[Uli_HH]

Since BMW has cleared the complete year 2013 for the debut of the completly new 4er series ... also the new F80 M3 comes as early as late summer/autum 2012 ... is it possibly that BMW brings the new F33 4er Convertible before the F32 coupe to get it into the market before summer 2013 like they did with the new 6er series in 2011?

Greets Uli_HH

[Mark]

Thats a really interesting thought! But to be honest, theres no indication of that. Right now, the first car we have seen in spyshots has been the coupe, so it seems its the first out the gates. It was the reverse with the 6 series, where the test cars out on the streets were first all cabrios.

[mkoesel]

IIRC, the 6 series cabriolet actually sells in larger numbers than the coupe. Hence they decided to give the cab top billing with the F1x generation. With the 3 series (soon to be 4 series) then coupe still outsells the cab by quite a bit I believe. Hence I think they will continue to treat the coupe as the primary model for that series.

[Masheen]

Looking forward to see the F33

[SCOTT26]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

IIRC, the 6 series cabriolet actually sells in larger numbers than the coupe. Hence they decided to give the cab top billing with the F1x generation. With the 3 series (soon to be 4 series) then coupe still outsells the cab by quite a bit I believe. Hence I think they will continue to treat the coupe as the primary model for that series.

That is the "Official" version but the turnaround was due to a cosmetic addition originally for the cabrio not accomodating the engineering.
On one of the release press-shots and some of the first spyshots you can see why.

The 4er will launch with the Coupe first. The Hardtop Cabrio which is retained for the 4er actually outsells the Coupe in some markets.
The US wants the Cabrio to be a soft-top to individualize the Coupe from the Cabrio but markets like China and other high profit markets where the Cabrio outsells the Coupe, are keeping the hardtop in the product plan.

[DDS2015]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

That is the "Official" version but the turnaround was due to a cosmetic addition originally for the cabrio not accomodating the engineering.
On one of the release press-shots and some of the first spyshots you can see why.

The 4er will launch with the Coupe first. The Hardtop Cabrio which is retained for the 4er actually outsells the Coupe in some markets.
The US wants the Cabrio to be a soft-top to individualize the Coupe from the Cabrio but markets like China and other high profit markets where the Cabrio outsells the Coupe, are keeping the hardtop in the product plan.

Wait, does that mean that we can have the option of a hard top or a soft top? I'm confused.

[Bavarian_335i_NJ]

interesting turn of events here i can't wait for either models

[Joop!]

The 6 convertible did get the lower design designation F12 in stead of the coupe (F13).

The 3/4 coupe has got the lower designation F32 so it looks like the coupe is hitting the showrooms first.

[Draven]

Originally Posted by Masheen

Looking forward to see the F33

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

That is the "Official" version but the turnaround was due to a cosmetic addition originally for the cabrio not accomodating the engineering.
On one of the release press-shots and some of the first spyshots you can see why.

The 4er will launch with the Coupe first. The Hardtop Cabrio which is retained for the 4er actually outsells the Coupe in some markets.
The US wants the Cabrio to be a soft-top to individualize the Coupe from the Cabrio but markets like China and other high profit markets where the Cabrio outsells the Coupe, are keeping the hardtop in the product plan.

So you're saying the US market will only see a soft-top?

If thats the case, I'll stop saving money and just buy an e93 M3, supercharge it, and call it a day.

[SCOTT26]

Originally Posted by Draven

So you're saying the US market will only see a soft-top?

If thats the case, I'll stop saving money and just buy an e93 M3, supercharge it, and call it a day.

No the US wanted BMW to develop the F33 with a soft-top in order to seperate Coupe from Cabrio.
But in current and new emerging markets that are growing. The E93 car has proved popular especially with younger customers who like the cabrio hard-top for it's appearance and security. So the Hard-top remains. The E93 is more profitable aswell because of the hard-top.

[Roth517]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

That is the "Official" version but the turnaround was due to a cosmetic addition originally for the cabrio not accomodating the engineering.
On one of the release press-shots and some of the first spyshots you can see why.

The 4er will launch with the Coupe first. The Hardtop Cabrio which is retained for the 4er actually outsells the Coupe in some markets.
The US wants the Cabrio to be a soft-top to individualize the Coupe from the Cabrio but markets like China and other high profit markets where the Cabrio outsells the Coupe, are keeping the hardtop in the product plan.

Scott, why the hell is it going take so long for the 4er to come out? Mid-2013 is ridiculous. It's basically a 3er chassis with a new body. I assume the interior will mimic the 3er. I can understand if they want to tweak the suspension and whatnot specifically for the coupe, but how hard can that be??

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by 517

Scott, why the hell is it going take so long for the 4er to come out? Mid-2013 is ridiculous.

E90 hit the market in early 2005, while the E92 hit the market in late 2006. No reason to have assumed things would be different with the F3x.

[Uli_HH]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

E90 hit the market in early 2005, while the E92 hit the market in late 2006. No reason to have assumed things would be different with the F3x.

Okay ... but if this is the case and the F32 4er series comes early (Feb./March) 2013 that also must mean, that the F80 M3 comes not later than End 2012 ... because its common sence that the F80 would come before the F32 and also the first prototyps of the F80 are shot month before the F32!

Greets Uli_HH

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Uli_HH

Okay ... but if this is the case and the F32 4er series comes early (Feb./March) 2013

Who said it will? I would expect mid to late 2013. Figure production starts in September or so.

that also must mean, that the F80 M3 comes not later than End 2012 ... because its common sence that the F80 would come before the F32

Why? The F10 M5 did not come before the F13.

and also the first prototyps of the F80 are shot month before the F32!

True, but not by much - maybe three months or so as I recall. This could very easily mean that the F80 will show up in early 2013, while the F32 shows up later in 2013.

[Uli_HH]

... could that meen that BMW has decided to debut both together on an great Car show?

The reasons that make me think so:

- There ist the very great possibility that both came as totally new 4er series.
- An totally new brand meens the greatest possible public relations
- There was often quoted that the F32 deduts End of 2013 ... meens IAA 2013 ... but together with the convertible to maximise public intrest?

Greet Uli_HH

[Renus]

Normally 2dr is coming 2 years later than 4dr.

[Vector Pilot]

Originally Posted by 517

Scott, why the hell is it going take so long for the 4er to come out? Mid-2013 is ridiculous. It's basically a 3er chassis with a new body. I assume the interior will mimic the 3er. I can understand if they want to tweak the suspension and whatnot specifically for the coupe, but how hard can that be??

Do agree regarding the F32 debut, much of it will be a carry over from the F30 and seeing the limited amount of camo on the tester, it seems reasonable the launch date would be about a year from now.

The question begs. Why would BMW sit on the F32 or F33 for two + years? Maybe to give MB and Audi ample time to move the C-Class Coupe and the A5's off their lots.

[justinnum1]

Originally Posted by Vector Pilot

Do agree regarding the F32 debut, much of it will be a carry over from the F30 and seeing the limited amount of camo on the tester, it seems reasonable the launch date would be about a year from now.

The question begs. Why would BMW sit on the F32 or F33 for two + years? Maybe to give MB and Audi ample time to move the C-Class Coupe and the A5's off their lots.

Doubt c class coupe and a5 combined out sell 3 series coupe over the next 2 years.

[Vector Pilot]

Originally Posted by justinnum1

Doubt c class coupe and a5 combined out sell 3 series coupe over the next 2 years.

To clarify my point I did not suggest MB and/or Audi would outsell BMW's E92 in the next two years, but if BMW delays launching F32 that would certainly allow the competition, offering newer products, the opportunity to cut into their market share. If BMW intends to attract new consumers [looking to purchase an upscale coupe] or lure current MB or Audi owners, it seems reasonable introducing the F32 sooner than later would certainly assist BMW maintaining their goal as being the market leader.

[justinnum1]

Originally Posted by Vector Pilot

To clarify my point I did not suggest MB and/or Audi would outsell BMW's E92 in the next two years, but if BMW delays launching F32 that would certainly allow the competition, offering newer products, the opportunity to cut into their market share. If BMW intends to attract new consumers [looking to purchase an upscale coupe] or lure current MB or Audi owners, it seems reasonable introducing the F32 sooner than later would certainly assist BMW maintaining their goal as being the market leader.

True, but its just the way the product cycle works...in 2 years, bmw will have the hot new coupe and audi and MB will be at the end of their life cycles...if that makes any sense lol

[Vector Pilot]

Originally Posted by justinnum1

True, but its just the way the product cycle works...in 2 years, bmw will have the hot new coupe and audi and MB will be at the end of their life cycles...if that makes any sense lol

So be it however time will tell