Why are you always complaining about this? (long) (archive)

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This is not intended as a flame and I hope you don't take offense to this because I think you are an extremely valuable contributor to the board and all, but it seems every week or two you post complaining about "M elitism" and how the Z3 Coupe is just as good and you can beat us all on the track.

The Z3C is a fine car (and a damn capable one at that) but it is NOT and never will be an M car.

About 13 years ago while I was in middle school I went with my mom to buy a new car. It was a black 528e which later would become my car when I graduated from high school. That same day I had my first M experience. A brand new M5 was on the dealer's showroom floor and I instantly fell in love with this car. Since they were pretty rare in this form, I probably didn't see another one for years (interestingly enough my boss and my father both have them now). On this day I knew I had to have an M car one day.

Almost 10 years went by and BMW did it again... another car I fell in love with and just had to have. The original Z3. Out of my price range at the time, and yet suprisingly reasonably affordable once I got out of the rut that was my first job out of college. Before I ever realized this dream however, in comes the M Coupe. Here it was, an M car and a Z3, with a completely unique look. I didn't realize they were actually available for a while because I never saw one. Then I stumbled upon the pricing info one day and realized there was a good chance of one of my dreams coming true.

I never ever even considered the Z3 Coupe. Its not an M. Do I feel some type of brotherhood with Z3 Coupe owners? Of course. But it is not an M. It would be out of place at an "M club" function where you would expect to see M1's, M3's, M5's and M6's accompanying their M Roadster and Coupe brethren - and I don't think you see regular 3 and 5 series car owners complaining about their exclusion from M events.

You made a conscious decision when you bought your Coupe to not buy the M model. The fact that it competes in a different autocross division shows that even the track people note a difference between the two cars. Do you go to the track people and complain to them that they are "elitists"? After all if they were truly equal cars wouldn't they be in the same class?

Not likely. You made a decision and now you should live with both the pluses and the minuses. And really if the only minus is that you won't get invited to certain "M only" functions, or that some people will only want to meet other M owners - is it really that big of a deal?

I know that there are some who claim that the M these days stands for "Marketing" more than "Motorsports", and to a certain extent that may very well be. I however still remember that first M5 I saw and how it captivated me for so long.

I still get a smile and a sense of comraderie any time I see someone in any version of Z3 out enjoying their car, as I do when I see other M models. I'm not an elitist at all, but I do understand why others might be seeking to meet only other M owners. Perhaps they share the same appreciation I do and are looking to meet likeminded people.

Just some food for thought... FWIW if I were ever planning an event you'd be more than welcome.

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