[VetteGuy]

Originally Posted by lsedels

I don't have any issue with modernizing the grill. Even with taking a bold step with it. But this is ridiculous. It really makes the car unattractive.

On FB and Instagram, I keep asking BMW if they can turn around a grill redesign in time for the 2022 model year :-). As you might expect, no response.

And you seriously expected a response to that request on social media right now? You might see an LCI by 2024-2025, but definitely not before the i4 is on the street for a couple years.

[3erMan]

Originally Posted by VetteGuy

I suspect many of the 33 "I don't like it, and I'm not getting one" voters are probably not really buyers even if the cars remained unchanged from last year.

I'm just one opinion, and this isn't to detract from opinions of others, but I'm one who actually decided against buying a 440i and instead ordered an M340i. My previous BMW was an e92 coupe, and I would have preferred sticking with a 2 door. I occasionally, but not frequently, have a 3rd or 4th passenger. I generally prefer a coupe body style.

For me, it's not only the grille. It's the fact that the lines and dimensions have evolved into something too similar to other cars. The headlight shapes (which were my favorite styling feature of the e92) seem a little too thin and slanted. I prefer smaller cars, and I would have chosen an M240i coupe instead, although there are things about the M340i that I prefer over the 2 series.

Again, just one person's opinion. I have no doubt the new 4 series is a great car, and I'm proud and grateful that BMW continues to offer several 2 door coupe models when other manufacturers are ditching them. The world is better for it.

It's easy to poke fun at the grille design, but that doesn't mean it was a styling mistake necessarily. I'm eager to see what BMW continues to do with its styling innovation in the future. I won't like every design they come out with, but I don't like all of their designs throughout history, either. Not everything can be an e9 coupe.

[khanyam4]

I like it a lot but I just can't afford one.

[VetteGuy]

3erMan, Yours is a logical opinion and I appreciate it. I just happen to like the new lines of the 4 series models. I find them bold and refreshing, but I can still see the heritage in the cars. I also liked the M340iX and almost bought a Mineral Gray 2020 model off the lot last month, but it lacked a few options I wanted... so In for a penny in for a pound, ordered the M440iX.

It sounds like we both did okay.

[damills]

Originally Posted by GenXer

My prediction is the new 4 series LCI G22 will have a face lift. It will be less shocking and more palatable.

No more, OMG why did they do that? It's almost as if BMW wants the current F32 owners to hold on to their cars a bit longer.

All we can do is hope, I was really wanting the new 4-series coupe to be a winner. I bet they will change it for the LCI but that depends on sales and feedback from whomever they listen to

[damills]

[runflaticus]

BMW seems to be struggling to create some kind of identity out of their grills the same way Acura was struggling with their beaks for a decade before giving up.

[damills]

Originally Posted by Ikester19

The grille does not appeal to me at first glance but I'm reserving judgement until I see it in person. Regardless I won't be looking at getting one due to numerous other reasons such as its lack of classic Bmw design elements and the fact that it's just waaay too large of a car.

Hoping the next M2 hits the mark!

Me too on the M2.

[Keyser Soze]

do one by age too!

[EXE46]

I like the 8 series and think it's one of their better modern designs. I don't see the correlation between an 8 series and a 4 series. Besides that would be a huge compliment for the 4 series. Also, there's nothing wrong with the M340i grills, if you don't like the standard style you can get the regular version found on the 330i. I think some are just rambling for rambling sake when they aren't in the market for either car.

G20 grills are just a mild update of the prior gen so don't see what the big deal is. G22 I can understand since that has the revolutionary grill which deviated from what was customary.

[damills]

Originally Posted by Keyser Soze

do one by age too!

Good idea but I cannot edit the questions in the poll, probably for good reason, to keep polling accurate

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by EXE46

I like the 8 series and think it's one of their better modern designs. I don't see the correlation between an 8 series and a 4 series. Besides that would be a huge compliment for the 4 series. Also, there's nothing wrong with the M340i grills, if you don't like the standard style you can get the regular version found on the 330i. I think some are just rambling for rambling sake when they aren't in the market for either car.

G20 grills are just a mild update of the prior gen so don't see what the big deal is. G22 I can understand since that has the revolutionary grill which deviated from what was customary.

The 8 series comparison is actually one of my complaints. BMW obviously realizes that it can't sell the bugs bunny grills to folks with expensive tastes so it will try to force us to get the ugly grills if we don't want to pay >$100K for a new car.

I can afford the 8 series but I won't be forced into buying one because the company is making the other series ugly. There are too many other fish in the sea.

[damills]

[damills]

Interesting

Here is a youtube video from designer Frank Stephenson talking about the overall design of the new 4-series. He talks about front grill and his thoughts and opinions on the overall design. Based on the youtube video and wiki page he worked on the X5 (e53) design.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSj1Nj2rTc8

His wiki page listed below states he was involved in the design of the X5 (E53) along with other cars, take a look at his wiki page under design career

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Stephenson

Just his opinion

[VetteGuy]

Stephensons video has been floating around on here for over a month. Not all that interesting. Correct, just his opinion, from a former designer who worked on an SUV

[VetteGuy]

I knew that, and yet I was indeed.

[SCOTT26]

Still looks brilliant. But you need to actually see it in person to appreciate it.

[damills]

Originally Posted by jstein55

Seen it in person, still hate it...

Haven't seen it but my salesman said their unit(s) will arrive this Friday 10/23/2020. I plan to give it a chance and see it up close the following week.

[Jmpascual]

Just saw an M440i on the road today. Gotta say, pictures don't do this car justice, when you see it in motion it looks really good, grille and all. Makes me excited to see the new M3/M4

[TruthOne]

I think it has to have the Shadow-line & Msport Package otherwise it looks terrible IMO. The Black or Dravit M440 in this configuration looks really good IMO. Everything else looks cheap and not aggressive.

[antzcrashing]

Saw some at BMW of Warwick RI (USA). Looks better in person than in photos. Sharing a couple. I like the blue (Tanzanite) and its wheels.

[maughan67]

Originally Posted by VetteGuy

3erMan, Yours is a logical opinion and I appreciate it. I just happen to like the new lines of the 4 series models. I find them bold and refreshing, but I can still see the heritage in the cars. I also liked the M340iX and almost bought a Mineral Gray 2020 model off the lot last month, but it lacked a few options I wanted... so In for a penny in for a pound, ordered the M440iX.

Very similar story for me.

I have been looking at the M340i for quite a while, trying to find the perfect unregistered new stock car but deciding to spec my own factory order instead.

But I had liked the M440i immediately I saw the promotional photos and videos months ago. Yes, even with that grille, which I thought looked great (especially when there is a UK-style number plate across the middle which I think ironically improves the proportions). So I had thought about waiting for its release to see it in real life.

I test drove one yesterday. It is brilliant and so much fun to drive. Plus it ticks all of my other boxes, including its ability to carry my golf clubs and trolley etc (unlike the Porsche 991.2 which I had considered for a while). But, just as significantly, I thought the grille, and the whole car, just looked great. And, most importantly and to repeat, it was fantastic to drive.

I would be interested to know how many people who previously did not like the grille and have now actually seen the car “in the metal” (especially in M440i trim) still do not like the look, or whether they have changed their view.

My one gripe is that the paint options are disappointingly few and far between. I would really like to have had the option of mineral grey, which is what I would have chosen for an M340i if I had gone ahead with that.

Matt