M GmbH, which stands for Motorsport and is the name of BMW’s performance division, has been in existence since the 1970s. When it was first established, the department concentrated all of its engineering expertise on building race cars. However, as the brand soon yearned to expand operations into the high-performance market, BMW permitted the creation of M-branded cars for the general public. The M1 was the first M automobile made accessible to the general public; it was a mid-engine race car with a very thin veneer of comforts.
The M recipe evolved throughout time; instead of creating pure street racers, they opted to push the edge and create vehicles that are not only as quick and maneuverable as certain racecars, but also provide comfort and high-tech amenities often found in luxury automobiles.
Today, M produces high-performance versions of almost all of the vehicles offered by BMW. Let’s explore everything the M Series has to offer.
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BMW M
BMW M GmbH, originally BMW Motorsport GmbH, is a division of BMW AG and a producer of supercars.
The original purpose of BMW M, which stands for “motorsport,” was to support the company’s racing program, which was tremendously successful in the 1960s and 1970s. As time went on, BMW M started to add specially modified higher trim models to the lineup of BMW vehicles, for which they are today best known to the general public. To distinguish them from their rivals, these M-badged automobiles typically feature upgraded external trim, aerodynamics, interior trim, transmissions, and suspensions. At BMW’s exclusive testing and tuning facilities at the German racing circuit of Nurburgring, all M vehicles are scrutinized.
In addition, BMW M offers M packages for the BMW S1000RR motorbike. The M1000RR is a homologation-only, limited-production race-style vehicle.
What sets BMW M, M Sport, and M Performance apart
M Sport is the bottom rung of the BMW M ladder. Instead than being a special vehicle variation like M Performance or M, “M Sport” is simply an accessory package that can be applied to practically any BMW. The M Sport package is available for even high-end vehicles like the 7-Series, 8-Series, and X7. Depending on the car, the M Sport package may have different items. But at the very least, it offers distinctive outward and interior details. Some minor M emblems, darker exterior and interior trim, bigger wheels, a sportier-looking body package, and a unique steering wheel are among these changes. However, certain BMWs get much more.
M Performance is a level up from M Sport. The insignia on the trunk makes it simple to identify between the two. For example, a 340i with the M Sport package will only say “340i,” whereas the BMW M340i with M Performance will actually say “M340i.” And whereas M Sport focuses primarily on appearance, M Performance adds real speed. Keeping with the 3-Series, the M340i receives a unique engine from the base model. A 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 255 horsepower is the standard powertrain for the 3-Series. The 3.0 litre twin-turbocharged six-cylinder in the M340i, however, produces 382 horsepower. The M Performance variant still has a manual transmission, but it also includes M Sport brakes, M Sport exhaust, sportier tires, bigger wheels, more selectable driving modes, and a standard electronically controlled locking rear differential.
The quickest and most potent trims are the M Performance cars, although due to the extensive performance upgrades, BMW officially views its M products as unique models. Because of this, official M vehicles lack trim names; for example, the M3 and X6 M are simply badged as “M3” and “X6 M.” And every BMW M SUV and automobile is built with track racing in mind, unlike M Performance cars, which are primarily meant for street driving. Every X5 M and X6 M purchaser has access to training at one of BMW’s M driving schools. Which, given the support the M models receive, is probably absolutely necessary. The most evident is increased strength. Similar to the M340i, the regular BMW M3 has a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine, however the M3’s engine produces 425 horsepower. This is increased to 444 horsepower by the M3 Competition. The forthcoming 2021 M3 might have up to 510 horsepower. The M-specific alterations, however, go beyond that.
M Sport Package for BMW
The BMW car trim line known as M Sport is named after the company’s Motorsport division. They differ from M Performance vehicles and M Series vehicles (M3, M5, M8, etc). (M135i, M330i etc). M Sport is essentially a level created to make the selected model appear and feel like a M series/performance car without the associated engine and racing tune, making it suitable for both personal leasing and business leasing clients. Consider it BMW’s answer to the S Line from Audi, the ST-Line from Ford, and the AMG Line from Mercedes.
M sport is typically thought of as the highest level, but as this blog post will reveal, that isn’t always the case.
What distinguishes the standard BMW from the M series?
The wheels, suspension, and brakes on M Sport variants are larger than those on regular BMW models. Wider tires provide better traction, the suspension lessens how much the automobile leans into turns, and the brakes let the vehicle stop more quickly. When you add everything up, M Sport vehicles are more enjoyable to drive. And that says a lot considering that even non-M Sport models are more enjoyable to drive than the majority of competitors.
The trade-off is that M Sport models typically aren’t as comfortable because you can feel road imperfections more readily due to their lower suspension and low-profile tyres. However, keep in mind that if you’re considering a used M Sport model, it can come with optional adaptive or air suspension that makes the ride feel almost luxuriously smooth.
Because M Sport vehicles are offered with the exact same engines as any other BMW, they do not accelerate any more swiftly than other models. Not that a single BMW is even close to being slow.
What does M in BMW stand for?
The word “Motorsport” refers to the BMW M Series, which was initially developed to support BMW’s racing program. Over time, the BMW M program started to add customized vehicle models to its roster, which are now accessible to the general public.
What makes the BMW M Series unique?
The quickest and most potent trims are the M Performance cars, although due to the extensive performance upgrades, BMW officially views its M products as unique models. Because of this, official M vehicles lack trim names; for example, the M3 and X6 M are simply badged as “M3” and “X6 M.”
And every BMW M SUV and automobile is built with track racing in mind, unlike M Performance cars, which are primarily meant for street driving. An X5 M was even taken on a series of track days across the US by Matt Farah of The Smoking Tire, and it never broke down. Additionally, according to Car and Driver, BMW provides all X5 M and X6 M buyers with training at one of its M driving schools. Which, given the support the M models receive, is probably absolutely necessary.
The most evident is increased strength. According to Car and Driver, the ordinary BMW M3 has the same 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine as the M340i, but the M3’s engine produces 425 hp. This is increased to 444 horsepower by the M3 Competition. The forthcoming 2021 M3 might have up to 510 horsepower. The M-specific alterations, however, go beyond that.
Wider, more grippy tires, distinctive wheels, well-bolstered sport seats, and improved brake pad compositions are among features that BMW adds to its M automobiles. The M5 features a carbon fiber roof, while the M4 also gets a carbon fiber trunk lid and engine brace. Numerous metal parts have been replaced with carbon fiber equivalents.
The M adaptive suspension, differentials, and AWD systems are still being adjusted by BMW experts. Additionally, drivers have much greater control over the engine, transmission, suspension, and driving modes in M cars than in M Performance vehicles.
How can I determine if my BMW is a M Series?
The VIN number is arguably the simplest way to recognize a BMW M Series. Given that all you have to do is look at the first three letters, this method is the quickest and most effective. The WBS prefix is used in the VIN numbers of all BMW M vehicles. The VIN numbers of all other BMW automobiles start with WBA.
What does the BMW M package entail?
The BMW M Sport package, which is either a trim level or an option package depending on the vehicle, is intended to give the car a sportier look and feel. The top-of-the-line M model cars, like the M3, are not to be confused with vehicles having the M Sport package, but the packages do improve the performance of the vehicles compared to their non-M Sport siblings.
The package, which is available on many BMW models, typically includes elements like sport seats, an aerodynamic kit, a M steering wheel or M sport steering wheel with paddle shifters, wider wheels with performance tires, and distinctive exterior ornamentation. Others come with dynamic damper control or the Adaptive M Suspension, while certain vehicles also come with the sport package as part of the M sport package. The Sport Automatic transmission is also available for automatic vehicles.
Describe the M Series.
A SHORT SUMMARY OF THE BMW M SERIES. Real sports cars are the BMW M series. These fast vehicles, which range from saloons and coupes to SUVs, are the ideal fusion of luxury and performance thanks to racing technology like M sports suspension, engines, and trademark M tuning.