RE: Name-Games For 3-Series: BMW To Make 3 Into 4?

RE: Name-Games For 3-Series: BMW To Make 3 Into 4?

Thursday 4th August 2011

Name-Games For 3-Series: BMW To Make 3 Into 4?

Is '4' the magic number for BMW?


M3 will keep its name. Probably
M3 will keep its name. Probably
The next generation of BMW 3-series coupes and convertibles could be re-badged as 4-series models rather than 3-series.

The logic behind this is, apparently, that some elements in the Munich management (that's presumably the more OCD parts) are keen that odd numbers should represent the more 'everyday' saloons and estates (and 'GT' models), while even numbers get assigned to sportier models.

That already applies with the X5 and X6 SUVs, and with the 5-series and 6-series. It will even work out well lower down, with the future 1-series expected to go for front-wheel drive, while the '2-series' coupe will retain driven wheels at the 'proper' end.

But what, you may well ask, is going to happen to the M3? Will we get an M3 saloon and an M4 coupe? Apparently not, says US mag Car And Driver, who broke the story. So much for consistency, then...

Author
Discussion

louiebaby

Original Poster:

10,651 posts

190 months

Thursday 4th August 2011
quotequote all
So like Audi did with the A4 / A5. Apart from the 5 door A5 Sport-hatch.

I thought Germans were meant to be like robots...?


Dagnut

3,515 posts

192 months

Thursday 4th August 2011
quotequote all
Marketing dept budget justification.

E36GUY

5,906 posts

217 months

Thursday 4th August 2011
quotequote all
Dagnut said:
Marketing dept budget justification.
And a stupid idea. An M3 has always been the uber version of the 3 series and should remain as such.

Alfa numeric

3,021 posts

178 months

Thursday 4th August 2011
quotequote all
Doesn't this rumour reappear every time a new 3-series is imminent?

Ex Boy Racer

1,151 posts

191 months

Thursday 4th August 2011
quotequote all
I can't see why anyone should care - BMW or PHers. My brain can deal with the change without too much difficulty, and I'm old!!

T1berious

2,243 posts

154 months

Thursday 4th August 2011
quotequote all
Yup, rolled out every new launch.

Will they? Wont they? They decide to not go mental, and then go a bit LSD. SDrive35i anyone?


ralphrj

3,508 posts

190 months

Thursday 4th August 2011
quotequote all
Alfa numeric said:
Doesn't this rumour reappear every time a new 3-series is imminent?
Pretty much. I can remember it being reported when the E36 was due to be launched.

Johnboy Mac

2,666 posts

177 months

Thursday 4th August 2011
quotequote all
I'm surprised BMW haven't used the 4 already. After all, no matter what cars get the 4 badge it offers another niche to fill, thus broading the range - just what BMW,Merc & Audi have being doing for years. BMW's marketing dept will have a field day.

Mermaid

21,492 posts

170 months

Thursday 4th August 2011
quotequote all
They are making it easy for customers to distinguish, the snobs going for the even numbers that will be more highly priced.

In any event they may not have a M3 saloon so it matters not, but what about a Touring?

The new M3/M4, M5/M6 will IMO make the "old" cars so so out of date it seems notwithstanding the stunning engines.

MarJay

2,173 posts

174 months

Thursday 4th August 2011
quotequote all
Copying Audi.

VeryRisky

80 posts

204 months

Thursday 4th August 2011
quotequote all
MarJay said:
Copying Audi.
yep, just means the 330Ci becomes the 430i

louiebaby

Original Poster:

10,651 posts

190 months

Thursday 4th August 2011
quotequote all
If they're going to do it, could they make the numbers resemble what is under the bonnet too? A shake up across their range like this would be very nice...

Zod

35,295 posts

257 months

Thursday 4th August 2011
quotequote all
The same story ran seven years ago before the launch of the E90/92 3 Series.

Ikemi

8,438 posts

204 months

Thursday 4th August 2011
quotequote all
Article said:
... with the future 1-series expected to go for front-wheel drive
Really? redface I thought the BMW 'ultimate driving machine' mantra was power to the rear wheels in order to allow the front wheels to do their job more effectively. Although I suppose the majority of 1-Series owners aren't too bothered about which wheels are driven, with exception to PHers wink

Dr S

4,995 posts

225 months

Thursday 4th August 2011
quotequote all
Who cares? It would only be a pity for the M3 as this is an iconic badge.

Petrolhead

1,430 posts

237 months

Thursday 4th August 2011
quotequote all
Utter tosh!

goron59

397 posts

170 months

Thursday 4th August 2011
quotequote all
Not really copying Audi, I don't think. Although there's plenty of inconsistency, an even numbered Audi has a boot and an odd numbered Audi does not (estate variations notwithstanding).

So A3 has hatchback, A4 has boot, A5 is coupe/sportback, A6 boot.

The sportiness in the Audi range comes from the S and RS prefix instead of the A.

Yes, there are inconsistences (A2, R8) but nothing to get too excited about.

BMWill

447 posts

178 months

Thursday 4th August 2011
quotequote all
the pointlessness of this baffles me and i'm lost for words...

Ne0

62 posts

168 months

Thursday 4th August 2011
quotequote all
Zod said:
The same story ran seven years ago before the launch of the E90/92 3 Series.
Yes, definately remember this cropping up before...

bodhi

10,333 posts

228 months

Thursday 4th August 2011
quotequote all
MarJay said:
Copying Audi.
Hardly, considering Audi changed from 80,90,100 to A4, A6, etc to be more like BMW.