[Henrie]

I am getting confused as to what is is what with the M designation.

I have in my head worked out that:

M Performance = Baby M
M = True M
M Competition = Adult M

Does anyone know if the M Performance is part of the true M family? such as the X3 M40i, 1 Series M140i...

What does BMW officially say about the Baby M?

https://www.bmw-m.com/en/topics/all-models.html

[Fentomized]

The BMW M Performance is not part of the BMW M-series, but have gotten the 'M'-treatment by their Motorsport Division. Think of them as more performance-oriented, sportier BMWs but with the known comfort. A bit like how Audi treats their S models, compared to their RS'.

The M cars are just, well, M. Fully fledged M-cars, almost purely oriented for high-performance driving. Like Audi's RS models and Mercedes-AMG.

M Competition is just an even more beefed up M-car, pretty much M on steroids.

But to answer your question: no, the M Performance is not part of the 'true M family'. It's not an M.

[suby01]

Not too sure that the M Performance is not a M “Motorsport” car. M sport is just cosmetics pretty much as in the BMW X30i Msport. Its just a package to looks sporty/fast.
More reads on this. Which does consider the X3 M40i an M car.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_M

[Brucecris]

Originally Posted by Henrie

I am getting confused as to what is is what with the M designation.

I have in my head worked out that:

M Performance = Baby M
M = True M
M Competition = Adult M

Does anyone know if the M Performance is part of the true M family? such as the X3 M40i, 1 Series M140i...

What does BMW officially say about the Baby M?

https://www.bmw-m.com/en/topics/all-models.html

M Performance vehicles are fitted with parts engineered by the M division. The vehicle specs and engines have been engineered and tuned by them as well. At least that's what I was told at the last M Town event.

[atrueb]

Generally speaking, these are the differences how I have gathered:
- "M Sport" is styling (body kit, sport seats, etc.) with some performance oriented parts likes brakes and suspension. Available as 2wd and 4wd.
- "M Performance" is M Sport taken to the next level by the M Division and is more performance oriented tuning with harder suspension and more power. Only 4wd. Depending on the model, the M performance cars may have an M differential. Visually they may have cerium grey details, different exhaust and often are available with M performance exclusive rims.
- "M" however is an M division engineered car with various M specific parts such as larger brakes, drive train, cooling systems, multiple radiators, separate engine oil cooler, transmission, transmission cooling, up untill recently only rear wheel drive in their sedans, firmer suspension, sport exhaust system, etc. Visually more aggressive body styling (spoilers, rims, diffusor, splitter, etc. and interior.
"M competition" is an M taken up a notch.
Depending on how you define it, the M performance is usually the best performing model of a series, while the M and M competition versions are the true M cars.