Saw this beauty today ...

[scrammer]

its one thing to put an ///M badge on a non-M car but this takes the cake!

[racerbruce]

Is there an M 235i??
https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-cul...mparison-test/

[VindieselJetta]

https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-car...014-bmw-m235i/

It’s a real M badge

[RossBMWZseries]

BMW does make a M 235i, it's an official M badge, but it's not a real M car. So those custom plates definitely do take the cake!

[Roadroach]

Somebody put me some freaking knowledge: did BMW even make a "regular" 235i or were they ALL "M235i"? Haven't kept track of the naming convention for a while and I'm all confused.

I did check the bmw configurator for the 2018 models: apparently the 2-series coupes are now available as either the 230i or the M240i (and I assume the actual M2). And of course, it appears that a buyer can add an "M package" to damn near anything they sell.

Yay - let's just "M" all the things! Way to water down the brand there BMW.

Plate speaks for itself.

[Huz-Z]

Well you really can’t blame the guy that much for his license plate. After all, M235i is how that car was badged straight out of the factory. It’s not like the owner added the M badge after he bought the car.

[chickdr]

This is similar to the new X3 with the 3.0 Turbo motor. It is called the X3 "M 40i". No more X3 35i. I really dislike all the dilution of the M brand. It used to mean something, now it has become common place.

[chickdr]

Originally Posted by Huz-Z

Well you really can’t blame the guy that much for his license plate. After all, M235i is how that car was badged straight out of the factory. It’s not like the owner added the M badge after he bought the car.

I can. It isn't an M2. It is an M235i. Very different beasts. But this makes the point I said above. Dilution isn't helpful to BMW as far as sports car fans are concerned.

[Andyh1]

I see this too many times... I went my local BMW dealership to pick an oil filter. When I gave him my car model, he immediately perked up and started discussing all the M badged cars today, agreeing to diluting the brand. The parts guys know the history and do appreciate analog M cars.
This is why I'm holding on to my Z4M.

[Huz-Z]

Originally Posted by chickdr

I can. It isn't an M2. It is an M235i. Very different beasts. But this makes the point I said above. Dilution isn't helpful to BMW as far as sports car fans are concerned.

Well, whether or not we agree on whether the owner was right or wrong to do what he did, I think BMW is diluting the M brand by its approach of calling the car an M235i. Folks on this board know the difference but maybe the owner honestly didn't. In any case, the previous naming convention avoided all this, My 3.0si is enough to indicate that its got a few more ponies than the standard Z4 of its era, without claiming its an M. I'm perfectly okay that its not a Z4 M3.0i. And for the E89, the SDrive 35is, is, while not an M, the performance car of that platform. No need to slather it with M badges.

Unfortunately, the ///M Division is being overruled by the ///Marketing Division in order to make ///More ///Money for Bavarian ///Money Works.

[elerner61]

Not "M" related specifically, but the "Jumped the Shark" moment for me was seeing the personalized plate someone had: "My 1st BMW"

Oh boy.

[chickdr]

Originally Posted by Huz-Z

Well, whether or not we agree on whether the owner was right or wrong to do what he did, I think BMW is diluting the M brand by its approach of calling the car an M235i. Folks on this board know the difference but maybe the owner honestly didn't. In any case, the previous naming convention avoided all this, My 3.0si is enough to indicate that its got a few more ponies than the standard Z4 of its era, without claiming its an M. I'm perfectly okay that its not a Z4 M3.0i. And for the E89, the SDrive 35is, is, while not an M, the performance car of that platform. No need to slather it with M badges.

Unfortunately, the ///M Division is being overruled by the ///Marketing Division in order to make ///More ///Money for Bavarian ///Money Works.

What the plate should say is : "M2 ish"

[Huz-Z]

Originally Posted by chickdr

What the plate should say is : "M2 ish"

BAHAHAHAHA!!!

[Roadroach]

Originally Posted by chickdr

What the plate should say is : "M2 ish"

Or "Mish" for short?

[Waoudi]

Isn't Mercedes also diluting it's AMG brand and sticking it on everything?

[chickdr]

Originally Posted by Waoudi

Isn't Mercedes also diluting it's AMG brand and sticking it on everything?

A bit different to me as they sell AMG logo wheels for the mainstream cars, but they don't badge the cars as AMG other than the wheel logos. BMW is very confusing with cars like the X3 M40i and the 2 series pictured above.

[Waoudi]

Originally Posted by chickdr

A bit different to me as they sell AMG logo wheels for the mainstream cars, but they don't badge the cars as AMG other than the wheel logos. BMW is very confusing with cars like the X3 M40i and the 2 series pictured above.

Have you taken a look at their models?

Let's start with the c models.

C300
C300 4 matic
C350e

Amg C43
Amg c63
Amg c63 s

The E model has 2 AMGs.

How many should each model have? How many AMGs per model existed a few years ago? They are actually adding more every year.

[chickdr]

Originally Posted by Waoudi

Have you taken a look at their models?

Let's start with the c models.

C300
C300 4 matic
C350e

Amg C43
Amg c63
Amg c63 s

The E model has 2 AMGs.

How many should each model have? How many AMGs per model existed a few years ago? They are actually adding more every year.

The AMG versions have either AMG enhanced or handbuilt motors. The BMW's don't have any engine mods for the most part. Maybe this will change. For example, what BMW is doing would be to have an AMG C300 version with different wheels maybe a stiffer suspension and a body kit. At least the even the C43 has a much better engine than the non AMG models. I suppose this is the route BMW is trying to go by offering the X3 M40i as you can't get an X3 3.5i anymore.

I would ask you as you have an X5 MSport in your sig. What is better about your MSport than a regular X5? Is the motor different? What makes it an "M" vs an X5M? I guess to me the X5M is real M car out of the lineup.

[Waoudi]

Originally Posted by chickdr

The AMG versions have either AMG enhanced or handbuilt motors. The BMW's don't have any engine mods for the most part. Maybe this will change. For example, what BMW is doing would be to have an AMG C300 version with different wheels maybe a stiffer suspension and a body kit. At least the even the C43 has a much better engine than the non AMG models. I suppose this is the route BMW is trying to go by offering the X3 M40i as you can't get an X3 3.5i anymore.

I would ask you as you have an X5 MSport in your sig. What is better about your MSport than a regular X5? Is the motor different? What makes it an "M" vs an X5M? I guess to me the X5M is real M car out of the lineup.

My X5 is not sold as an M car it's a 35i. I selected an optional M package which adds decorative M decals, M rims and steering wheel. No engine enhancements.

I was comparing the New M40i cars with the AMG C43 and such. The M40i cars are actually performance cars, maybe not full M but they have similar engines and parts.

[chickdr]

Originally Posted by Waoudi

My X5 is not sold as an M car it's a 35i. I selected an optional M package which adds decorative M decals, M rims and steering wheel. No engine enhancements.

I was comparing the New M40i cars with the AMG C43 and such. The M40i cars are actually performance cars, maybe not full M but they have similar engines and parts.

And that is what I mean. I don't care for the "decorative" parts giving the car an M name. It seems like they are getting better with models like the M40i as they actually have a stronger motor and other suspension/brake mods behind the M.