[AUSf22]

Who knows, maybe during the LCI/Facelift there will be a re-design.
That may be the more anticipated launch pending on how well the big grilles do on the market once they are out.

[dappercivility]

Originally Posted by spuntyb

Honestly I assume sales will be fine. I'll be keeping an eye on them from my F90 though.

Same here! I'm a F90 Pre LCi owner as well. High 5!

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by dappercivility

Same here! I'm a F90 Pre LCi owner as well. High 5!

I'm still waiting for mine. Once this lease is up!

[Kryptos]

Originally Posted by SteveinArizona

To quote Adlai Stevenson: "Hell will freeze over" before I buy one of these.

So for the sake of argument - if these turn out to be the best driving sedan/coupe in history with silky smooth seemingly endless power, telepathic steering with haptic feedback that lets you know when you’ve driven over a grain of sand, brakes that bite like a crocodile, seats that give you a warm hug when your pulling Gs through a switchback, etc, etc - you will never in a million years buy this car......because of the grille?

I just continued to be absolutely baffled by this very commonplace mentality on a driving enthusiast forum. Maybe it raises bar (maybe significantly) for just how good the car needs to drive, but to not even factor actual driving dynamics into your calculus?

[Luminor513]

What an abomination....incredibly sad for such a storied moniker. Not sure why BMW exec's felt the need to approve such a hysterical design.

[F85MTuNED]

Oh lord the comedy... so this post by PTF has been floating around and now plenty of guys who said the car is cat shit *cartman voice* is now jumping on the boat..🤣

There's no more room on ugly express guys head to another dealer 😂

It's just the G80 bumper photoshop onto a lowered F80... because of how low it looks guys switched up lmaooo... I swear you can't make this shit up lol.

[123sub]

Originally Posted by Jcali86

I hope the people who say they don’t like it keep it that way, will be easier to get one when it comes out. Can’t wait to see it for real!

And if the car sells poorly (i hope), all the people who say they don’t like it may like the fast coming facelift. Money talks....

[frankiebones]

Originally Posted by 123sub

And if the car sells poorly (i hope), all the people who say they don’t like it may like the fast coming facelift. Money talks....

Let's not root against the home team to lose money, irrespective of our thoughts on two pieces of metal on the front of a car.

['Cane]

Originally Posted by 123sub

And if the car sells poorly (i hope), all the people who say they don’t like it may like the fast coming facelift. Money talks....

[The Choosey begger]

Originally Posted by F85MTuNED

Oh lord the comedy... so this post by PTF has been floating around and now plenty of guys who said the car is cat shit *cartman voice* is now jumping on the boat..��

There's no more room on ugly express guys head to another dealer ��

It's just the G80 bumper photoshop onto a lowered F80... because of how low it looks guys switched up lmaooo... I swear you can't make this shit up lol.

[Ghostriderf80]

Today after looking at the front of the G80 which was PS onto an F80 which was lowered has convinced me. If this car comes with a B&W stereo, I think I will get it along w a cayenne.

[upsidedownfunnel]

I've learned to never judge a car by photos. Often photos and videos have wide angles which distort the car's features. When I take photos of my cars, I always use a telephoto lens from as far away as possible to get the most neutral shots and it makes a huge difference in how a car looks. That's why shots of cars with smartphones usually look so bad, because they are usually fairly wide lenses.

I thought the Alfa Giulia is a good example of this. It often looks bad in photos, but in person it looks much better. It also has a similarly weird looking grille which most Americans weren't used to at the time unless they'd watched James Bond movies.

[upsidedownfunnel]

Originally Posted by frankiebones

Let's not root against the home team to lose money, irrespective of our thoughts on two pieces of metal on the front of a car.

Do you own stock in BMW? What "home team"? I personally am not as offended by the grille as much as others are, but if a company does something that is not in the interest of the majority of its customer base, then they should have to face the consequences of that.

We as consumers should always demand as much as we can from the companies that make our products.

[frankiebones]

Originally Posted by upsidedownfunnel

Do you own stock in BMW? What "home team"? I personally am not as offended by the grille as much as others are, but if a company does something that is not in the interest of the majority of its customer base, then they should have to face the consequences of that.

We as consumers should always demand as much as we can from the companies that make our products.

Do I own stock in BMW? No. Do I want them to thrive (or more appropriately under the current circumstances, survive)? Yes.

Not in the interests of the majority of their customer base or not to the liking of the forum members who, we can all agree, do not represent the buying patterns of the general public?

If a company loses their way and alienates their customers yes, they deserve to go out of business. I have a business. If my product suffers, my sales suffer.

However, that is not what is happening. This is a bold direction, sure. But these people for the last year have made it seem like BMW is on a personal crusade to ruin their lives by changing the shape of a grille.

[2011ninja]

Oh what a tangled web...

If only every consumer interaction could rest on that merit...

Mr/Mrs. company make the best product you can for me and charge me in a manner that is consistent with the quality and availability of said product.

Bam here is your McLaren 720s

Read "winners take all"

[eman4517]

Originally Posted by frankiebones

Do I own stock in BMW? No. Do I want them to thrive (or more appropriately under the current circumstances, survive)? Yes.

Not in the interests of the majority of their customer base or not to the liking of the forum members who, we can all agree, do not represent the buying patterns of the general public?

If a company loses their way and alienates their customers yes, they deserve to go out of business. I have a business. If my product suffers, my sales suffer.

However, that is not what is happening. This is a bold direction, sure. But these people for the last year have made it seem like BMW is on a personal crusade to ruin their lives by changing the shape of a grille.

I think that it's not just "a grille thing" or an inability to embrace incremental change that is the issue here for most of us (heck I just traded in my B8 RS5 last year that looked like a large-mouthed bass).

It seems many feel that BMW is experiencing an identity crisis and a departure from their core DNA by trying reinvent themselves in a hurry and disrupt the market. It's a bold move. Maybe too bold for most. They are too late to the party so probably trying to play catch-up with this disruption (too much, too fast).

The sentiment also seems to run deeper than just the majority of people on this forum. Other car reviewers, bloggers, car magazine (R&T, C&D, MT, etc) editors, etc seem to have a similar view or concern (Car & Driver said the same today).

They're sure getting the attention they wanted but not sure the type they were anticipating. People will probably buy it but many will slowly jump ship. It was a very bold move. Could work for them, or it could blow up in the their faces...

[solstice]

We tend to believe that the car world and especially BMW revolve around the M3. It doesn’t, not even close. The grilles faith will be determined by the reception of the i4. If sales aren’t up to expectations and the grille is seen as a reason BMW will change it as quick as they can. If the M3 sells slow, well they might not care all that much as long as it does it main job to spank the competition and keep up the view of superior Bavarian engine and chassis engineering.

[JTO24]

Originally Posted by eman6306

I think that it's not just "a grille thing" or an inability to embrace incremental change that is the issue here for most of us (heck I just traded in my B8 RS5 last year that looked like a large-mouthed bass).

It seems many feel that BMW is experiencing an identity crisis and a departure from their core DNA by trying reinvent themselves in a hurry and disrupt the market. It's a bold move. Maybe too bold for most. They are too late to the party so probably trying to play catch-up with this disruption (too much, too fast).

The sentiment also seems to run deeper than just the majority of people on this forum. Other car reviewers, bloggers, car magazine (R&T, C&D, MT, etc) editors, etc seem to have a similar view or concern (Car & Driver said the same today).

They're sure getting the attention they wanted but not sure the type they were anticipating. People will probably buy it but many will slowly jump ship. It was a very bold move. Could work for them, or it could blow up in the their faces...

I don't know, I do think this is just a grille thing; well mostly... That, the rear brake change and the move from DCT to ZF8AT are the biggest complaints so far.

However, BMW is actually the only marque (besides Porsche) I can think of still sticking to their DNA the best they can in today's automotive climate:

1) RWD still an option
2) 6 speed manual still an option (and disable rev match in any mode!)
3) Relatively lightweight [for the segment]
4) Powerful I6 engine
5) Wider fenders front and rear (unlike Merc that just widens the front)
6) Carbon fiber roof on both sedan and coupe (not a majorly historical ///M thing but still nice they continue to offer it)

To me, this car will probably still rule this segment for the foreseeable future. I think it will remain the benchmark for the class.

[eman4517]

Originally Posted by JTO24

I don't know, I do think this is just a grille thing; well mostly... That, the rear brake change and the move from DCT to ZF8AT are the biggest complaints so far.

However, BMW is actually the only marque (besides Porsche) I can think of still sticking to their DNA the best they can in today's automotive climate:

1) RWD still an option
2) 6 speed manual still an option (and disable rev match in any mode!)
3) Relatively lightweight [for the segment]
4) Powerful I6 engine
5) Wider fenders front and rear (unlike Merc that just widens the front)
6) Carbon fiber roof on both sedan and coupe (not a majorly historical ///M thing but still nice they continue to offer it)

To me, this car will probably still rule this segment for the foreseeable future. I think it will remain the benchmark for the class.

Yes, those are definitely great points (mechanically) and very true. No argument there.

The point I probably failed to make is that M3 is no longer BMWs benchmark and "bread & butter" car that pays the bills, so they are less concerned about the success of that model and (the same holds true for the 911).

They have bigger distractions (like Tesla) and the performance SUV segment so they can take risks that they could not before. If they screw it up, no big deal, they'll just fix it on the next LCI (or not).

[PhatLyfe]

This is why they stopped European delivery, so you don't burn down the factory after see this ugly beasts on the production floor.

[av.7447]

It’s amazing to see so many people fussing about how the grill looks. To me, it looks like a new, modern BMW - nothing more, nothing less. As soon as the pandemic ends its almost guaranteed that G8x M3/4 will easily outsell the previous generation, so don’t worry!

[frankiebones]

Originally Posted by eman6306

I think that it's not just "a grille thing" or an inability to embrace incremental change that is the issue here for most of us (heck I just traded in my B8 RS5 last year that looked like a large-mouthed bass).

It seems many feel that BMW is experiencing an identity crisis and a departure from their core DNA by trying reinvent themselves in a hurry and disrupt the market. It's a bold move. Maybe too bold for most. They are too late to the party so probably trying to play catch-up with this disruption (too much, too fast).

The sentiment also seems to run deeper than just the majority of people on this forum. Other car reviewers, bloggers, car magazine (R&T, C&D, MT, etc) editors, etc seem to have a similar view or concern (Car & Driver said the same today).

They're sure getting the attention they wanted but not sure the type they were anticipating. People will probably buy it but many will slowly jump ship. It was a very bold move. Could work for them, or it could blow up in the their faces...

I respect your opinions. Here is my take.

Most of the reviews I have read (certainly about the driving characteristics) have been positive, so I cannot comment on your overall concerns. Certain people are upset about the lack of DCT, sure. As a manual driver (I am 37 and my M3 CS is my first non-6MT car....and my last if I can help it), I am not directly affected.

The mere fact that they are continuing to offer a manual in this segment at all, to me at least, shows they are staying true to the core DNA of the M3. It is upsetting that I do not have the option to get the comp pack AND a 6MT (in any drive train configuration) BUT I have been in the manufacturing industry my entire adult life and I am acutely aware of the inefficiencies of offering too many options to be produced in one facility (not to say anything of the cost to test and develop these options).

The digital gauge seems to bother many, but these seem to be the same people who were irate when BMW changed the moniker of the 2 door to the "M4" and swore they would be buying "M3" badges for their M4 as "purists."

I think the car looks great. Based on a poll, 1 in 3 here agree with me. BUT, none of us have even see the actual car revealed! I mean, this is insane that we are continuing to have a discussion about a car yet to be revealed! Leaked images in sh*t lighting do nothing to further BMW's cause here.