[Dog Face Pony Soldier]

As seen at Autocar

...BMW insiders were hinting that a firmer, sportier suspension set-up is being planned as an option for the revised 3-series.

Styling tweaks for the new-look 3-series range are said to be minor and focus on revised headlamp and bumper arrangements. Inside, the wider use of chrome and other high-quality materials is designed to improve cabin quality. New ambient lighting options are reported to be on the way to lift the perceived quality of the interior. The multimedia options are also said to have been extended as part of BMW’s commitment to offer more in-car features.

[Mike_L]

I swear, these product planners are schizophrenic. One minute they want to move the 3/4 series upmarket to the luxury side of the spectrum and leave the M235 for sport. The next they want a sportier 3 series, which kinda makes the 2 series pointless. The sizes and price points are too close to have a sporty 2 series and sporty 3 and 4 series's. They're just stealing sales from themselves.

[teaston]

The firmer suspension is definitely needed! It's pretty ridiculous that i had to change the springs on a brand new M Sport to make it handle acceptably!

[Falafel Combo]

Originally Posted by Mike_L

I swear, these product planners are schizophrenic. One minute they want to move the 3/4 series upmarket to the luxury side of the spectrum and leave the M235 for sport. The next they want a sportier 3 series, which kinda makes the 2 series pointless. The sizes and price points are too close to have a sporty 2 series and sporty 3 and 4 series's. They're just stealing sales from themselves.

They should make the sport/M sport suspension and handling more firm and sporty, and the luxury cars more luxury-ery. The days of one size fits all "base BMW" suspension should be put behind us.

You can't be everything to everyone. May as well go all specialized, all the way and cater specifically to these particular needs of the respective demographs.

Ask Joe Walton. He had a luxury package 328i and constantly complained on the forums that it needed more luxury cowbells and whistles.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Falafel Combo

They should make the sport/M sport suspension and handling more firm and sporty, and the luxury cars more luxury-ery. The days of one size fits all "base BMW" suspension should be put behind us.

You can't be everything to everyone. May as well go all specialized, all the way and cater specifically to these particular needs of the respective demographs.

Ask Joe Walton. He had a luxury package 328i and constantly complained on the forums that it needed more luxury cowbells and whistles.

I agree, the luxury just isn't very luxury! It's basically the same as an M Sport but without all the nice M Sport bits!

[Falafel Combo]

Originally Posted by teaston

I agree, the luxury just isn't very luxury! It's basically the same as an M Sport but without all the nice M Sport bits!

Norfolk'n'good! Lol!!!!

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Falafel Combo

Norfolk'n'good! Lol!!!!

Thanks!

I got the idea from one of the local bowling teams.

[smithf80]

Great. All things that will annoy me if they come out (read; things I will need to retrofit if they are good)

I'm very interested to see what the interior changes will bring. The E90 LCI interior changes were small to say the least, but they definitely lifted the interior of the car just a bit.

[ZilberGrau ZHP]

Originally Posted by Mike_L

I swear, these product planners are schizophrenic. One minute they want to move the 3/4 series upmarket to the luxury side of the spectrum and leave the M235 for sport. The next they want a sportier 3 series, which kinda makes the 2 series pointless. The sizes and price points are too close to have a sporty 2 series and sporty 3 and 4 series's. They're just stealing sales from themselves.

While I don't disagree with your premise but the 2 has fans (like my wife) who simply dont want the size of the 3/4 series. It is much easier to park the 2 than the 4 and the 2 is arguably more of the "true" BMW feel than the 3/4 and part of that is the size. But I agree with you on the Schizo side of the true "mission" of the 3/4- all that said I LOVE my 435GC!

[Mike_L]

Originally Posted by Ze4eMCe

While I don't disagree with your premise but the 2 has fans (like my wife) who simply dont want the size of the 3/4 series. It is much easier to park the 2 than the 4 and the 2 is arguably more of the "true" BMW feel than the 3/4 and part of that is the size. But I agree with you on the Schizo side of the true "mission" of the 3/4- all that said I LOVE my 435GC!

The 2 is only 6.5" shorter, 1.5" narrower, 1" shorter and just 15 lbs lighter than a similar spec 3. Thats what I'm getting at. They're so close that if they put a stiffer suspension on the 3, why bother with the 2?

[xlover]

I just want to see them throw the sport suspension on the xdrive models!

[joewalton]

Originally Posted by Falafel Combo

Ask Joe Walton. He had a luxury package 328i and constantly complained on the forums that it needed more luxury cowbells and whistles.

Truth there, Falafel.

But since Christmas it's out with the 328i Luxury Liner and in with the 428i Gran Coupe which has all the luxury features I adored in the F30 combined with all the sport features from the F32.

Translation: The best BMW can be is a blend of luxury and sport, and it sounds like the LCI will be a chromy Luxury Liner on stiffy DHP. Irony.

The one thing BMW has to do, and I'll mention this to them during my 2 hour interview next week, is protect the Gran Coupe's exclusivity.

[st3v]

Originally Posted by Mike_L

I swear, these product planners are schizophrenic. One minute they want to move the 3/4 series upmarket to the luxury side of the spectrum and leave the M235 for sport. The next they want a sportier 3 series, which kinda makes the 2 series pointless. The sizes and price points are too close to have a sporty 2 series and sporty 3 and 4 series's. They're just stealing sales from themselves.

It shouldn't matter 2 or 3, if you order a "Sport Package" then it should handle in a Sport manner, not like a Luxury Granny mobile. They softened the 3 series in F30. Glad BMW is going back to their roots.

Sport Package should mean sport handling.
No sport package should mean comfort handling.
F30 Sport Package = Comfort Sport
F30 No Sport Package = Crap?

Also, you say BMW moved the 3/4 series upmarket/Luxury? I feel the interior is cheaper than previous generations (I owned an E90 and have been in even older BMWs). Primary competitors' (like Mercedes) interiors are nicer & more luxury.

[Falafel Combo]

Originally Posted by joewalton

Wow, nice ride there! I like that upgrade. If they gave us a 6 speed gran coupe, I would be driving one myself right now. Very sharp!

I can't believe folks were poo-poo-ing the gran coupe before it's release. Just goes to show you, BMW is like Apple in that, you don't realize you really really really want something until they make it for you.

Congrats Joe!

[bmwauug]

Originally Posted by teaston

The firmer suspension is definitely needed! It's pretty ridiculous that i had to change the springs on a brand new M Sport to make it handle acceptably!

+1

[joewalton]

Originally Posted by Falafel Combo

Wow, nice ride there! I like that upgrade. If they gave us a 6 speed gran coupe, I would be driving one myself right now. Very sharp!

I can't believe folks were poo-poo-ing the gran coupe before it's release. Just goes to show you, BMW is like Apple in that, you don't realize you really really really want something until they make it for you.

Congrats Joe!

Thanks FC, more photos here if you care to take a gander:

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1074921

[smithf80]

Originally Posted by joewalton

The one thing BMW has to do, and I'll mention this to them during my 2 hour interview next week, is protect the Gran Coupe's exclusivity.

I..i...interview? With BMW? You get to see the wizard?

[joewalton]

Originally Posted by smithf32

I..i...interview? With BMW? You get to see the wizard?

Sort of.

BMW hired a research firm to interview new Gran Coupe owners for 2.5 hours and they're audio recording it. So while I'm not getting answers from the Wizard I will be heard by the Wizard.

[smithf80]

Originally Posted by joewalton

Sort of.

BMW hired a research firm to interview new Gran Coupe owners for 2.5 hours and they're audio recording it. So while I'm not getting answers from the Wizard I will be heard by the Wizard.

Interesting. you should throw some subliminal messaging in there about them having better interior build quality (read: stop all the rattles!!)

[joewalton]

Originally Posted by smithf32

Interesting. you should throw some subliminal messaging in there about them having better interior build quality (read: stop all the rattles!!)

Well, spending two-and-a-half hours in my Gran Coupe with a researcher will certainly get granular. I wouldn't even want to spend two-and-a-half hours in my Gran Coupe with Gandhi or Lennon or Edison or Jobs let alone a clipboard holder with a Number 2 pencil but I'm curious as to the line of questioning, will learn a lot through inference methinks.

The real message I want to provide BMW: Thank you for giving Dad his Coupe back. In our 20's and early-30's we all drove sexy two-door Coupe's, but in our late-30's and 40's we had to give them up for the practicality of the Minivan and the Family Sedan. The Gran Coupe gives Dad the four-doors he needs for the kids but gives him the low/wide sporty profile he wants. If I drew up a BMW Christmas present it would be the F32 with two extra doors.

Now I get the chance to thank Santa.

[smithf80]

Originally Posted by joewalton

Well, spending two-and-a-half hours in my Gran Coupe with a researcher will certainly get granular. I wouldn't even want to spend two-and-a-half hours in my Gran Coupe with Gandhi or Lennon or Edison or Jobs let alone a clipboard holder with a Number 2 pencil but I'm curious as to the line of questioning, will learn a lot through inference methinks.

The real message I want to provide BMW: Thank you for giving Dad his Coupe back. In our 20's and early-30's we all drove sexy two-door Coupe's, but in our late-30's and 40's we had to give them up for the practicality of the Minivan and the Family Sedan. The Gran Coupe gives Dad the four-doors he needs for the kids but gives him the low/wide sporty profile he wants. If I drew up a BMW Christmas present it would be the F32 with two extra doors.

Now I get the chance to thank Santa.

Never thought of it that way. That's pretty good. BMW giving back to people who wish they had that hot 2 door, but with the functionality of a 4 door.

[alphapunk2]

bmw really should improve on their interior looks, make it look more expensive please.....