Quote:
Originally Posted by FogCityM3
Like it or not, those comments can be seen as more reflective of a less biased enthusiast-based public at large (but probably not the general public at large, as you aptly put it). BMW M did change the definition of many aspects of what it takes to be an M car (forced induction, SUVs, heavier in case of M5/M6); between this and pouring salt on the wounds of tradition with the M4 nomenclature, enthusiasts get agitated when there is significant change from a previously successful formula. From BMW's perspective, as with any consumer products company, perception = reality and to overcome negative perceptions, they really need focus on WOW-ing people. Enthusiasts, while making up a very small % of the car buying public, get asked all the time about brands/cars by non-enthusiasts. There is a multiplicative effect of sorts, so in a way satisfying the enthusiast community can be seen as a way of building brand equity. Porsche, as an example, has perfected this by honing the 911 to near perfection and that does help sell its other vehicles.
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You could change like 10 words in this and it would be the exact same bs people spouted about the e9x when it came out.
Oh and btw, the e46 and then e9x were the first models to make a big weight gain over it's predecessor, not the f10 m5.