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
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...
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louiebaby
Original Poster
5,343 posts
60 months
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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...?
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Dagnut
2,972 posts
62 months
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Marketing dept budget justification.
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E36GUY
3,858 posts
87 months
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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.
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Alfa numeric
2,414 posts
48 months
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Doesn't this rumour reappear every time a new 3-series is imminent?
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Ex Boy Racer
442 posts
61 months
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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!!
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T1berious
199 posts
24 months
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Yup, rolled out every new launch.
Will they? Wont they? They decide to not go mental, and then go a bit LSD. SDrive35i anyone?
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ralphrj
887 posts
60 months
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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.
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Johnboy Mac
2,666 posts
47 months
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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.
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Mermaid
12,497 posts
40 months
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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.
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MarJay
1,716 posts
44 months
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VeryRisky
67 posts
74 months
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MarJay said: Copying Audi. yep, just means the 330Ci becomes the 430i
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louiebaby
Original Poster
5,343 posts
60 months
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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...
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Zod
23,345 posts
127 months
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The same story ran seven years ago before the launch of the E90/92 3 Series.
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Ikemi
6,041 posts
74 months
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Article said: ... with the future 1-series expected to go for front-wheel drive Really?  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 
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Dr S
3,216 posts
95 months
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Who cares? It would only be a pity for the M3 as this is an iconic badge.
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Petrolhead
1,004 posts
107 months
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goron59
285 posts
40 months
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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.
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BMWill
416 posts
48 months
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the pointlessness of this baffles me and i'm lost for words...
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Ne0
58 posts
38 months
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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...
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bodhi
2,294 posts
98 months
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MarJay said: Copying Audi. Hardly, considering Audi changed from 80,90,100 to A4, A6, etc to be more like BMW.
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