I'm not happy with BMW's direction for the next generation - What is an alternative?

[alscks0414]

I was grown up as a BMW fan.

My dad owned old Early 1990s E36 M3. And now he drives 2nd gen Panamera after 981 Boxter.

My high school dream car was E46 M3.
By the press came with CSL, I was blown away.

At my age of late 20s, I bought an used E90 M3 and I can't forget my excitement buying "used" but the car that i dreamed from my childhood.

Coming from there, I owned F80 M3 then went to F87 M2, came back to F80 again.

I was excited to see how BMW will come with next G8X M3/4 like most of you guys.
Then I was disappointed that competition model wont be offered with manual transmission and does not come with rear wheel drive. No DCT but only automatic.

I can get used to those big huge grille. Exterior is important but isnt a deal breaker for me as my best wish is to have same but more updated experience that new BMW will deliver with newer model while keep the heritage that all M model kept for past decades.

Okay fine, M2 is still a great choice. And indeed i do miss my F87 M2 after going back F80. I cant forget simple yet very driver focused fun car and how she was connected with me on the road.l and track.

However, after seeing the new 2 series grand coupe, now i am even started to worry if BMW will keep this front wheel biased drivetrain with ZF auto for next G87 M2?! Hell no..... please..

I sat down and started to think. What is my alternative choice?? Do i just keep my F80?? Should i go 718 with 4 cylinder?
Where is BMW going?? I know all makers are going into smaller engine, eliminate internal combustion slowly heading towards hybrid and electric..
Where can I enjoy the very last, maybe only available for next decade or so, before i have no choice but to go with 4 cylinder hybrid M cars.. if they keep pulling these car that different from their sheer driving lineage that they HAD built for entire history, i dont think i will be coming back..

Anyone having same dilemma?? I could be wrong. I just wanna hear what you guys think.

Thanks.

[Taco_Bueno]

I hear you. I think they're going to lose what raw, visceral feeling they have left. Imagine what M cars would be like if there weren't such stringent emission regulations.

[N55Msport]

I for one realize that BMW will never go back to the golden era which for me was when they made the e46 M3's and e39 M5's as that ship has sailed a long, long time ago. So moving forward, I'm not really excited with any of BMW's future models. I like the F90, but it's too much of a car for me. I've been thinking on trading in my F80 in a few years towards a new G80, but the if the grill ends up being as large as projected, thats too drastic of a change and looks too much like a Lexus or as others have said " Predator after a Grenade went off in it's mouth".

If anything, I'll keep my F80 and will most likey move into a manual Porsche 997 years from now or a CPO 992 with PDK.
On a whim, I looked at several and I'm impressed with the overall feel and build quality.

[alscks0414]

Originally Posted by N55Msport

I for one realize that BMW will never go back to the golden era which for me was when they made the e46 M3's and e39 M5's as that ship has sailed a long, long time ago. So moving forward, I'm not really excited with any of BMW's future models. I like the F90, but it's too much of a car for me. I've been thinking on trading in my F80 in a few years towards a new G80, but the if the grill ends up being as large as projected, thats too drastic of a change and looks too much like a Lexus or as others have said " Predator after a Grenade went off in it's mouth".

If anything, I'll keep my F80 and will most likey move into a manual Porsche 997 years from now or a CPO 992 with PDK.
On a whim, I looked at several and I'm impressed with the overall feel and build quality.

I agree with you completely. I can give up the look i can just hate those grilles while enjoying my ride inside my BMW. M3 is just taking step to where it gets too similar to current F90. They are two different segment aimed at different customer with different interest and purpose. I want to be at top trim of the non production competition model with famous yet traditional RWD with differential and direct steering feel without having any powertrain obstructing front geometry either DCT or 6MT...

[NickyC]

Nope, after my current M4 I'm going to be looking elsewhere. 20+ years straight of ///M cars and they're going away from all I love about the brand. I absolutely adore my M4, but as of this moment there's no other M car I'd want nor do I like anything I see in the pipeline. They're way overpriced as it is now anyways.

I just wish they'd remake Z4Ms, I'd never drive anything else.

[nicknaz]

Ultimate driving machine is more like Ultimate commuting machine these days

[///Gunner]

My biggest disappointment with BMW is that they are throwing the “M” on everything thats not really an “M”, taking the value and excitement away from owning an “M” vehicle. after 4 BMWs, this is for sure the last one I own... going out like a champ with my M4

[Redacre]

Originally Posted by NickyC

Nope, after my current M4 I'm going to be looking elsewhere. 20+ years straight of ///M cars and they're going away from all I love about the brand. I absolutely adore my M4, but as of this moment there's no other M car I'd want nor do I like anything I see in the pipeline. They're way overpriced as it is now anyways.

I just wish they'd remake Z4Ms, I'd never drive anything else.

As a fellow Z4M to M4 convert, I'm 100% with you on this one.

I may be in the minority that actually likes the new Porsche lineup of 4-cylinders. I had a 912E years ago and the 718 is very reminiscent.

[NickyC]

Originally Posted by Redacre

As a fellow Z4M to M4 convert, I'm 100% with you on this one.

I may be in the minority that actually likes the new Porsche lineup of 4-cylinders. I had a 912E years ago and the 718 is very reminiscent.

Yep, I remember you from the Z4M forum! I made the mistake twice, sold two different Z4Ms. I've been looking around again lately though....

[IB M]

Have owned 6 M3s from E36 to F80 and 1 M2; both MTs and DCT.

If I buy another new M it will be an X3M or X5M. The cars have all gotten too big, so why not just get the SUV version with ride height, bike racks and ground clearance. The e-handbrake, digital dash, and no DCT leave me feeling meh. The big grills are the straw that broke the camels back. Hopefully BMW recovers from a slight stumble with the G generation and wakes up. I'm optimistic that they'll get back to more pure cars even if they are electric versions.

[N1rve]

No. The F82 M4 is going to be my last BMW.

[Tommy L Garage]

I don’t remember people gating the F30 when it first came out. It was just a natural progression. But the G30 update just blew it. It’s not much different from a Lexus and the side profile is so weak. Interior wise - yes it’s different from F30s but not much so. Overall design is still the same. They should have completely revamped the interior the same way Audi just did.

Anyways....I am not excited about any new BMW out there. By the time I’m tired of my F80 it will be time to upgrade so a 911 C4S - that will make a perfect train commuter car!

[secretanchitman]

Not too happy where the company is going personally. I'm tired of these ugly huge grilles on the newer models and lack of 6MT (thankful the M2/M3/M4 has it) but it is what it is.

I'm just happy I ordered my F82 the way I wanted to and will enjoy it for years once it comes stateside!

[alscks0414]

Originally Posted by Tommy L Garage

I don't remember people gating the F30 when it first came out. It was just a natural progression. But the G30 update just blew it. It's not much different from a Lexus and the side profile is so weak. Interior wise - yes it's different from F30s but not much so. Overall design is still the same. They should have completely revamped the interior the same way Audi just did.

Anyways....I am not excited about any new BMW out there. By the time I'm tired of my F80 it will be time to upgrade so a 911 C4S - that will make a perfect train commuter car!

I wish i can afford 992 coming out but the price on new ones are set very high at where i have to risk. I am looking at 718 GT4 comes in used after 2-4 year and i guess will enjoy 718 GTS new or 981 GT 4 used in the meantime.

Btw i am love your mud flaps and they are great for brutal winter up here in North lol. I have them now for 1 year or so

[cotmfk]

Not too excited by it, but that is also my general sentiment for the overall auto industry. It will be fun to have a full self-driving car and not have to worry about anything in that regard, but I will miss being able to drive myself around.

That's why I got f82 with no driver aid packs. This is basically the last generation of cars where you can get them without those driver aids. Time to buy and hold for people like me.

TLDR - Not just BMW, but whole auto industry is moving to autonomous driving.

[alscks0414]

Originally Posted by cotmfk

Not too excited by it, but that is also my general sentiment for the overall auto industry. It will be fun to have a full self-driving car and not have to worry about anything in that regard, but I will miss being able to drive myself around.

That's why I got f82 with no driver aid packs. This is basically the last generation of cars where you can get them without those driver aids. Time to buy and hold for people like me.

TLDR - Not just BMW, but whole auto industry is moving to autonomous driving.

IMHO, autonomous is yet far to be 100% legal and compliant on the road. Technology will get there anytime soon but all laws and insurance related stuff is not going to allow this to be real at least in next 10 years. Well... thats my thought. However, I do know that all makers are going towards hybrid and electric.

[Bimmed Out]

BMW gets too much blame, liberal politics and EU regulations not enough. Although the M2 CS looks brilliant.

[MyFragileHalogen]

That AWD G8X competition with 500+ hp and ZF transmission probably would weigh like 3800-4000lbs and will be very fast on track- at least GTR fast. But what I want is lighter 6MT RWD with the same 500+ hp, not freaking 450hp pure (read as poor). Chance that I will keep my F82 is pretty high at this point. Better brake cooling that is hinted
in G8X may be a plus but not enough. Speaking of the look in recent bimmerpost rendering: "what the hell."

It's hard to consider Porsche either because F82 with good mods and driver is already on par with finest road legal track focused P-cars (GT3/GT3RS) at fraction of price and maintenance cost while there doesn't seem much room for upgrades for those P-cars.

[alscks0414]

Originally Posted by MyFragileHalogen

That AWD G8X competition with 500+ hp and ZF transmission probably would weigh like 3800-4000lbs and will be very fast on track- at least GTR fast. But what I want is lighter 6MT RWD with the same 500+ hp, not freaking 450hp pure (read as poor). Chance that I will keep my F82 is pretty high at this point. Better brake cooling that is hinted
in G8X may be a plus but not enough. Speaking of the look in recent bimmerpost rendering: "what the hell."

It's hard to consider Porsche either because F82 with good mods and driver is already on par with finest road legal track focused P-cars (GT3/GT3RS) at fraction of price and maintenance cost while there doesn't seem much room for upgrades for those P-cars.

Exactly! I want competition model with 6MT (or DCT) RWD. But they dont offer that. I had fun modifying my previous model and i am considering keep them in stock as I prefer that way more now.
Only one thing that i dont like current F80 is the size in comparision to Porsche. After coming from M2 i do know that i want smaller fun nimble not pursuing power gain over tuning..

Well everyone has different taste

[ZCD1]

To wit:

https://www.evo.co.uk/bmw/201850/bmw...led-mediocrity

[Funf6cyl]

Originally Posted by MyFragileHalogen

That AWD G8X competition with 500+ hp and ZF transmission probably would weigh like 3800-4000lbs and will be very fast on track- at least GTR fast. But what I want is lighter 6MT RWD with the same 500+ hp, not freaking 450hp pure (read as poor). Chance that I will keep my F82 is pretty high at this point. Better brake cooling that is hinted
in G8X may be a plus but not enough. Speaking of the look in recent bimmerpost rendering: "what the hell."

It's hard to consider Porsche either because F82 with good mods and driver is already on par with finest road legal track focused P-cars (GT3/GT3RS) at fraction of price and maintenance cost while there doesn't seem much room for upgrades for those P-cars.

A lot of guys went from modded M3/4s to stock Porsche 991.1S/GTS or 991.2s and put down much better lap times in a stock form, myself included. Unless you have an M3/4 with 600-700 hp and have better driving skills they are nowhere near 911 performance, let alone GT cars - but then it’s not really apples to apples in either case.

[ilia]

Unfortunately sales drive design. I have sensed the "softening" of the brand and transition to luxury since the e90 generation. Luxury has more appeal to a greater amount of customers, so there's the necessary shift in strategy. There are a lot more M's sold and profits keep growing monthly. Will I buy another BMW? Probably not, but I'm probably in the minority of customers.
The M cars used to be the jack of all trades. Drive it in summer and winter with some track time in between. It used to be an affordable sports car. Now they are becoming excessively expensive and not as much fun to drive. It's a compromise car, not truly a sports car, but not fully a luxury machine either. Just like an all season tire - semi good at everything, but not excellent at anything. The budget has also changed substantially in order to afford a M. If you had the money to buy a sports car and a daily driver, then why buy the M. I believe a new M price is on par with the fore mentioned budget. Just how I feel at this time.