Why do you think the M is so uncommon?

[Wey]

I have driven my new 2007 M35x Siver/Black/Premium for a month, love it! I found myself looking for other M everytime I am on the road. I soon realized that the M is relatively rare. Probably because M has only been around in the past 1+ year. Since M received one of the best ratings in its class, I like to think that M-buyers are those who do their homeworks and can look beyond the brand names to buy a great car. I also like the fact that the M is rare, otherwise, I would feel like I am driving a Camry (common). I am sure BMW drivers will have their own opinions on being common. I observe these cars in Toronto: BMW-5(very common), Audi-A6(common), Cadilac-CTS(less common), Lexus-GS(uncommon), MB-E (uncommon), Infiniti-M(rare), Acura-RL(rare), Jaguar in luxury class.

[szh]

I have driven my new 2007 M35x Siver/Black/Premium for a month, love it! I found myself looking for other M everytime I am on the road. I soon realized that the M is relatively rare. Probably because M has only been around in the past 1+ year. Since M received one of the best ratings in its class, I like to think that M-buyers are those who do their homeworks and can look beyond the brand names to buy a great car. I also like the fact that the M is rare, otherwise, I would feel like I am driving a Camry (common). I am sure BMW drivers will have their own opinions on being common. I observe these cars in Toronto: BMW-5(very common), Audi-A6(common), Cadilac-CTS(less common), Lexus-GS(uncommon), MB-E (uncommon), Infiniti-M(rare), Acura-RL(rare), Jaguar in luxury class.

The new 2006+ M is pretty common around here now ... I see M35's a lot, although not a lot of M45's.

Now, the 2003 and 2004 M45's are rare. Very few sold (see my thread on the sales figures here), and I like it that way. Makes my car quite unique ... and instantly recognizable on the highway.

Z

[mkaresh]

U.S. sales, Jan through Oct:CTS: 46000 (not quite part of this segment)5-Series: 43000E-Class: 38000GS: 23000STS: 22000 (more comparable to the others)M: 21000A6: 14000 (just more noticeable?)RL: 10000S-Type: 5000

The M's sales are about average for the segment, not bad. Why aren't they even higher? The M didn't have anything to make people take notice. When you're not the first into a segment, or even fifth, you need to do something to grab the public's attention. The G35 did it with the most horsepower and rear seat legroom in its class at a price among the lowest in the class.

If BMW had had its current engine lineup in 2002, and/or the current Lexus IS 350 had been available then, the G35 would have had a much tougher time breaking through.

The M's price is also lower than that of many competitors, but it's still pretty pricey. The styling doesn't stand out, and neither do the engines. Sure, they're good engines, but in the midsize luxury class there are many good engines with similar power outputs.

[Kevin M35]

Hi Wey,

Thought the same myself, but I saw a grey M35x this morning on the 401. I'm in Toronto too, love my M35x - Pearl premium. I will definitely be doing the NAV hack - I hate that I can't use the thing while moving. Also find that the audio 5.1 is so awesome I want that screen to show the concert too.

So far no quibble - wish it was the M45 though - I had the G35 for a week while waiting for the M and it was very quick, but the 45 doesn't have AWD.

Still reading the manuals. I was told that in Canada we can't use the voice recognition to enetr addresses on the fly. Pity - I'm watching for upgrades about that - can't understand why we wouldn't have it.

Cheers

[szh]

For reference, here are the detailed sales figures for Infiniti for a number of years and M's in particular: zerothread?id=191187

I will update it for the recent months soon!

Z

[CakeDaddy]

Well, it isn't as common as the 300C, but it is common. I see the M35/45 all over the city of Albuquerque. Maybe it is because the dealer is 1.5 miles away from my job The 03-04 M is rare. If I see an 03-04M once every two weeks that would be good, but I don't; with the exception of mine.

I may become part of the new M crowd as soon as the price falls out of the bottom.

[szh]

I will update it for the recent months soon!

Okay, I have the data through the end of November 2006 in there now!

Z

[Wey]

Hi Kevin,May be this is a Toronto phenomenon. Either the other car dealers do a better job than Inifinit selling their cars, or more Torontonions in luxury car market like European cars. Beside brand names and personal preference in style, I really I can't say there is anything wrong with the M which is very competitively priced.

If the reason is M being the late comer in this sector, then there are a lot of BMW & Audi loyal customers here. I am not complianing that M is uncommon on the road, make it fun to spot one. Wey

[szh]

May be this is a Toronto phenomenon.

Certainly a possibility.

I am not complianing that M is uncommon on the road, make it fun to spot one.

Oh, I don't think anyone is taking your post as a complaint, more like surprise perhaps, since it does seem to be more common down here.

Z