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M & M & M, as you want them

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BMW Philippines offers wide customization options on new M models

GOOD THINGS come to those who wait. And that’s exactly the message SMC Asia Car Distributors Corp. (SM ACDC), the official importer and distributor of BMW vehicles in the Philippines, wants to deliver to fans of the Munich-based car maker.

Its trio of M vehicles — the all-new M3 Competition Sedan, all-new M4 Competition Coupé, and refreshed M5 Competition — can be customized to the customer’s druthers from “various M parts and ex-factory price options to lend their M vehicle a special touch with the highest standards of quality.”

In a release, SMC ACDC President Spencer Yu said, “It’s all about making our finest cars even more special. Our customers value and deserve exclusivity and individuality; and that is exactly what our BMW M division caters to. The selection process allows for limitless combinations between exterior, interior, and performance features to make the overall experience of buying and owning a BMW M car genuinely exciting.”

The wait will take four to six months, but BMW buyers will surely delight in the bespoke quality of their vehicles once these get to them.

For buyers of the BMW M5 Competition, exclusive interior finishes are available such as BMW Individual fine-wood trims, stand-alone options like a Bowers and Wilkins surround sound system, BMW Individual paint colors, and a range of M light alloy wheels.

On the other hand, the all-new BMW M3 Competition Sedan and all-new BMW M4 Competition Coupé are offered in “a thrilling set of materials to choose from.” Customers can opt for unique body paintwork and distinct colors for interior panels. The customization even extends to the complement of driver assistance systems, such as the BMW head-up display and Parking Assistant Plus, or high-performance accessories like M carbon ceramic brakes. “BMW guarantees that customers are free to handpick the details,” insisted the company.

Globally launched last year, the all-new BMW M3 Competition Sedan and BMW M4 Competition Coupé are siblings with a long history — it’s been 35 years since the original M3 rolled out. These midsized high-performance sports cars in sedan and coupé iteration are said to be “track-optimized” while nonetheless boasting everyday utility.

Both are powered by a high-revving in-line six-cylinder engine returning 510hp, mated to an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic. “The new 3.0-liter straight-six unit combines the hallmark high-revving character of BMW M GmbH engines with the latest version of M TwinPower Turbo technology. Two turbochargers with indirect charge air cooling, a flow-optimized air intake system, and a petrol direct injection system working with maximum pressure of 350 bar help to generate the engine’s instantaneous power delivery and appetite for revs, which it sustains without interruption into the higher reaches of the engine speed range,” said BMW.

Meanwhile, the BMW 5 M Competition is distinguished from its normal 5 siblings through black styling details. A high-gloss black finish marks the BMW kidney grille surround, mesh on the M gills, the exterior mirror caps and additional rear spoiler on the boot. The rear apron gets black inserts. M5 Competition logos are on the kidney grille, gills and boot lid, while the door sill plates have an illuminated version. The tailpipes of the standard M Sport exhaust system are finished in black chrome.

Under the hood is BMW’s S63 V8 engine promising 625hp at 6,000rpm. At 1,850rpm, the peak torque of 750Nm arrives and “is sustained at this elevated level all the way to 5,860rpm.” The new BMW M5 Competition reaches 100kph from standstill in only 3.3 seconds; 200kph from rest in 10.8 seconds. It can muster a top speed of 250kph.

The kind of bespoke options afforded the M line will be unrivaled in the BMW stable. In response to a question from “Velocity,” Spencer Yu said, “We will be keeping the customization options exclusive to our M models. Giving our customers an opportunity to personalize their vehicles simply makes the purchasing experience ultimately more enjoyable. We hope that this brings not only automobile enthusiasts but also aspiring performance car owners closer to the world of BMW M.”

A purchase of any BMW vehicle comes with a class-leading BMW Warranty which covers each vehicle for five years or 200,000 kilometers, whichever comes first.