[FNR32]

Maybe I'm wrong here but I thought the goal of design was to create something that made people WANT your product. Instead, they've created something that is driving people away from the brand. It seems counter productive and to double down on it just seems....arrogant.

[TheBingoBalls]

The grille isn't really the issue. If they want to use the tall vertical grilles, they have to design the rest of the front fascia/bumper better. A lot better.

The problem with the 4er is that everything surrounding it is terribly design and either don't fit or don't complement it. Every non-SAV BMW should have that low and wide view, instead with the 4er, it just looks tall because you have the headlights and the poorly-designed air vents angled and designed to point towards the grille. The M3/M4 does not have that issue the bumper designed is stretched left to right.

[Artemis]

What’s clear is that both men feel a huge amount of responsibility towards BMW. Both are well aware of the history of the brand – indeed, they’ve justified their current strategy by looking back to the 1960s, when BMW pioneered a sports car that came with a healthy dose of limousine. Cars like the 1500, which set the standard for the company for years to come, right up to today.
These days, the fragmentation of what customers want (and Dukec is clear on this: he’s aiming for customers to want his cars, not need them) means that van Hooydonk and Dukec have identified two groups they want to appeal to. They’ve called them the elegant creators and the expressive performers. While it’s tempting to dismiss this as marketing hyperbole, it does make sense when you view it in terms of the product. The creators tend to sit in the odd-numbered cars – the traditional 3, 5 and 7 Series – while the performers are the even-numbered buyers, with cars like the M4 or X6.
It boils down to how people will use their cars. As Dukec has it, the creators want a car “more focused on the cabin, but it still has to have a fluid silhouette and nice proportions”, while the performers don’t want such a practical car. The cabin will be smaller, like a suit that’s “not the most comfortable one, but it’s the one in which you look the best. They want a car that’s almost irrational.”.

Making an artificial distinction between "elegant creators" and "expressive performers" ?

Sounds indeed like marketing hyperbole.

2003:


2020:

[clutchdj]

It’s so cool how the M2C and e46m are so close in dimension after 20yrs

[snareman]

Originally Posted by clutchdj

It’s so cool how the M2C and e46m are so close in dimension after 20yrs

Its so cool how the 7 series and 1 series are so close in dimensions from then to now...

[The Libertine]

Originally Posted by scoale

Beautiful things stand out. Ugly things stand out. Doesn't mean they are both desirable.

I agree. Funny thing is, as time goes by, the ugly things stand out less - as you come to accept them -albeit begrudgingly. Then, when either by design or necessity the ugly things go away, your mind snaps back to reality and come to appreciate what an eyesore they were.

[Bunnny]

I've read this article and I'd like for them to clarify specifically how many of these vehicles with the big grill they ended up selling out of their 680,000 sales number. It will make more of a difference when it's more common in every series, people might look for older more appealing models, or elsewhere all together.
I know I will be looking elsewhere if this continues, and no one offers a decent replacement.

[NickyC]

Remember, they know better than you. Behold the beauty.

[Chihuahua]

^^^looks like something I'd see at my local Dodge dealer.

[R N M]

Originally Posted by Artemis

Making an artificial distinction between "elegant creators" and "expressive performers" ?

Sounds indeed like marketing hyperbole.

2003:
Attachment 2538575

2020:
Attachment 2538576

E46 M3 = Work of Art
G82 M4 = Work of Dysfunction

[R N M]

Originally Posted by NickyC

Remember, they know better than you. Behold the beauty.

It looks most closely to a Mustang from its proportions but the Mustang is a much cleaner design from the side.

[RugbyBro]

Originally Posted by stein_325i

Yep, unlike with the G8X you can see the heritage and family resemblance in the F87.

Man the F Chassis shoulder line remains undefeated - I seriously don't know how you would improve on it, it's already so sculpted.

[NickyC]

Originally Posted by RugbyBro

Man the F Chassis shoulder line remains undefeated - I seriously don't know how you would improve on it, it's already so sculpted.

I agree, which is why I quickly bought another once I saw the G82.

[CT_M3]

Which is why we all need to thank BMW for their new design direction, the prices of our F8x cars will not suffer the usual depreciation hit when a new M model comes out.

The more I see of the new car, the uglier it gets. If the avg. buyer thinks its hot and buys it, I'm just SMH and sticking to my guns, just like Van Hooydonk and Dukec. The looks will not grow on me.

[thebmw]

Originally Posted by Chihuahua

^^^looks like something I'd see at my local Dodge dealer.

Stop insulting Dodge. Their designs make a lot more sense than the new 4 series. In fact, Dodge has been a trendsetter in many ways. Throughout the 90s, they led with innovative designs, such as cab-forward. Even now, they led the retro design craze. The new 4 is going to lead to nothing except for sales leaving BMW.

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by thebmw

Stop insulting Dodge.

I'm insulting BMW, not Dodge. One car is having an identity crisis, the other is not.

[thebmw]

Originally Posted by Chihuahua

I'm insulting BMW, not Dodge. One car is having an identity crisis, the other is not.

I should have put a :-) after the "stop insulting Dodge" comment. I know exactly what you meant and I'm on the same page. Dodge, with their 14 year old designs, is doing a much better job than BMW. It's insulting to Dodge to compare them to BMW now! BMW is lost and the way that their designers and executives are behaving is deeply disturbing. I'm genuinely embarrassed now to say that I have a BMW.

[Machinebuilder]

After reading all these comments it saddens me a bit. I have been a lifelong BMW owner and always thought of BMW as near the top in design, quality and function in fine German automobiles. I agree this era will be looked at as a low point. Hopefully they will find their way again and make the transition to EV's with style. BMW is lucky to have good competitors like Porsche, Audi, Mercedes and now Tesla which will force it either build competitive products or fall by the wayside. Time will tell but they still build excellent products so there is hope.

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by thebmw

I should have put a :-) after the "stop insulting Dodge" comment. I know exactly what you meant and I'm on the same page. Dodge, with their 14 year old designs, is doing a much better job than BMW. It's insulting to Dodge to compare them to BMW now! BMW is lost and the way that their designers and executives are behaving is deeply disturbing. I'm genuinely embarrassed now to say that I have a BMW.

[paquet]

Originally Posted by Machinebuilder

After reading all these comments it saddens me a bit. I have been a lifelong BMW owner and always thought of BMW as near the top in design, quality and function in fine German automobiles. I agree this era will be looked at as a low point. Hopefully they will find their way again and make the transition to EV's with style. BMW is lucky to have good competitors like Porsche, Audi, Mercedes and now Tesla which will force it either build competitive products or fall by the wayside. Time will tell but they still build excellent products so there is hope.

I'd like to add my 2 cents to this.
Background: was given 2 different 330's as loaners while car was getting fixed (had to make 2 trips - first to diagnose, second to get the parts in)

The new 2020/2021 3's are just awful from the inside - as in they've been deliberately hobbled to look bad unless you splurge on options/updates.
The first 330 did not feel or drive like the classic 3 series performance vehicle you'd expect, and the insides were bare bones sparse in terms of buttons, dash, etc. To me, at that point, you're just paying the premium for the roundel badge and getting a bad deal in terms of performance, luxury etc. Sure you got electric seats, but that's it. Engine strained, did not rev freely etc.
Second 3 had a bit more of an upgrade - better full live cockpit pro dash, but again, button feel and look - terrible. That silvery metal look. (and apparently that style of square silver coloured buttons is in the new M8 Competition as well)
Much better engine performance though, happily revving up and down. But the instrument cluster and the idrive 7 based screen - just ugh.
Compared to idrive 6, idrive 7 just looks ugly and unpolished. The fonts are off, the colours aren't right, there's no aesthetic flow, etc.
The only saving grace - both cars did not have the hideous giant fuck off grilles.

[Germanauto]

My prediction: unfortunately the G8X sells just fine and nothing changes. At best they tame the grilles a little bit for the LCI.

The world has changed over the past decade during the social media age. Drawing unnecessary attention to oneself is what sells. Look at all the schmucks who've made careers on Youtube, Instagram, and Twitter by spewing nonsense. This, combined with the addition of AWD will make this car the best selling M3/4 ever.

[NickyC]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

My prediction: unfortunately the G8X LEASES just fine and nothing changes. At best they tame the grilles a little bit for the LCI.

You’re of course correct, I just made one change.