bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

Not sure what you had in mind, but i changed it.

LeX2K

I find the new title acceptable.

UDel

Why is Tesla again being brought up in another model thread? Tesla 3 and M3/M4 buyers are totally different in most cases, they are very different cars, Tesla's aren't track/handling performance cars and are just no attractive or aggressive like M cars, just because it can do a impressive 0-60 a few times when conditions are perfect does not mean it is suddenly a M3/M4/911 competitor or gets the same buyers. Of course you have a few buyers of M cars that just want the new thing, don't know much about cars and may get a Tesla to have the new thing again but I don't think that is any kind of real trend. M cars have stiffer competition from improved Audi, Mercedes, Alfa Romeo including all the low slung sedan models which are likely eating more sales, plus you have 340i's putting out huge numbers they never really put out which may make it seem like a M car is not worth the extra money like it used to be.

EZZ

They are marketed as competitors by most publications. My point was that they've had a significant impact on sales for the segment. For the hardcore track purist, the M3/4 is the better car. For the casual M buyer, they will consider the Tesla.

I also agree that the M340 is putting out such good numbers that it may impact M sales overall. M340 is a very fast car.

southernx

Well I'm going to dub it the Bugs Bunny Grille. I think it sort suits the whole cartoon theme that BMW seems to have adopted with their car designs.

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

i learned two things in this thread:
1. i don't like BMW's new grille
2. i've been spelling grille (vs. grill) incorrectly this whole time - forgive me internet!

riredale

I guess it's just natural that we get bored with the conventional and therefore perk up when things are changed. Me, I think the complex front and rear end looks ridiculous, with nooks and crannies and pointless creases here and there. Same goes for the gigantic Lexus spindle grilles, which one day will draw smiles at auto shows the way that enormous tail fins on older cars do today. As in, "What were they thinking?"

You have to assume that BMW did a lot of focus-group testing, so maybe folks in their market segment LIKE the new look. We'll see.

RNM GS3

99.9% people on the BMW forums hate it.
BMW’s instagram posts are also filled with all negative reaction.

Not sure what focus groups they used, maybe same ones Porsche did for 996 - obviously this is a disaster.

geko29

Yeah I would think I would part of their target market, driving exclusively 3-series sedans for the past 20+ years. But neither myself, nor anyone I know who drives a 3 or 4 series likes this or would be interested in buying one. This design would absolutely push me into a G70, S5, or 2-series.

JDR76

I don't hate it as much as I think others do, but I definitely don't consider it a looker and had hoped for better. It's a shame, because I bet it's a great handling/driving car.

Motorola

Let's be honest, enthusiasts and tuners on BMW forums and kids on Instagram aren't exactly what make up the thousands of customers in BMW's global market. The internet would have you thinking that everyone wants a manual transmission and nobody likes big grilles. I don't care at all for how the beaver grille looks, but I'm 100% certain it will sell well.

RNM GS3

You are wrong on this - enthusiasts are minority but have loud voice. BMW forums are also monitored by corporate. The media reviews also will not be kind to this design just like when the Bangle butt was ridiculed.

Their head of design is already not happy with the criticism that the 7 LCI received so I can’t imagine his reaction to this.

996 was successful in terms of sales but Porsche still fixed the headlights on 997 and has not messed with them again. A used 996 is so cheap primarily because of its design.

Just look at this mess:

SW17LS

I mean...there just isn't any way I could drive that car. I feel the same way about the 7 LCI, I really like the current 7 Series, and everything else they did in the LCI is so great, but every time I see that giant grille, there is just no way I could drive that car. Now, the X7 I think is a different story because the big grille works with that size and design, but the 7 LCI it literally looks like a photoshop joke. This is the same way

pman6

the face just looks terrible in white from 20ft away

with the dark blue, it's not as noticeable

The white really highlights the bigass nostrils and thin lips, 2 traits that make humans look ugly

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

most modern cars with big grilles look terrible in white.

and in black even less noticeable.