[motex]

Hello guys
I belong to the X6 forum but since I'm a former M3 owner, looking at all the info regarding the upcoming Series 4 coupe, looks so similar to a 3 Series or to an actual M3, so my question goes if the new 4 will be the sucesor for the actual M3 or it is going to be the new BMW family member?

[LarThaL]

Originally Posted by motex

Hello guys
I belong to the X6 forum but since I'm a former M3 owner, looking at all the info regarding the upcoming Series 4 coupe, looks so similar to a 3 Series or to an actual M3, so my question goes if the new 4 will be the sucesor for the actual M3 or it is going to be the new BMW family member?

I wonder about this. The M3 namesake is so legendary. I find it hard to think of it as the M4. Not sure why BMW would do this.

[nbennettksu]

Originally Posted by LarThaL

I wonder about this. The M3 namesake is so legendary. I find it hard to think of it as the M4. Not sure why BMW would do this.

indeed it is; however, I fear we are in a new era.

[jphughan]

"I just bought a new M4!"
"Whoa! The rifle!?!?"
"No...the car...."

[jeff4598]

Only in Texas!

[burakkose]

well, marketing. it's tough to see m3 coupe going away. but I'm sure the m4 will be a kick ass car but I am not a fan of turbos sooo.............

[Blindside_137]

to answer your question, no.

The 4 series is not the M3 successor. It is however the successor to the 3 series coupe. So the spy photos and renders you see on the homepage are the non-M platform for the M3 coupe successor.

Make sense?

I agree that it's silly and should be kept 3 series and M3. But honestly, I couldn't care less what it's called, it'll be a great car.

[S65NAPWR]

No. The 4 series and M4 are simply coupe versions of the 3-series and M3 line - confusing I know.

This is seemingly BMW's recognition of Audi's success in upscaling the A4 line (i.e. A5 , S5, RS5) and their ability to charge a premium for it. I expect the 4 series to be more expensive than 3 series by a good margin. It's sad to see the M3 badge become split, but it's the "right" move from a revenue / business standpoint...aka "Show MEee DaA Monneeyy"

[ACCELCAR]

The reason to call it a 4 series is so that BMW can charge more money for it. Audi did the same thing by calling the Audi A4 coupe an A5.

[MaestroAl]

That can only be a successful ploy if fools pay the extra money. And if sales stay consistent then BMW were right to charge extra because the car is obviously perceived to be worth extra

Bloody economics. We all pay in the end

[SomeRandomer123]

Originally Posted by jphughan

"I just bought a new M4!"
"Whoa! The rifle!?!?"
"No...the car...."

We won't have this problem here in the UK.

Nobody can afford an M4!!

[Carnook]

At least in the long term we will be able to avoid the confusion between 335i and 335ci. Most people don't realize they are different body styles. Eventually people will know the 3 is a sedan and the 4 is a coupe. I hope.

[raleedy]

4 > 3. Q. E. D.

(Not only that, it goes to eleven.)

[jsedlak]

If they are going to split the lines into sedan & coupe, then they should split the Ms as well. While we're at it, just use the name "M1" to mean the M version of the 1 series.

[hans007]

im fine with it being called the 4 / m4.

if bmw can make some more money on the 4 / m4 from people who buy it, and that subsidized the 3 platform that it shares, i'm totally cool having my car subsidized by people who want less doors

[S-Dot]

Originally Posted by jsedlak

While we're at it, just use the name "M1" to mean the M version of the 1 series.

I can't see this happening after the fuss they put up the first time around. I think they want to preserve the legacy of the original M1, at least for now. It does add confusion, particularly for the younger generation that has no idea about the M1.

Having said that, the iconic M3 coupe that I've lusted after for decades will no longer be. So much for that tradition.

What confuses me about the direction they've gone in their naming scheme is that it seems bigger cars get higher numbers, except when they're from the same platform... To me it would have been more intuitive for the customer had they given the sedans and touring editions the larger number, and the coupes from the same platform would have the smaller number.

oh well, not really a deal breaker.

Originally Posted by ACCELCAR

The reason to call it a 4 series is so that BMW can charge more money for it. Audi did the same thing by calling the Audi A4 coupe an A5.

This seems to more accurately represent the naming scheme.

[mxa121]

No need to get crazy over economics and blah blah

It makes perfect sense.

Small car
-1 series sedan and 1M
-2 series coupe and 2M

Mid size car
-3 series sedan and M3
-4 series coupe and M4

large car
-5 series sedan and M5
-6 series coupe and M6

larger car
-7 series sedan
-(8 series coupe) discontinued

I feel like they have finally "Fixed" their naming scheme since all of the larger cars followed the odd/even nomenclature for years.

A coupe 3 series has ALWAYS cost more than the sedan 3 series.
When the 4 series debuts, that price differential may go up slightly but don't expect it to go up that much.

[Jason]

Originally Posted by jsedlak

If they are going to split the lines into sedan & coupe, then they should split the Ms as well. While we're at it, just use the name "M1" to mean the M version of the 1 series.

Won't be an issue beyond this generation as the 1 series coupe will become the "2 series coupe," in the next generation. So, the next M model will simply be called the M2.

[jsedlak]

Originally Posted by mxa121

No need to get crazy over economics and blah blah

It makes perfect sense.

Small car
-1 series sedan and 1M
-2 series coupe and 2M

Mid size car
-3 series sedan and M3
-4 series coupe and M4

large car
-5 series sedan and M5
-6 series coupe and M6

larger car
-7 series sedan
-(8 series coupe) discontinued

I feel like they have finally "Fixed" their naming scheme since all of the larger cars followed the odd/even nomenclature for years.

A coupe 3 series has ALWAYS cost more than the sedan 3 series.
When the 4 series debuts, that price differential may go up slightly but don't expect it to go up that much.

But what about the 4-series grancoupe & the 6-series grancoupe?
And then the 3-series GT and the 5-series GT?

[SCOTT26]

The 2er will inherit the M2 badge as the replacement for the 1M Coupe.

The 1er will inherit a FWD Sedan variant off of the new UKL architecture but there is also going to be the sportier BMW 2er Gran Coupe which is RWD with optional xDrive.

The reason for the FWD BMW sedan is to share with an incoming MINI sedan which having seen the example the board are ultimately very impressed by, is possibly the best interpretation of a MINI variant in design so far.
The look is very impressive with a Paceman like rear , The glasshouse is constant and the roofline at the rear is very oval over the rear screen. The front of the car utilises a sort of bullet like headlights set far into the body quite like the MINI Crossover Concept from 2008.

Given demand for four door compact sedans the MINI sedan could even take over from the MINI Countryman as the best selling MINI model globally.

The BMW entry Sedan will be based off of the upcoming "Urbanic" City 1er 3dr and 5dr using the design language of the Active Tourer.

[bimmerjph]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

The 2er will inherit the M2 badge as the replacement for the 1M Coupe.

The 1er will inherit a FWD Sedan variant off of the new UKL architecture but there is also going to be the sportier BMW 2er Gran Coupe which is RWD with optional xDrive.

The reason for the FWD BMW sedan is to share with an incoming MINI sedan which having seen the example the board are ultimately very impressed by, is possibly the best interpretation of a MINI variant in design so far.
The look is very impressive with a Paceman like rear , The glasshouse is constant and the roofline at the rear is very oval over the rear screen. The front of the car utilises a sort of bullet like headlights set far into the body quite like the MINI Crossover Concept from 2008.

Given demand for four door compact sedans the MINI sedan could even take over from the MINI Countryman as the best selling MINI model globally.

The BMW entry Sedan will be based off of the upcoming "Urbanic" City 1er 3dr and 5dr using the design language of the Active Tourer.

There is still going to be a 4-door RWD 2-Series though correct?

[Alpine F31]

Originally Posted by Carnook

At least in the long term we will be able to avoid the confusion between 335i and 335ci. Most people don't realize they are different body styles. Eventually people will know the 3 is a sedan and the 4 is a coupe. I hope.

Except when the 4 series "Gran Coupe" comes out (with 4 doors) people will still be confused...