[Antares]

Originally Posted by Technic

BMW knows what it's doing as they have done this before... with the Z4 sales failure.

They pushed the Z4 from the "premium Miata" bracket to the Boxster market and it just died...

Now they want the 3-Series Coupe customer to downgrade in masse to the new 2-Series Coupe, and the M3 guys to the new M2.

Actually the talk in the marketing department was to "cream" the actual 3 Coupe owners (by offering something a trifle more exclusive).
For German market it does not matter since the majority of cars are going to be leasing vehicles. The American and Chinese customers are considered wealthy enough not to raise eyebrows. Especially since an optional (like a navigation system) costs as much as the upgrade from 3Coupe to 4coupe.
Clever people those in marketing.

[Levi]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

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.

I was sure BMW was watching Lexus. They are quite, but things are going on, in some years they may be alot closer to the Three German. I hope the Italian will also be there with Alfa Romeo (though I doubt).

[DiavelM3]

Originally Posted by tpipta

Fender vent in black =

I'm sure there will be an aftermarket company (EAS etc.) that will make color matching side gills for those who dislike this petty little detail

I think it's a nice touch! It will be even better if it's functional
I can't wait to see what they do with the M4

[ZooMMM]

That guy needs to learn how to drive. No need for all that head sticking out. Pull it out a la Knight Rider style.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by Antares

Actually the talk in the marketing department was to "cream" the actual 3 Coupe owners (by offering something a trifle more exclusive).
For German market it does not matter since the majority of cars are going to be leasing vehicles. The American and Chinese customers are considered wealthy enough not to raise eyebrows. Especially since an optional (like a navigation system) costs as much as the upgrade from 3Coupe to 4coupe.
Clever people those in marketing.

Of course this change is to "cream" current owners, that's the definition of a business. The thing is, this is no more 1996, much less 2006. Now if customers do not like the price of a BMW they go to another brand and get a very capable and comparable car for considerable less cost. Kind of what happened last September.

BMW knows that their new pricing scheme is simply not working, at least in the USA. Rebates by any other name are still rebates, and BMW is really adjusting prices by offering a lot of trunk money in their cars for the last 2-3 years.

So I can see this F32 and the F80 M3/M4 costing quite more than the current models, but then just wait a bit for the $5000+ incentives to move the sucker...

[Ka razy]

Originally Posted by liborio

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?

That was FUNNY!!!

[Antares]

Originally Posted by Technic

Of course this change is to "cream" current owners, that's the definition of a business. The thing is, this is no more 1996, much less 2006. Now if customers do not like the price of a BMW they go to another brand and get a very capable and comparable car for considerable less cost. Kind of what happened last September.

BMW knows that their new pricing scheme is simply not working, at least in the USA. Rebates by any other name are still rebates, and BMW is really adjusting prices by offering a lot of trunk money in their cars for the last 2-3 years.

So I can see this F32 and the F80 M3/M4 costing quite more than the current models, but then just wait a bit for the $5000+ incentives to move the sucker...

That's why USA are considered a "heavy marketing enviroment".
It's functioning in Europe. Mercedes drives worse and has same prices, Audi has a mass market technology from VW and has same prices, so BMW is selling good. Another way of telling the same: the 3 main (only) competitors are keeping the price level by regarding each other (especially on the models with a high profit margin).
Other brands have only smaller cars and are technically inferior.

It's true however that less and less people buy such cars. Once the town here where I live was swamped with BMW 3 series cars; the new model? If someone bought one, I haven't seen it on the street.

[thebuddha]

Originally Posted by Evan135

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!

Yes, you might have a fender vent, but anyone will tell you that rotating a design element 90 degrees, then placing it within the same view plane, and trying to make it complement the original element creates discord instead of rhythm. Complementary design elements almost never work if they are perpendicular.

Originally Posted by Evan135

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.

They could have done something that complements the kink while not looking so cheap, dinky and tacked on.
Also, if they needed such a vent for discharging heat then make it better integrate into the top and bottom scooping. Maybe even make it larger, lose the plastic but keep the same body color, like as seen on the profile of the Aston Zagato or some of the older generation Jaguar XK's

Originally Posted by Evan135

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.

While the M3 does have an amazing profile, I actually like the profile of the e92 over the e90. IMO the elongated profile makes it look sleeker and sportier, and accentuates the I6 under the hood. I like the front and rear view of the LCI E90 better, with the widened stance and broader shoulders, but the side of the e92 always seemed more refined. As for needing a bunch of trinkets and popouts to break up an elongated profile, go tell that to an E-Type

Originally Posted by Evan135

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.

I too will be interested in the 2 series when/if it comes into fruition. With the modern frames being produced a 2 series should be able to keep the exterior dimensions of the e46 (which I think were just about perfect) while having interior dimensions equal to the e90 and e92.

[Lemon Jelly M3]

I hate when these "Kids" on the forum start comparing stuffs...especially Audis and Mercs..

Why can't we just enjoy the photo release instead..

[omarliendo]

Originally Posted by nbennettksu

that thing on the fender, to me, looks out of place... it doesnt flow with anything on the body. smh

I totally agree with you! What where they thinking!?

[remmib]

That's a sharp side profile.

[eezzee]

Side profile much more sporty. Lets just hope the front and back are equally so.

[LOVEM]

Originally Posted by Optherion

Yes that thing is hideous. Need to get rid of that first thing along with the stupid sport badge.

+100

[1dirtye30]

Looks good.

[red-sauerkraut]

Originally Posted by Jason

It's a 3 Series GT.

Looks quite tall - But good to know sir.

[TheOne]

Loving the rooflines, proportions and the hood.
I'm just keeping my fingers crossed for some nice headlight design !!!

Not feeling the headlights on the F30.

[vladberca]

Originally Posted by Lemon Jelly M3

I hate when these "Kids" on the forum start comparing stuffs...especially Audis and Mercs..

Why can't we just enjoy the photo release instead..

Competition makes things go better and better...
Having the goal to be the best in a specific market is another important thing!
Maybe you work in other domain than quality/production, but I do so we always try to be better than our rivals (Pirelli in my case vs Michelin, etc.)

[tmurphy2]

Hope they come out with some cool replica parts (especially the fenders) so e92 owners can update their look.

[Sedan_Clan]

It looks good so far, and those wheels look better on the coupe than they do on the 335i sedan.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Robert

440i huh? It has a 4.0L turbo I6? BMW and its new naming schemes

BMW has been using the *40i designation for the higher output 3L TwinPower I6's for a while now. First there was the 740i and, more recently, the 640i.

The sketchy one is *50. In gasoline form (50i) it is a V8, while in diesel form (50d) it refers to an I6. Personally I think they should have went with 45i for the diesel, but I didn't get a vote.

[DASHOCKER]

Originally Posted by Lemon Jelly M3

I hate when these "Kids" on the forum start comparing stuffs...especially Audis and Mercs..

Why can't we just enjoy the photo release instead..

because most are trolls from other forums with not much going on.

[M3_WC]

Black or not. The side vent looks like ass. Are they sourcing those from Pepboys? I kid...lol.

I guess they are leaving room on the table to make the vent more aggressive on the M4.