[ptack]

This has been the problem from day 1. There's no point to trying to make and sell an M1 which is only marginally better than a stock 135i. It has to be noticeably better which means it would at least equal the e92 M3. If BMW doesn't want to canabalize M3 sales, it can't offer a cheaper (less profitable) alternative - until - it announces the next M3 which raises the bar and keeps things in order.