"The amount of misinformed dummies selling fake "msport" and "m" vehicles around me is so high, calling them out would cut into my limited free time."


EXACTLY!!!!:iagree::thumbup:

If your tach is showing a top speed of any mph you have another serious problem. :bustingup I really think you meant to say the speedometer, tachometer is of course, for engine speed (rpm's). :D

People know that they can run the VIN# and get back exactly what the vehicle is right??? Also the title will state what it is.... You would have to be pretty oblivious to unknowingly buy a fraudulent M..

I don't know about other people but when I spend tens of thousands of dollars, I try to do a bit of research first...

"People" are incredibly dumb.


Not that it's tens of thousands, but I have my e46 for sale locally. A person contacted me and arranged to see it last Sunday, then I never heard from them. When I followed up, they told me they were going to pass because "some one told them BMWs are expensive to maintain".

I can't believe that anyone who is interested enough to buy an X5 or especially an M version would be fooled by a badge. And even if the buyer did get sucked in any mechanic would eventually know the difference and a law suit would result. So that leaves the majority that knowingly drive around in vehicles which are not what they present themselves to be. M-posters! When I said confront I didn't mean to get in their face, I just wanted them to politely know I am aware of their ruse.

Couple weeks ago spotted a nice low mileage 06 E53 4.8iS. It had couple M badges around. Dealer insisted it was X5M. I reminded him BMW did not make X5M until '09!
He was commanding 5K premium compared to similar offerings because of his damn M badges. I walked away.

One sure way to know is lookup engine which are all prefixed with "S"


Garage:
E53 X5 4.4i M62 born 2003-03-04
E90 325i N52 born 2006-03-28
F30 328i N20 born 2012-09-06