[Mr Buck]

It may sound a bit of a silly question but I never understand where they get stats like 0-60 from? Are they based on averages during testing or are they based on the maximum they extract from the car during test periods?

What has brought my question on is how when a car is released it is given an 'official 0-60' from BMW then after the first few reviews from 3rd parties that time is often broken. For instance with the M135i BMW claims times of 4.9 for the Auto. Since it's release I've seen 4.7's 4.6s and I'm pretty sure Christ Harris clocked 4.45s during the drag with the RS3 (I may be wrong on that one) but regardless of the time it was still an improvement on BMW's 0-60 figures.

[hwelvaar]

The 0-60 times are based partly on real life performance, and partly on internal marketing strategy, and positioning their different products against eachother.
As an example: the 1M cannot (on paper) be as fast as the M3. The M3 was 4.8, so the 1M has been given 4.9 for its 0-62.
The M135i, which is M performance and not 'really M' so must have at least 0.2 seconds slower than real M, so it's been given 5.1 for the 0-62, as compared to 4.9 for the 1M (also 1 series, but 'real' M)

In reality, the PK/kg of both 1M and M135i are equal, and M135i has better tires (tire grip) ... so times will be the same if not better. (on perfectly dry ground ; in non perfect conditions, the 1M has a LSD which will aid)

Marketing, I love it.

[Mr Buck]

Originally Posted by hwelvaar

The 0-60 times are based partly on real life performance, and partly on internal marketing strategy, and positioning their different products against eachother.
As an example: the 1M cannot (on paper) be as fast as the M3. The M3 was 4.8, so the 1M has been given 4.9 for its 0-62.
The M135i, which is M performance and not 'really M' so must have at least 0.2 seconds slower than real M, so it's been given 5.1 for the 0-62, as compared to 4.9 for the 1M (also 1 series, but 'real' M)

In reality, the PK/kg of both 1M and M135i are equal, and M135i has better tires (tire grip) ... so times will be the same if not better. (on perfectly dry ground ; in non perfect conditions, the 1M has a LSD which will aid)

Marketing, I love it.

Really the M135i could of been a thoroughbred M Car if they gave it an LSD, quad pipes, 350bhp(ish) to put it on par with the RS3 & A45 and a few minor exterior tweeks to truely set it apart from an M Sport 1 series. Saying that it does seem to hold its own against Audi's premium hatch, and probably will against the Merc, so maybe there isn't a need

The 2 series will obviously take the official M badge as the true successor to the 1M, leaving the 1 series the only series without a true M model in its class. Which is strange given Audi are releasing a new RS3 and Merc have poured AMG tech into the A45

[elstoof]

Audi almost didn't bother with an RS4 this time round, if BMW thought there was enough demand for an M hatchback in sure they'd put one into production. There's no M7 or RS8 either.

I'm sure the main reason the M135 isn't a 1M though, is that most of the early M135 buyers will want to trade in for a 1M in a couple of years time and get two sales out of these people.

[Mr Buck]

Has an M235i be confirmed, or are BMW saving the 2 series for the full M model?

[elstoof]

M's don't normally have square backs so its assumed that the follow up to the 1M coupe will be the coupe variant of the F20 platform. No specific 2er models have been announced as far as I know.

[hwelvaar]

Originally Posted by Mr Buck

Has an M235i be confirmed, or are BMW saving the 2 series for the full M model?

Yes, since long...
M235i spy pics are available already : http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=829063