Evolution of the BMW 3 Series Coupe to 4 Series Coupe (E21 to F32)

BMWI6 · 01-28-2013, 11:55 AM

in Non ///m Form = E36>f32>e46>e92>e30>e21
In ///m Form = E46=f32> E30>e36>e92>e21

tony20009 · 01-28-2013, 12:11 PM

I hadn't really thought about it until I saw the pics above, but if the pattern is to be believed, BMW make two model iterations that, by and large, look related, and then they change the overall design theme completely.

soolman32 · 01-28-2013, 12:32 PM

I'd have to say that my favorites are the E46 and soon to be released F32. Then the E92 in close second and don't care much for the rest.

J Lau · 01-28-2013, 12:32 PM

I think its quite unfair to have an E36 M3 there.
yet...its also unfair to put a ZHP in the crowd....=P

E46 ZHP is just gorgeous!

techwhiz · 01-28-2013, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

The E36 portrayed here seems to be an ///M3. A bit of an unfair comparison...

It's not a ///M3.
The mirrors are wrong. They sold ///M packages for coupes and convertibles that had cosmetic bits but were not true ///M. The flag mirrors on the non-///M cars are a dead give away. The ///M3 had aerodynamic oval mirrors.

J Lau · 01-28-2013, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holander

I`m not see M-mirrors, did they come facelift e36 M3 only? or is it Us M3? But front is lowered, stock 3er has massive wheel gap.

Quote:

Originally Posted by techwhiz

It's not a ///M3.
The mirrors are wrong. They sold ///M packages for coupes and convertibles that had cosmetic bits but were not true ///M. The flag mirrors on the non-///M cars are a dead give away. The ///M3 had aerodynamic oval mirrors.

Good eyes. I dont think that E36 is stock. I think its an M3 wannabe.
It has the M3 badge on the door side molding.

mkoesel · 01-28-2013, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tony20009

I hadn't really thought about it until I saw the pics above, but if the pattern is to be believed, BMW make two model iterations that, by and large, look related, and then they change the overall design theme completely.

Yes. Whether or not there has been a conscious effort to do it that way or not, that is how it has gone. Some correctly predicted the largely evolutionary styling direction of the F3x before it was seen testing based on this pattern.

roho3323 · 01-28-2013, 01:05 PM

As i look at these, it seems that the evolution of the 3 series comes in pairs... so the next generation may be radically different that current.

E21 & E30
E36 & E46
E92 & F32

bimmerjph · 01-28-2013, 01:05 PM

In my opinion the 4 Concept looks like the love child of an E46 and E92, but in a good way.

drZ · 01-28-2013, 01:06 PM

great comparo pics..note how the front overhangs get longer and longer while the rear+trunk is getting shorter and shorter..reminds me of maseratis..

MrPig · 01-28-2013, 01:10 PM

*sigh* can't wait for May where I get to drive my e30 again.

rjd598 · 01-28-2013, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J Lau

Good eyes. I dont think that E36 is stock. I think its an M3 wannabe.
It has the M3 badge on the door side molding.

the e36 was the easiest model to make look like an M

roundle · 01-28-2013, 01:26 PM

I like this. Amazing how much the E30 looks like the original (2002).

It would be cool to also include the 2002 as well as the pre and post LCI cars

Would be cool to see the dashboard evo as waell.

TK-421 · 01-28-2013, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holander

Looks nice, I am not sure e21 and E30 felgen size but
E21 13" ?
E30 15" ?
E36 17"
E46 18"
E92 19"
F3? 20" ?

E30 bottlecaps are 14"

Euro basketweave wheels are the only OEM 15" wheels for the E30

Fugly M3 · 01-28-2013, 01:37 PM

Agree with what someone else already said, e30 and e46 are best.

01-28-2013, 01:46 PM

+1 e46. Dumb people have asked me if my m3 is "new"

Jadar · 01-28-2013, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TK-421

E30 and E46 are my favorite. The E36 looks like ass unless it's made super aggressive

E46 FTW! Still looks classy and sporty. Perfect daily driver IMO for little cash.

CanAutM3 · 01-28-2013, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holander

I`m not see M-mirrors, did they come facelift e36 M3 only? or is it Us M3? But front is lowered, stock 3er has massive wheel gap.

Quote:

Originally Posted by techwhiz

It's not a ///M3.
The mirrors are wrong. They sold ///M packages for coupes and convertibles that had cosmetic bits but were not true ///M. The flag mirrors on the non-///M cars are a dead give away. The ///M3 had aerodynamic oval mirrors.

You are right, not an M3. I missed the mirrors.

M_Power_Fan · 01-28-2013, 02:02 PM

nice

these pics always make me think how cool it would be to go back 20 years with a current model - how would everyone like it ?

TheBingoBalls · 01-28-2013, 02:10 PM

E30.

That is all.

Imola.ZHP · 01-28-2013, 02:22 PM

e46 ZHP FTW!

V2RBY · 01-28-2013, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tony20009

I hadn't really thought about it until I saw the pics above, but if the pattern is to be believed, BMW make two model iterations that, by and large, look related, and then they change the overall design theme completely.

Yes they do a cycle of revolution then evolution with each model.

01-28-2013, 11:55 AM	#23
BMWI6 Major 100 Rep 1,337 Posts Drives: 335is Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Miami, Fl iTrader: (2)	in Non ///m Form = E36>f32>e46>e92>e30>e21 In ///m Form = E46=f32> E30>e36>e92>e21 __________________ If everything seems under control, then you aren't going fast enough"
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-28-2013, 12:11 PM	#24
tony20009 Major General 1062 Rep 5,660 Posts Drives: BMW 335i - Coupe Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Washington, DC iTrader: (0)	I hadn't really thought about it until I saw the pics above, but if the pattern is to be believed, BMW make two model iterations that, by and large, look related, and then they change the overall design theme completely. __________________ Cheers, Tony ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ '07, e92 335i, *Sparkling Graphite, Coral Leather, Aluminum, 6-speed*
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-28-2013, 12:32 PM	#25
soolman32 Private First Class 11 Rep 163 Posts Drives: Current: F30 335i Soon: AMG Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: US iTrader: (0)	I'd have to say that my favorites are the E46 and soon to be released F32. Then the E92 in close second and don't care much for the rest.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-28-2013, 12:32 PM	#26
J Lau Captain 110 Rep 868 Posts Drives: E46, E82 ,E89, G30 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: HKG/IU/SoCal iTrader: (1)	I think its quite unfair to have an E36 M3 there. yet...its also unfair to put a ZHP in the crowd....=P E46 ZHP is just gorgeous! __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-28-2013, 01:05 PM	#30
roho3323 The Professor 161 Rep 817 Posts Drives: BMW M6, BMW M240i, BMW 750i Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Miami, USA iTrader: (14)	As i look at these, it seems that the evolution of the 3 series comes in pairs... so the next generation may be radically different that current. E21 & E30 E36 & E46 E92 & F32 __________________ 2010 BMW M6 2007 BMW 335i,2012 Audi S4-retired 2016 BMW 750i M-Sport 2015 BMW M235i-retired, 2022 M240i
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-28-2013, 01:05 PM	#31
bimmerjph Colonel 123 Rep 2,024 Posts Drives: 2005 Z4 3.0 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Tennessee iTrader: (0)	In my opinion the 4 Concept looks like the love child of an E46 and E92, but in a good way.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-28-2013, 01:06 PM	#32
drZ Major 129 Rep 1,036 Posts Drives: black sapphire e92 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: NSW iTrader: (0)	great comparo pics..note how the front overhangs get longer and longer while the rear+trunk is getting shorter and shorter..reminds me of maseratis.. __________________ You're born, you take shit. You get out in the world, you take more shit. You climb a little higher, you take less shit. Till one day you're up in the rarefied atmosphere and you've forgotten what shit even looks like. Welcome to the layer cake son.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-28-2013, 01:10 PM	#33
MrPig Major 14 Rep 1,203 Posts Drives: '11 STI, '90 325iS Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 1990 BMW 325is [10.00]	sigh can't wait for May where I get to drive my e30 again. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-28-2013, 01:26 PM	#35
roundle EXPAT 65 Rep 889 Posts Drives: 18 VW GTI;18 CX9;11 E91 N52 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	I like this. Amazing how much the E30 looks like the original (2002). It would be cool to also include the 2002 as well as the pre and post LCI cars Would be cool to see the dashboard evo as waell.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-28-2013, 01:37 PM	#37
Fugly M3 Major General 5733 Rep 5,320 Posts Drives: 2023 M3CX Join Date: May 2006 Location: SoCal iTrader: (5)	Agree with what someone else already said, e30 and e46 are best. __________________ 2024 M4CX M2C PCD M2C Mountain West Roadie M4 Cross Country Roadie 2017 230i ED 2023 G87 Nurburgring Trip
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-28-2013, 01:46 PM	#38
christiandflores Guest 0 Rep n/a Posts Drives:	+1 e46. Dumb people have asked me if my m3 is "new"
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-28-2013, 02:02 PM	#41
M_Power_Fan Private First Class 10 Rep 104 Posts Drives: the Ring Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Germany iTrader: (0)	nice these pics always make me think how cool it would be to go back 20 years with a current model - how would everyone like it ?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-28-2013, 02:10 PM	#42
TheBingoBalls Brigadier General 4202 Rep 4,815 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Toronto, Ontario iTrader: (1) Garage List 2018 F36 BMW 440i x ... [0.00]	E30. That is all.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-28-2013, 02:22 PM	#43
Imola.ZHP Colonel 129 Rep 2,218 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW i3 BEV EE Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mud Island, TN iTrader: (0)	e46 ZHP FTW! __________________ - 2014 CPO i01 BEV Electronaut Edition Capparis White Tera World, '17- - 2015 CPO i01 BEV Laurel Grey Tera World, '17- - 2015 i01 REx Laurel Grey Tera World, '15-'17 - 2003 CPO 330i ZHP Imola Red Build 03/03/03, '06-'15
	Appreciate 0 Quote

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search