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2019+ BMW 3 AND 4-SERIES FORUMS (G2x Generation) General G20 Sedan / G22 Coupe / G26 Gran Coupe Discussions G2x 4 Series Grill

View Poll Results: What do you think of the G22/G23/G26 grill?
I like it, but I am not getting one 36 15.00%
I like it, and I am getting one 40 16.67%
I don't like it, and I am not getting one 155 64.58%
I don't like it, but I am getting one anyway 9 3.75%
Voters: 240. You may not vote on this poll

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      09-11-2020, 10:39 AM   #1
damills
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G2x 4 Series Grill

Please share your opinion of the grill on the 2021+ 4 Series.

IMHO, the car is beautiful except for the front grill or front end. As I have stated before on this site, only the sales figures or discounts will truly tell if BMW made the right decision.

Also IMO if the car had the M340i front grill, I would already have a deposit on the car. It has to be the most controversial design since the days of Bangle

Last edited by damills; 09-15-2020 at 05:18 AM.. Reason: clarity
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      09-11-2020, 11:40 AM   #2
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Ah, that is a new one!
I wonder why we haven't had this discussion until now
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      09-11-2020, 12:19 PM   #3
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I used the configurator on bmwusa.com, adding all options to the M440i with Dravit Gray as the color for $1950.00, MSRP came to $72,625 plus $995 shipping and handling. Plus IMO the color options are not even that great.

For people on the fence about the design, that is alot of money for a 4-series (M440i)

I think this is the most controversial design since the days of Bangle.
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      09-11-2020, 01:16 PM   #4
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my lease is up and wanted to lease the new one but the grille is ugly on the new 3 and 4 series. The new m340i engine is a winner but don't like the new grille nor the size of the car. Going from the current GC to the new sedan feels like I got into a 5 series.
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      09-14-2020, 01:12 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 440xiGCMSport2 View Post
my lease is up and wanted to lease the new one but the grille is ugly on the new 3 and 4 series. The new m340i engine is a winner but don't like the new grille nor the size of the car. Going from the current GC to the new sedan feels like I got into a 5 series.
I went from a gc to a m340 and the only thing I miss is the hatchback lol
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      09-14-2020, 01:36 PM   #6
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I like it, but it could have been better. Think 8 series GC.
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      09-14-2020, 01:39 PM   #7
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mini-8

Quote:
Originally Posted by TheDudeMan View Post
I like it, but it's could have been better. Think 8 series GC.
I agree with you, if the 2021+ 4-series had the 8-series front design, it would be like a mini-8
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      09-14-2020, 02:07 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by damills View Post
I agree with you, if the 2021+ 4-series had the 8-series front design, it would be like a mini-8
Except that BMW won't sell that front end without the rest of the car. So to get a decent looking front end, one must go up to an 8 series. The principle alone would make me refuse to do that.
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      09-15-2020, 08:14 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveinArizona View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by damills View Post
I agree with you, if the 2021+ 4-series had the 8-series front design, it would be like a mini-8
Except that BMW won't sell that front end without the rest of the car. So to get a decent looking front end, one must go up to an 8 series. The principle alone would make me refuse to do that.
Or you can "step down" to a 2er.
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      09-15-2020, 11:00 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by damills View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheDudeMan View Post
I like it, but it's could have been better. Think 8 series GC.
I agree with you, if the 2021+ 4-series had the 8-series front design, it would be like a mini-8
The 8 series has been a sales flop, bmw even canceled the m8 coupe and vert for 2021, so I doubt bmw wants any car to look like the 8. Consumers have voted no on that design. (Even if this forum tends to lean yes)
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      09-15-2020, 11:10 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xlover View Post
The 8 series has been a sales flop, bmw even canceled the m8 coupe and vert for 2021, so I doubt bmw wants any car to look like the 8. Consumers have voted no on that design. (Even if this forum tends to lean yes)
What's funny is that the 8er is probably one of the better looking models in the range, and bmw blog interviewed dealers and they said a lot of 6-series owners were unhappy with design and of course the astronomical price increase. I can't imagine what they think of the 2GC and 4er if they didn't like the 8 and honestly I don't disagree with them. The 8 isn't bad, but the 6 in all variations (especially gran coupe) was just beautiful.
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      09-15-2020, 11:15 AM   #12
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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.
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      09-15-2020, 11:17 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xlover View Post
The 8 series has been a sales flop, bmw even canceled the m8 coupe and vert for 2021, so I doubt bmw wants any car to look like the 8. Consumers have voted no on that design. (Even if this forum tends to lean yes)
It's true that the 8 Series and M8 have not been strong sellers, but I would suggest that it has very little to do with the way they are styled. Instead, it is likely because the market for six figure personal luxury coupes and convertibles (i.e high end, non-sports car that aren't good at transporting more than two people) has all but entirely evaporated.

Mind you, I am not taking sides on whether a 4 Series that more closely resembled an 8 Series - or for that matter an 8 Series that more closely resembled a 4 Series - would be a good or bad thing. I am just saying that the 8 Series - in particular, the two door models - has far more serious issues than the way it looks.
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      09-15-2020, 11:24 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jstein55 View Post
a lot of 6-series owners were unhappy with design ... the astronomical price increase.
It's also worth pointing out that the price increase was overblown, although it was largely BMW's fault. Had they introduced the 840i model at launch, it would have helped with perception. Since the old 640i started out in the mid-to-high $70k range while the 840i starts in the mid $80k range, the real price increase was not too large (though not insignificant either, I acknowledge). But since the M850i launched first with a price tag well over $100k, people perceived it as a 50% increase when in reality that was not the case.

Still, the 8 Series is indeed priced too high. And the reason for that goes back to what I said above - nobody wants a car like this anymore. The Gran Coupe is likely to see sales rebound somewhat, however. Whether or not it can live on its own remains to be seen. However, I would point out that with a starting price for an 840i GC actually below the starting price for a 740i, to me it's an absolute no brainer to pick the former. The said, people aren't really buying the 7 Series much these days either so its not like there's a lot of momentum for large BMW passenger cars. Luckily for BMW, the X7 is absolutely printing money, outselling many other BMW models costing as little as 1/3 or less of its price.
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      09-15-2020, 11:34 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mkoesel View Post
It's also worth pointing out that the price increase was overblown, although it was largely BMW's fault. Had they introduced the 840i model at launch, it would have helped with perception. Since the old 640i started out in the mid-to-high $70k range while the 840i starts in the mid $80k range, the real price increase was not too large (though not insignificant either, I acknowledge). But since the M850i launched first with a price tag well over $100k, people perceived it as a 50% increase when in reality that was not the case.

Still, the 8 Series is indeed priced too high. And the reason for that goes back to what I said above - nobody wants a car like this anymore. The Gran Coupe is likely to see sales rebound somewhat, however. Whether or not it can live on its own remains to be seen. However, I would point out that with a starting price for an 840i GC actually below the starting price for a 740i, to me it's an absolute no brainer to pick the former. The said, people aren't really buying the 7 Series much these days either so its not like there's a lot of momentum for large BMW passenger cars. Luckily for BMW, the X7 is absolutely printing money, outselling many other BMW models costing as little as 1/3 or less of its price.
I've honestly found BMW to always be pretty weak at the higher price point for what their cars offer, they've always been better at the compact and mid-size cars but never the $80k+ category.

Cars like the 7-series and 8-series are nice, but they don't look or feel their price and resemble and share too much with lower end BMW's, they lack that special feeling or even feeling that you spent your money well in a class that prioritizes that on their list of what they want in a car. They don't scream flagship. Even the old 6 had a much nicer designed interior due to the two tone color scheme and curved dash pieces. Then you look at competitors like an S-Class or AMG GT and it is a completely different experience, more unique and special both inside and out, which buyers in that class want.
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      09-15-2020, 02:37 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mkoesel View Post
It's true that the 8 Series and M8 have not been strong sellers, but I would suggest that it has very little to do with the way they are styled. Instead, it is likely because the market for six figure personal luxury coupes and convertibles (i.e high end, non-sports car that aren't good at transporting more than two people) has all but entirely evaporated.

Mind you, I am not taking sides on whether a 4 Series that more closely resembled an 8 Series - or for that matter an 8 Series that more closely resembled a 4 Series - would be a good or bad thing. I am just saying that the 8 Series - in particular, the two door models - has far more serious issues than the way it looks.
That's fair, in truth it is certainly more nuanced than my statement. I do think design (or some type of standout specialness) has a lot to do with driving demand in the mid to upper tier price points of vehicles that are impractical. Very few brands have the cache like Porsche of exclusivity and selling something totally unique. No doubt this shows in the investment going toward development (and sales success) of suv coupes (like the forthcoming MX8) which stand out.

I would argue that if you asked bmw behind closed doors if the conservative design aimed at brand traditionalists was doing the car any favors they would say no. Instead of helping build demand for the aspirational price point it likely deflated it.

I would also add the detail around the price differential and value equation vs the 6 series might be obvious to those on this board who know the ins and outs of the order guides but is less obvious to the causal buyer with 100k to spend on "something stylish and cool"

This is a long way of saying I disagree with the statement that 8 series styling would have been a good idea for the 4 series
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      09-15-2020, 06:15 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by damills View Post
I used the configurator on bmwusa.com, adding all options to the M440i with Dravit Gray as the color for $1950.00, MSRP came to $72,625 plus $995 shipping and handling. Plus IMO the color options are not even that great.

For people on the fence about the design, that is alot of money for a 4-series (M440i)

I think this is the most controversial design since the days of Bangle.
Mine totaled about $67,500 with everything I want on the car, with the exception of a couple MP parts, including the gloss black grill with a CF surround, that are not yet priced out or available until next month.

The grill is definitely controversial but... as I have stated in other threads, I’m looking forward to actually measuring one and comparing it to the grill of a 3 considering the bulbous surround on the 3, the grill on the 4 is not really that “huge.”

When you see a video or pic with a human next to the grill, the perspective demonstrates that it’s not that much bigger. It simply stands vertical rather than horizontal and that is what people can’t get used to.

IMO, these cars, including the M cars, are much more muscular and aggressive with the shoulders, lower front end, and the new grills.
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      09-16-2020, 04:52 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by VetteGuy View Post
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 have disagree in my case, if the front end was more like the m340i, I would buy one. I am not speaking for the others, just my opinion.
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      09-16-2020, 05:09 AM   #19
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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!
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      09-16-2020, 11:47 AM   #20
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Who's willing to bet the G22 LCI will have a different grille?

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.
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      09-16-2020, 12:42 PM   #21
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I doubt it. They have had a TON of time to rework the grille design if they really wanted to. I'm sure they have heard the critics, but are banking on this design as their corporate face.
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      09-16-2020, 12:49 PM   #22
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Unless sales for the g80 are absolutely dismal (which too are doubtful), i doubt there will be major design changes.
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