[cc_bavarian]

Not going to work selling to Chinese people.

[antzcrashing]

Originally Posted by jaybird124

If they're all about consistency, here's a thought: Go back to the days where the last two numbers actually stood for the engine displacement.

but then 135 and 335 owners wont feel like their cars are worth as much being badged a measly 3.0! BMW sales will tank and the whole company will be no more!

WTF did they do away with that in the first place:

"Jimmy you put the wrong numbers on"
"Let's just run with it"
"Sounds good let's get a beer"
"Haufbrahaus?"
"Nah Augustiner"

(all statements in German of course and change Jimmy to Jens)

[DDS2015]

Why not make the gran coupe and the GT a 4-series, leave the rest 3-series? If they're all 3-series, then it'll just get so confusing (like Porsche to non-enthusiasts).

An example:

"What do you drive?"
"I drive a 3 series BMW"
"Which 3 series?"
"What do you mean?"
"well, do you drive a: sedan, wagon/touring, coupe, convertible, gran coupe, or gt?"

That is 6 models under the same designation. It is just too many. They have a choice to make, but I do not think that they know which is best yet.

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by DDS2015

Why not make the gran coupe and the GT a 4-series, leave the rest 3-series? If they're all 3-series, then it'll just get so confusing (like Porsche to non-enthusiasts).

An example:

"What do you drive?"
"I drive a 3 series BMW"
"Which 3 series?"
"What do you mean?"
"well, do you drive a: sedan, wagon/touring, coupe, convertible, gran coupe, or gt?"

That is 6 models under the same designation. It is just too many. They have a choice to make, but I do not think that they know which is best yet.

LOL

I agree that's there would be too many models under the 3-series tree but when people ask what car you drive, they usually say "3.xx" (meaning just the sedan) or "3.xx coupe". So if/when new models come out, I'd assume they'd respond "3.xx whatever".

[ORIGIN M.]

Bingo, that's it!

Originally Posted by cc_bavarian

Not going to work selling to Chinese people.

[Auto Pilot]

4s are considered bad luck in Chinese culture, this could impact them in the largest car market known as China

[Erhan]

Originally Posted by DDS2015

Why not make the gran coupe and the GT a 4-series, leave the rest 3-series? If they're all 3-series, then it'll just get so confusing (like Porsche to non-enthusiasts).

An example:

"What do you drive?"
"I drive a 3 series BMW"
"Which 3 series?"
"What do you mean?"
"well, do you drive a: sedan, wagon/touring, coupe, convertible, gran coupe, or gt?"

That is 6 models under the same designation. It is just too many. They have a choice to make, but I do not think that they know which is best yet.

Well, the example with the porsche guy is worse:

- Hey what do you drive?
- Oh I have a Porsche 911
- Which one?
- What do you mean?
- Is it, C2, C2S, C4, C4S, Turbo, Turbo S, Turbo Cabriolet, Turbo S Cabriolet, GT3, GT3RS, GT3 RS 4.0, GT2 RS, Targe, Targa S, Targa 4S, Cabriolet, Cabriolet S, Cabriolet 4, Cabriolet 4S, GTS, GTS 4, GTS Cabriolet, GTS 4 Cabriolet, Black Edition, Black Edition Cabriolet, or Speedster?

[mPlasticDesign]

Originally Posted by 3XTR3M3

That is so ass backwards. Call the coupes 3, call the sedans 4.

Afraid not. What you are suggesting is TOTALLY ass-backwards! 8series(coupe) greater than 7series, M6/6series(coupe) greater than M5/5series, and like mentioned in the OP, Audi follows the same logic, coupes carry a higher numbered nomenclature. Coupes are also more money hence higher in the food chain.

[d3l0n]

sex

[Minimization]

Wow, people are really emotional on these boards. These are Germans. They are logical. Based on the naming of the rest of the series, the F30 Coupe/Convertible should be the 4 Series, including M4.

Don't worry, the M3 may live on, as a sedan!

This is long overdue in my opinion. Should we name the 6 Series the 5 Series Coupe instead? If you are going to use alphanumerics nomenclature, make them so that they actually follow a formula. It is bad enough the last two numbers are now nominal displacement and they do not designate body style or drive train type any longer with letters.

I'm sure everyone will welcome the 2 Series since the next 1 Series will be FWD.

Rename the 1 Series M Coupe the M1 while you are at it. Who cares about a sub-par 70s supercar. I don't, because my Sedan will eat it for lunch.

[Minimization]

Originally Posted by Auto Pilot

4s are considered bad luck in Chinese culture, this could impact them in the largest car market known as China

We can rename it the 13 Series there instead.

[Minimization]

Originally Posted by cc_bavarian

Not going to work selling to Chinese people.

Man they have to get over this 4 thing. Same for the number 13 crowd, etc. Ever see a 14th floor in a high rise condo/hotel in the States? It's still floor 13!

Dumb superstitions...

[Minimization]

Originally Posted by RL530xit

I think it makes total sense... I think they should get rid of the xDrive naming system and adopt something that's more consistent and makes sense...

agree...BMW trying to be like 4Matic, Quattro, 4Motion, etc.

[Minimization]

Originally Posted by Auto Pilot

4s are considered bad luck in Chinese culture, this could impact them in the largest car market known as China

Not BMW's largest market though.

[FrankiE90]

They'll be to many sub forums.

[M3_WC]

Originally Posted by Minimization

Who cares about a sub-par 70s supercar. I don't, because my Sedan will eat it for lunch.

This is problem with BMW owners these days. No respect for BMW heritage and the cars that got them to where they are today.

[M3_WC]

Originally Posted by Auto Pilot

4s are considered bad luck in Chinese culture, this could impact them in the largest car market known as China

Originally Posted by Minimization

Not BMW's largest market though.

It is only the fastest growing car market in the world.

[LaMpiR]

But why do they need a 4 series? 3 series is a reputable brand in the world, if you need gt, just add it to 3 series line up?

[sward]

Originally Posted by Minimization

Wow, people are really emotional on these boards. These are Germans. They are logical. Based on the naming of the rest of the series, the F30 Coupe/Convertible should be the 4 Series, including M4.

Don't worry, the M3 may live on, as a sedan!

This is long overdue in my opinion. Should we name the 6 Series the 5 Series Coupe instead? If you are going to use alphanumerics nomenclature, make them so that they actually follow a formula. It is bad enough the last two numbers are now nominal displacement and they do not designate body style or drive train type any longer with letters.

I'm sure everyone will welcome the 2 Series since the next 1 Series will be FWD.

Rename the 1 Series M Coupe the M1 while you are at it. Who cares about a sub-par 70s supercar. I don't, because my Sedan will eat it for lunch.

You mean rename 1M to M2?

[NL-J]

Originally Posted by erhanh

Well, the example with the porsche guy is worse:

- Hey what do you drive?
- Oh I have a Porsche 911
- Which one?
- What do you mean?
- Is it, C2, C2S, C4, C4S, Turbo, Turbo S, Turbo Cabriolet, Turbo S Cabriolet, GT3, GT3RS, GT3 RS 4.0, GT2 RS, Targe, Targa S, Targa 4S, Cabriolet, Cabriolet S, Cabriolet 4, Cabriolet 4S, GTS, GTS 4, GTS Cabriolet, GTS 4 Cabriolet, Black Edition, Black Edition Cabriolet, or Speedster?

Think all the 997 models are a bit overkill indeed. It doesn't bother me as much as all the rumors about new models from BMW though
If the rumors are all true, BMW becomes a bit too much like VW/Audi imo.
2 and 4 series are just a bad idea imo. Same goes for all the M models, 1M, M3 and M5 are great, but don't see the need for an X3M, X5M or an X6M.

Mini looks to be on the same route, too many models. The Cooper and Cooper convertible are pretty succesfull here, but I don't see the Clubman and Countryman as much on the roads.

[asa7]

Originally Posted by IancoleTX

I'm guessing this came down from someone who has exactly ten perfectly sharpened pencils laying in perfect parallel on their desk.

Hahahahaha I can totally see that. But, the M3 is the only real flaw in this idea, and the biggest. Just make odd coupes and even sedans. Why does it have to follow Audi numbers?

[jocamryn]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Dumb idea - big time! An M4 logo will be no icon like the M3 name plate.

X5/6Ms 'go against the grain', but everyone's gotten over it and they are selling well. No matter the model designation, if it has the roundel, it will sell.

Times change and the world changes(look at the historical 328, no common lines with the current one), if you don't change with it you'll get left behind.