The BMW M Division Has Lost Their Magic

by "Powershiftmedia-ResidentDSMGuru" (matt-powershiftmedia)
Published 06/26/2017 at 22:58

Tags: BMW ; M3 ; M4
STARS: 6

From a young age I fell head over heels for several BMW models. The iconic E24 M6, the E28 M5, the E30 M3, I could just go on and on. Silky smooth race derived motors, individual throttle bodies, something special happens when you take a basic model and turn it into an M model. At least, that used to be the case.

I say “used to be” because that spark and magic is no longer present in my opinion. There isn’t a single model available that isn’t turbocharged, no more individual throttle bodies, and the race derived motors are a thing of the past. Instead, the current M motors are heavily based on their mundane production counterparts, and it’s really starting to show. Sure, they’re all immensely fast, torquey, they posses all the makings of a great muscle car, just not an M car.

Let’s Start From The Beginning

The E30 M3 needs no introduction. The S14 four cylinder was good for 192 horsepower, breathing through individual throttle bodies. It was a lower revving engine with a factory redline of around 7,500 rpm. Yet, it was a one off engine built for the M3, and is a true masterpiece crafted from the M division.

The E30 M3 had one of the best steering systems in a production car, feedback and weight was dialed in to perfection and handling is regarded as precise. Boxed fender arches and an aggressive rear spoiler made the M3 like a tuxedo tee shirt. This was the first M3 and it was quite possibly the most iconic and sought after.

Even the hated on American specification E36 M3 is a special car. Sure, it didn’t have individual throttle bodies like the European S50 motor, but it still had the basic M flair. Larger displacement, more aggressive camshafts, a chassis that had been reworked for handling, and a subtle body makeover that has aged pretty well. 240 horsepower isn’t much today, but the car was just hilariously fun to drive. It was a special car back then, and it’s still special today. They are a favorite of racers everywhere and for good reason, the steering is precise and nicely weighted, the inline six cylinder engine is silky smooth and loved to be wrung out, it’s just a great package.

Progressing into the E46 M3, things took a huge step forward. The S54 engine churned out 333 ponies, and had a redline that rivaled Ferrari models. Power delivery was perfect for the track, with torque and horsepower becoming more readily available from about 4,000 rpm and beyond. The E46 body has become a timeless classic, a cult classic. Realistically, it was damn near flawless. Steering was the benchmark of the era and its’ class, the six speed manual was a beautiful piece of automotive art, and the S54 engine has went on to be regarded as possibly the best M engine of all times.

Fast forward to the E9x M3 variants. I’ll break this down for you in case you truly don’t understand the BMW model nomenclature. E90 denoted a sedan, E92 denoted a coupe, and E93 denoted a convertible. With that out of the way, the E9x M3 was a masterpiece, featuring the S65 V8 that could turn over 8,000 revs in stock form. 414 horsepower once again was available from about 4,000 and on. Eight individual throttle bodies ingested air, and the waste was expelled through four exhaust tips. The sound was orgasmic, the driving experience was even better.

Get the DCT transmission and downshifts are a special occasion, the M3 spits, cracks and burbles as the transmission rev matches for the next lower gear. Steering was once again incredible, the exterior was beautifully designed and the overall execution was just done right. This is a car that is capable of being a daily driver, track rat, and everything in between.

Now we’re up to the M4. Yes I said the M4. BMW decided coupes need to have even named numbering while sedans should be odd numbered. Except… You can get a four series grand coupe which is actually a sedan that isn’t all that different from the three series. So that’s what we’re doing now I suppose. Anyhow, the M4 is a serious departure from the old M formula. The S55 motor is rated for 425 ponies, and is actually underrated. It’s based loosely on the production N55, and features twin turbochargers. Yes, no more individual throttle bodies, no more screaming redlines, that’s all old news.

BMW claims emissions standards forced them away from their old ways, which quite frankly, is a load of shit. Dodge has a 707 horsepower supercharged V8, Chevrolet has a billion LS powered models, I could go on. The M4 isn’t bad from a performance perspective at all, it’s actually quite good. It’s blazing fast, the fastest M3 yet actually. The DCT transmission keeps getting even better, and for now a manual transmission is still available. So why am I being a harsh critic?

Losing Core Values

The M3 used to attract buyers based on what it was, not what it wasn’t. It wasn’t the fastest in its’ class, it certainly didn’t have the biggest engine, the most power, it was truly lacking in those departments. The Mustang and Camaro always packed more heat, and they were the faster cars from an acceleration perspective.

The M3 won over hearts because of the driving experience, if you’ve never driven a “good” M car it’s slightly hard to explain. Pushing the needle towards the red, the refined sound of the race derived motors, the precision steering and minimalistic interior, it created a class that never really existed. A basic model made race car, but still daily driver. The M3 was always the best car in the world in terms of being a Swiss Army knife. It could just do everything and do it better than the competition could. Daily driving comfort was there, practicality was there, it had everything. All while being hilariously entertaining and never dull. It was just its’ own experience.

That’s not the case anymore. In place of the minimalistic interior is a oddly placed iPad looking infotainment screen. I assume this design cue was discussed via email because the design engineers forgot to incorporate it at a board meeting. It truly looks like shit. However, the steering wheel does look amazing and the seats are phenomenal, I won’t deny that. That’s right where the good ends.

The engine is phenomenal as I stated. However, it sounds absolutely raspy and terrible. This is something that has brought the M4 harsh criticism. It deserves it entirely, a performance car should have a signature sound. The M4 has a sound that makes me pray for a debilitating hearing injury. Let’s not forget about the legendary M car steering, namely that the M4 doesn’t have it. Instead, BMW moved with the industry trend to go to electronic power steering, and you can quickly tell that it was a bad move. In normal mode the steering is numb and light, offering as much feedback as a mute person. In sport plus mode, it is artificially heavy and offers the level of feeling I’d expect as a quadriplegic.

Still yet, the M4 is a great muscle car. Torque is available really low in the rev range, making it like a Mustang. The chassis is amazing, and certainly boasts excellent handling. The numbers don’t lie, and the M4 doesn’t fail to perform.

So What’s The Problem?

The problem is us as enthusiasts. Everybody wants to buy a car based on performance statistics, they want those last tenths of a second off of the Nurburgring time. The thing is, a small fraction of these cars will ever see the ring, and 90 percent of us couldn’t harness the full potential of a car like this anyway.

So in the name of performance numbers, we’ve lost what truly made the M3 an M3, character. I know I’ll get a lot of hate for this, and I’m not bashing your M4. It truly is an incredible car, I’d venture to say one of the best. It’s just not an M car, and it’s never going to be. M3’s used to be precision weapons, you had to really work for the power, and that’s where so much of the charm was in my opinion. These cars were never meant to be straight line monsters or muscle cars, yet that’s where they’ve evolved. I remember when the M community used to take pride in the high redline, and lack of torque. “Buy a Mustang if you want instantaneous torque” they’d say. Funny how much changes in ten years.

My Name is Matthew, and I’m an author of mediocre articles. If you’d like to follow me and read more of my thoughts on random vehicles, you can do so on my very mediocre and very new website www.powershiftautomotive.com we also upload podcasts each Sunday.

Replies (26)

"SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media" (silentbutnotreallydeadly)
06/26/2017 at 23:06, STARS: 5

...and I thought that this post was going to be about M Division’s contributions to the X Series BMW’s.

Given we get 16 different M models in my market, one would have to say that the cachet of the M badge is somewhat diluted from its heyday. Hat’s off the BMW for that.

"carcrasher88" (carcrasher88)
06/26/2017 at 23:07, STARS: 1

How about the M2? The one everyone is calling the second coming of the E30 M3?

"Powershiftmedia-ResidentDSMGuru" (matt-powershiftmedia)
06/26/2017 at 23:12, STARS: 0

Admittedly I haven’t driven it. However my sentiments stand true, a turbocharged motor based off a production engine, no more hand built race derived motors. Is it really as special?

"Powershiftmedia-ResidentDSMGuru" (matt-powershiftmedia)
06/26/2017 at 23:12, STARS: 0

I’d entertain driving an M2 however

"Powershiftmedia-ResidentDSMGuru" (matt-powershiftmedia)
06/26/2017 at 23:16, STARS: 2

This is a valid point for sure. Was trying to focus on the M3 in my content. There is a M version of everything. M isn’t nearly as special as it used to be.

"SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media" (silentbutnotreallydeadly)
06/26/2017 at 23:27, STARS: 0

Understood. However, in my book, the current M3 and M4 are the same (just one has two less doors). So I wouldn’t poke the stick solely at the M4.

Weirdly, we get two versions each of the M3 and M4 with the slightly higher powered and smidgely faster version being called Competition (as in M3 Competition Sedan).

Thanks to an enhanced engine output and a specially tuned Adaptive M suspension, the M Competition package offers a noticeable increase in driving dynamics. The M sports exhaust system with black, chrome-plated twin tailpipes creates a powerful, full engine sound. The package also includes M lightweight sport seats and exclusive 20" M light alloy wheels with mixed tyres.

I’m bemused as to why this is a thing.

"Powershiftmedia-ResidentDSMGuru" (matt-powershiftmedia)
06/26/2017 at 23:29, STARS: 1

No I meant the M3 in general, I am referring to the M4 and M3 in the sense that I dislike them both. The F80 M3 and F82 M4 are the same to me and even the naming sucks haha.

"AM3R, lost another burner" (am3r17)
06/26/2017 at 23:36, STARS: 2

That e36 is estoril, not techno.

"Powershiftmedia-ResidentDSMGuru" (matt-powershiftmedia)
06/26/2017 at 23:38, STARS: 0

Ohhhh good catch! The lighting made it look TV! Thanks for that!

"AM3R, lost another burner" (am3r17)
06/26/2017 at 23:45, STARS: 1

No worries, I’m a big BMW nerd who is obsessed with finding a clean E36 M3 to buy haha. Estoril or TV are my colors of choice.

"Powershiftmedia-ResidentDSMGuru" (matt-powershiftmedia)
06/27/2017 at 00:06, STARS: 0

Miss my old E36s, I’d love to have an Estoril or TV myself! The rare TV over Modena would be life haha

"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
06/27/2017 at 01:17, STARS: 2

This was a good read. Totally agree after thinking it over.

I rented a 2014 Gt-r off turo for two days... The acceleration was mind blowing, the awd system performed flawlessly keeping grip at the limit and I felt in control the whole time. It was great, and I felt like nothing could upset the car.

But... It didn’t feel special? It felt like it was designed to hit performance targets, which it certainly did! Compared to an Evo IX I drove around the same time though... It was just missing that spark.

The E46 m3's and earlier always seemed to be have that special presence. (I’m slowly warming up to the e9x)

"Powershiftmedia-ResidentDSMGuru" (matt-powershiftmedia)
06/27/2017 at 01:32, STARS: 0

Thank you so much for the feedback, I appreciate it! Excellent points and post! I haven’t driven the GTR yet, but I feel as if I’d be very disconnected from it. Having driven the Evolution 8, that car is a drivers car. I think you’ll enjoy my upcoming article I just drafted, and I’m currently editing. It’s about “what makes a great car” and I had recently driven the Focus RS. I have to say, the Focus RS is amazing, and a true drivers car. It’s three times the drivers car that the f80 M3/f82 M4 will ever be.

"Flynorcal: pilot, offshore sailor, car racer and panty thief" (flynorcal)
06/27/2017 at 03:33, STARS: 1

Argument: BMW’s M division has lost their magic



The existence of the X5M makes this an easy case. When Porsche started making crossovers they turned into shit too for the most part. Quit making S models of cars you’d be laughed at for making a R model.

Last year I was at Laguna Seca for Legends of the Autobahn. Stayed at a Motel 6. I was warming up my M5 next to a new M3 and talked to the guy I assumed was the owner. He wasn’t. He was a renter as he flew in for the BMW specific parts of the event and this new M3, that he was taking very good care of warming it and all, was a loaner. He had a M6 at home. Owned several M cars over time.

He said it had no soul. Punch and speed but no soul. Literally couldn’t wait to return it was his opinion.

"Powershiftmedia-ResidentDSMGuru" (matt-powershiftmedia)
06/27/2017 at 03:44, STARS: 0

Very good points, thank you for this. Which M5 variant do you own?

Porsche built the Cayenne pretty much out of necessity though. My argument on that is this:

Sure they make a Macan and a Cayenne. They also make a 918, GT3 RS, 911R, etc. They build wicked halo cars that make the brand look great. BMW builds the X5M for profit, and the best we get is an i8. Cmon. I’m a huge BMW enthusiast and I write this in sadness honestly.

"Flynorcal: pilot, offshore sailor, car racer and panty thief" (flynorcal)
06/27/2017 at 04:03, STARS: 1

E60 with the dreaded SMG, which I love.

I see your point but you can buy a M4 GTS and a .... Well shit I guess that’s about it and even there it’s no match for your point.

I don’t want to offend anyone but aside from the X5M I think the magic wasn’t truly applied to some other //M models as well. The Z3M I test drove had really sloppy handling and wasn’t fast, power wise, either. It just looked cool.

Really, really cool.

"Powershiftmedia-ResidentDSMGuru" (matt-powershiftmedia)
06/27/2017 at 04:10, STARS: 1

I definitely enjoy the Z3M but I definitely agree with your thoughts.

The E60 M5 will forever be a favorite of mine, and the SMG has my stamp of approval. I love the harshness the SMG is capable of, that’s a car with serious character. The S85 V10 is a true example of BMW M at their best.

Yeah I’m no fan of the M4 GTS. Overpriced and over hyped by a lot in my opinion. I offended a lot of people on a podcast because of some certain budget cars that beat the M4 GTS on the ring haha. That’s not me BMW hating because I truly love BMW.

"PG; the scalpel wielder" (pgr34)
06/27/2017 at 05:28, STARS: 1

Biased opinion.. But what about the 1M. Or the 135i for the plebs like me. Short wheel base, light-ish, manuel and always wanting to make sure guy go sideways off that next cliff

"Powershiftmedia-ResidentDSMGuru" (matt-powershiftmedia)
06/27/2017 at 05:42, STARS: 0

I love the 135i! It’s actually going to be a highlight of an upcoming article!

"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
06/27/2017 at 08:26, STARS: 1

BMW claims emissions standards forced them away from their old ways, which quite frankly, is a load of shit. Dodge has a 707 horsepower supercharged V8, Chevrolet has a billion LS powered models, I could go on.

Hmmm... Could they mean that those emissions in Europe force them to do so? Over here a lot of countries tax cars based on CO emissions. I can imagine BMW not wanting to produce/develop 2 engine for 2 clearly different markets.

I agree on the M-part being less M than they used to, totally. But it is driven by the fact the world/market has changed.

"Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner" (gavinharter30)
06/27/2017 at 09:24, STARS: 0

The f-10 was a darn good car

"Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner" (gavinharter30)
06/27/2017 at 09:28, STARS: 1

Now if BMW had kept the v-10 in the f-10 (so it’d be an f-10 v10. No? Ok I’ll see myself out.) and just put the turbos on it, that would be amazing a 600 hp twin turbo v10 super-sedan

"Powershiftmedia-ResidentDSMGuru" (matt-powershiftmedia)
06/27/2017 at 14:05, STARS: 1

This is also a valid point, but Porsche had naturally aspirated monsters up until just very recently and the GT3 RS is still on sale. To me, it was just a lame excuse.

"Powershiftmedia-ResidentDSMGuru" (matt-powershiftmedia)
06/27/2017 at 14:09, STARS: 1

The F10 is definitely gorgeous, but it’s insanely, almost unbelievably heavy. The steering is also uninspiring in the F10. Also, the 550i is a far better value in my opinion.

The E60 M5 had a screaming V10 that was completely special to the M5. The F10 M5 has a motor based on the N63. If the F10 had a TT V10 it would have made it far more appealing to enthusiasts, instead of giving it the same motor that’s in the X5M, X6M and so on. Just terrible and not even nonchalant cost cutting.

"Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner" (gavinharter30)
06/27/2017 at 20:05, STARS: 0

And the tt v10 would easily make the same amount of horsepower

"Powershiftmedia-ResidentDSMGuru" (matt-powershiftmedia)
06/27/2017 at 20:17, STARS: 1

Couldn’t agree more. Instead, they took the easy way out in the name of cost cutting. They ended up using the S63 based on the N63 used in the X5/6 5 series and 6 series.