[dela]

Originally Posted by emathis

Absolutely right. They might be powerful car, but they remain diesel cars with all their positive but also all their negative sides.
THe engineers can ad as many turbos as they want, the sound of these engines will still be sh....
And....let's be honest, he who can afford an 80K+ car will be able to pay the price for a few litters more in terms of consumption....and get the sound on top.
And useless to talk about emission standards.....this is all just holly sh....something invented but the politicians to make people believe that diesel engines are cleaner than gas engines......hahaha!

Cars are priced quite different over here. 80K is still relatively cheap compared to many other cars of the segment of powerfull diesels.

Fuel is priced at something like 1.80Euro/L now thoughout the EU union, so choosing a consumption of 6.6L/100km or 12L/100km is basically not a few liters for most people.

Is the typical 'we' in the US applied to everyone else around the globe who for most people are off worse than you are.

personally, I think it's great with high powered diesels, but as mentioned in a prior post, adding the M credentials to the car seems wrong, since this is what every //M owner have made fun off, when none //M owners adds the badge to their car....

[bimmerJP]

I like everything about the car, except the badge. I think it is weird to called them X6 M50d (did I even say that right??) and M550d. If the cars deserve the M badge, I think it should be called X6 Md or X6d M (still weird...) and M5d. If they don't deserve the badge, then call it X6 50ds and 550ds (I still don't get the 50 part even though I know BMW abandoned the displacement naming tradition) and still write the word "Powered by BMW M" under the hood if they want. I really don't get what BMW is thinking. I know I should just let it go if they are really just amazing cars. but just imagine if you own one and you want to brag about it, you would say "Hey, I drive an X6 50dM, uh wait, X5 M60d, no, X6 M50d!!"

[vladberca]

These cars are developed especially for European market.
Here BMW doesn't sell a lot of cars with large petrol engines due to the prices of the fuel.
So 35d/40d models were near v8 diesels from Audi and Merc, but the level of power was lower for the BMW engine: 313hp vs 350hp for Audi.
So BMW came with 50d nameing offering better performances and fuel consumption, also trying to fill the gap to real M models which are not the best sellers in Europe vs Asia or NA.
The best way to buy these cars is to debadge them when ordering and they will look more interesting for non BMW connaiseurs

[hks786]

They look 99% identical to M-sport models yet are somehow named "M performance" models. Ok I get the fact that they have high torque figures and offer AWD for those who want it but is there really a need for a model to bridge the gap between the 550i and the M5? I think not.

Let's not forget those badges look terrible! It reminds me of people who buy M-sport models and slap M badges on the back. Looks stupid and the name M550d x-drive is a mouthful.

[hks786]

Don't get me wrong it is an interesting combination. Diesel efficiency + high tq + AWD. I think the part that annoys me is that they had to market it as mini M versions.

[Norsk]

Originally Posted by Voice of reason

I may be a little optimistic, the way I see it:
By creating the M performance models, BMW M will have room to make the pure M models more focused and hardcore
Up to now the M cars had to play a dual role, now that this gap (M Performance) has been filled M will move further into the hardcore, focused territory!
Anyway my 2c- hope I am right!!!

Well I am hoping indeed that you are right; I do still like or love the brand. I think we should all avoid blind love in order for us as customers and clients do not become sheep and continue to get "True" value out a brand that we have grown to appreciate and like.

At the same time, I'm sure most of us can understand the drive for a business to grow and make money (+profits), which allows it to do more than survive, but actually grow.

The packages are very nice (Wheels, front and rear designs/bumpers and Interiors), the overall designs are nice (except for the face of that new 3 and side profile of that nose ... which is not in the line up yet ). I think what does kinda suck is things like the M///X5 50d, M///550d and the little M/// badges just bring it into the "trinket" world.

I'm all for taking the M/// brand more dedicated and hardcore, I think they could have done that by building a close the gap branding from the M/// division instead of plastering M/// all over non dedicated and actual M/// cars.

It is also OK for fans and clients to fight for the soul of a brand; hoping to balance growth with tasteful marketing packaging and design.

on the watering down of the M/// moniker on the design and packages.

[bmwm3redblack]

Looks so ugly an M badge 5.0d
It seems M starts losing its exclusivity....

[EdM5]

Excellent!
For all those haters that don't get it.

These uber diesels are intended for the european market. And no, they are no proper M-cars. But who gives a #### anyway?
These engines are stunningly quick and make a perfect fit for heavy cars like the X5 or X6.

[stefan]

As much as I hate all of this, that engine is impressive.

Tri-turbo 3.0L i6 making 381hp@4400rpm with 5400rpm redline, 546lb-ft torque @ 2,000rpm (albeit ending at 3,000rpm). So it's peaky but interesting for an everyday vehicle.

550d sedan does a 4.7s run to 100. That is on-par with the M3.

[ScheerSpeed]

i like the wagon...

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by Schm

I understand where a lot of people are coming from about the "M Dillusion," but isn't it diluted already? What would you call the logos on the M wheels and steering wheels, plus the M-Sport package. This is a big step for M GMBH and I think one in the right direction. Of making a lot of money that is. Diesel sells 80%+ Euro land, end of story.

Also, fast, diesel, awd wagons= major win.

Hardly. I don't think any one here has a problem with that since those ///M "upgrades" are for aesthetic purposes only and we still consider those for the model that it is. Now with the new ///M Performance line, people are going to start calling these models "///M" models when they're really not. Example, go see Autocar UK's front page of their January issue, they're calling the ///M 550d "BMW's diesel M5" which is wrong and that's the problem, calling it something it really isn't and people are going to start running with that.

[Youngen]

I don't care about the badging..
I don't care about the so called competition - VAG & MB...
I don't even care about the weight (well maybe a little)..

BMW, again, built a technical masterpiece and this can only make me smile....

[Vintage]

Frankly, this just really pisses me off to no end! I am sick of all the great diesel products Europe and the rest of the world gets and BMW will not sell them in the USA. I have a 2010 X5 35d that I am in love with - my first diesel and BMW diesels are now all I want to own. I would love a 5 series diesel, the X5 40d that has been in production in Spartanburg with an 8 speed transmission for well over a year now, a 1 series diesel for all of my business travel, etc. This is serious B.S.

I would buy the X5 550d or whatever the hell they call it right now - but NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! I can't get one. I really think BMWNA may be run by idiots.

[misterbeemer]

One of these days, just for kicks I'm going to go to the BMW dealership to "order" a car, confuse the heck out of the sales guy for a couple of hours by asking all sorts of questions about the permutations and combinations available in the car, pretend (or maybe be really confused myself) at the end that I can't figure it out and that I forgot what I was looking for, and walk out...

[mkoesel]

So is the bodywork identical to the MSport bodywork? It appears to be very similar if not identical, at least for the M550d models.

[SlammedR8]

Audi S mirrors...yay

[zerep1]

this is the future low consumption high performance

[remmib]

I like this, even though they're gonna be way to expensive here in Norway.

Why are you US guys so negative?!

No need to be afraid of the M exclusivity as these are for NOT coming to US.

[Quasimodem]

Originally Posted by cs4444

Awesome stuff, and impressive numbers..but Wow, people like to complain..christ. There was an M535i back in 1979, this labeling is nothing new get over it.

I think most can people grasp that an M with a single number is reserved for the most focused M models, and an M in front of a regular BMW number series are M "tuned" models not full fledged Ms.

Also if your worried about too many M badges, I think your missing the point. 1st these will not be HUGE volume sellers, and second if your worried about exclusivity buy a Porsche, or a lotus.

+1

Damn shame though that BMW is demeaning their diesel lineup with the "M" moniker.

[Rustler]

The "True M" owners get very defensive/protective whenever M offers a new product (the "1M isn't a true M car" furor seems to have just died down, as has the apparent outrage and insult to M heritage that are the X6M and X5M).

So for all those defensive posters, I ask, why buy an "M" car? I suspect most M3 owners on here will tell you it's all about the performance. That means that it's not all about the badge, right? So if the marketing boys want to badge a whole bunch of cars with M that doesn't dilute the performance of the M3, in fact the raison d'etre for the M3 is unaltered altogether. Unless of course you say it's all about performance but in reality your most attracted to the exclusivity of your M3. My point is, as long as the high performance oriented option is still available, and the enthusiast can still find it in the brochure or know how to ask for it, why care?

Another thought comes to mind, which is "what is a True M Car"? It seems like memories are short lived, and although I am no BMW historian, I can't think of any paradigm of M-ness that has ever existed. I can think "true" (at least arguably) historical M cars with 4 cyl, 6 cyl, 8 cyl and 10 cyl, engines in straight or V configurations, 2 door, 4 door and 5 door bodies, coupes and convertibles, M535is and M5s, and many other varied configurations.

So what has M been, historically? I suggest that since they put the engine from the m1 in a sedan in an effort to recoup losses from that project, it's been about marketing, but if they happen to make a product that the enthusiast loves, then that's all the better, right?

Finally, that wagon looks awesome and I wish we had it here in the states.

[BHinDC]

My humble prediction is that the wagon is a complete win for BMW. In addition, if it were brought to the US, it would sell like hot cakes. It's hot, it's fast, it's got all wheel drive, and it even appeals to all those who are driving very old MB diesel wagons with the original MB 4-matic. It would eat into SUV sales because anyone who has tried to load any sports equipment onto the roof of an SUV really wants a fun wagon. Did I mention it's hot?

[Wolf]

I wonder if BMW will regret this decision later on, which they will sure do... not a smart move