New BMW 4 series

[jamcg]

Thinking more on this, look at the front end, and and more specifically where the bumper joins the rest of the car. It would be very easy for bmw to make 2 different front ends, and probably wouldn’t cost too much if both had the same internal crash structures- so they could sell this monstrosity in China where they think it’ll be popular and sell a different front end everywhere else. I suspect there will be many aftermarket manufacturers already noticing this and starting work on designing different front ends

[Orange Cola]

It'll be interesting to see how that plays out and if you're right. The Chinese can be quite specific about what they want, if they find out it's not the same as a western car then they can get quite uptight about it. All manufacturers who want to sell cars in China in volume have to partner up with a Chinese firm, we had a big issue when the Chinese customers found out their new car was being badged with the China manufacturer as well as the UK manufacturer badge on the boot lid; they wanted a UK car and the badging said otherwise. Maybe BMW can't have a China specific front end because it'll push customers away who feel that having a western car is a status symbol?

[integrale_evo]

There have already been some renders with the 3series grilles and it looks miles better.

Don't think it'll be long before the aftermarket starts to fill the gap and make a better looking bumper which will take oe parts from another model.

[Mito Man]

Back to the 90’s we go with every car having a shite body kit on

[integrale_evo]

Only this time they'll be an improvement

[Jimmy Choo]

It'll be interesting to see how that plays out and if you're right. The Chinese can be quite specific about what they want, if they find out it's not the same as a western car then they can get quite uptight about it. All manufacturers who want to sell cars in China in volume have to partner up with a Chinese firm, we had a big issue when the Chinese customers found out their new car was being badged with the China manufacturer as well as the UK manufacturer badge on the boot lid; they wanted a UK car and the badging said otherwise. Maybe BMW can't have a China specific front end because it'll push customers away who feel that having a western car is a status symbol?

So, the Chinese want a western car that doesn't look like a western car. Excellent. Glad that's all cleared up.

I wouldn't buy a new one of these or a second hand one. I'd probably go for a Jag instead.

[Orange Cola]

It'll be interesting to see how that plays out and if you're right. The Chinese can be quite specific about what they want, if they find out it's not the same as a western car then they can get quite uptight about it. All manufacturers who want to sell cars in China in volume have to partner up with a Chinese firm, we had a big issue when the Chinese customers found out their new car was being badged with the China manufacturer as well as the UK manufacturer badge on the boot lid; they wanted a UK car and the badging said otherwise. Maybe BMW can't have a China specific front end because it'll push customers away who feel that having a western car is a status symbol?

So, the Chinese want a western car that doesn't look like a western car. Excellent. Glad that's all cleared up.

I wouldn't buy a new one of these or a second hand one. I'd probably go for a Jag instead.

That’s probably it, in as much as you want a small grill do you even think for a moment, let alone care what the Chinese want when you’re looking at car and it’s styling? The difference is the Chinese really care they get a western car and when they’re the market which single handedly shoves 20-30% into the bottom line of a company they’re generally going to get what they want. If I’m not mistaken BMW haven’t said there’s a China front end and a ROW front end; if there was why would they be showing us the China front end and not the ROW one?

Don’t forget that most premium OEMs offer a long wheel base version of their China cars to China only because that’s another status symbol and that what they want. That’s a significant investment in making one market feel special so there’s already precedent of China getting their way. I wouldn’t at all be surprised if this is BMW pandering to their wants.

[Mito Man]

From the blind horses mouth regarding the 7 series facelift:
van Hooydonk - “In Europe, people don’t want to get noticed. They don’t like being asked what they paid for a car and they like things in black like a stealth mode. The rest of the world is the opposite. We tried to give the Europeans what they want as well but the strongest market for the 7 is not Europe.”

So they fucked the 7 so hard they prolapsed it’s grill. Fair enough it’s China’s bread and butter. Then the X5 and X7? I thought that was America’s market. Now the 4 series? I thought that’s Europe’s market? What gives?

[Orange Cola]

From the blind horses mouth regarding the 7 series facelift:
van Hooydonk - “In Europe, people don’t want to get noticed. They don’t like being asked what they paid for a car and they like things in black like a stealth mode. The rest of the world is the opposite. We tried to give the Europeans what they want as well but the strongest market for the 7 is not Europe.”

So they fucked the 7 so hard they prolapsed it’s grill. Fair enough it’s China’s bread and butter. Then the X5 and X7? I thought that was America’s market. Now the 4 series? I thought that’s Europe’s market? What gives?

They sell the saloons in China too. Take a look at the YoY growth in the second article

https://www.statista.com/statistics/267 ... bmw-group/

https://www.best-selling-cars.com/brand ... worldwide/

[Mito Man]

Fair enough
I’m sure their Chinese market sales will further grow as a larger percentage of their overall sales as people in the West question their looks more and more.

[Orange Cola]

That’s the (multi) million dollar question. It just makes me remember some the shocking things which come out of the customer research clinics. Remember the Fiat Multipla? They ran that design past members of the public and people actually said they liked it enough for it to be put into production.

[integrale_evo]

Didn't the multiplayer come in for more criticism once it got its super dull facelift?

It works the other way too.

The mk5 escort was a result of customer clinics. It was a decent enough looking car for it's time ( as that's what customers said was most important ) but drove like a soggy sack of shite and was a huge flop leading to two very quick facelifts and chassis and engine tweeks before it was an acceptable car.

[Orange Cola]

It does indeed, that was just one example.

[Jimmy Choo]

That’s the (multi) million dollar question. It just makes me remember some the shocking things which come out of the customer research clinics. Remember the Fiat Multipla? They ran that design past members of the public and people actually said they liked it enough for it to be put into production.

I like the 1st gen multipla. I don't like the second generation, though. They took all it's quirkiness away.

[Richard]

I wonder how difficult it would be for BMW to make a euro spec grill for those of us who have eyes? In the grand scheme of things, it couldn't be that hard, surely all the the structure underneath could remain the same etc.

Make it a no cost option, and see who buys it. If anyone does.

[Swervin_Mervin]

Given they've historically made umpteen variants of the front end for some models, depending on whether it's coupe, saloon, sport, msport, luxury etc, it really wouldn't be that costly I'd have thought. It's just the front clam that will differ I'd imagine.

[McSwede]

That’s the (multi) million dollar question. It just makes me remember some the shocking things which come out of the customer research clinics. Remember the Fiat Multipla? They ran that design past members of the public and people actually said they liked it enough for it to be put into production.

I like the 1st gen multipla. I don't like the second generation, though. They took all it's quirkiness away.

Agreed. The Multipla was a car I liked. Neat design and quirky looks. A practical family car which is all some people want/need.

[speedingfine]

Bad, but not actually as bad as I was expecting. Reminds me of the Tribeca

Maybe I'll retract my statement actually...

[scotta]

I wonder how easy it would be to graft a 3 series front end on it.

[Rich B]

I wonder how easy it would be to graft a 3 series front end on it.

i would expect most competent body shops could graft in a different grill!

I expect most people will just buy an A5, C Coupe, etc instead.