Rumor: AMG Black Series competitors coming from BMW for the US?

[JulieDriving]

Originally Posted by Soorena

I'm really sick of this business case thing. BMW sold 9300 Z4 M's in 2006-2008. Mercedes sold 9500 SLK55's in 2005-2010. Now i can't understand how MB can find a business case in producing a new SLK55 but BMW can't find that in producing a new Z4 M. To make things more worse, for the new SLK55 AMG developed a new motor but BMW already has the right motor (S65B44) to put in the Z4 M.

They canceled the M6 CSL project because it didn't make sense from a business stand point, The M8 supercar is a no go, No Z4 M... But in the meantime BMW expands the GT family even though the 5GT only sold 2800 units in 2010. To me it seems that in BMW marketing team someone isn't doing his job right. Shame.

Interesting stats. Someone's obviously making a business case MISTAKE by expanding the GT lineup at the cost of the enthusiast lineup then.

[mose121]

The GT's are a waste, don't sell, and are butt ugly. The 5 was a bust and they admitted it. Now they want to build a 3GT? Come on, keep the wagons coming here and bring on the Z4M already.

[vasmir]

Originally Posted by mose121

The GT's are a waste, don't sell, and are butt ugly. The 5 was a bust and they admitted it. Now they want to build a 3GT? Come on, keep the wagons coming here and bring on the Z4M already.

+1
I see GTs around Monterey all the time and they are so terrible looking. Reminds me of a Pontiac Aztek. Ugh.
But hey, too each their own. Still disappointed no e89 M.

[Matski]

Originally Posted by Soorena

They canceled the M6 CSL project because it didn't make sense from a business stand point, The M8 supercar is a no go, No Z4 M... But in the meantime BMW expands the GT family even though the 5GT only sold 2800 units in 2010. To me it seems that in BMW marketing team someone isn't doing his job right. Shame.

Actually, they sold 26,486 5GT globally in 2010 which is far more than the likes of the Z4 or the 6-er did/do.

Just sayin'

[surewin]

Originally Posted by bimmerjph

Did they do the same with the CSL?

Yes. We never got the CSL. CSL > GTS IMO

GTS is only a little over 100 lbs lighter than the standard E92 M3 (1), and was only 2 sec quicker on the Nurburgring than the CSL despite having almost 100 more horses (2).



1)http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...w-m3-gts-drive

2)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...eife_lap_times

[StartwithE82]

It would seem that there is deffinately a market for a more 'hardcore' M series. Plenty of guys out there moddy their cars for speed/track work and paying a pretty penny to do so. If M can do it right in terms of weight vs. spec then they will come. Just don't over do the price.

[mrozbimmer]

E92 m3 is the best m3 model they will ever make

[boydgti]

There are speed limits in Montana these days not ike years ago

[bmw13]

Words can not describe how happy this makes me as a U.S. customer! Models of this tier are what U.S. Customers have only dreamed about! I am forever envying those countries/ people fortunate enough to have models such as the CSL, CRT, GTS etc. available to them. I love my 1M, my little beast, but I have a soft spot for the M3 GTS visually. I love the factory Porsche GT3 and to have the same immedities in an ///M car: even better suspension, roll cage, the absence of rear seats, bucket seats, racing safety harness's, adjustable wings of the sort, weight savings all standard ahh well... I would want NOTHING other/ more!!!

[chaz_master]

Why even compete with those things. Not a fan of the C63 BS, it's just all power and no finesse. Horrible to drive around a track no doubt, even though they're made to do just that.

[BMW269]

Originally Posted by chaz_master

Why even compete with those things. Not a fan of the C63 BS, it's just all power and no finesse. Horrible to drive around a track no doubt, even though they're made to do just that.

Aren't you ashamed to say that? Did you know the C 63 AMG B Series smokes the M3 GTS on a drag strip AND on any track?

[chaz_master]

Originally Posted by Levi

Aren't you ashamed to say that? Did you know the C 63 AMG B Series smokes the M3 GTS on a drag strip AND on any track?

Honestly, drag strips? Who cares about that, any car can be made to go fast in a straight line.

I said it has no finesse if you remember? I didn't say which would beat which...

My point was clearly that the Merc just uses an immense amount of power to achieve what it does. It's a little rocket that doesn't actually handle all that well.

To me, that's not great engineering really.

[BMW269]

Originally Posted by chaz_master

Honestly, drag strips? Who cares about that, any car can be made to go fast in a straight line.

I said it has no finesse if you remember? I didn't say which would beat which...

My point was clearly that the Merc just uses an immense amount of power to achieve what it does. It's a little rocket that doesn't actually handle all that well.

To me, that's not great engineering really.

Did you read what I wrote after "drag strip"?

Maybe watch the SL 63 AMG vs . M6 review by Chris. It further confirmes how BMW doesn't have the superiority it used to have.

[chaz_master]

Originally Posted by Levi

Did you read what I wrote after "drag strip"?

Maybe watch the SL 63 AMG vs . M6 review by Chris. It further confirmes how BMW doesn't have the superiority it used to have.

You're missing my point, still..

I'm not debating whether one is quicker around a track or down a bloody drag strip. I'm saying that the Mercedes uses a load of power to be quick. It's really not that challenging to put a load of hp in a light car. Mercedes just haven't found the handling to match the power.

It's no challenge for BMW to recreate a BS and I don't think they should unless they can push the boundaries of what can be done in that class.