Quote:
Originally Posted by chiplee
I agree that it's questionable whether driving experience/excitement is a primary factor for you.  I'm probably BMW's target audience for this new M3/4. I think much of the BMW line up is now targeted at average consumers vice purists, and that's me, an average consumer. I've always lusted after an M3 but never owned one; never even driven one. I'm buying mine without a test drive. I've been a turbo enthusiast my whole driving life and I don't mind muted exhaust notes. In fact I love them. What matters to me when I spend money is to get the most bang for the buck; the best of all possible worlds. That is torque on tap from an engine that won't penalize me with 15mpg every time I move the car. I want comfort, versatility, dare I say "practicality" if such a thing exists in the $60k+ realm. I just don't know who is doing that better this year than BMW. Those are all my important factors though and yes, "different strokes", "to each his/her own", etc. |
But isn't that why the 435i with the M sport pckg exists? To my understanding the M4 is supposed to be catered to the niche, to the enthusiasts. The rest of the lineup already caters to everyone else. While I do look at MPGs it's probably the last thing I'd check on my "important to me" list when looking at a car.
Judging by the plethora of M5/M6s sitting on BMW dealerships I'm not sure this is the best strategy for BMW because the enthusiasts will go to another brand who puts them first. And the average consumer won't really feel the need to buy the M version because if you're judging by logic rather than emotion M cars make little sense.