[S-Dot]

Originally Posted by Hula-Hula

I don't like that they're gonna put the M logo where "Sport", "Modern" & "Luxury" usually is now with M-package...

+1 to this. If it's an M-Sport package, then make an M-Sport badge for there (if you feel the necessity to differentiate).

Putting a proper M-badge on the fender of a non-M car is blasphemous.

[heavystarch]

I hated the 5 series GT and I hate this. They both have hideous proportions and should never be made. Is BMW trying to channel the Pontiac Aztec? WTF BMW!?!?

That new little swoosh on the front fender is just god-awful-shit. It looks like some ridiculous afterthought.

[rpagianotto]

I really dislike this car for what it represents.

And it's not the brand's dilution per se that bothers me. What really gets me is knowing that they spent all this money doing a so-so niche car instead of perfecting their main cars.

Seriously, the previous 3, 5 and 7 series all wiped the floor with the competition when they came out. The current ones, however, didn't fare so well in comparison. For crying out loud, the latest Cadillac has been rated a better car than the 3 series, and by a considerable amout of people too.

I understand that the competition is brutal in this day and age, and that manufacturers have to appeal to a broader audience in order to increase their market share. But that shouldn't come at the expense of overall quality.

Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself here, but seriously, does anyone think that this 3er gt seems like an exceptional car? I don't. The only impression I got from this thing is "awkward".

And it's not about looks either, because this is a highly subjective topic, and previous bmw cars that were extremely controversial turned out to be pretty succesful (the e60 5er being the perfect example).

What I mean is that I don't see any purpose to this car that could not already be fulfilled (and better at it too) by the 3er touring, the x3 or even the x1. So to sum up, IMHO, this is just a big fat waste of money. If you are going to expand your line-up, at least make sure it is with something that adds something else to what you already have to offer.

[LemonOne]

Saw one of these in camo yesterday @ Fort Lee, NJ, right by the George Washington Bridge.
It looked pretty big, almost 5GT big but little smaller.

[CirrusSR22]

Certainly looks better than the 5GT. I'd still take the F31 Wagon any day over this.

Signed,
An E36 318ti owner.

[heavystarch]

Originally Posted by S-Dot

+1 to this. If it's an M-Sport package, then make an M-Sport badge for there (if you feel the necessity to differentiate).

Putting a proper M-badge on the fender of a non-M car is blasphemous.

+2

[Itgb]

BMW obviously thinks there are enough suckers in the world to buy this. The E46 ti also didn't show up in the US, but it probably made BMW $$$. It was ugly as hell just like this 3er GT.





I think as long as they don't forget about the enthusiasts, then BMW can sell whatever the hell they want. The market dictates what they make.

[freshnezzz]

SMH, this failed with the 5 series already. Everyone drools over the A7 and A5 Sportback. All you had to do was slope the rear.

[xDrive35i]

Not really feelin' it at all. Looks like a sloppy rendering. I'm hoping the flattening from the telephoto and the distortion from the high-res cropping is responsible for the wobbly lines. This is just really, really bad.

[xDrive35i]

Originally Posted by freshnezzz

SMH, this failed with the 5 series already. Everyone drools over the A7 and A5 Sportback. All you had to do was slope the rear.

The 5GT is actually doing really quite well for its price bracket. Also, sloping the roof is what they've done for the Gran Coupe. At least the 5GT replaced the wagon, but there's no reason to have the 3GT if the wagon is still coming here along with the 4GC.

[ekelly]

I guess after the reaction to the 5GT it comes as no real surprise that the 3GT was not going to win a popularity contest on here. That is even before these pictures were released and how it may drive / handle seems only relevant to those few who will actually want to own it. In fact that is probably irrelevant considering that clientele who BMW predicts will buy it.

From a business stand point, the brand BMW is a global product and giving the customer more choice makes profitable sense. The overall negative reaction might be current BMW owners questioning whether this will harm the brand, in the long term, if unsuccessful.

Obviously SCOTT26 will defend the boards decision to make such a car and will no doubt show that their future projections support the "green light" on the GT series and other future lines. From the outside looking in, on the brand "BMW", it appears that the decisions being made to give the green light to new model lines is being done so in board rooms where the weight of business might be over shadowing that of business acumen. This and how successful the GT series might become will likely be decided by; time.

From the branding perspective I hope it succeeds. I don't think I am prospective buyer and similarly I cannot see myself in a GT in the future.

[Mark's M]

Well that's one more possibility off the list!!!

[freshnezzz]

Originally Posted by juddholland

The 5GT is actually doing really quite well for its price bracket.

have you googled 5gt series sales? we can argue all day but on the business site it won't sell in US, on the looks side argue want u want

U.S. sales of quirky 5-series GT disappoint BMW
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-20065736-48.html

5 series GT a flop
http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1...nsive-7-series

[CAPSGOD]

You guys got it all wrong. This is a brilliant move from BMW. They already cornered the market for beautiful sedans coupes & estates. Been there, done that.

Now they are going after the people who want ugly cars.

[noro]

It's all over. I am glad this car is out, because I had hard time justifying moving to a 911 but BMW made this choice very easy for me.

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by GrandMaster_B

Is that a small ///M badge above the quarter panel side vent? Like where the "Modern" badge would be on the other car.

On paper, this is car I'd like considering my preference for sedans and a growing need for space (kids). I loved the form of my old Mazda 6 hatch.

It's better than the 5GT but I'd take a 335 touring any day over this.

yes... ~

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by MaestroAl

Really? Man, BMW must be run by squirrels or something. Or maybe starfish Can you honestly quantify that? They keep sending models to north America which don't sell? Really? Really really?

I don't think anybody wanted the 5-Series GT...and I don't think anybody really wants this model as well given the 5-Series GT success in NA (and when I say this, I don't mean 0 sales...come on man).
Unless someone shows me numbers...

Again like I said, why is BMW doing this? It's all about profit. Cool. But instead of having this car available to North America which probably has a low take rate anyway, why not release a model like various diesels, which would have a MUCH higher take rate (that's not even questionable) and make even more money? You can't tell me that there are more people in NA which would rather have a 5-Series GT than a 5-Series wagon, a model we don't get here?. If there is proof that there is, well f--k me. The point is, if this is all about money and pleasing shareholders, there are so many models in the past and present that BMW could've gave the North American market which would do that...these "GT" cars are not it. Like you said, this is a worldwide industry, it's not about one individual or region so where are the cars we're missing out on?

[RWD4Life]

Actually after a more careful look it's not fugly, it's fugly as f

[nycbr]

Better than the 5GT but still ugly

[r3dbimmer89]

Since I'm a marketing specialist this thread is really making me LOL... I mean c'mon guys (my fellow Americans), I understand your frustration with BMW making less sporty cars and coming out with stuff like this but they are a GLOBAL brand and let's face it, China is where the money is at, not the US. We already know they are going to buy these things up like no other (I saw a crap load of black 5 GTs in China earlier this year).

BMW needs to stay profitable...think about it if they continue making their basic line-up (3,5,7,X,Z) they are not going to stay ahead of the game while Audi continues to expand in these niche markets and what will you say when BMW is left behind only to be taken over by Cherry or Geely because of not staying ahead of the game... let's talk about brand dilution then...

Bank to the OP....it looks pretty good in M sport form...a little awkward but better than the 5er GT.

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by S-Dot

+1 to this. If it's an M-Sport package, then make an M-Sport badge for there (if you feel the necessity to differentiate).

Putting a proper M-badge on the fender of a non-M car is blasphemous.

I recall (118tii?) with the little //M logo on fender I believe when it had an "M-pack"

[chrisny]

Looks like they did a great job of making it just as hideous as the 5 series GT.