[325bim]

Originally Posted by S4NoMore

They did that already. It's called the 4-series.

I am beginning to get frustrated with the lack of understanding here. The model breakdown is clear if you stop and think about it.

Sedan-based: more conventional, practical

• 3-series sedan
• 3-series wagon
• 3-series GT
• 5-series sedan
• 5-series wagon
• 5-series GT
• 7-series sedan
• 7-series variants?

Coupe-based: sleek shapes, sacrifice some practicality for some extra style

• 2-series coupe
• 2-series convertible coming (?)
• 2-series GC coming (?)
• 4-series coupe
• 4-series convertible
• 4-series GC
• 6-series coupe
• 6-series convertible
• 6-series GC

Is this really that difficult to comprehend, both in itself and as an overall philosophy BMW has chosen to adopt?

We're talking even vs. odd numbers here, denoting relative magnitude... it's elementary and it makes perfect sense.

Do you want a more traditional shape with more practicality, or a sleeker shape? How big do you want your car to be? Well alright, take your pick from this logical lineup.

As a sidenote, it seems obvious that the 1-series will be re-born as the FWD small sedan-type car, to go up against the A3 and CLA, and slot right into the overarching strategy for BMW's lineup.

I like how someone else put it - more models just means that there are less of each on the road, and as ubiquitous BMWs have become I think that's a good thing.

Amen! Every new model thread has the "I don't get it" and "they're diluting the brand". There's millions of untapped customers for BMW to go after, with just as many different needs for their auto of choice. For me, coming from 240z-300zx, evolved into e36 coupe, e46 sedan and now f30. I've always liked a hatch, need to carry other adults only on occasion, but prefer coupe styling, 4GC fits nicely for my next car, just hoping they offer in a manual when I'm ready.

[Xtabi]

Originally Posted by 325bim

Amen! Every new model thread has the "I don't get it" and "they're diluting the brand". There's millions of untapped customers for BMW to go after, with just as many different needs for their auto of choice. For me, coming from 240z-300zx, evolved into e36 coupe, e46 sedan and now f30. I've always liked a hatch, need to carry other adults only on occasion, but prefer coupe styling, 4GC fits nicely for my next car, just hoping they offer in a manual when I'm ready.

+1!

[DarkTrigger]

Originally Posted by joewalton

Because if you have children between the ages of 2 and 10 they fit perfectly back there and the doors are necessary for school dropoffs, playdates, soccer practice, and all the other family obligations.

For years I suffered in a family sedan while lusting after the coupe, doing the right and responsible thing for my kids. Now I get my sleek coupe, they get a smaller seating area and tiny doors. My turn now. Have fun back there, bitches. Fuck 'em.

LMAO, nice.

So I take it it is smaller back there. Now I want go to a dealership to see it for myself! Damnit, I don't even have kids yet but i was required to get the sedan... the woman always wins...

[joewalton]

Originally Posted by DarkTrigger

LMAO, nice.

So I take it it is smaller back there. Now I want go to a dealership to see it for myself! Damnit, I don't even have kids yet but i was required to get the sedan... the woman always wins...

I'm 20 minutes from Manhattan, so I'll be sitting in one at the NY Auto Show tomorrow morning. I'll report back in this thread with my rear seat findings, let you know.

[joewalton]

Originally Posted by alienranch

Those 12 albums were released over many years, not all at once.

Speaking of release years, dig this:

Because the Gran Coupe is being introduced as a 2015, it's exactly 3 years past the introduction of the F30 as a 2012.

Translation: For those of us on persistent 36 month leases (raises hand) we don't need no stinkin' LCI anymore. We get a brand new model every time. 3 years in a 3 Sedan, 3 years in a 4 Gran Coupe, 3 years in a 3 Sedan, 3 years in a 4 Gran Coupe. Wash, rinse, repeat.

Perfecto.

[JPNogueira]

Originally Posted by WJGreer

Here's how I see it:

• The 4 series is very different than the 3 series sedan. Same powertrains and interiors, but totally different sheetmetal and the coupes are lower and wider than the sedans and have different suspension treatment. They are sportier cars.
• I like the 4 better than the 3, which can look a little stodgy to my eyes.
• But I have two young daughters. They don't ride in my car a ton, but some. I could get away with a 2-door but it wouldn't be optimal.
• Tossing my briefcase and jacket in the back seat of a 2-door might also become a PITA after a week.

Here comes the 4GC, which is equivalent to the 4 coupe mechanically and size-wise, yet somehow they have fit two rear doors on it and might even have improved the look at little over the 2-door in doing so. Also, I dig the hatch. Some do, others don't. I do.

I've been driving 5 series for a while. This latest one I got last year is beautiful and impeccably engineered, but it's a little too big and not much fun. I'm looking for a change next time around, but I don't see myself in a 3 series. I just don't.

So the 4GC is aimed right at me. I may represent a narrow market, but the way BMW is building cars these days, leveraging platform designs across models and reducing development costs, means that they can aim specific models at narrow markets and do so economically.

What some of you are calling "dilution" I call BMW building cars that more people are going to find perfect for them. I don't see a downside.


...

The 318ti, back in the E36 era...that was dilution. It was an underengineered, underpowered, crappy car that leveraged the Roundel for sales volume. The purpose of its existence was to move BMW downmarket, possibly at the expense of the brand cache, had they let it go on long enough. That is what dilution means.

+ 1 - ordered mine the first they it was available here.

I can only understand these haters has 3ers that can't stand the great looks of the F36.

[alienranch]

Originally Posted by JPNogueira

+ 1 - ordered mine the first they it was available here.

I can only understand these haters has 3ers that can't stand the great looks of the F36.

Not sure I've heard anybody "hating". I personally think the Gran Coupe is a beautiful car (not a fan of the 3-GT though). Might be my next car as I love the lines of the 4 but need a sedan with the kids. I agree with some others in that it's getting harder to tell what you're looking at going down the road as, what used to be the differentiators of each line are melding. Not necessarily a bad thing, but an observation nontheless.

[335i_4D]

Originally Posted by 325bim

I've always liked a hatch, need to carry other adults only on occasion, but prefer coupe styling, 4GC fits nicely for my next car.

+1, and another +1.

Same for me here.
Coming from an X5 (which was now too big for my need), I still have the requirement from time to time to carry the family dog, or my diving gear.

This seems to be the perfect fit, I'll have to try it.
May end up with a 3GT, but I'll wait for both to be at the dealership to compare.

I do prefer the lines of the 4GC, hoping it will be enough !

[WilliCO]

Excellent point. My suspicion is that, with the seats folded down, it will be a nice-sized cargo area but a little comical with the seats up. Still, the hatch is, in my view, the real sauce that the 4GC offers, that I didn't expect. All the bozos asking "this is different than the 3 series, how?" should look no further. The car is cooler than the F30 yet more useful at the same time.

In fact, the moment I saw the hatch, my interest in the X4 kind of went away.

[alienranch]

Definitely better looking (in my opinion) than the F30.

[des16]

The hatch puts this car on the radar screen for me, and makes it a competitor with the F31 wagon. Pricing the two cars out, the F36 (428 gc) is actually a bit less expensive, owing to the HID lights that are standard. The major issue in deciding between the two cars will be whether there is any difference in their handling. I have read that the 428i has been tweaked to drive somewhat better than the F30. The question is whether that will apply to the F36. If so, it will get my order over the F31. I would appreciate any information that you might have.

[WilliCO]

Originally Posted by des16

The hatch puts this car on the radar screen for me, and makes it a competitor with the F31 wagon. Pricing the two cars out, the F36 (428 gc) is actually a bit less expensive, owing to the HID lights that are standard. The major issue in deciding between the two cars will be whether there is any difference in their handling. I have read that the 428i has been tweaked to drive somewhat better than the F30. The question is whether that will apply to the F36. If so, it will get my order over the F31. I would appreciate any information that you might have.

I believe the F36 inherits the geometry and suspension treatment from the F32, while the F31 is fully derived from the F30 - so indeed, the Gran Coupe should handle better. On paper anyway.

Plus, the 4GC can be had in the States with the N55, while the F31, at this time, cannot. If that matters to you.

[des16]

Originally Posted by WJGreer

I believe the F36 inherits the geometry and suspension treatment from the F32, while the F31 is fully derived from the F30 - so indeed, the Gran Coupe should handle better. On paper anyway.

Plus, the 4GC can be had in the States with the N55, while the F31, at this time, cannot. If that matters to you.

Unfortunately I live in snow country so need x-drive, so, the N55 does not work. But, the improved suspension will be a big plus and push me to the F36 for sure.

[WilliCO]

Originally Posted by des16

Unfortunately I live in snow country so need x-drive, so, the N55 does not work. But, the improved suspension will be a big plus and push me to the F36 for sure.

I need xDrive too. As I understand it, the 435 xDrive GC will be available this fall. I'm not sure why it's not ready now.

[secretanchitman]

Originally Posted by WJGreer

I need xDrive too. As I understand it, the 435 xDrive GC will be available this fall. I'm not sure why it's not ready now.

By then, would the 435i xDrive GC be considered a 2016 model with the usual yearly upgrades from the previous year?

[WilliCO]

Originally Posted by secretanchitman

By then, would the 435i xDrive GC be considered a 2016 model with the usual yearly upgrades from the previous year?

That's the question, huh? Because there may be a new engine in the cards for 2016...

[SamS]

Originally Posted by WJGreer

That's the question, huh? Because there may be a new engine in the cards for 2016...

I don't think they'll stick the B58 in the F36 until it gets any LCI for MY2017.

[ynguldyn]

Originally Posted by des16

The hatch puts this car on the radar screen for me, and makes it a competitor with the F31 wagon. Pricing the two cars out, the F36 (428 gc) is actually a bit less expensive, owing to the HID lights that are standard. The major issue in deciding between the two cars will be whether there is any difference in their handling. I have read that the 428i has been tweaked to drive somewhat better than the F30. The question is whether that will apply to the F36. If so, it will get my order over the F31. I would appreciate any information that you might have.

The most significant improvement is handling can be had by ordering 4GC with RWD as opposed to F31 being AWD only.

[ynguldyn]

Originally Posted by WJGreer

That's the question, huh? Because there may be a new engine in the cards for 2016...

No. The new engines are SOP 03/16 as MY2017.

[BMWbill]

By the way, in a major dick move by BMW, the 4 coupe is locked at the NY Auto Show. So nobody will know how they fit in the back seat until the cars come to dealers.

[max2me]

Why would they do that??

[Maz335i]

Originally Posted by BMWbill

By the way, in a major dick move by BMW, the 4 coupe is locked at the NY Auto Show. So nobody will know how they fit in the back seat until the cars come to dealers.

How retarded.

I'm waiting for my dealership to get one before I put my order thru. My SA is hoping to have one next month.

I really have my eyes on a 435i GC, but just want to see one in reality before finalizing it.

On another note:

I think the F36 is one of those cars that would look even sleeker/better with a roof spoiler...