their showroom. Did that ever sell?)

When I got my alpina lip installed last month they had two white ones parked upstairs, went in a few weeks ago for a service appointment and they had one of the white ones sitting on the floor so I don't think so.

On the topic of the b7...here's the 2013 with full LED headlamps and different front spoiler and a nice hp/torque bump (540hp/538lb-ft) giving it a nice 0-60 sec time of 4.3secs. Absolutely stunning car and imo the most underrated luxury sedan hot rods.

http://shows.autospies.com/gallery/2013-bmw-sneak-preview-lg/JX3C4962.jpg

[tofu1413]

Current 7 series w/ M sport pack is already nice enough.. cant really imagine a full blown M model going against its own Alpina version..


the old supercharged E65 B7 was wicked.. spin the tires in third gear.