Albert Biermann M division engineering boss - 2016 M3 GT, M7, xDrive M5/M6?

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by aajami

I don't want to live in a world where the feasibility of an M3 GT is taken into serious consideration but that of an M2 is called into question by the same company.

Consider the motivation.... SALES.

An M2 is only in " question " while the company ramps up production of the 228 and 235... because a LOT of buyers would wait for an M2 rather than buy an M235 right off the bat (myself included.) Expect BMW NA to sell a ton of M235s for the next year or two.... which will keep it from stealing some of the thunder of the M3/M4. Then... 2 years from now... as M3/M4 is not such a hot commodity... announce the M2.

Think iphone " X" and iphone " X"S. ... Sports cars sold on different cycles..

[aajami]

Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster

Consider the motivation.... SALES.

Oh, believe me. I get BMW's one and only motivation completely.

Units sold and profitability above all else.

[bavarian19]

No M active tourer? Damn.

[ChiTownM]

They should have come up with a better differentiator between M and M Performance, Audi is doing a better job in the market positioning of their brand IMHO. I have willingly spent lots of money on various M cars and currently own 2 but am starting to look at Porsche and maybe the i8 due to brand dilution. I am sure that I am a minority and previous poster has it right .... All about SALES, which requires M...arketing and M...ore variety?!

[btbossman]

I think M7 is a great idea though. The B7 is nice but I would prefer the M

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by aajami

Oh, believe me. I get BMW's one and only motivation completely.

Units sold and profitability above all else.

you say that like it's a bad thing?
I personally don't care about what they build. I care more about what they DON'T BUILD (or.. said differently... I care that they build what I want!).

If multiple model variants allow them the PROFITABILITY to then build the niche car (1M in the past... and hopefully an M2/M2 Gran Coupe in the future) that I want, then why would I bad mouth the company?

It's all a means to an end. and I am very happy to see the enthusiast end picking up with cars like the 1M... ///M135.. M235....

if you want to bash a company for their decisions on profitability..... how about Toyota? no Supra.. no Celica..... no MR2.. or even a MRs2... just the LFA and a weak M3 chaser... well.. i guess they did finally join in on the BRZ..

[ki__]

BMW is hopeless.

[cmk227]

Originally Posted by aajami

I don't want to live in a world where the feasibility of an M3 GT is taken into serious consideration but that of an M2 is called into question by the same company.

10000x

BMW you need to consider an M2!

[neversummer78]

Originally Posted by positiveions

Maybe M3 wagon, but not a GT.
BMW what are you thinking? Do you want to sell 4 only worldwide?

[positiveions]

Originally Posted by Jblack4083

The GT's outsold the Wagons with the 5 series... Theyre more popular. Wagons are ugly !

That's because GTs are marketed towards middle age to older crowd. M3 wagons would be acquired by younger crowd.

Note to take, Audi B5, B6, and B7 S4 avant were driven by younger crowd, and appealed to them more so than older crowd.

[///M ARMY]

GT are hideous. I would rather have a wagon for the M3 and it's about time they consider awd for the M5 and M6

[pkimM3r]

If they make an estate m3 im getting that. Trunk can be dirty all it wants , luggage, boxes, trees, dogs, all sorts of dirty shit. AND taking it to the track. Easier to take wheels tools etc LOL.

[Pure]

Better to build a truck to carry 36000 hp race tracks and put letters M . LOL...

[bimmerjph]

Originally Posted by Snig

Go home Albert Biermann, you're drunk.

[Jblack4083]

Originally Posted by positiveions

That's because GTs are marketed towards middle age to older crowd. M3 wagons would be acquired by younger crowd.

Note to take, Audi B5, B6, and B7 S4 avant were driven by younger crowd, and appealed to them more so than older crowd.

You've got it completely backwards. No offense but with the wagon bias on this forum I cannot blame you.

The GT vehicles actually sell to younger crowds than wagons. The GT cars cover a broader audience because they dont carry the negative "wagon" stigma. This broader appeal has been PROVEN as they sell better than their wagon counterparts because they fall into that larger market segment.

The whole "wagon" concept does not sit well with younger buyers which is why BMW even came up with the whole GT thing... It has a broader appeal. The "wagon" thing is something of my parents generation. I'm 22. They saw appeal in station wagons and woody vans. Younger buyers dont want that (with exception of a small niche group of people on this forum). Just look at even how the GT is marketed and the advertising materials they use for it.

If I had to take a guess BMW probably sees the two vehicles like this:
GT vehicles -> Adults age 30-60 who probably have kids. Want to be cool and responsible at the same time.
Touring vehicles -> Adults age 50-75 who simply find value in the added utility and are less concerned with looks or what other people think

[positiveions]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

Global sales of the 3er GT has exceed initial projection for 2013. Once we have two years of sales to look at whether it has been successful or otherwise then we can go ahead or not go ahead with the concept.

The 3er GT is sold in all global markets and this is where its success is coming from. Perhaps you would like to visit the F34 thread where we already have a core forum who have purchased that car.

The car has been presented to the BMW board this past week.
If you like the 3er GT M-Sport then you will like the M3 GT it has been M orientated with broader wheel arches and a similar aero packet albeit slightly amended because of the 3er GT's height. The 3er GT's facia stays the same.

If the main focus is GT, and the engine offered is a 3.0L Turbo, then of course sales will outperform expectation. HOwever, if the same engine is offered in wagons, then wagons will outshine in sales.

I'm speaking in terms of styling. They have no affluent aesthetic design. I choose a car based on styling and design: will this car still look good 5 or 6 years down the road? I couldn't care less about GTs.

Two years ago, I visited a dealership to test drive a 335is. THe sale rep was mentioning that "I can give you a good deal, and an awesome lease rate on a 5er GT". My initial response "no thank you". Then I proceeded to ask "How so?", "because they are sitting on our lot, and no one is buying them" replied the sales rep.

Go back in time, and do some research about Audi B5, B6, and B7 S4 avant. Many who purchased those were the younger crowds. WHY? The body style appealed to them. Thus, styling takes precedent, and many of BIMMERPOST crowd will agree with me.

[qdtjant]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

Global sales of the 3er GT has exceed initial projection for 2013. Once we have two years of sales to look at whether it has been successful or otherwise then we can go ahead or not go ahead with the concept.

The 3er GT is sold in all global markets and this is where its success is coming from. Perhaps you would like to visit the F34 thread where we already have a core forum who have purchased that car.

The car has been presented to the BMW board this past week.
If you like the 3er GT M-Sport then you will like the M3 GT it has been M orientated with broader wheel arches and a similar aero packet albeit slightly amended because of the 3er GT's height. The 3er GT's facia stays the same.

I would go for a M3 GT for sure. Please make it happen.
And xDrive too.

[positiveions]

Originally Posted by Jblack4083

The GT vehicles actually sell to younger crowds than wagons.
.

Are you sure about that? You are one in how many members of this forum that like GTs. If I made a poll today, I would like to see how many members will vote for the wagons vs GT.

Many don't even care about it. If you placed 10 wagons, and 10 GTs at a lot, and let the public have at it, you'll find out that wagons will be gone first.

[Japanese_Racer]

I feel that ever since the E32 and the crazy V16 motor BMW put into that chassis ("Project Goldfish"), the Flagship 7 has called for an M version.

I would also actually like to see a M5/M6/M6GC X-Drive as I think BMW could really showcase their AWD platform.

I also had the chance to view the M-Sport 335i GT at the Los Angeles Auto Show just a few weeks ago and can say with confidence that it looks great in person. BMW got the headlight design spot on for this particular car. HOWEVER I would still personally take a F81 M3 Touring > M3GT.

[norwegianE46]

Originally Posted by ottoblotto

Make all the GT/7/X3/whatever other ///M cars you want, but for the love of car enthusiasts worldwide, BMW:

MAKE A TOURING M3!!

Seriously...

We all would, BUT: The Asian market is the #1 priority as they are by far the largest customer target group. And the US. Neither buy estates, Tourings or any such derivatives, no matter how much we love them! We all have to face up to this whether we like it or not.

BTW I have a GT, and for me it is a cruiser, a VERY COMFORTABLE dynamic cruiser and a spacious one at that. It is not a sports car, I can't kid myself. Preferably I'd have this AND an M4 :-):-):-):-). (Lottery win!)
We saw it as a more dynamic alternative to an X3 or a 5series estate, as all these are bigger than an F30 and F31, I don't see why soooooooo many here are completely missing this incredibly important point, stop comparing it to (YES I KNOW THEY ARE MORE DYNAMIC, DOH!) the F30 and 31.

[Law]

Originally Posted by Japanese_Racer

I feel that ever since the E32 and the crazy V16 motor BMW put into that chassis ("Project Goldfish"), the Flagship 7 has called for an M version.

I thought i was reading a typo at first...and then i re-read it and looked it up...V16 7-series. With all this eco-BS these days we seldom see engineers go balls out to do something crazy just to demonstrate that they can. The politics these days...

[Jadar]

It's getting a bit silly. Why not a 2M active tourer as well so the soccer moms can shave off .3 tenths off their time getting to the practice fields.