4.6is - Why Is It Not Designated An "M"?

[2002Silver4.6is]

I think this answers the question.....

"BMW officials are adamant that their top-of-the-line Sport Activity Vehicle (SAV) won't get an "M" badge. For one thing, the appellation MX5 would probably send Mazda into legal fits. For another, BMW's Motorsports GmbH wants to restrict its moniker to only the sportiest of the company's sedans and coupes, and an SUV (oops, sorry, an SAV) just doesn't qualify.

So the new X5 is called the 4.6is"

Good article on the 4.6is and the X5 LeMans:

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...99/pageId=3213

I still think my X5 would look great wil the ole ///M on the back!!!!!!

[LeMansX5]

Originally Posted by 2002Silver4.6is

I think this answers the question.....

"BMW officials are adamant that their top-of-the-line Sport Activity Vehicle (SAV) won't get an "M" badge. For one thing, the appellation MX5 would probably send Mazda into legal fits. For another, BMW's Motorsports GmbH wants to restrict its moniker to only the sportiest of the company's sedans and coupes, and an SUV (oops, sorry, an SAV) just doesn't qualify.

So the new X5 is called the 4.6is"

Good article on the 4.6is and the X5 LeMans:

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...99/pageId=3213

I still think my X5 would look great wil the ole ///M on the back!!!!!!

The story about Mazda is pure BS. If BMW wants to put an ///M badge it will be X5 M like the Z4 M, so no problem there. Besides Mazda has already said that it has no problem even if BMW wants to use MX5 but we know that it will never be called MX5.
There is a strong possibility of 4.8is replacement having a ///M badge. Read more here

My 2 cents: As for you putting an ///M badge on your 4.6is keep in mind that people who know BMWs will know that you put it your self and people who do not know don't care what an ///M stands for. I have 4.8is and I do not have any plans to put a ///M badge. If I need a ///M badge on my car I will buy a car which comes with it (why I have on my avatar? hint: my next car ).

There are enough threads here poking fun at people who put ///M badge on non-///M cars. In the end, its your car so do what makes you happy.

[AlpineMsix]

hahah since we are on this subject. look at this 4.6 i found a while ago but never posted on here!!
I knew phone pics would come into use somday

[jst2878]

It's not an M because it doesn't do 13.5 or better in the quarter mile

[PENER]

Originally Posted by mrkbbd

because it's not an M car and the very nature of an m car is that it is a car

that's what I think. I mean how could you possibly badge something a "///M" if it could be rolled over

[2002Silver4.6is]

"In Portugal last week for the international launch of the Z4M Coupe, president of BMW’s M division, Professor Ulrich Bruhnke said no decision to build an M version of the X5 had yet been made but the project was under development.

Prof Bruhnke said that all M projects put to the BMW board for approval needed to go through a four-step process: from the original idea, development of that idea, a business case and, if approved, the building of a prototype.

In the case of an M version of the X5, “We are at step two,” Prof Bruhnke said."

Guess BMW has no objection to creating an M X5....

[mrbmwx5]

who caresssssssss wath it call
all i know is i'm driving the Hight perfom, x5 the ultimate driving machine'

[Curious Joel]

The new M5 wasn't going to be offered with a manual gearbox, until enthusiasts complained.. And the manual is still only for the American market. True, it has an SMG, but its not a real manual.

There's a late-90s 528i near me who has an M badge on the back of his car.. Absolutely no mods whatsoever..

[ljnlaw]

Kirk is correct as to the real reason they did not designate the 4.6is as an M model...I think the BMW M Manager or one of the other execs explained the reason in an old Roundel issue.

[chucker]

buy one if you want one. chucker