Will the 3 series be discontinued soon?
- Thread starter AWD330XI
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Sounds like crap to me! The 1 series and 2 series sound so WEAK ... the 4 series will be the equivalent of the "Ci" (coupe) and as I understand it the 3 series will remain the sedan. They have already redesigned the 2006-2011 model so it doesn't make sense to can the 3 series all together. The 3 series has been golden for BMW since its inception in 1975 - so why change a perfect thing? (just my opinion)
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Check this thread:
http://www.bmwboard.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3242
http://www.bmwboard.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3242
The current 3 series is due for replacement very soon. The sedan will be launced first, then the coupe...followed by the convertible (lucky for us new cic owners...our models stay current for about 1-1.5 years more.... new sedans will be out by this summer or autumn)
The coupe and convertible will never be called a 3 series again. It will be the 4 series...425 and 430.
The sedan will remain the 3 series... 325 & 330.
BMW plans on launchng the 1 & 2 series here, but as of now will not bring the hatchback here....just the sedan, cabrio & possibly the wagon.
Our current 3 series (E46) looks so fresh, and is still such a head turner, I am really bummed that they would change it. The Germans realize that they cannot keep a model anymore for 8-10 years...must compete with the Japanese. Sad, but that's business.
The coupe and convertible will never be called a 3 series again. It will be the 4 series...425 and 430.
The sedan will remain the 3 series... 325 & 330.
BMW plans on launchng the 1 & 2 series here, but as of now will not bring the hatchback here....just the sedan, cabrio & possibly the wagon.
Our current 3 series (E46) looks so fresh, and is still such a head turner, I am really bummed that they would change it. The Germans realize that they cannot keep a model anymore for 8-10 years...must compete with the Japanese. Sad, but that's business.
Not sure if there's any truth to this but my dealer said in general BMW keeps the same body style for 7 years. Being that the E46 started in 1999, the first year of the new 3-series should be 2006 (available in 2005 of course).
Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the E36 body style run from 1991 to 1998?
Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the E36 body style run from 1991 to 1998?
CHECK THE LINK I HAVE POSTED ABOVE. It shows spy pics of the "2006" 3 series sedan but it will be unveiled in 2005. The 3 series sedan isn't going anywhere .. fortunately ... OR unfortunately (depending on how you look at it). I love the 3 series but am disappiointed so far with the pics of the new 3 series, it has been described as becoming Japanese!
![[driving]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_driving.gif "Driving [driving]"){kind=icon}
I read that link. I still think we don’t get the truth on these things so far in advance. That would be a competitive nightmare for BMW. Most manufacturers guard changes very closely, even going to the point of misleading to preserve an advantage. Why give the others a couple of years, ample opportunity to change strategy? But giving the completion a year is a whole different story as most manufacturing is planned by then.
This new 3 and 4 and 5 and 6 designation (for separation of coupe and sedan) is a really good idea and all. But my main problem is that the next M Coupe will be called the M4 (as opposed to M3) and that just sounds so wack. Everybody knows what an M3 is.
"Hi, I drive an M3", "Whoa, that car 0wns dude!!"
"Hi, I drive an M4", "Whoa, wtf is that ? Get out of my face, n00by!"
See what I mean?
"Hi, I drive an M3", "Whoa, that car 0wns dude!!"
"Hi, I drive an M4", "Whoa, wtf is that ? Get out of my face, n00by!"
See what I mean?
So did I, it arrives in May! I don't even have it yet!![[xx(]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_dead.gif "Dead [xx(]")
My wish list though, a bit more aggressive in the front, and round off the back a bit (like the A4). Those sharp edges are getting old, but of course I still love 'em!
If the pics I've seen of the new 3 are accurate, they've missed the mark. Then again, I said that about the A4 2 years ago, and I love the way it looks now. The bulldog stance is excellent, and those curves, mmmmm...oh yeah the car, sure, it's nice.![[8]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_8ball.gif "Retarded [8]")
My wish list though, a bit more aggressive in the front, and round off the back a bit (like the A4). Those sharp edges are getting old, but of course I still love 'em!
If the pics I've seen of the new 3 are accurate, they've missed the mark. Then again, I said that about the A4 2 years ago, and I love the way it looks now. The bulldog stance is excellent, and those curves, mmmmm...oh yeah the car, sure, it's nice.
I've heard the same thing about length of time between major rework (7 years). I've been following the 3 series since the early eighties, and have noticed that trend has held true for the past four generations of the car. After talking to a bunch of enthusiasts (at my dealer and other places) I'm betting the new 3 series sedan will debut as a 2005, the coupe and convertible will receive minor interior tweaks in 2005, but the sheet metal will remain the same as the 2004. In 2006, all hell breaks loose when BMW introduces the completely reworked (and feature-rich) 3 series coupe and convertible -- based on the new sedan released a year prior.
I'm still wondering if the 4 series moniker will stick. Back when the E36 was introduced, and the coupe model followed, rumor sites said the hood line and trunk line were so drastically different than the sedan that BMW may call the car a 4 series. As we all know, that never came to pass, and the 3 series name held. This is going to be an interesting couple of years for BMW -- and those of us who love them.
I'm still wondering if the 4 series moniker will stick. Back when the E36 was introduced, and the coupe model followed, rumor sites said the hood line and trunk line were so drastically different than the sedan that BMW may call the car a 4 series. As we all know, that never came to pass, and the 3 series name held. This is going to be an interesting couple of years for BMW -- and those of us who love them.
Xyrium said:
God, I hope they replace it already. It's outdated and ugly!![[hihi]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_hihi.gif "Hi Hi [hihi]")
![[ohcrap]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_ohcrap.gif "Oh Crap! [ohcrap]"){kind=icon}
I pride myself on having the first month of the pre-Bangled E46. Do I have a classic on my hands? I hope so (if everyone else mods theirs to death). ![[hah]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_hah.gif "Hah! [hah]"){kind=icon}
I'm waiting on pins and needles over here to find out what van Hooydook does with the new 3. God, I hope they don't go crazy with it. I can't wait another 7 years for a new one! [
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Oh, and getting rid of the 3 is absurd. The "3" is one of the most well recognized trademarks in the industry. Its reputation is reknown. That's one reason they may not go with the 4 designation...cuz once they have 1,2,3,4,5,6,7...8? people will have a hard time differentiating. They'll just be numbers. The 3 series means something to a lot of people and I can't imagine BMW ditching it any time soon.