[BMWGirlFL]

https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-new...look-bmw-81656

We don't mind if you change the 4 Series look: BMW

BMW’s new 4 Series might not have received the warmest reception when it first showed its face earlier this year, but the car’s designer won’t mind if you change its look.

Speaking to Australian media ahead of the 4 Series coupe launch, BMW head of exterior design Christopher Weil said the premium two-door mid-sizer was built to intentionally to stand far apart from the platform-sharing 3 Series.

“We wanted to divide the 4 Series more from the 3 Series … they were very much the same – let’s say in design expression, and now we wanted to split up the characters,” he said.

“The 4 Series, in our aim, should be more expressive, more progressive and also more elegant than the 3 Series.

“They are two different cars addressing two different sorts of customers, that was the aim whilst designing the car.”

Mr. Weil is aware of the polarising reception the 4 Series has received online since its reveal, but believes that pictures don’t do the new car justice, and that customers are quick to warm to the styling once they see the car in the metal.

However, Mr Weil also said he is open to customers choosing to modify their 4 Series – or any other BMW model – up to, and including changing the unique oversized kidney grille.

“I like the idea of customising – we see it in the motorcycle world, there’s a lot of customising – and if people think ‘we can tune a car, we can make it different’ or they’re kind of styling the car to their own personality even more, of course they should do it,” he said.

“We have certain offerings at BMW – they are very expressive pieces – or you can even put on aftermarket (parts), and great wheels and stuff like this, but even if people go somewhere else and customise the car, it’s fine with me, I think it’s cool.”

Though the car is only hitting showrooms around the world now, there are already aftermarket parts suppliers who are working on a front bumper and grille to give the 4 Series a more traditional look.

However, Mr Weil said he believes that pushing the limits of car design is good, despite the online negative reception of the new 4 Series.

“To polarize with design is also very good, it’s a good thing because I think there are enough cars in our line-up which are addressing classical themes or classical beauty, let’s say, but we want to shift the boundaries with our product,” he said.

“With every product we want to kind of create something which is very special and that’s the goal.

“We are hoping that this car appeals to young customers, but I would say if young or old, it’s addressing a certain mindset.”

Emphasis added.

[BMWCCA1]

If the point was to differentiate the 4 from the 3, why does the new M3 share the same (ugly) front-end?

Can't say I've ever met a designer whose intention was to create a pallet for self-expression by the owner that involved cutting off the whole nose and replacing it with someone else's design. Sounds like a lame excuse for failure. But that does leave an opening for a new career in Four-Series Rhinoplasty for someone.

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by BMWCCA1

If the point was to differentiate the 4 from the 3, why does the new M3 share the same (ugly) front-end?

Can't say I've ever met a designer whose intention was to create a pallet for self-expression by the owner that involved cutting off the whole nose and replacing it with someone else's design. Sounds like a lame excuse for failure. But that does leave an opening for a new career in Four-Series Rhinoplasty for someone.

+1 The ugly snout on the 3 series makes a complete liar out of the designers. They must thinkwe are really, really stupid to believe their crap.

[arashir]

We can all rest easy now that Mr. Weil has given us permission to modify our own property

[BMWCCA1]

Originally Posted by BMWGirlFL

It is what it is. Pics & positivity please.

I'm positive that's an ugly design.

There, does that make you feel better?

[chris719]

Originally Posted by BMWCCA1

If the point was to differentiate the 4 from the 3, why does the new M3 share the same (ugly) front-end?

The M3 and M4 always share the front design to avoid having to do testing on two different designs with different airflow / thermal characteristics.

[thebmw]

"BMW Design Boss 'Fine' With People Customizing New 4 Series"
"Everyone hates the new grille. Now it's official."

https://www.motor1.com/news/457457/b...e-with-tuning/

[thebmw]

So now BMW says they want you to customize yet they take down NEWTIS.info and fight for the law preventing people from working on their own cars. Sounds like they are off of they anti-psychotic medications right now. That's the only way we can explain their erratic design language and PR behavior.

[pz619]

Unfortunately, it feels more like damage control at this point. I don't fault BMW with taking a design risk. Personally, I really don't like big grills on cars, but other people do like it. I think where they completely lost me was their idiotic ad campaign (especially the iX) which frankly came of as condescending and immature.

They basically dressed up this sentiment with nicer words: "Fuck you, buy it otherwise you're an out of touch geriatric with one foot in the grave". I'm 38, so it just comes off as insulting.

[BMWCCA1]

Originally Posted by chris719

The M3 and M4 always share the front design to avoid having to do testing on two different designs with different airflow / thermal characteristics.

And that's just bunk.

The M3 has always had the same nose as other 3-series of its vintage, as has the M4 shared the front end with all other contemporary 4-series models.

[Mavus]

yeah he likes customizing because he is on his way out after these disasters he calls design

[IllSic_Design]

Originally Posted by BMWCCA1

And that's just bunk.

The M3 has always had the same nose as other 3-series of its vintage, as has the M4 shared the front end with all other contemporary 4-series models.

Not exactly

The M3 has always used the COUPE version of the front end. E46 had multiple front ends, E46 M3 used the coupe version. E90/92 M3 had both 4 door and 2 door versions, and they BOTH used the coupe front end. F8X both use the coupe(or 4 series) front end. Same on the new G8X.

[chris719]

Originally Posted by BMWCCA1

And that's just bunk.

The M3 has always had the same nose as other 3-series of its vintage, as has the M4 shared the front end with all other contemporary 4-series models.

Uh, yeah, except you're completely wrong. They have always used the coupe front end. It's just never diverged this much so you, apparently, never noticed.

A better way to put it is that the M3/M4 (or M3 sedan) always has the same front and it is always bespoke.

[cooolone2]

Well, talking the talk is just a bunch of candy coated Bull...

Walk the talk!

Allow complete customization, so I can have functionality across models, and ala kart options, including paint colors and of course, stop voiding warranties when the failure has nothing to do with the mod!

Lol, never happens!

[frankchn]

Originally Posted by cooolone2

Allow complete customization, so I can have functionality across models, and ala kart options, including paint colors

That's the way to Porsche-style option pricing though. Not sure I want to add 30% of the base car MSRP in options just to get it decently spec'd out.

[frankchn]

Originally Posted by chris719

Uh, yeah, except you're completely wrong. They have always used the coupe front end. It's just never diverged this much so you, apparently, never noticed.

A better way to put it is that the M3/M4 (or M3 sedan) always has the same front and it is always bespoke.

Yup, that's why the F80 sedan has two LCIs: https://www.bmwblog.com/2017/01/25/b...ft-march-2017/

Once for the back when the F30 sedan was facelifted, and once for the front when the F32 coupe got its facelift.

[383vett]

I can't believe how huge grills have become the trend. We have always had BMWs and I wanted to explore the Lexus brand because my dad had one years ago and it was perfect. I couldn't even make it into the showroom because of the grills.

[Artemis]

Would be interesting to know how 4-series and G80 M3 and G82 M4 sales are going, especially in Europe.

If sales would turn out to be lukewarm, "design expression" will be changed. A car company is way more interested in selling cars than in peculiar "design expression" claims.

[BMWCCA1]

Originally Posted by chris719

Uh, yeah, except you're completely wrong. They have always used the coupe front end. It's just never diverged this much so you, apparently, never noticed.

A better way to put it is that the M3/M4 (or M3 sedan) always has the same front and it is always bespoke.

Don't be so parochial. There were M3s before there were 4-series, and the grilles from M3s would always fit in the normal 3-series cars. For instance, and E30 M3 center grille fits any other E30. There was no compelling reason for BMW to use the new 4-series grille on the upcoming M3 when the M340i front-end would have served perfectly well. Jamming the grille from a 1972 Ford Torino in the M3 isn't supported by any engineering or aero-tuning claims.

[BMWCCA1]

Originally Posted by Artemis

Would be interesting to know how 4-series and G80 M3 and G82 M4 sales are going, especially in Europe.

If sales would turn out to be lukewarm, "design expression" will be changed. A car company is way more interested in selling cars than in peculiar "design expression" claims.

How about just 430 and M440 sales, since the US hasn't gotten any M4s yet?

We haven't sold a single one. Can't even remember anyone test-driving them and we've had two M440i and one 430i in stock for some time. Mostly we have BMW owners take a look at them and tell their significant others "see, that's what I was telling you about" and laughing at the design. The most positive comment is "it doesn't look as bad in person".

[PYE46M3]

BMW is working in overdrive and almost going bankrupt with all the money they're spending to force this car down our throat..... but no one gives a shit.

[henrylee]

^ would have been easier to just admit mistake and change the grill. Now they are loosing loyal customers to other brands (Porsche).