[chris719]

Originally Posted by fiveohwblow

Wait, so the f8x forums dissent is easily dismissed and not indicative of market behavior or common thought, however, the g8x forums are somehow the antithesis?

Quite interesting.

There is "dissent" every time a new M3/M4 is released. Most of the complainers seem to buy the new one anyway.

[Wolf]

he looks like patrick jane in the mentalist

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by Dog Face Pony Soldier

You're thinking too narrowly if you really think there's no alternative to BMW's M3. I am an example of someone who has been eagerly awaiting an M3 with Active Cruise Control since 2013. Now that they're delivering one I personally find it too unattractive to buy and am considering all sorts of other options that aren't direct competitors to the M3.

People don't always shop in narrow categories.

+1

[antzcrashing]

Originally Posted by poweredbym

Image in an alternate universe, they came up with the new M3/4 that looked awesome and the majority actually liked/loved, would they still have to spend so much energy telling people to get used to it? Doesn't the fact that they have to keep reiterating this, shows the errors in their ways?

At what point will they admit this design direction was not a good idea? Only when after the first adapters/"must get new" people get their cars and the sells drop off?

Being the only manufacturer that offers a 6MT RWD car is not enough incentive for a buyer to ignore this design blunder.

"Being the only manufacturer of Audi/BMW/Mercedes that offers manual"

Fixed it for you

[antzcrashing]

Originally Posted by chris719

Exactly, and judging by the activity on the G8x sub, there is still plenty of interest here. If the car is good, they will sell a lot of them regardless of the grille. I see no reason the upward sales trend will end with G8x.

If anything, the availability of AWD alone will move a lot of cars in the US. There are so many people that insist they need AWD to drive through those 3 snowstorms per year...

3 snowstorms per year. Says a guy from NJ

[rgrovr]

Some of you must have forgot the NA-V8 to Turbo-6 transition and the folks here who swore off BMW when that change was announced. The forums were apoplectic on how "BMW has lost its way" posts to then have all those folks buy the F8x..

I hate the grills as much as the next guy but I'll have to see it in person and drive the car before deciding to transition. It may grow on me or it may push me to a 992 (whose design language hasn't significantly iterated in decades).

[MikeM6]

Originally Posted by Tacoma

As for it being "eye catching," the Pontiac Aztek was eye catching too. Never got used to it.

Ahh, the Aztec...Thanks for this reference. Made me laugh.

At some point a group of people at Pontiac reviewed this design and agreed they hit the mark. Nobody ever got used to that one.

[G80indy]

Publicity
" No such thing as bad publicity "

[soheil]

Originally Posted by antzcrashing

I disagree with his comments about the i3, Tesla, and the new grill (4 series and iX).
- The i3 is a flop that they need to phase out. The i4 is promising though.
- Tesla deserves more credit for success and innovation in the automative space.
- The jury on the new grill is still out. If sales are poor, BMW will have to adjust it.

We are currently leasing an i3. Design is subjective but we love it, it is absolutely fun to drive, it is relatively cheap ($250/month after all the rebates/incentives), range is pathetic but for our commute and use in town it is enough (but can't really take it on any trips or at least couldn't before COVID), wish it had more tech/ADAS capabilities like lane departure alert or even assist (it only has ACC). Our lease is up in September 2021 and we cannot think of going back to ICE anymore. So the choice is between leasing another i3 or Model 3. I'm leaning towards Model 3 for tech and range, wife wants i3 for design and uniqueness...

My point is: BMW is very late to the game with i4/iNext and is risking losing even loyal customers to TSLA

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by soheil

We are currently leasing an i3. Design is subjective but we love it, it is absolutely fun to drive, it is relatively cheap ($250/month after all the rebates/incentives), range is pathetic but for our commute and use in town it is enough (but can't really take it on any trips or at least couldn't before COVID), wish it had more tech/ADAS capabilities like lane departure alert or even assist (it only has ACC). Our lease is up in September 2021 and we cannot think of going back to ICE anymore. So the choice is between leasing another i3 or Model 3. I'm leaning towards Model 3 for tech and range, wife wants i3 for design and uniqueness...

My point is: BMW is very late to the game with i4/iNext and is risking losing even loyal customers to TSLA

My problem with the Tesla Model 3 is the lack of a binnacle and/or a HUD. I know that Tesla tries to put the features you most want to see on the upper left side of the tablet but it still takes your eyes off the road. I don't understand why Tesla doesn't offer an optional HUD...I for one would pay for that option.

Apparently, a lot of folks can deal with the lack of a binnacle or HUD. I probably could but won't.

[530iDriver]

Originally Posted by OG///M

Image in an alternate universe, they came up with the new M3/4 that looked awesome and the majority actually liked/loved, would they still have to spend so much energy telling people to get used to it? Doesn't the fact that they have to keep reiterating this, shows the errors in their ways?

At what point will they admit this design direction was not a good idea? Only when after the first adapters/"must get new" people get their cars and the sells drop off?

Being the only manufacturer that offers a 6MT RWD car is not enough incentive for a buyer to ignore this design blunder.

You can move on. Others will come.

Remember the hunchback E65 7-Series from 2002-2008? Best selling 7er in history. None of the 2 generations that came after it were able to top or surpass the sales number of the E65.

Back then it was an outcry over this car. Haters abound. And yet it was a resounding sales success. BMW knows that controversial and polarizing design sells. Time will tell...

[antzcrashing]

Originally Posted by 530iDriver

You can move on. Others will come.

Remember the hunchback E65 7-Series from 2002-2008? Best selling 7er in history. None of the 2 generations that came after it were able to top or surpass the sales number of the E65.

Back then it was an outcry over this car. Haters abound. And yet it was a resounding sales success. BMW knows that controversial and polarizing design sells. Time will tell...

The fourth-generation 7 Series, introduced in 2001, is called the E65, and after a facelift in 2005, quickly became the best-selling 7 Series ever.
https://thenewswheel.com/bmw-7-series-history/

The outcry over this car was of the pre-facelift. Which I think everyone but Jay-Z hated. Coined the phrase Bangle-Butt. In my opinion it was the poorly integrated rear lights that made it ugly. The redesigned facelift fixed that eyesore.

[SCOTT26]

Originally Posted by soheil

We are currently leasing an i3. Design is subjective but we love it, it is absolutely fun to drive, it is relatively cheap ($250/month after all the rebates/incentives), range is pathetic but for our commute and use in town it is enough (but can't really take it on any trips or at least couldn't before COVID), wish it had more tech/ADAS capabilities like lane departure alert or even assist (it only has ACC). Our lease is up in September 2021 and we cannot think of going back to ICE anymore. So the choice is between leasing another i3 or Model 3. I'm leaning towards Model 3 for tech and range, wife wants i3 for design and uniqueness...

My point is: BMW is very late to the game with i4/iNext and is risking losing even loyal customers to TSLA

The i3 is actually now exceeding earlier proposed targets. It stays with us for more than expected. A lifecycle impulse is planned.

[clee1982]

I imagine i3 does well in Europe (maybe even Asia)? Just not same value proposition in the US given the range

[530iDriver]

Originally Posted by clee1982

I imagine i3 does well in Europe (maybe even Asia)? Just not same value proposition in the US given the range

Pre pandemic, I was travelling several
Times during the year to Europe. Hardly recall seeing any i3s there...

[antzcrashing]

Originally Posted by 530iDriver

Pre pandemic, I was travelling several
Times during the year to Europe. Hardly recall seeing any i3s there...

European countries have highly subsidized diesel fuel, so electrics are on a different playing field there.

[clee1982]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_i3...%2C722%20units.

not a lot cars, but still uptrend for a car first introduced in 2013 is pretty good I suppose, I wonder what was the original internal expectation?

[LOW4LYF]

I3 is such a great car in a big city...small and freaking fast but so ugly!

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by 530iDriver

Pre pandemic, I was travelling several
Times during the year to Europe. Hardly recall seeing any i3s there...

I barely saw any either on my trip in 2019.

[speedmaster20d]

"The new kidney is an eye-catcher that you have to get used to, because it's also about BMW's design language for the future"

This guy has no clue, the customer does not "have" to get used to anything. the customer has a choice, the customer will vote with his wallet looks like they need a new CEO.

[530iDriver]

Originally Posted by speedmaster20d

"The new kidney is an eye-catcher that you have to get used to, because it's also about BMW's design language for the future"

This guy has no clue, the customer does not "have" to get used to anything. the customer has a choice, the customer will vote with his wallet looks like they need a new CEO.

Maybe, maybe not. Time
Will tell.

[The Libertine]

Interesting article - though the last exchange about the kidney grilles was not terribly promising. Looks like the obnoxious grilles are going to stick around for a while....

Thank you for sharing.