The Myth of the "REal M Car"

[blee]

I'm sure a bunch of you saw this on Jalopnik recently.

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/the...car-1507516158

Watch or read any outlet's coverage on a car BMW M has touched and the phrase is bound to turn up. It is often referenced as a comparative benchmark with no explanation of what it means. In reality, it is completely subjective nonsense. But that fact doesn't stop journalists, enthusiasts, and even members of BMW's marketing department from making the assumption that everyone has settled on a mutually understood, albeit completely nebulous, standard of excellence.

...whatever, I still miss my '88.

[lemming]

there has not been a true to the chassis //Motorsport car since the e30 M3, has there?

the 1995 M3 LTW might be the closest.

from 1991 (?) on, it's been about as related as the Chevy Impala (Hertz/Avis) and the NASCAR Impala.

[armaq]

I remember arguing about this stuff with other people on the interwebs like 10 years ago.

[Sharp11]

That's actually a very good article, surprising given the source. The author has done his homework on "group think".

I was listening to one of those "great courses" dvd's on this very subject - people always believe the "group" they're in is the best; it could be a sports team, an office project team, an internet forum on a certain brand of hi fi equipment - it doesn't matter, the group mentality always coalesces a certain way.

In this case, the "group" is the "rose colored glasses" team - it's a variation on the "they don't make 'em how they used" mindset.

The truth is, BMW isn't (nor is any brand) the same car-maker it was 25, 30 or 40 years ago - it remakes itself every so many years, and an M car is whatever the company wants it to be. The entire line-up of BMW's is vastly different from what was available even 10 years ago, let alone M cars.

[blee]

...Whatever, I still miss my '88. And prices are shooting up so fast that I don't know when, if ever, I'll be able to afford one again.

[John V]

The only real M car was the M1 anyway.

[blee]

Originally Posted by John V

The only real M car was the M1 anyway.

Did a little bit of research after I read this article. Interesting factoid -- even the (streetgoing) M1 came with air conditioning and other luxury items. Really, if you're only talking about pared-down race-driven cars, the LTW might be the only one that qualifies. But if you want to go by cars that were designed only to race from the get-go, you get the M1. But if you want...

[JST]

Originally Posted by John V

The only real M car was the M1 anyway.

Pretty sure that's a Lambo, dude.

[lemming]

Originally Posted by blee

...Whatever, I still miss my '88. And prices are shooting up so fast that I don't know when, if ever, I'll be able to afford one again.

what do they go for now?

what's the differential between the 2.2s and the 2.5s?

[Nick M3]

Originally Posted by lemming

what do they go for now?

what's the differential between the 2.2s and the 2.5s?

One as nice as Blair's was would trade in the mid 30s.

There's no real premium for a built 2.5. The factory 2.5s seem to trade between 1.5-2X.