We Tour the BMW M Studio at M HQ and Get Up Close to Some F80 M3 Sedans (info)

[1M_@teewhybs]

sick write up...gotta get a Euro delivery in for the F80 and finally see the Weltttt!!!

[Hoosiers]

Originally Posted by hlmiii

Pretty cool, isnt' it?
This was one of the biggest surprises of our visit. M is able to do and will do virtually anything wanted in the cosmetic finishing of a (special) customer's car. It's expensive, but it's there. I am sure you saw the hundreds of paint, leather, stitching, wood, and other finish books that they have. The library is spread out for consultation/presentation/brainstorming along with the customer - it's like going into the very highest-end fashion salon for an exclusive clothing item.
A few other interesting details.
One - the final concept, "formal" design and engineering of the 1M took place in only two weeks. It was spoken about loosely, informally and very quietly among the staff for a while. At the end of that time the head of "M" was away on a two-week trip and the staff put everything together, like kids doing something while the parents are out; they knew that they could not get approval for spending the time and effort. Upon his return he was showed a completed project. Since the development portion was essentially complete with no cost incurred, the car could be easily built by shoehorning it into the 128/135 production line during off hours, and the staff was so enthusiastic, the 1M was greenlighted. The staff basically pulled off a parlor trick and won.
Second - there was only one prototype built. Due to the advance and virtually complete initial work (with existent and proven M3 parts) and the tight schedule, there was time and money to use only one car for assembly and testing. That's pretty amazing.
Third - the test car was ... blue. But early on the staff realized the color didn't work. Hence the black, white and VO, as noted.
Four - the staff was really under the gun on the entire project, for both money and time reasons.
Five - they really like how their tuner project turned out.

Thanks, and especially for the pictures. They are better than mine ...

So essentially, the head of M is ruining M. The current M5 and M6 are widely viewed as failures by the automotive press, and I can speak to that with regards to the former. The only decent real driver's car was the 1M, and it was born IN SPITE of the head of M, not because. Is he still at M? If so, the next M3 will take the path of the M5 and M6.

[SCOTT26]

Originally Posted by Hoosiers

So essentially, the head of M is ruining M. The current M5 and M6 are widely viewed as failures by the automotive press, and I can speak to that with regards to the former. The only decent real driver's car was the 1M, and it was born IN SPITE of the head of M, not because. Is he still at M? If so, the next M3 will take the path of the M5 and M6.

Always forgotten is the timeline.

The 1M Coupe was developed under Dr. Kay Segler who also commenced work on the BMW M3 and BMW M4 and F15 X5M.
New current M chief is responsible for the completion of the new M6 Gran Coupe the M3 and M4 aswell as the Competition Pack for the M5 , but also Has started work on the X6M , M2 and X4M and another M Project.
The current M5 and M6 were developed by the current BMW US CEO Ludwig Willisch and completed under Dr. Kay Segler.

[ozinaldo]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

Always forgotten is the timeline.

The 1M Coupe was developed under Dr. Kay Segler who also commenced work on the BMW M3 and BMW M4 and F15 X5M.
New current M chief is responsible for the completion of the new M6 Gran Coupe the M3 and M4 aswell as the Competition Pack for the M5 , but also Has started work on the X6M , M2 and X4M and another M Project.
The current M5 and M6 were developed by the current BMW US CEO Ludwig Willisch and completed under Dr. Kay Segler.

As a diplomat myself, I would call this a nicely diplomatic way of saying "there is still hope for M3, M4 and next X5M". Well said Scott26

[Pure]

Dacklone thanks for the photos!
M5 and x5 In Montecarlo Blue amazing.
Montecarlo Blue vs Estoril Blue vs NeonBlau seem!!
3 series tanzanite blue , is very brilliant!!!!
Moinstein, is great.
Greetings to Germany!