G82 and E46 side by side

[Icecream]

I saw an M4 in person this past weekend. It is quite large, but it's not bad looking per se. The front grille is obnoxious but will likely have aftermarket options to fix very soon, much like how the Porsche community fixed the 996 911 with aftermarket headlights.

Questionable styling choices aside, ever expanding size is just a reality of the car market. The number of people who actually care about keeping cars small and lightweight is very small. The "OK Boomer" tweet is quite dumb, as most new M3/M4 buyers continue to be older men who like the idea of being fast drivers but in reality have little or no performance driving experience and will likely never get any. The car needs to only feel more sporty than a non-performance oriented model, and be able to claim better performance numbers than the outgoing model. The new M3/M4 accomplishes both of those goals easily. The styling issue is just BMW is trying to gain more market share in China, which has completely different preferences. BMW is counting on new buyers in China more than making up for any Western buyers who are alienated. BMW may backpedal at some point and redesign the front fascia to be more traditional in the mid-cycle update, but they'll have to take a serious sales hit.

While it is easy to blame BMW for all of this, it's not the only company that's making these kind of choices. The 992 Porsche posted above is actually massive compared to older 911's and is very cushy (except for GT3 models). They're more committed to traditional styling, but the character of the cars have completely changed. Ultimately, they're all companies trying to make money, and they are going where the money is. We're actually pretty fortunate, as BMW recognizes there is a small audience of buyers who want a small high performance car kind of like the older ones, and that's why the M2 exists. I'm half-expecting BMW to ruin the new one, but the current one is at least quite good for what it is. Audi's and Mercedes' competing small performance cars are half-hearted attempts at best. No one wants to spend a bunch of money developing a car that won't sell in large numbers.

The first part, catering to China, is probably correct and why their cars look like junk. Even then, pretty sure Chinese people don't find the 911 repulsive soo, you can have your cake and eat it too.
Not buying the second part. The GT350 did well, the GT3 does well, the base 911's do well, the 911R is unobtainable and they all look better than anything BMW puts out. They have a million shit models that people buy in droves, they certainly have the cash flow to design a 911 competitor (that would also be profitable) but they won't probably because the CEO would rather see an extra $10 bonus for not making such a car.

[jbfrancis3]

No disagreement with any of the negative reactions and comments around size. Though the camera angle is a bit distorting. G82 factory height listed at 54.8in and the E46 at 54in. The E46 is lowered but I found the picture to give the appearance of a much greater height delta.

[Xmetal]

This shit is just gargantuan. For comparison’s sake, the e46 m3 is 177”, an e70 x5 is 191”, g82 is 189”.

My e53 X5 is just 184" - this G82 is larger than my old X5! This puts into perspective on how far the 3/4 series has grown over the years

[JustAWhisper]

I saw an M4 in person this past weekend. It is quite large, but it's not bad looking per se. The front grille is obnoxious but will likely have aftermarket options to fix very soon, much like how the Porsche community fixed the 996 911 with aftermarket headlights.

Questionable styling choices aside, ever expanding size is just a reality of the car market. The number of people who actually care about keeping cars small and lightweight is very small. The "OK Boomer" tweet is quite dumb, as most new M3/M4 buyers continue to be older men who like the idea of being fast drivers but in reality have little or no performance driving experience and will likely never get any. The car needs to only feel more sporty than a non-performance oriented model, and be able to claim better performance numbers than the outgoing model. The new M3/M4 accomplishes both of those goals easily. The styling issue is just BMW is trying to gain more market share in China, which has completely different preferences. BMW is counting on new buyers in China more than making up for any Western buyers who are alienated. BMW may backpedal at some point and redesign the front fascia to be more traditional in the mid-cycle update, but they'll have to take a serious sales hit.

While it is easy to blame BMW for all of this, it's not the only company that's making these kind of choices. The 992 Porsche posted above is actually massive compared to older 911's and is very cushy (except for GT3 models). They're more committed to traditional styling, but the character of the cars have completely changed. Ultimately, they're all companies trying to make money, and they are going where the money is. We're actually pretty fortunate, as BMW recognizes there is a small audience of buyers who want a small high performance car kind of like the older ones, and that's why the M2 exists. I'm half-expecting BMW to ruin the new one, but the current one is at least quite good for what it is. Audi's and Mercedes' competing small performance cars are half-hearted attempts at best. No one wants to spend a bunch of money developing a car that won't sell in large numbers.

[lemoose]

A bit different price range and utility, though.

I seem to remember a time back when auto journalists would draw comparisons between the m3 and the 996 GT3.

[Kevin2772]

I think they look far better in person then any pictures you have seen online. The front isnt pretty though, its brutal. As far as the driver feedback above, doesnt seem like much of a surprise. I felt the same way about the last generation M3/4 cars. Just too numb.

[TexaZ3]

Meanwhile Porsche is doing this:

A bit different price range and utility, though.

[TexaZ3]

Saw the car multiple times in person, drove it. Its drives....fine. I didn't have a chance to really push it, but it drives like any turbocharged car - powerful, numb steering, very cushy. Reminded me of a lot of AMG models. It looks like a complete garbage, though.

[4004]

Sure, it's bigger, but maybe that makes it more spacious/practical? still fits in that parking spot

[Icecream]

Who is the supposed target audience for the G82?

Teenagers and pretentious a$$holes...at least according to BMW.

[WoGGo]

Who is the supposed target audience for the G82?

[CachacoE46]

Hadn't seen that tweet. Poor judgment by BMW.

[Estoril]

Meanwhile Porsche is doing this:

Per BMW (Official):

[Icecream]

Meanwhile Porsche is doing this:

[Maxima SE]

hideous. none of the line flow. whats up with that side gill? looks like some plastic autozone piece you stick on your kia. this car is a joke