BMW to start offering M-Sport packs in the U.S., look faster without the go-fast bits!
Frankly, its never been all that difficult to turn a run of the mill BMW into a reasonable facsimile of an M model like an M3, M5 or M6. All you had to do was order the appropriate body kit from your friendly neighborhood BMW dealer and slap it on your car. In spite of this, Europeans have generally had an even easier time thanks to M-Sport packages on virtually every model in the lineup including those that didn't offer M equivalents. The M-Sport packages generally consist of assorted aero bits, wheels, upgraded seats and interior bits emblazoned with the "M" badge.
BMW is reportedly getting ready to offer M-Sport packages in the U.S. for the first time beginning in early 2009. The 1 and 5 series will apparently be the first models to get blessed. Given the slow down in sales and BMW's recent profit warnings, this should come as no surprise as the packages will surely be priced with a generous profit margin built in. Thanks to Gabe and Michael for the tips!
Related:
Gallery: Review: BMW M5
Gallery: Review: 2008 BMW M3
[Source: Bimmerfile]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
CFelectro 12:08PM (12/27/2008)
Wont this drastically cheapen the M brand. No more look its an M3 from 100ft away, it will be way too common.
Reply
Seminole 12:15PM (12/27/2008)
*slap*
The M-Sport packages do not turn the car into a M3. It gives it the M-Sport front and rear bumpers (front: http://www.socale90.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=941&stc=1&d=1179156650) plus things like M logos on the steering wheel, doorsills, and shifter.
It will still look completely different from a M3. The M3 still has quad exhausts, fender and hood vents, a CF roof (on coupes) and a unique front and rear bumper (The front had brake cooling ducts in place of fog lights).
But yes, this is a way of extorting the M name, but to me it isn't anywhere as bad as what Porsche and Ferrari do. When I see a M snow sled or a M segway, then I'll say the brand is being cheapened.
CFelectro 12:20PM (12/27/2008)
thanks for the correction, i was thinking M cars without their hearts.
notYou 2:53PM (12/27/2008)
Can't wait to see them start to show up on the local Civics, Corollas, and Mazda 3s*
(* actually, they're already out there - but since the current ones are rooked off some poor legitimate M, I expect the practice to skyrocket now that the "tuners" can just pick 'em up)
Dave 2:08PM (1/02/2009)
@ Seminole
The front ducts on the M3 are not for brake cooling. One is for oil cooling and the other is an air intake.
Jason 12:17PM (12/27/2008)
Who wrote this article? These packages have been available from the dealer at least since the E46 (99-06) 3 series, albeit not in a package named "M-Sport".
For everyone else, it's just the bumpers mainly. You do not get the wider body of the M3, nor an ///M3 badge on the boot.
Reply
R-Yo 12:38PM (12/27/2008)
But people will find a way to get the ///M3 badge haha
mkM3 10:25AM (12/28/2008)
Jason, as described in the article at Bimmerfile, the M-Sport package is much more than just the bumpers. There are lots of other additions, particularly in the interior. The alcantara headliner is particularly big news since that is very difficult and costly to do aftermarket. The wheels are a nice feature also since they are almost as much as the entire package if you buy them from the accessory catalog.
FamilyGuy 1:41PM (12/27/2008)
Yep. E46 ZHP comes to mind.
Jason 5:41PM (12/27/2008)
There is more included I know, but for most people the most obvious are the bumpers.
My point though is that it's not really to make an non M-car look like an M-car. Some of the goodies in the E46 M-sport aren't even offered on the E46 M3, like the shift knob.
Richard 12:52PM (12/27/2008)
Just like a Wonder Bra: Over-promises, under-delivers.
Reply
Brent M 12:54PM (12/27/2008)
Poseurs rejoyce!
Reply
FSM 1:27PM (12/27/2008)
So if these were Japanese cars they would be called "rice". What do we call german cars with bling?
Reply
SPF 2:02PM (12/27/2008)
Sausage?
notYou 2:53PM (12/27/2008)
Similarly, in a semi-drunken fit, a good friend of mine and I recently wondered how to term similarly badged and plasticized US domestics like the new Fusion ...we came up with "grits".
(although that might be more applicable to the foreign cars that are built domestically in the US south, rather than domestic-domestics built up north, where grits are not only generally unheard of, they're derided. But that's just too much thinking.)
IMF 3:32PM (12/27/2008)
I think Sauerkraut it´s more accurate
George 1:34PM (12/27/2008)
My 2001 Z3 2.5i has the M package- great seats, bigger alloy wheels and interior badging (steering wheel, gear shifter.) While not an "M coupe", I get asked if it is all the time. P.S. the seats are worth it- great support and heated-a necessity for top down driving on the cooler Chicago days.
Reply
Preus 1:56PM (12/27/2008)
We have the M-Sport package here in Denmark, and I'll tell you, it makes the 5-series more attractive. Looks great. And it isn't only looks.
Reply
C Smith 2:02PM (12/27/2008)
Of course, the really cool will carry on debadging, leaving all the show to the no-goers.
Reply
Mobius_1 2:53PM (12/27/2008)
Autoblog, you are wrong. Those are the go-fast bits. :P
Reply