[ynguldyn]

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Per the future models info thread, the same designation changes I first announced for the F3x will apply to F2x models also. So, we're going to get 230i and M240i.

Also, B48 engine for the 430i models appears to have been pushed back to from March to July 2016 SOP.

US G11/12 will have one diesel model, 735d (B57D30O0 engine, to be sold as 730d in ROW - shouldn't be a surprise really). Top of the range will be the 760i, using N74B66U1, an updated version of the engine currently found in RR Ghost and Wraith.

[Schm]

Between BMW and Mercedes, this alphabet soup is giving me a headache.

[3M TAPE]

So are the resale values going to plummet for M235 and 228?

[Diver]

Originally Posted by Schm

Between BMW and Mercedes, this alphabet soup is giving me a headache.

Love your graphic. Not sure I understand the significance of the new model designations. Last time the noise was M235i becomes 235i when the M2 lands.

[Erich2142]

Why cant you make it simple? Like call the 1.2L engine 12. The 335 should be called 330 because it has a 3.0L engine.

[Drizz]

It's been a long time since the naming scheme on German cars had had anything to do with the size of their engines

[phoenixbmwlife]

They should take the M out of it completely and stop diluting the M brand name. M should be exclusive to only true M power cars and quit this M performance crap.

But it's all about marketing since most people that see my car think it's a real M and that's why they won't change it.

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by Echoz

Why cant you make it simple? Like call the 1.2L engine 12. The 335 should be called 330 because it has a 3.0L engine.

I think they do it to make people feel better about paying more as you go up in the line.

Aka, the 230 justifies a price increase and is "better" than the lowly 228, and so on and so forth.

At least they waited a little while to do this...IIRC with the E90, the poor bastards that bought the 330 were top of the line for less than a year before the 335 (N54) came out...

[dharo1]

If you can't convince them, confuse them.

[Doctor///M]

...and is why I sold my 335. And then there was the M3 of course.

[Leo88]

The 220-230-240 designation is better than 220-228-235. The problem is with the diesel lineup: 218-220-225 will become what?


114-116-118-120-125
518-520-525-530-535-550... That will be a mess

[ZilberGrau ZHP]

Originally Posted by Bennu

They should take the M out of it completely and stop diluting the M brand name. M should be exclusive to only true M power cars and quit this M performance crap.

But it's all about marketing since most people that see my car think it's a real M and that's why they won't change it.

Soooo true- I dont mind the "M" bits on a car (steering wheel etc...) or to buy M parts as options but leave the M badge OFF NON M CARS

[3.0L]

This nothing new. Badges help sell cars. Back in my high school days (the dark ages), Chevrolet, Ford and Mopar cars typically had a badge somewhere on the sheet metal. Usually, it gave a hint as to what was lurking under the hood (there wasn't much else to brag about in those days in terms of suspensions and brakes). There seemed to be no limit on badges: 260, 283, 289, 327, 390, 396, 426 Hemi, 427, 428, 429, 454... you name it. Even some straight 6's had badges. One big pissing match. Heh!

[kdbryce]

Originally Posted by Bennu

They should take the M out of it completely and stop diluting the M brand name. M should be exclusive to only true M power cars and quit this M performance crap.

But it's all about marketing since most people that see my car think it's a real M and that's why they won't change it.

+100000

I am really excited to hear what kind of power the new engines have, though.

[LDSM]

Originally Posted by Diver

Love your graphic. Not sure I understand the significance of the new model designations. Last time the noise was M235i becomes 235i when the M2 lands.

I think this has already been confirmed, BMW is keeping Mxx designation as a step below the "hardcore" M2/3/4/5/6

Similar to Audi RS & S, Lexus F & F Sport, Cadillac V & Vsport


I happen to agree they should drop the Mxx models it only further dilutes the M legacy, but marketers will be marketers

[Vervain]

Give me at least two years to enjoy my car before you do this please!

[3.0L]

Originally Posted by Bennu

They should take the M out of it completely and stop diluting the M brand name. M should be exclusive to only true M power cars and quit this M performance crap.

But it's all about marketing since most people that see my car think it's a real M and that's why they won't change it.

The topic regarding what constitutes a true M car has been bantered back and forth a lot. So, what makes a true M car. Parts? Performance? Cost? Something else? I always believed it was performance.

If it simply boils down to performance, then the M235i makes a pretty good showing for itself. I've read enough reviews to see that the 2014 M235i is within a hair's breadth of 100% of the performance of the 2012 M3. At about 2/3rds the co$t. So I'm left wondering if cost is a factor in the definition of true M cars. It wouldn't be difficult for me to believe that the higher cost of a true M car might be a big part of the M equation. Higher purchase prices = more exclusive. Exclusivity is sacred ground for some whether you're talking about cars or real estate.

I don't know. Apparently, there's more to the thought of what makes "true M" than just performance. I think it boils down to money.

[advantage20]

Originally Posted by Echoz

Why cant you make it simple? Like call the 1.2L engine 12. The 335 should be called 330 because it has a 3.0L engine.

Multiple power output variations are needed to cover the market demand range, yet they are based on only a limited number of engines (2.0 liter, 3.0 liter...). Since you cannot market all these variations under the same designation, you necessarily lose the correspondence between designation and engine displacement anyway, so you might as well choose rounder, more legible and easier to remember designations.

But I personally will miss the BMW specific -28 or -35 designations which do have some history involved.

[phoenixbmwlife]

Hey don't get me wrong I absolutely love my M235i. If it were called a 235is I would have still bought it. But since I was a kid I've been watching M cars hoping and wishing to some day buy one because it is something more special than any other trim in the line up.

The E30 M3 with it's stock wide body kit. The E36 M3 with that great 6 cyl motor and suspension that was far better than a 325. The E34 M5 (still one of my favorite M cars) The E46 M3 and E86 Z4M both amazing handling cars that keep a smile on your face even by thinking of driving it. The emotion and history that emanates from the word M was truly sublime but now it's not used only on these special models I alluded to above.

All these were special cars that signified what M was all about. Those were the dreams of many young boys and girls to own one. Then we get older and the M is everywhere and over saturated as if it's not that special anymore. It's not exclusive anymore because you can buy an amazingly fantastic car like the M235i or the M135i or whatever else they decide to produce and slap an M badge from stick on but it's not a real M.

So I am confused and a little disheartened because of the future of the diluted M name.

So while I see your point about it being a great car and that the performance is amazing and like I said I Love my M235i but it is NOT a true M car.

But like you said this topic has been beaten to death.

[Pauleebe]

We knew this was coming.

Originally Posted by Bennu

They should take the M out of it completely and stop diluting the M brand name. M should be exclusive to only true M power cars and quit this M performance crap.

But it's all about marketing since most people that see my car think it's a real M and that's why they won't change it.

Agreed, so sick of it.

[RingMeister01]

Back in the day when the numbers signified motor displacement. Then again, back in the day when BMW made a naturally aspirated motor. :

[greekcs]

I hope the M240i features more "M" badges. "M" badge life bruh. Or better yet, make the car one giant "M" with 4 wheels. People will trample each other to be first to own one.