Caution: BMW is pulling a fast 1

[Kirby]

Full Article


BMW 130i M Sport
By Andrew Frankel of The Sunday Times

Caution: BMW is pulling a fast 1

Autocar

In the 20 years I’ve been driving cars created by BMW’s fabled M motor sport division, just one — an M3 of 1993 — has proven a disappointment. The rest of the time, when BMW has wheeled out a new M car I have been struck by the depth and breadth of its engineering excellence and the passion with which it has so clearly been created. Despite an orgy of Astons, Ferraris, Maseratis and Porsches, the BMW M5 — a four-door saloon — was the best car I drove last year. So, whatever else you do, do not fall into the trap so carefully laid for you by BMW and be fooled by the new M version of its ugly and overpriced 1-series. It is, if you will, an M Sport version and that is a very different proposition.

To spare you further confusion, M Sport is a new BMW brand created cynically to exploit the deserved reputation of the proper M division. It takes standard models, dolls them up in pumped-up M bodywork, throws some M badges at the wheels and interior and hopes onlookers won’t be able to tell the difference.

 

[Tom]

Yikes! Price £26,515? That's $48,843, hell no would I spend that kind of money on the 1-Series.

 

[PhatBimmer]

You can tell someone is pissed they didn't get laid the night before.

 

[Big Daddy]

Waaay overpriced! I was hoping BMW would not bastardize the M, but I guess it all means sales.

 

[epj3]

Besides the price, what makes the "M Sport" any different than the earlier model 3 and 5's with the mtech type of packages?

 

[frolf]

yeah, i'm pretty sure that car won't have M badges. And there wasn't an M3 in 1993???

 

[Kirby]

I think he's saying he had, or drove, a 1993 M3 and it was the only M3 that disappointed him.

 

[frolf]

but there was no 93 m3?

 

[PhatBimmer]

Well I think BMW is allowed 1 **** up once and a while and this is once in a very long while. But yes the car is overlypriced, I do hope they lower the prices so that younger kids (25+) get to buy them instead of making it 35+ IMO

 

[epj3]

Well I think BMW is allowed 1 **** up once and a while and this is once in a very long while. But yes the car is overlypriced, I do hope they lower the prices so that younger kids (25+) get to buy them instead of making it 35+ IMO

bmw, as all car companies, have a ****-up now and then...like putting a timing belt on the M20.

 

[MrElussive]

What about in the mid-90's when they had thet 540i w/M Sport Package? Recaro seats, M suspension, M brakes, M wheels, etc. Isn't this the same thing?
Also, as for the 130i M Sport or whatever it's called, isn't it going to be a lot cheaper here in the US? They pay more loot for their cars over there.

 

[epj3]

What about in the mid-90's when they had thet 540i w/M Sport Package? Recaro seats, M suspension, M brakes, M wheels, etc. Isn't this the same thing?
Also, as for the 130i M Sport or whatever it's called, isn't it going to be a lot cheaper here in the US? They pay more loot for their cars over there.

yea I'm sure they did SOME kind of upgrades to it. dont forget the 540i with sport package also had a 6 speed versus the standard automatic...

 

[Chesty Bonds]

What about in the mid-90's when they had thet 540i w/M Sport Package? Recaro seats, M suspension, M brakes, M wheels, etc.

Now the 540i LM was a bloody good car.

 

[///M SPEED]

Now the 540i LM was a bloody good car.

Hehe, they called it the 540i Sport here....

 

[nadroj]

but there was no 93 m3?

i think there was some in germanay

just not in the usa

 

[bahnstormer]

bmw's in the UK are more expensive than in USA....
u can't convert the price directly

 

[MrElussive]

This new 1-Series does look pretty freaking good, though.

 

[tool fan]

This guy for as much as he claims to be a Bimmer know it all, should note that there have always been M technic regular Bimmers. I rode in a 1 and wasn't impressed......but if I rode in a Honda civic first THEN drove the 1 I probably would have less gripes. It is BMW's low end car and NO it should not have the same comfort qualities that 3-5 or 7 series has...it costs alot LESS.

 

[epj3]

This guy for as much as he claims to be a Bimmer know it all, should note that there have always been M technic regular Bimmers. I rode in a 1 and wasn't impressed......but if I rode in a Honda civic first THEN drove the 1 I probably would have less gripes. It is BMW's low end car and NO it should not have the same comfort qualities that 3-5 or 7 series has...it costs alot LESS.

Well, mtech on an e36 was basically seat, body, and I THINK wheels.

Mtech kits on any earlier models (e28, e30, e34, etc.) Ment real upgrades. Better brakes on some, more power engines on some of them (like the e28), better looking body, some had brake ducts (e30 Mtech's) from the front valence, and etc.

 

[andreyiv]

The sport package on the early e36 as far as I know included seats, shocks (not sure about springs), not sure about the body, an LSD, and 16" wheels opposed to 15". At least thats what mine has thats different.