M3/M4 Stop BMW M3-gone-soft petition

[Maximus Decimus]

The 1er Coupe has the potential to be the true incarnation of the beginning of the M3 story.

Say what???? ^^ Am I the only person that has no idea what this comment is supposed to mean?

 

[LaArtist]

^i guess he means the M1 will be what the M3 used to be..
before this more civilisized version came along..
if so..bad move.. cause the M3 is a industry on its own.. dont mess with that..
Let M1 be whatever it ends up being..without compromising the M3 i say..

 

[SCOTT27]

Let's just say that the first time I am handed the keys to a new model I drive it normally unlike some journalists on this press launch who were more keen to slide it into the first corner on a public road - You learn alot more by actually driving a car than doing something you cannot possibly achieve on a public road.

 

[siko]

I don't get this M3-bashing-madness... so it's not as hardcore as the E46 CSL, but whoever would compare it ot the CSL is a moron since it's not the same class of cars.

 

[Zafiro]

I don't get this M3-bashing-madness... so it's not as hardcore as the E46 CSL, but whoever would compare it ot the CSL is a moron since it's not the same class of cars.

I doubt people compare the new M3 to M3 CSL, they compare it to standard M3. At least I do.

 

[RICHBOY]

I don't get this M3-bashing-madness... so it's not as hardcore as the E46 CSL, but whoever would compare it ot the CSL is a moron since it's not the same class of cars.

Yeah, it seems a few members rather cut an run, rather than stand by the fallen icon! Hey maybe the sedan won't let us down, but I wouldn't get my hopes up.

 

[klier]

'Stand by the fallen icon'

LMFAO. Thanks for making me laugh

 

[ILC32]

You have to remember that when the E46 M3 was released it was the only performance coupe available as an M car - although the M Coupe was available , The M3 was a different segment .

Today the top M car in the line up is the BMW M6 - There was no way BMW would compromise the M6 by moving the M3 up to it's level. The M3 remains as the Mid level M car , I have said previously the M3 would take patience because of what it's intentions are.

In this day and age each generation of M3 has reloaded itself in size, weight , engine and performance - Todays requirements for preformance Coupes are much more demanding than yesterday with the need for crash prevention , enhanced technology better fuel consumption etc and of course upgraded performance to keep on top of current events.

I would not say the M3 has gone soft but has maturered .

Having spent so much time behind the wheel of one until I take delivery at the end of the month is testament to this fact - The more I am behind the wheel the more the car shares it's emotions with me , you cannot learn everything within a few hours or a day.

Now look at the 135i Coupe - do you honestly believe BMW are just leaving the perfect car for the M badge on the sidelines? The 1er Coupe has the potential to be the true incarnation of the beginning of the M3 story.
Everything you see at BMW has a purpose maybe not today or tomorrow but you will see eventually this purpose emerge as a reality.

Either the M3 is better than its competition or not. Buyers do not evaluate cars in a vacuum.

Perhaps the M3 means something different to BMW than before . . . the result will be that it will mean something different to customers as well.

 

[RICHBOY]

'Stand by the fallen icon'

LMFAO. Thanks for making me laugh

Your welcome! I was trying to get you from up under the bed, ya know? I know you been hiding from all the press-releases!

 

[wltsm]

Considering this petition only currently has 25 signatures, I don't think BMW are doing to take it to seriously!

I remember that I actually signed the Bangle petition, I didn't really like the E65 7er when it first came out, but since then have changed my mind about his designs. The same can, and hopefully will happen with the M3, I don't want to make the same mistake again!

 

[LaArtist]

Either the M3 is better than its competition or not. Buyers do not evaluate cars in a vacuum.

Perhaps the M3 means something different to BMW than before . . . the result will be that it will mean something different to customers as well.

ohh im sure there is a plan behind it..but the question is do YOU like it this way?
thats what its all about..what the ppl thinks and wants....

 

[siko]

Yeah, it seems a few members rather cut an run, rather than stand by the fallen icon! Hey maybe the sedan won't let us down, but I wouldn't get my hopes up.

Don't expect the sedan to be more hardcore... but besides, why is this M3 a let down?

 

[CorpusCallosum]

Exactly ^ how is the M3 a left down... it looks fabulous by reports it has one of the best engines of all time and I personally believe once people get over the fact this isn't a supercar but M car.... luxury, practical to a degree and still handles as good as most.... Its the ultimate driving machine, because it does more then just go fast around a race track

still my favourite

 

[EnI]

I'm quite annoyed with all these reviews.

Most of the journalists criticize the new M3 because it's not as hysterical as the current one (engine too quiet, chassis still has too much reserve on the limit, steering is too "light", the car is too refined, ...).

Basically the "problem" is that the car does everything better than E46 M3 with much less effort. Duh! It has much better engine & much capable chassis.

But that was the case with every new generation of M3. Every new generation was more refined then the previous one. And - shock! - every new generation found more customers then the previous one, and in the end it got more compliments.


The reviews remind me of my GF's claims. She claims she loves her 10yr old VW 1.4 POLO better than my E46 320d because - shock! - "she can feel the speed better, feel the road better, and 'hear' the speed (meaning much more noise in Polo than in 3er)".

Yes, for some people (aficionados) refinement is a regression. Even though the other (or new) car is far better - they like the old one because it is louder, more difficult to control, less isolated. Or just love the old one because they are emotionally attached to it.

But I'm sure M3 is more refined due the market demands. There is more M3 customers out there wanting more refined car then those who want it more raw. Mind that the M3 is the "bread-and-butter" of M models - so it has to have the broadest appeal. For those more "demanding" there will be other choices: M3 CSL, Z4 M Coupe, and M1.


Really, the reviews communicate:

"The car is great. Much better than the previous one. Not perfect though. But more refined - therefore a disappointment."

It was said many times before: forum enthusiasts & automotive journalists are not the core customer base!!!!



PS: when Panke was leaving CEO position, he said the greatest challenge for Reithofer would be "re-positioning" of BMW brand.
BMW stand on a crossroad: they are #1 premium / luxury carmaker, but they build sporty performance cars. Both customer bases can't be satisfied equally: one part wants more luxurious cars, the other one more sporty performance-oriented ones. So, the question is in which direction BMW will go. Now the "pleasing ratio" is about 50:50. But what will the future bring? Will still be 50:50, or BMW will go back to the roots (more sporty cars), or more towards luxury over sportiness (eg. 60:40 in favour of luxury). But it seems the "luxury camp" is winning the war. The enthusiasts will either be left with CSL / CS models, or some niche variants (eg. Z4 coupe, or some limited editions eg 320si etc).

 

[RICHBOY]

Don't expect the sedan to be more hardcore... but besides, why is this M3 a let down?

It's a let down for one reason, driver involvement. You can change your likes to cater to BMW's current philosophy, or except the current market trends, bottom line is driver involvement has been the BMW/M way for decades! When the RS4 came on the seen a few years ago and handed the M3 it's ass, it didn't matter to the bimmer crowd because the RS4 wasn't as engaging to drive as the M3. Well now the C63's more engaging then ever, the new M3 seem's to be watered down, and 80% of the M3 reviews have a negative under tone. It's not looking good for the icon!

 

[PanterroR]

Basically the "problem" is that the car does everything better than E46 M3 with much less effort. Duh! It has much better engine & much capable chassis.

If only others, mainly journalists, would understand this and stop this idiotic and nonsense crap they talk about!

 

[EnI]

Well now the C63's more engaging then ever, the new M3 seem's to be watered down, and 80% of the M3 reviews have a negative under tone. It's not looking good for the icon!

How the h**l can automatic be more engaging than a manual???????

Manual gearbox alone makes M3 more engaging over the automatic ... Why do you think US customers requested manual version of M5? Because only the stick (+ clutch pedal) gives you the real engaging feeling - that the general perception among core customer base in US.

Yes, C63 is more engaging then previous C55, but vs new M3 ... wait till first real comparisons are out. There will be no doubt who is (still) The King.

If only others, mainly journalists, would understand this and stop this idiotic and nonsense crap they talk about it!

I really have serious doubts about some journalists: are they really able to drive E92 M3 properly? Perhaps they haven't even reached the car's limits, and therefore the "tame" feeling.

 

[LaArtist]

lol are you meaning to tell me that US customers know and want sporty cars better than europe..
haha..
thats funny..
look at the interior diffrence in the CLK BS Us vs Euro version..that should give you a hint..

 

[Zafiro]

I really hope those who defend the M3 are right but at the same time I also hope those who are anti against M3 also is right

 

[PanterroR]

Man, go see a shrink, it's becoming too serious...