New 4 Series concept

[pony]

From what i understand, the reasoning behind the 4 series is to distance the coupe and convertible as more upmarket models from the saloon and touring 3 series much like in the way of the 5 and 6 series.

Also, one of the 3 series biggest rivals, the Audi A4 now has a coupe and convertible model in its range called......

....the A5.

Ok I understand this but why are BMW Marketing men so disrespectful with traditions

Eg

Coupe models
635CSi
850CSi
840Ci
330Ci
E92 335i Coupe wtf ????
645Ci
650i wtf ????

No driver centric interiors ie the E90/E92/E93 and similar variants in the 1/3/5/6/7 Series Range

750iL
750Li
760Li
Why do they have to make this confusing for Joe blogs on the street ?

M3 Name all that 2 door saloon / Coupe tradition gone ???? Albeit lives in the future M4 ? Will the future M3s be less desirable in future ?

Loss of high revving NA engines ?

Remember the day former BMW M boss Gerhard something said an M car the key ingredients are .... RWD; high revving NA engine; LSD ..... Remember ?

Future FWD BMWs ?

BMW filling every niche on the planet. I mean who needs 5 Series GT, X1, X3 etc

PS when the X5 came out in 1999 I thought was a gd idea was mighty good on road, good looking and used where most road users would use anyway on the road

BMW are diluting the brand

Had another look at the 4 Series Coupe today and the front does look a bit snouty
Funny u can look at the same photo and look at it differently later

The model names also very confusing 323 has 2.5 ???? New F Series 328i is not a 6 cylinder 2.8 ????

Autocar headline post is the worst kept secret in the car industry the new 4 Series Coupe though no doubt will be good is the fragmentation of the 3 Series range in essence reducing the overall appeal and core desire ability on the 3 Series range ?

These are the issues I have with BMW at the moment

[bss325i]

Who said the next M power F32 coupe is going to be called an M4?

Its just speculation at the moment.

[pony]

Who said the next M power F32 coupe is going to be called an M4?

Its just speculation at the moment.

Everywhere u read the next gen M3 Coupe is the 'M4' ....

[bss325i]

Lets just wait and see.

[HairyScreech]

Is no one spotting the obvious?
Calling this anything short of a 5 series is joke, its 2" longer in the wheel base and 3" wider than an E34! (in fact to find a 5 series bigger in all dimensions you need to go to the 2003 e60)
All right its a couple of inches lower and shorter overall but this thing is a clear sign that the new "small" bmws are leviathans.
This thing has roughly the same proportions and the old 6 series.
The word dynamic is mentioned 25 times in that press release yet I find it a difficult word to equate with a car bigger than an e34.
The last m3 was pretty much an e39 m5 (400hp v8, ~1.7 tons and ~4.8s 0-60) the new one is going to need more in every department than the previous making for one seriously confused spec sheet.

I also wonder if bmw have forgotten the mistakes of british leyland and the dangers of producing too many differing products.
There has to come a point when you just make too many similar yet mechanically different cars.
I mean they make how many different models now?
1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 series
z4, 7xxIL and 5GT
X1, X3, X5 and X6
All the differing Saloons, Coupes, Convertibles and tourings and the M series in each flavor.
Mini, Copper, Clubman and Countryman.
And that is before considering how many engine variants there are now!

The X1, X3 and countryman have to be stealing sales from each other, Same story with the M5 and M6 or the X6 and 5GT.

[pony]

Having purchased Autocar magazine tonight and read the 4 Series Coupe and next gen M3 Coupe (M4 Coupe) content .... Am I right in saying the new 4 Series Coupe basically pretty much shares the 3 Series Saloon chassis but has a bit more individual Coupe styling freedoms because is rebadged as a 4 Series along with sportier set of chassis settings. The interior and the drive trains and engines are shared with the 3 Series saloon. So more or less more of the same as now ?

Also, BMW has previously made a lot of 'fuss' over how the 3 Series Coupe E46 only shares the door handles and the badge with E46 Saloon. Is this right on the externals ? Though you would be hard pressed to notice as the E46 Coupe and Saloon look very closely related.

Likewise with the 3 Series Coupe E92 there seemed to be more emphasis on a more distinct Coupe styling than the E90 saloon I think so. So in conclusion I don't think a lot has changed except RIP NA Straight sixes; new name for the next gen 3 Series Coupe the 4 Series Coupe ....

[Simon13]

whats the weight on this puppy? The e34 was the heavy weight 5 series until the 2 ton F10's appeared which are too big for our roads.

[pony]

whats the weight on this puppy? The e34 was the heavy weight 5 series until the 2 ton F10's appeared which are too big for our roads.

I do not think anything has been released with respect to that just dimensions of the 'concept study'

I always thought the E92 M3 Coupe looked huge these days ....

[bss325i]

Having purchased Autocar magazine tonight and read the 4 Series Coupe and next gen M3 Coupe (M4 Coupe) content .... Am I right in saying the new 4 Series Coupe basically pretty much shares the 3 Series Saloon chassis but has a bit more individual Coupe styling freedoms because is rebadged as a 4 Series along with sportier set of chassis settings. The interior and the drive trains and engines are shared with the 3 Series saloon. So more or less more of the same as now ?

Correct. The will share the same floor pan and all powertrain and running gear.

[bss325i]

There has to come a point when you just make too many similar yet mechanically different cars.

Quite the opposite! Mechanically most are the same or share major components.

1's and 3's are basically the same floor pan, engines, running gear and electrical systems.

5's, 6's and 7's same as above

X5's and X6's again the same.

More models = more sales and year on year BMW have increased their world wide market share.

In the UK we dont even get everything they make! Long wheel base 3's and 5's for example and various X drive 3's and 5's.

[bss325i]

whats the weight on this puppy? The e34 was the heavy weight 5 series until the 2 ton F10's appeared which are too big for our roads.

How are they to big for our roads?

[pony]

There has to come a point when you just make too many similar yet mechanically different cars.

Quite the opposite! Mechanically most are the same or share major components.

1's and 3's are basically the same floor pan, engines, running gear and electrical systems.

5's, 6's and 7's same as above

X5's and X6's again the same.

More models = more sales and year on year BMW have increased their world wide market share.

In the UK we dont even get everything they make! Long wheel base 3's and 5's for example and various X drive 3's and 5's.

So 1 and 3 Series share the same platform but doesn't 1 series have a smaller wheelbase ?

What does 'a platform' consist of ?

[Simon13]

i'm not chinese i don't need a long wheelbase 3 series thanks. They can't keep expanding at the rate they have. Something has to give eventually. whether its sales or major brand dilution. I think the latter is happening slowly in a major way, people say oh thats progression it isn't its sheer greed from the money men

Look back 10 years and see the model range difference then

[pony]

i'm not chinese i don't need a long wheelbase 3 series thanks. They can't keep expanding at the rate they have. Something has to give eventually. whether its sales or major brand dilution. I think the latter is happening slowly in a major way, people say oh thats progression it isn't its sheer greed from the money men

Look back 10 years and see the model range difference then

10 years ago ....

3 Series including M3
5 Series including M5
7 Series including iL
8 Series was just phased out
X5
Z3 being phased out
Z8 being phased out

[pacerpete]

It all started going pear shaped when the cpooonts started nailing 'M' badges on councilled up 325s back in the 80s

[pony]

It all started going pear shaped when the cpooonts started nailing 'M' badges on councilled up 325s back in the 80s

LOOL

[bss325i]

There has to come a point when you just make too many similar yet mechanically different cars.

Quite the opposite! Mechanically most are the same or share major components.

1's and 3's are basically the same floor pan, engines, running gear and electrical systems.

5's, 6's and 7's same as above

X5's and X6's again the same.

More models = more sales and year on year BMW have increased their world wide market share.

In the UK we dont even get everything they make! Long wheel base 3's and 5's for example and various X drive 3's and 5's.

So 1 and 3 Series share the same platform but doesn't 1 series have a smaller wheelbase ?

What does 'a platform' consist of ?

The wheel base may be shorter but other than that they are the same.

[bss325i]

All manufactures are coming out with various models to fill niche markets, BMW are just competing with other manufactures to supply demand.

[Simon13]

main dealer brainwash!

[HairyScreech]

Yes its true they share a platform, but a platform is a long way away from being a whole car.
The number of duplicate parts must be staggering, even if the 1 series shares 50% of its running gear with the 3 series that is still 50% more stuff that is not shared.
All the body pressings, the interior, glass, springs and dampers, exhausts, prop shafts wiring looms, lights, etc, and that's just the things I could think of off the top of my head.
I bet the 1 and 3 share less than 50% of there parts.

[bss325i]

main dealer brainwash!

You can say that but its obvious to anyone with half a clue on how modern car manufactures operate.

It was the same with Renault, back when i worked for them there were big objectives in place to expand their range into other markets a prime example being the Koleos, a small SUV to compete with the likes of the Ford Kugar, Honda CRV and all manor of rubbish like that and what a flop the Koleos was.

One of their other objectives was to have the Laguna 3 in the top 3 of its marker sector. That meant competing with the likes of the Audi A4, VW Passat, BMW 3 series, etc etc. Laughable really.

[bss325i]

Oh, and i also think the brand is being diluted with pointless shite like X1's, X6's and Mini coupes so you can forget that main dealer brainwash remark.

What's your name, Kos?

[Simon13]

baiting Barold.

don't call me that Greek coont!

[bss325i]

I bet the 1 and 3 share less than 50% of there parts.

Possibly but they sell enough of each that even if 100% of the parts were not shared it wouldn't matter.

[pacerpete]

Roll up roll up ! Ruck at the Jovial Swallower Thursday 8pm. Ringpieceside tickets available at Pacer promotions £25 each . Cash or cash accepted roll up roll up !!!

Barry 'The Fitter' VS Simon 'The Hod' Its going to be ugly and sick !

Wildboar burger and legumes for the winner , M3 Gutterz 2009 calender for the loser

[HairyScreech]

Actually it would be interesting to see the % of parts shared between each of the models, but I expect info like that is closely guarded.

[bss325i]

Roll up roll up ! Ruck at the Jovial Swallower Thursday 8pm. Ringpieceside tickets available at Pacer promotions £25 each . Cash or cash accepted roll up roll up !!!

Barry 'The Fitter' VS Simon 'The Hod' Its going to be ugly and sick !

Wildboar burger and legumes for the winner , M3 Gutterz 2009 calender for the loser

• 
  
  That's if you turn up!

[B7]

Do you think they are going after Audi?

The BMW E30 interior in terms of layout and design IMO is one of the nicest interiors ever

Problem with that is only you and your mates see the inside! Everyone on the street will think you drive an Audi.

Can see both sides of the argument here. Barrys right, the marque has to keep up with the Jones's. If Joe Plum walks into a BMW dealer and they don't sell a car comparable to an Audi or a Merc, they've lost a sale. And just look at the number of A5's you see!

But I can also see the argument of how BMW used to stick to it's range. The "it is what it is and thats what it costs" way. You drove a BMW back in the day (e28 e34 e30 e32 etc) because NO one made anything as good except maybe Merc.

But now BMW are tasting their own medicine. Others have caught up and BMW either have to stay with the game (at the very least) or get themselves into that leading position again.

[pony]

But here is the thing the BMW has always sold a 2 door version of the 3 Series Coupe. However, but they just want to rename as 4 Series which sounds a bit crazy given is pretty much a 3 Series at heart.

And here is the even crazier thing if any one of the Zoners suggested this rather than BMW they would be laughed at

[pony]

http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default ... ryId=26803

RIP M3 Coupe

[Kedge]

That Ian Robertson looks and sounds like a right knob!

At the end of the day, BMW is a business and they do what they think will make them the most money, if changing the naming convention works and helps to make them more money that as far as the money men are concerned it's the right decision!

[B7]

But here is the thing the BMW has always sold a 2 door version of the 3 Series Coupe. However, but they just want to rename as 4 Series which sounds a bit crazy given is pretty much a 3 Series at heart.

And here is the even crazier thing if any one of the Zoners suggested this rather than BMW they would be laughed at

But people don't want a 3 series 2 door, They want a bespoke 2 door coupe like an A5 Audi. Hence BMW announcing a 4 series. The A5 will use the floorpan of another Audi just the same as this uses a 3 series.

It'll sell more than a 3 series coupe because it has a 4 on the boot whether we agree or not. Know nothings will love it at the next Swaree stating "I have the new 4 series now". Sounds better than "I just picked up my new 3 series coupe" All sounds a bit 1998 328i e36 now does it not?

[Rancid]

main dealer brainwash!

You can say that but its obvious to anyone with half a clue on how modern car manufactures operate.

To be honest, I'd say it's the same of any worldwide successful business.

They don't grow their business and get more money by restricting themselves. It's all about the shareholders and money money money.

[rh306]

...it reminds be a bit of Porsche in the 80s though, when they were planning on phasing out the 911 because the 928 and 924 were 'the way things were going'

[pony]

But here is the thing the BMW has always sold a 2 door version of the 3 Series Coupe. However, but they just want to rename as 4 Series which sounds a bit crazy given is pretty much a 3 Series at heart.

And here is the even crazier thing if any one of the Zoners suggested this rather than BMW they would be laughed at

But people don't want a 3 series 2 door, They want a bespoke 2 door coupe like an A5 Audi. Hence BMW announcing a 4 series. The A5 will use the floorpan of another Audi just the same as this uses a 3 series.

It'll sell more than a 3 series coupe because it has a 4 on the boot whether we agree or not. Know nothings will love it at the next Swaree stating "I have the new 4 series now". Sounds better than "I just picked up my new 3 series coupe" All sounds a bit 1998 328i e36 now does it not?

What is 'bespoke' about the 4 Series Coupe ?

The 3 Series Coupe usually has slightly sportier suspension setting than the regular saloon. Interior same. Exterior different usually even if only sometimes subtly. Engines, drivetrain, platforms the same as per 4 Series.

Also why cannot BMW M produce high revving NA engines anymore like Porsche and Ferrari do. I don't buy all this emissions rubbish. Porsches new range of engines are very clean and efficient.