Quote:
Originally Posted by Winter.M3
Kinda controversial but I couldn't find anyone else's input. I see 3 series with the M sport package with M badges, M stickered calipers, M color stripes, etc. In my opinion, it's excessive.
Now, would you consider this upbadging? I would say yes, but I'm not sure. What's your opinion?
However; I still think it's cool to an extent to do it to some BMWs, especially if you have some performance mods. So don't get me wrong there.
|
In the US market BMW has always had some package which included the "//M" logo but it was never used to denote a model that wasn't a true M-car. For example the E46ZHP was sold as having the performance package and M-logos appeared on the wheels and shifter. The bumper was called "M-Tech" in ROW. The vehicle was still only badged as a 330i.
The change in model naming is more the result of competitors like Audi (i.e. S, RS, etc) as well as more 3-series models. BMW recognized that there was demand for more M-variants. IMO the test market was the E46 M3 CSL (Euro only) & M3 Competition. The segment expanded upward with the addition of the GTS for the E90. So like Audi BMW also expanded the naming down market.