G82 and E46 side by side

[bmw m3 s50]

Apparently mitsubishi is selling these mirage things illegally lol

Your obsessed with this Mirage example except it’s inaccurate. I tried not responding to you last post but you simply have not accepted anything that has been said to you.

Your Mirage example is incorrect because in 2012 renamed the Mitsubishi Colt as the Mirage. The Mitsubishi Colt was a significantly smaller car than the original Mirage. Which is why the Mirage is a currently a smaller car. 3 minutes of research would have told you that. If you take its cousin the Mitsubishi Lancer, you can clearly see how it’s grown through the generations.

Your argument about a small car is not the point. Of course there will always be small cars. Look at the Smart Car or the Fiat 500, they are much smaller than your Mitsubishi Mirage and are driven on the road. The point is when a car goes through a generational change they have to meet certain requirements set fourth by government standards and regulations than its prior version. Whether it be safety standards, fuel economy standards, or whatever, the cars must meet these standards to be sold. Look at the Smart Car, compare the original Smart Car to its generational replacement which is larger. Why is that, the point of the Smart car is supposed to be as small as possible to be a city vehicle, that’s the cars sole purpose, yet with the release of the newer generation it became larger.

I honestly don’t know what else to say. Myself and like 5-6 other members tried explaining this but you keep bringing up fact patterns that keep getting debunked.

[lemoose]

then how do you explain the 2 series?

edit: im caught up and this was asked. Disregard. lol.

Apparently mitsubishi is selling these mirage things illegally lol

[sev]

I think the smoking tire podcast said the new bmw m4 is larger then the e63 m6, which is crazy. At the end of the day, the crash and crumple zones are the main reason all cars are growing in size. That’s not changing due to all the safety regulations in place. Car manufacturers have to conform to these regulations, they don’t have a choice.

As for bmw styling I think it boils down to, they have to distinguish themselves from other manufacturers. All manufacturers have high performance models compared to the late 90’s. During the late 90’s to early 2000’s there was only few performance sedans and coupes. Now, there are tons of options. Unfortunately, the aggressive styling bmw is going with does not sit well with the more conservative enthusiasts.

then how do you explain the 2 series?

edit: im caught up and this was asked. Disregard. lol.

[lemoose]

It's actually comical just how hideous that G82 is.

Um excuse me, boomer, its actually “bold” lmao

[cobra]

It's actually comical just how hideous that G82 is.

[TexaZ3]

Its all profit driven. Look at the number of models they have now! 7 different SUVs and then another set to match with M-badges! And then there are 25 different cars flavors - just to cater to every "enjoyer".
I remember times when BMW lineup was 3-5-7-Z3-X5 + M3 and M5. That was all. And that was the time they were at their peak, because every model they made was distilled to the very core, not diluted like current "selection".

[yhp2009]

Interesting discussion, but honestly its all very simple imo. No one is twisting BMW's arms. Sure a nudge here or there, but in the end BMW will always go where the money is. Like any good company should. We enthusiasts are the minority. If one day the majority of drivers out there want engaging cars with high revving NA engines then that is where BMW will go regardless of what the govt recommends

[lemoose]

I beg to differ, I can’t think of one car that has not gotten larger through the release of newer generations. This is comparing the same car to same car’s newer generations and not comparing one car model to different model. Why is that? The reason is government regulations and safety standards which are to blame. A few inches added through every new generation adds up after a few generations.

I love hot takes as much as the next guy, but this one is not even half-baked. You can still buy a facking Mistubishi Mirage in the US and it meets all crash standards and regulations. You cant blame the guvment for everything wrong in the auto world lol.

[02_lsb]

This thread went sideways about as fast as expected. Starting to feel like the m3forum again.

[01SG]

I recall reading that government regulations have the most to do with front end design and why they are all flat and square now. Something to do with pedestrian safety in a collision. As mentioned, small cars can still be made; look at Lotus, the Miata, and indeed the two-series. Safety and regulation have something to do with it, but it's also clearly the market. People want huge cars, for status, for safety, or because they're becoming ever more enormous themselves.

I think cost effectiveness does play a large role too. BMW is committed to making everything from the same modular chassis, this CLAR platform. It's the backbone of everything from the three to the seven, which goes to show why the new three is such a monstrosity. This also goes with the streamlining of the turbo engines. It's cheaper and most people don't care to know what they're missing. Most BMW buyers couldn't give a damn if the engine was turbo, naturally aspirated, or electric. It would be a huge investment to make a bespoke high revving naturally aspirated motor, especially now, considering they ditched the technology entirely almost a decade ago.

And not for nothing, the unfortunate fact is, the best, most interesting driver's cars BMW ever made never sold. The e30 m3 didn't sell well, the e36 m3 LTW didn't sell, the z3/z4 M coupe/roadsters didn't sell. Porsche was a sports car company first and foremost, whereas BMW also had the luxury side of things to fall back on. It seems they determined that market was much more important, and it is, from a financial standpoint.

[Bostonbruck]

My friends newer 435i M is the same weight as my 2001 750il..... that’s sad af.

[bmw m3 s50]

Crumple zones are meant to work longitudinally though so not sure how widening a car would improve its crash performance as you suggest.

Yes, the 3 series has grown- but the fact that BMW still makes a car with roughly the same footprint as the e46 shows that modern safety performance can still be met in the same package size. Same could be said for the 5 series, it is currently the size of the e38.... yet there are hundreds of models sold today that are smaller than the e39 and still meet modern safety standards.

I beg to differ, I can’t think of one car that has not gotten larger through the release of newer generations. This is comparing the same car to same car’s newer generations and not comparing one car model to different model. Why is that? The reason is government regulations and safety standards which are to blame. A few inches added through every new generation adds up after a few generations.

[bmw m3 s50]

Well, if you make it longer and don't make it wider - you're gonna have a bunch of mini limo looking things.

You literally beat me to the response.

[Icecream]

Crumple zones are meant to work longitudinally though so not sure how widening a car would improve its crash performance as you suggest.

Well, if you make it longer and don't make it wider - you're gonna have a bunch of mini limo looking things.

[lemoose]

The m2 is about the same length as the e46 m3 but is wider. The point is the 2 series was not available when the e46 m3 was new. The progression is to increase size for safety standards from the previous model. Case in point the 1 series the predecessor of 2 series was smaller than the 2 series. It is all due to safety reason such as the crash and crumple zones.

Also, yes, also another reason is people are looking for interior space. These are all reasons why cars are getting larger.

Look at the 911. Why is the 911 getting larger and larger. The 911 is a pure sports car, interior space is not a concern for most buyers, yet the car continues to grow for the above reasons.

Crumple zones are meant to work longitudinally though so not sure how widening a car would improve its crash performance as you suggest.

Yes, the 3 series has grown- but the fact that BMW still makes a car with roughly the same footprint as the e46 shows that modern safety performance can still be met in the same package size. Same could be said for the 5 series, it is currently the size of the e38.... yet there are hundreds of models sold today that are smaller than the e39 and still meet modern safety standards.