BMW 4 Series

[Keef]

I love how these Euro brand are so hilariously overpriced that their massive profits allow them to fill the tiniest niches with 30 variations of the same car.

 

[MatskiMonk]

 

[Clark]

The F30 is better looking than that.

 

[Azure Flare]

I hate this whole "Gran Coupe" BS. The car has 4 doors, it's a sedan. (saloon, whatever) "Let's separate the coupes into their own naming category, then add a Gran Coupe so we can still have 4 doors".

Yeah, a 4-door thats based on a 2-door, that in turn is based on a 4-door. Because somebody will buy it.

 

[MatskiMonk]

I love how these Euro brand are so hilariously overpriced that their massive profits allow them to fill the tiniest niches with 30 variations of the same car.

Probably better than taking billions in government handouts to keep making the same old stuff that people weren't buying or they weren't making any money on I guess

I hate this whole "Gran Coupe" BS. The car has 4 doors, it's a sedan. (saloon, whatever) "Let's separate the coupes into their own naming category, then add a Gran Coupe so we can still have 4 doors".

Yeah, like it or not, it's a 'thing' now though. Blame Mercedes, then the others that followed! As for the Gran Coupe, and 4 series naming... I don't have a problem with it, it's not like they're the first [cough]Audi[/cough]. Besides, BMW were making 2 door sedans decades ago, why not 4 door coupes

Yeah, a 4-door thats based on a 2-door, that in turn is based on a 4-door. Because somebody will buy it.

These days so many cars are related to other cars underneath - platform sharing is rife. But, of course people will buy it; to some it will be a more desirable car to own than the F30, to some, it won't be worth the extra money. Some will prefer the looks of one over the other. Some won't be able to justify the inevitable increase in BIK on their company car tax, some will wan't a lift back that's not as 'large' as the 3GT.


Personally, I'm undecided on the looks. BMW's always look better in the flesh, but I'm not so keen on the 4 series M-sport kits compared to the 3 series M-sport kits. I'd still lean towards the 3GT M-sport if I was picking my company car (though if BMW decided to start running a 3er Saloon as a touring car again, that'd probably be my choice by association )

 

[McLaren]

The 6 Gran Coupe worked well; it was a 5 Series with the exterior of a 6 Series, 2 models that looked different enough because they were built literally as a 4-door & a 2-door individually. That and it's a beautiful looking car.

This however is just stupid; a 3 Series with the exterior of a 4 Series that was already the 2-door version of a 3 Series. This is literally a 2013 3 Series with the M-Sport Package with some of the new M3's aggressive lines & the rear pillar moved back what? A foot?

 

[Omnis]

Whichever one has more interior space and headroom in the back, I'll take it.

 

[FT-1]

How the 4-Series GC was conceived...

 

[MatskiMonk]

Whichever one has more interior space and headroom in the back, I'll take it.

3GT it is then?

 

[Omnis]

3GT it is then?

 

[Epic B]

How the 4-Series GC was conceived...

And add a rear hatch, cause having both the 3 Series GT hatchback sedan wagon thingy, the wagon, and the 6 Series Gran Coupe weren't enough. The Ultimate Redundant Machine? Wouldn't the GT or the real 3 wagon still be more practical than this? Oh well. I can't help but draw comparisons to the Audi A5 Sportback, rear hatch and all. I'll just sit back and wait for them to reveal the M4 Gran Coupe.

 

[MatskiMonk]

Can't help but notice in general (as in the Web, not just GTP) that, there's a larger portion of Americans that don't get this, than Europeans? Maybe because BMW's are so much cheaper over there, the differential, and therefore the market size, for an additional model isn't so great.

Also, following this on the web, which I do as a firm BMW fanboi, if I see either "I don't understand" or "dilution of the brand" from this point forward, I shall probably respond with a "never go full retard" meme.

 

[RocZX]

It was bad when I first saw pic of it, but now it's even worse.....

So it's a 4 Series GT .
I'm over the whole naming thing but this is just dumb and pointless.

 

[Omnis]

Hatchback ugh

 

[AudiMan2011]

Niche marketing gives me a headache trying to understand it.

 

[homeforsummer]

Niche marketing gives me a headache trying to understand it.

Really? It's very simple indeed: Offer as many permutations of something as possible to ensure every possible customer's wants are covered. If you're able to do it on a common platform like the 3-Series, then development costs are shared between all permutations and you maximise your profits whichever model people end up buying.

I don't actually mind this Gran Coupe. It looks like the car the 3GT should have been in the first place.

 

[Beeblebrox237]

Hatchback ugh

What's wrong with a hatchback?

 

[niky]

The problem here is... the naming convention... or lack of it... is more than a little pointless, considering how the 4 Gran Coupe slots right between the 3-series sedan and 3-GT in terms of size and space.

That said... it's a whole lot better than the completley pointless 3-GT. Which is not even close to as sexy as the 4 Gran Coupe or even the 3 Touring. One of which is much more practical, the other of which gives up like one slim suitcase and about ten kilograms worth of cargo capacity versus the GT. The GT which weighs a whole lot more than the Touring, is bigger than all the other 3-series, yet is not as practical as the Touring model...

 

[MatskiMonk]

@niky The 3GT offers more head, leg and shoulder room, for front and rear seat occupants, as well as the largest luggage capacity, whatever the configurations of the rear seats - of ALL 3/4 series models, including the Chinese LWB 3Li... and it's still lighter than the 4 convertible. I don't know how you can conclude the Tourer is the more practical car?

4GC vs 3 saloon: GC is longer, lower and wider, with increased track. Yet it's smaller in every passenger related respect on the inside, where it trumps the saloon is the luggage capacity with the seats down. But the Saloon is still the lightest 3/4 you can buy. (I'm comparing All RWD x28i models)

As for styling, it's all subjective, I hope people don't use it decide how relevant or worthwhile a car is.

edit: as for naming convention, it holds true to the current BMW line up, and is relatively simple to understand. The point where that goes out of the window is when they release the 2 series Active Tourer....

 

[Keef]

The problem here is... the naming convention... or lack of it... is more than a little pointless, considering how the 4 Gran Coupe slots right between the 3-series sedan and 3-GT in terms of size and space.

I think the names make sense. The 5-series GT is a crossover. It's lifted and stuff. They're actually big as hell if you've ever seen one. But Gran Coupes aren't lifted. They're actually made to look longer and lower than the sedans they're based on.

That said, I think the whole Gran Coupe thing is dumb. Why don't they just make the sedan look awesome in the first place? I'd get the 3-series Gran Coupe over the sedan because I think the sedan should have looked like the GC to begin with.

 

[NoobMan DS]

So, with this new variant, looks like I can't describe the standard 4-Series as the 2-door version of the 3-Series anymore then...

The X6, 5-Series GT, and 3-Series GT are "The Hunchbacks of Bavaria" to me, if that makes any sense...

 

[niky]

@niky The 3GT offers more head, leg and shoulder room, for front and rear seat occupants, as well as the largest luggage capacity, whatever the configurations of the rear seats - of ALL 3/4 series models, including the Chinese LWB 3Li... and it's still lighter than the 4 convertible. I don't know how you can conclude the Tourer is the more practical car?

Just saw that. Retracted. Still... it weighs about a hundred kilograms more than the Touring for an extra cubic foot?

-

And, yes, the Gran Coupe probably does make the sedan redundant... though I think it would make much more sense to have the sedan, the Gran Coupe and a Touring model with the extra inches in length of the GT... if the Touring were as long as the GT, it would likely have a several cube capacity advantage.

 

[MatskiMonk]

Just saw that. Retracted. Still... it weighs about a hundred kilograms more than the Touring for an extra cubic foot?

-

And, yes, the Gran Coupe probably does make the sedan redundant... though I think it would make much more sense to have the sedan, the Gran Coupe and a Touring model with the extra inches in length of the GT... if the Touring were as long as the GT, it would likely have a several cube capacity advantage.

It's all about what it does with the size. As it stands the GT is the model to get for interior space. If they'd have gone to the LWB platform for the tourer, then it would seem to make some sense, however - I notice that the LWB lacks the headroom for all occupants of the Sedan (for some reason?).. makes me wonder if they only use it with the GT because the GT gets a taller roof as well.. either way, it depends where you want you space, for passengers or for luggage? The GT gives about 70mm extra legroom in the back, as well as the luggage space.

I also don't see the weight differential being too much of a problem, the GT - being a member of the 3 family, isn't really meant to be as sporty as the 4 series range. It's more about comfort, than scalpel like precision, and from comparisons I've read, it's still pretty good to drive.

Anyhow, I still doubt the 4GC makes the sedan redundant, pricing will no doubt take care of that. The F30/31 will still be the choice for the majority of company car mileage pounders. Plus, let's not forget, some people still just prefer the saloon.

It might not get the same engine options either, here in europe I'd imagine the 3er will still keep the small tax efficient engines, which could also help to protect sales.

 

[niky]

Curious here, since we don't get the LWB 3- or 5-... is it a big amount of space freed up by the extension?

 

[Wolfe]

The 4GC and 6GC still axe the rationale for renaming the two-door 3-series and M3. It's all made-up logic, so if an even-numbered car doesn't exclusively mean "two doors," there's no explanation for redefining the odd-numbered cars to mean "not two doors." Just make up a different rule.

The 2-series and 4-series only exist to fit the 6-series into this naming convention they suddenly felt compelled to follow. They could have folded the 6-series into the 5-series instead, but I guess BMW decided the 6er deserved priority over five generations of 3-series and two of their most popular products. Probably because it's the more expensive one.

It's not like it makes a truly meaningful difference, but it's senseless.

 

[MatskiMonk]

Curious here, since we don't get the LWB 3- or 5-... is it a big amount of space freed up by the extension?

Difficult to say, I don't read Chinese which doesn't help, but as I say, using the 3Li platform allows for 70mm extra legroom in the back of the GT, so I'd have to assume it was about the same in the Li. As for the F18 5Li, I think it's about 100mm extra legroom, but I'm not sure without further investigation.

The 4GC and 6GC still axe the rationale for renaming the two-door 3-series and M3. It's all made-up logic, so if an even-numbered car doesn't exclusively mean "two doors," there's no explanation for redefining the odd-numbered cars to mean "not two doors." Just make up a different rule.

The 2-series and 4-series only exist to fit the 6-series into this naming convention they suddenly felt compelled to follow. They could have folded the 6-series into the 5-series instead, but I guess BMW decided the 6er deserved priority over five generations of 3-series and two of their most popular products. Probably because it's the more expensive one.

It's not like it makes a truly meaningful difference, but it's senseless.

Depends on what you think the rationale was for the renaming I guess, I assume you stick closely to;
Odd numbers for Saloons, Hatchbacks and Tourers
Even numbers for Coupes and Convertibles?

Well, this isn't so different, it's just;
Odd numbers for Saloons, Hatchbacks and Tourers
Even numbers for Coupes, 4 door Coupes and Convertibles

I don't see how this is any more or less 'senseless' than it was before? Since the introduction of the 3,5,6,7 nomenclature, whether or not the model used an odd or even number has never actually signified the number of doors. When the 6 series was released there was no 4 door 3 series at all, just the 2 door, and BMW referred to the 3er as a two door sedan. When the 8 series was released, BMW's other coupe was the 3 series (by this time officially called a Coupe). Up until recently we had 1 series Coupes and 3 series Coupes, and 6 series Coupes. I don't get why people are all of a sudden having a hard-time with this?

It all seems perfectly reasonable to me...

... until the FWD 2 series 5 door hatchback comes along!

 

[homeforsummer]

People get a bit too hung up on names anyway. I remember the enormous fuss about the 1M when it arrived, with people horrified that it might otherwise be given the title M1. And let's not get started with that tedious debate about the modern and classic Dodge Darts and what each represents...

And the end of the day, if the car is good, does anyone really give a toss? The only reason the Vauxhall Adam is hilarious is because it's also a bit of a crap car and therefore not even slightly helped by its name. I'm sure, like the other 3ers and 4ers the Gran Coupe's designation is far less relevant to the people that buy it than the propeller badge on the bonnet...

 

[MatskiMonk]

And the end of the day, if the car is good, does anyone really give a toss? The only reason the Vauxhall Adam is hilarious is because it's also a bit of a crap car and therefore not even slightly helped by its name.

The 'hilarious but a bit crap' Vauxhall Adam.. sounds to me like they should have gone the whole hog and called it the Vauxhall Sandler instead

I'm sure, like the other 3ers and 4ers the Gran Coupe's designation is far less relevant to the people that buy it than the propeller badge on the bonnet...

If they think the badge on the front is a propeller, they shouldn't be allowed to buy one at all

 

[homeforsummer]

If they think the badge on the front is a propeller, they shouldn't be allowed to buy one at all

Oh, I know it's just a snippet of the Bavarian flag, but BMW itself has portrayed it as a propeller in the past and the term has just stuck.

The point still stands though. Most people don't give a merry sod what a Gran Coupe is if it has the right badge on the front. I daresay most buying a 3GT aren't doing so because it's practical, they're probably doing so because they like the way it looks.

 

[Zenith]

From what I can tell the 3GT (and probably 4GC) is for people who want a crossover, but don't want the height, but also want the outdoorsy feel of a Crossover, but also also want the prissy image of a BMW.

So then they buy a 3GT and I laugh at them.