[catalyst]

Going to be serious sticker shock for existing E92 owners looking to upgrade I suppose

[Antares]

I asked for the 420d (diesel) Coupe and the guy said 39,500€ (Germany; official price). The 5er limo 520d is 40.800€ (manual transmission).

On the 520d limo you get some 18% discount; however after you buy few essential optionals the discount evaporates.

[Delusive]

That looks beautiful, I can wait to upgrade 3-5 years after the first generation so that I know they fixed all the problems

[advantage20]

For those trying to unstrip the car, I remind them of Scott26's sketches

[Qunadry]

Better than the current 335i, but I still prefer my 135i, which I hope to have a long, long time.

[jzcrna]

Originally Posted by catalyst

Going to be serious sticker shock for existing E92 owners looking to upgrade I suppose

They said that it is just like the 6 in comparison to the 5. With that said, the 6 starts out wayyy pricer than the 5. This does not seem encouraging to me. And then add the new engine...yikes! I'm sure that they will limit production in comparison to the F30 to limit deals/incentives. Your gonna have to pay to play for this one. Especially the 435/440. I'm thinking $49500 base

[r3dbimmer89]

Originally Posted by jzcrna

They said that it is just like the 6 in comparison to the 5. With that said, the 6 starts out wayyy pricer than the 5. This does not seem encouraging to me. And then add the new engine...yikes! I'm sure that they will limit production in comparison to the F30 to limit deals/incentives. Your gonna have to pay to play for this one. Especially the 435/440. I'm thinking $49500 base

I agree...def going to have to pay to play...I'm thinking nearly $70k for an M440i...but nontheless so far I'm really liking what I see. It is odd that the Sport Line has M sport wheels and brakes. Maybe there isn't going to be an M Sport Package. Just Sport Line or M Performance.

[GuidoDoc]

Vent looks okay from afar but looks a bit cheap close up. Kind of like a stuck on boomerang. Maybe this is the Australian line?

[Dice2Board]

Take your pick! Photoshop - ALL 4 variations (no pun intended !!!
Cheers...

[JasonCSU]

Originally Posted by Antares

I was told that here in Europe the price is going to be only slightly less compared to the 5er limousine with the same engine.
Explanation: Mercedes is selling the E Coupe (technically a C Class) for substantially more money compared to the 3 series Coupe. The "4" name should fix this margin-earning and image problem.

The Mercedes E Coupe is technically an E Class coupe. There is also a smaller C Coupe based on the C Class. Above the E Coupe, there is the bigger CLS which I suppose is technically the coupe version of the S Class. As far as match ups, it would be something like this:

BMW 3 series --> Mercedes C Class sedan.
BMW 4 series --> Mercedes C Class coupe
BMW 5 series --> Mercedes E Class sedan.
BMW 6 series --> Mercedes E Class coupe and possibly CLS
BMW 7 series --> Mercedes S Class

[thebuddha]

That side vent (actually, it's not even a real vent, just a stuck on piece of plastic hogwash) almost completely ruins the look of the vehicle. Just completely useless and superfluous - they would have been much better off sticking with the vent look of the e92.

That being said, the other details and proportions look good to great. The elongated rear of the greenhouse, with the sharpened kink, is especially nice, although by simultaneously elongating the front the hood is a little shortened, throwing off some of the traditional BMW proportions. Hopefully it's just a visual perception error because of the black cover that makes the hood look slightly shorter.
Love the wheels, and the extra side indentation scooping, but man this thing will be pricey.

[Mbbrewer]

Very nice looking! I can't wait to see it

[John Tanglewood]

The M is going to be niiice!

[MrClean335i]

Originally Posted by JasonCSU

The Mercedes E Coupe is technically an E Class coupe. There is also a smaller C Coupe based on the C Class. Above the E Coupe, there is the bigger CLS which I suppose is technically the coupe version of the S Class. As far as match ups, it would be something like this:

BMW 3 series --> Mercedes C Class sedan.
BMW 4 series --> Mercedes C Class coupe
BMW 5 series --> Mercedes E Class sedan.
BMW 6 series --> Mercedes E Class coupe and possibly CLS
BMW 7 series --> Mercedes S Class

incorrect

2 series --> C Class Coupe --> Audi ??
4 series --> E Class Coupe --> Audi A5
6 series --> CLS --> Jaguar XK --> Audi A7

[johndeere]

Originally Posted by MrClean335i

incorrect

2 series --> C Class Coupe --> Audi ??
4 series --> E Class Coupe --> Audi A5
6 series --> CLS --> Jaguar XK --> Audi A7

LOLWUT?

A 2 series is not comparable to a C class coupe. As posted above the 4 series looks to be put in place to compete with the c class coupe. The 2 series, is what the 1 series coupe is currently, and the 1-er most definitely does not compete with a C class coupe.

[e1000]

Originally Posted by JasonCSU

The Mercedes E Coupe is technically an E Class coupe. There is also a smaller C Coupe based on the C Class. Above the E Coupe, there is the bigger CLS which I suppose is technically the coupe version of the S Class. As far as match ups, it would be something like this:

BMW 3 series --> Mercedes C Class sedan.
BMW 4 series --> Mercedes C Class coupe
BMW 5 series --> Mercedes E Class sedan.
BMW 6 series --> Mercedes E Class coupe and possibly CLS
BMW 7 series --> Mercedes S Class

For the 3, 5, and 7 series sedans, yes this lines up, but the coupes don't line up as directly as your comparison states. The C207 E-Class coupe is built on a C-class chassis with a E-Class stylized body and interior. Nothing has changed in this regard from the W208 and W209 CLK Class before it. Same principle.

You can't really compare the E-Class coupe directly to the 6-series. For one thing, the base price of a 6-series is about 20K more than an E-Class coupe, and the 6 is nearly 8 inches longer (heh). IMO, the 3-coupe (E92) and now the 4 series will compete with both the C-class coupe and E-Coupe, depending on options, trim, and engine. 6 will compete with the CLS and possibly the CL on a very limited basis.

[Antares]

Originally Posted by JasonCSU

The Mercedes E Coupe is technically an E Class coupe. There is also a smaller C Coupe based on the C Class. Above the E Coupe, there is the bigger CLS which I suppose is technically the coupe version of the S Class.

I'm sorry but you fell victim to marketing.

C class platform serves to two coupes; the "cheap looking" C class Coupe and the E class coupe. E class coupe is 100% C class.

CLS was from the first series an E class with a nicer shell; one of the most profitable cars for Mercedes. (very high profit margin).

The new 4Coupe is going to compete with the E class Coupe. The 4Coupe with the "Line option" is going to cost more than the actual 5 series.

The new 2Coupe is going to be moved upmarket and priced only some 2.500 $ under the 3 series sedan.

[SCOTT26]

I had no idea that the car was caught in this stage of undress given that the FEP cars are now publically driving around Munich.

The announcement of the BMW 4er ushers in a new era for BMW in regards to the positioning of its best selling Coupe model and of course the demise of the 3er as a Coupe.

Open minded?
Some accept that the car will be called the 4er due to the demands of the market. Some are still stuck in the way that they will debadge , replace the badge and some will not even look at it because it is a 4er.
But we all know that they will end up behind the wheel.

It is evolutionary but the proportions have been played with , the sleeker outline moves the car further away from the 3er in both stature and the all important price.

Physically with the exterior you are talking about one or two areas that are shared with the sedan. It also allows the viewer to now imagine the missing jigsaw piece the 2er which gets a similar sportier outline but in more compact proportions.

With the 4er it is all about positioning. The car justifies its market by extending exclusivity in the segment , style is important as a key distinguishing point . But for the engineers there is also the justification for making the car drive as well as it looks and seperate it from the core 3er Sedan. in other words look for a new level of dynamics compared to the Audi A5 and Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse.

Of course there will be a new challenger in the guise of the Lexus IS coupe which shows that Lexus want their US no 1 position back and judging by what is on the table in Tokyo in regards to mid-sized and smaller SUVs and Coupes, this time they mean business.

The Concept car of the Coupe will be shown in January , it will also show in Geneva.
The production car I heard today is heading to the Shanghai Autoshow in May as BMW aim to change the perception of the designated 4 with the new car in China where BMW have again outpaced Audi and Mercedes-Benz considerably.

I have heard that Chris Bangle has even given the car the thumbs up from a design point of view.

[vladberca]

I think BMW line up is closer tu Audi's:
3 series against A4;
4 series against A5; here we'll see a Performance model better than S5
5 series against A6;
6 series against A7; here BMW has a clear advantage of more models

Mercedes has a different line up, if we look at the Coupes/Convertibles: I think 6 series is a closer rival with CL. They will release an S Class convertible with the next generation..

I understand very well the BMW strategy: it has to be a better difference between the "popular" models: sedans/tourings and those released for much more driving fun and exclusivity!

[JasonCSU]

Originally Posted by MrClean335i

incorrect

2 series --> C Class Coupe --> Audi ??
4 series --> E Class Coupe --> Audi A5
6 series --> CLS --> Jaguar XK --> Audi A7

Until we see a 2 series coupe, I don't consider it a competitor to the C Class Coupe. I matched up the C Class Coupe to the 4 series considering the C63 AMG Coupe is compared with the current M3 coupe and Audi RS5. Plus, with there being rumors of a 2 series gran coupe, I suspect this model would compete with the upcoming Mercedes CLA and Audi A3 sedan.

[Evan135]

A couple of thoughts...

Look at the Hofmeister kink and rotate it 90 degrees counterclockwise and put it on the front fender, and voila you have the fender vent. A smart design compliment that ties the side design together!

I like it as these as these cars need a functional way to dump heat out of these claustrophobic turbocharged engine compartments. This visually works using one of BMW's most reconized design features.

It also helps the proportions of the car the same way the E92 M3 front fender vent does. Not too big on the black color but that is easy to fix.

Also the proportions on this car fix the problems with the old 2 door/ 4 door design compromise. On the E30/E36/E46 they look great as 2 doors but "cramped" or "shoved together" as 4 doors.

The E90/E92 bodies are just the opposite. 4 door has great proportions but the 2 doors have poor proportions. They look stretched out and only look good on the current E92 M3 where the rear spoiler, hood bulge, fender vent, and side sills fix that by breaking up the design of the side view.

The extension of the greenhouse on the F32 is very effective and for arguably the first time the 3 series will look great in both 2 and 4 door designs. The effort and investment BMW has put into really differentiate the two models is worth it and sort of justifies the 4 series name, IMO.

I really do not like the standard E92 design but I am really tempted by this look. I do like smaller cars and hope the 2 series fairs this well.

[Vector Pilot]

Originally Posted by Antares

I was told that here in Europe the price is going to be only slightly less compared to the 5er limousine with the same engine.
Explanation: Mercedes is selling the E Coupe (technically a C Class) for substantially more money compared to the 3 series Coupe. The "4" name should fix this margin-earning and image problem.

Let me see if I understand what they're saying. Is BMW going to increase prices on the new 4 series so they can create a new consumer niche and in turn surrender it's market share [selling entry level coupes] to Audi and Mercedes? With all due respect, that does not make sense.
Highest Regards!