[Jeef]

Wait... What's the point of changing the 3 coupe to 4 if they are just going to release this gc.

[Alpine F31]

Originally Posted by lukeb817

On a different note, I'm sorry to nit pick, but I can't help it...so many people on the forum mistakenly use the word "render" or "renders" when they mean "rendering" or "renderings." "Render" is a verb, "rendering" is the correct noun to use in this case.

The heading should read: "New BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe Renderings"

Usually posts like this get flamed but I appreciate the education. I will no longer refer to a rendering as a "render". To me, it's the same as when people refer to wheels as "rims". A rim is part of a complete wheel. Your car could not roll on "rims" without hubs, and a center section (usually spokes). I understand some people may say "rims" as slang term for wheels, but I think a lot of people believe it to be the correct term. It's not.

[petapotamus]

Originally Posted by SoCali E90

Shits getting out of hand lol

x2. shit IS out of hand. How many different models do you need? Can anyone tell me why you need an M5 AND an M6 grand coupe or any other combination you can think of for that matter?
Engines, same. Trans, same. Interior, same. WTF is the point?

[sq86]

I personally hope that the front end doesn't look like the current F30/6 but rather the F34.

The narrow portion of the headlights that connect to the grills look really bad in my opinion. As does the overall hood. Hopefully this is more sleek.

[cmk227]

Originally Posted by Transfer

This looks great, but how many frickin BMW non-suvs do we need?

1er
2er, M2
3er sedan, 3GT, 3wagon, M3
4er coupe, 4GC, M4, M4GC?
5er sedan, 5wagon, 5GT, M5
6er coupe, 6GC, M6, M6GC
7er sedan
That's 20 models.

Last gen had 13 models:
1er, 1M
3er sedan, coupe, wagon, M versions
5er sedan, wagon, M5
6er coupe, M6
7er

What did I miss?

Honestly what's next, a freaking pickup. Durability has gone to crap.

[WilliCO]

Originally Posted by petapotamus

x2. shit IS out of hand. How many different models do you need? Can anyone tell me why you need an M5 AND an M6 grand coupe or any other combination you can think of for that matter?
Engines, same. Trans, same. Interior, same. WTF is the point?

The point is that BMW can now provide models that appeal to narrower segments of their target market. Platform sharing and other economics of their design approach make it possible.

They are doing it because they think it will increase market share generally; they do not think that designs that are very similar (the F30 and F36 certainly being the best example) will split market segments in a way that will constrain growth.

In other words, BMW is doing it because they can, and because they think doing it will benefit them.

If the outcome is that you can choose an F30, which is a little frumpier but offers 20% more second row space, versus an F36, which is sexier but somewhat less useful, why does it bother you? It's all good.

[Enilder]

Originally Posted by petapotamus

x2. shit IS out of hand. How many different models do you need? Can anyone tell me why you need an M5 AND an M6 grand coupe or any other combination you can think of for that matter?
Engines, same. Trans, same. Interior, same. WTF is the point?

Don't understand why people are complaining. My guess is that they want their cars to be number 1 in every car segment. It's not that hard to see that BMW is winning against competitors like MB, Audi, etc. Given a budget, you can't find cars that are as good as BMW IMO. You probably heard this one before but let me say it again.

The ultimate driving machine.

[petapotamus]

Originally Posted by WJGreer

The point is that BMW can now provide models that appeal to narrower segments of their target market. Platform sharing and other economics of their design approach make it possible.

They are doing it because they think it will increase market share generally; they do not think that designs that are very similar (the F30 and F36 certainly being the best example) will split market segments in a way that will constrain growth.

In other words, BMW is doing it because they can, and because they think doing it will benefit them.

If the outcome is that you can choose an F30, which is a little frumpier but offers 20% more second row space, versus an F36, which is sexier but somewhat less useful, why does it bother you? It's all good.

I think everything you said is accurate. It appears that BMW is selecting smaller and smaller sample sizes for their target market of individualized products. However, given the overall temperature of the other comments I am not the only one who feels that this particular approach isn't all that tactful.

Some may call it market saturation, or brand dilution; Others like the individual who posted before your reply stated that "durability has gone to shit" and I think thats also not too far from the truth.

More options, means higher manufacturing cost, which almost always boils down to increased cost to the consumer. Prime example is a modestly equipped new 328i costs nearly the same as a E46 M3 did new.

Sure this could get argued till the end of days that dollar value, performance, efficiency, technology, et cetera are not the same but its not like these cars were built 25 years apart. Just a singular perspective. cheers.

[WilliCO]

Originally Posted by petapotamus

I think everything you said is accurate. It appears that BMW is selecting smaller and smaller sample sizes for their target market of individualized products. However, given the overall temperature of the other comments I am not the only one who feels that this particular approach isn't all that tactful.

Some may call it market saturation, or brand dilution; Others like the individual who posted before your reply stated that "durability has gone to shit" and I think thats also not too far from the truth.

More options, means higher manufacturing cost, which almost always boils down to increased cost to the consumer. Prime example is a modestly equipped new 328i costs nearly the same as a E46 M3 did new.

Sure this could get argued till the end of days that dollar value, performance, efficiency, technology, et cetera are not the same but its not like these cars were built 25 years apart. Just a singular perspective. cheers.

That's an excellent, thoughtful response. There's no doubt that the price of BMWs is out of hand. We're talking 3 series here, but have you seen what they want for the 6 these days? You can break into 6 figure territory and it's not even an M.

As for reliability...I can't say I've seen a comparison of current BMWs versus past models. My E60 is getting old (it's an '05) and I've been lucky with it so far.

[Teemo Panda]

I hope the doors are Frameless like the full sided GC

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Latito

If you think about it, BMW had too many engine configurations in the previous gen models. Take the 3er for instance...

it had about 6; i.e. 320i, 323i, 325i, 328i, 330i, 335i;

compare that to now with only 4; 316i, 320i, 328i, 335i;

Actually there is a 325i F30 as well. There may be a 323i sold only in China too (not sure - there is a 523i there), though it would probably just be a 320i with a different name. The main thing now is that the 330i is gone since the N53 is being phased out. A new 330i may return later this decade though.

Offering a multitude of different trim levels with different power outputs does not add a lot of cost - not like new body styles with many unique parts do. This is especially true now that they are eliminating different displacement engines with the same cylinder count (only the N13 and N20 overlap there now, and the former may go away in favor of the B38 3 cylinder).

That said, BMW, like other big players in the industry, has come up with new and innovative ways to share parts between more models so that lower volume variants can be profitable. It's the way of the future, so we should get used to it.

[hailpersia]

Originally Posted by tennistodd

This....Why in the hell do this? This car known as the 4 series coupe is nothing but a glorified 3 series. Really....So we will have a 4 series sedan and 3 series sedan that look identical on the inside. There is not enough difference between the 3er and 4er to justify. Just plain ridiculous....

THIS. what the eff is going on. its like if you wore shorts over your pants and then you wore pants over them only to wear short over everything.

[Ashley Schaeffer BMW]

Gran Coupe???

Oh you mean sedan......

4 series sedan to go along with the 3 series sedan and 5 series sedan.

BMW is becoming the jack of all trades and master of NONE!!

[PUG-N-BEEM GUY]

I'd take that camo version BC I want it now! Lol

[tomegun]

I like this because BMW needs to get this one out of the way so they can bring the 2-series GC out. I think that one will be the sweet spot as long as the back seat is remotely useful.

Good thing, I have a while to keep feeding my smallish 4-year old daughter until is comes out. Booster seat, yes, but a car seat will never go into my 2GC!

[smashhell]

Originally Posted by Stephen5242

So I think I understand BMW marketing now. You start with a 3 series sedan, then you remove two doors, call it a coupe and now a 4 series. Charge more money for the two door coupe you just created. Then add the two doors back that you had previously remove to create a sedan again but call it a gran coupe. And raise the price again. This is a two fold price increase to get back to the sedan you started with.

Don't we just love giving BMW more money!

Exact! Why even bother

[bavarian19]

Originally Posted by TheObviousChild

Brand dilution.

I've been a Bimmer fan for over a decade now and it has gotten to the point where I can't even keep up with all the models and variations.

+1000

[Leo88]

The 4er should have been more unique to justify the costs differences with an F30 and the GC version.

With a 3er as sport sedan and a 4 GC as a luxurious sport sedan they could have covered the market without dishing out two identical cars. But since the interior looks exactly the same what's the point of the 4?
And things are going to be even worse when the 2er GC will come out! What will be the differences between a 2 GC and a 3er Sedan?!


I see the future of the 3er and the 5er only as wagon... or maybe there's a possibility that the next 2020 4er will come even in the Shooting Brake version hahahahahahaha

[advantage20]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

Of all the Gran Coupe renders out there.
This seems to be the most accurate.

What about this one?

[f30nynj]

If they make a 4GT, my head will explode. Just too many choices to dilute the brand recognition.

As Spider-Man's uncle said "With more models comes more responsibility to keep up the brand value".(twisted)

[Ffs630]

The roofline isnt low enough for me. I like the blue photoshop look but the pre production one just looks stupid imo.

[UKBasketball]

It's going to be nice.




BUT BMW needs to put a better quality interior in the 4GC instead of just coping and pasting the F30 interior!