EnI
Piston Pioneer
Guys ....
A trend in customer demand shows people want more comfortable suspensions in BMWs. BMW are offering some solutions (like Dynamic Damper Control etc) that allows people to get a bit more comfortable ride while still getting typical BMW dynamic ride. According to demands BMW are still not addressing this issue enough (but that was before DDC was widely introduced), and many customers would want to see even more comfortable BMW cars.
And ... as you know M cars are based on regular cars - and then modified into real M cars - so, the more comfortable the regular layout the more it has to be changed / modified to fit M standards. More modifications = more costs. And since the main goal is to be profitable BMW is not willing to offer eg. an M1 for a price that would be bearable for the proper number of customers. Of course M1 could be developed easily, but it would cost a lot. Much more than most people would be willing to pay for.
Eg. Porsche is in a different position: since their GT? cars are based on already very sporty cars / platforms.
Regarding X5 M / X6 M .... yes, it's a pure marketing decision. An easy money. There is a demand, and people are getting the cars. And are willing to pay for them.
Marketing dept. is sure such a move won't dilute M image - since both cars drive extremely M like (compared to the regular models), and also beating the rivals by far. And both cars will be compared within the segment, and not outside the segment: eg. nobody is crazy enough to compare eg. X6M to M3, or to 911. But X6M / X5M will be compared to ML AMG & Cayenne GTS / Turbo S etc.
M has huge costs with developing special M engines, and building them manually. Therefore the profitability is very thin. And therefore additional models are offered. It's still a business - satisfying customer's demand & generating profits. Not sticking to some principles from the past just for the sake of it.
The problem is many journalists (& other traditionalists) would like to see every BMW (especially Ms) driving like original E30 M3, or like E46 M3 CSL - but the reality is vast majority of customers don't want such raw cars any more. The tastes have changed.
Also ... BMW is not competing with Porsche mainly but more with MB, Audi & Lexus etc. It has to perform better than the direct rivals - not trying to be sports performance brand like Porsche.
Mind BMW offered raw cars in the past because there was a demand. And now the demand for raw cars is decreasing rapidely. Therefore BMW are not interested in this niche so much like in the past. Perhaps somebody else will fill this niche in the near future (eg. Jaguar; not Audi since they are too much volume-oriented as well). BMW are going with the trend - what makes perfect sense. But there will still be difference between BMW & its main rivals: BMW still having an edge. And again: no super-car is not necessary to achieve that, nor cars like 5er GT or X6 M / X5 M will hurt the image.
BMW have to be more careful with the core line: not allowing rivals to top eg. 1er, 3er, 5er, X3, X5 etc in drive dynamics. That would be fatal for BMW brand.
And remember: BMW is all about SHEER DRIVING PLEASURE! About joy made by driving a BMW. Not about ultimate sports cars. That's more Porsche's domain. Also: driving pleasre ... it's not the same all the time. It's changing with time. As do the people / customers.
Do not expect products & brands to be static. They exist in dynamic enviroment, and companies have to react, to adapt, to be able to change if necessary.
A trend in customer demand shows people want more comfortable suspensions in BMWs. BMW are offering some solutions (like Dynamic Damper Control etc) that allows people to get a bit more comfortable ride while still getting typical BMW dynamic ride. According to demands BMW are still not addressing this issue enough (but that was before DDC was widely introduced), and many customers would want to see even more comfortable BMW cars.
And ... as you know M cars are based on regular cars - and then modified into real M cars - so, the more comfortable the regular layout the more it has to be changed / modified to fit M standards. More modifications = more costs. And since the main goal is to be profitable BMW is not willing to offer eg. an M1 for a price that would be bearable for the proper number of customers. Of course M1 could be developed easily, but it would cost a lot. Much more than most people would be willing to pay for.
Eg. Porsche is in a different position: since their GT? cars are based on already very sporty cars / platforms.
Regarding X5 M / X6 M .... yes, it's a pure marketing decision. An easy money. There is a demand, and people are getting the cars. And are willing to pay for them.
Marketing dept. is sure such a move won't dilute M image - since both cars drive extremely M like (compared to the regular models), and also beating the rivals by far. And both cars will be compared within the segment, and not outside the segment: eg. nobody is crazy enough to compare eg. X6M to M3, or to 911. But X6M / X5M will be compared to ML AMG & Cayenne GTS / Turbo S etc.
M has huge costs with developing special M engines, and building them manually. Therefore the profitability is very thin. And therefore additional models are offered. It's still a business - satisfying customer's demand & generating profits. Not sticking to some principles from the past just for the sake of it.
The problem is many journalists (& other traditionalists) would like to see every BMW (especially Ms) driving like original E30 M3, or like E46 M3 CSL - but the reality is vast majority of customers don't want such raw cars any more. The tastes have changed.
Also ... BMW is not competing with Porsche mainly but more with MB, Audi & Lexus etc. It has to perform better than the direct rivals - not trying to be sports performance brand like Porsche.
Mind BMW offered raw cars in the past because there was a demand. And now the demand for raw cars is decreasing rapidely. Therefore BMW are not interested in this niche so much like in the past. Perhaps somebody else will fill this niche in the near future (eg. Jaguar; not Audi since they are too much volume-oriented as well). BMW are going with the trend - what makes perfect sense. But there will still be difference between BMW & its main rivals: BMW still having an edge. And again: no super-car is not necessary to achieve that, nor cars like 5er GT or X6 M / X5 M will hurt the image.
BMW have to be more careful with the core line: not allowing rivals to top eg. 1er, 3er, 5er, X3, X5 etc in drive dynamics. That would be fatal for BMW brand.
And remember: BMW is all about SHEER DRIVING PLEASURE! About joy made by driving a BMW. Not about ultimate sports cars. That's more Porsche's domain. Also: driving pleasre ... it's not the same all the time. It's changing with time. As do the people / customers.
Do not expect products & brands to be static. They exist in dynamic enviroment, and companies have to react, to adapt, to be able to change if necessary.
Oh yeah, it need to reev at least 8000 rpm.
