The New 4 Series Coupe Is A Good Looking Car

"Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available" (whoistheleader2) 11/03/2020 at 16:27 • Filed to: BMW 4-Series, New Cars

2

72

This is why you should always reserve judgement of a car until you see it in person. I just saw a new BMW 4 Series coupe in traffic, bucktooth grille and all, and I like how it looks.

First off, I think it helps that this is a coupe with the black grille and black paint. With just a chrome ring to set apart the grille, it is less high impact. But even with the grille I actually like it. It’s different without being over the top. Sure, that’s a lot of grille, but it’s not as offensively prominent as I suspected it would be.

Especially from the rear it is a nice looking car. After so many years of the race to see who can put the most competing lines on a car, it’s nice to see toned down designs come back. Well, in terms of body lines at least. From the rear especially it feels like a return to form. Except for the stupid Audi-esque C pillar treatment. This should have a Hoffmeister Kink but doesn’t.

It’s striking . It’s bold , perhaps not in a way that’s to everyone’s taste but it is. I’m glad to see a design come out that doesn’t feel ruined by committee. It’s a definite step in a direction for the brand.

Grille and upside-down Hoffmeister Kink aside, this is a nicely proportioned car with interesting details that is hard to find fault with. The front is really the only reason to dislike the car’s looks.

Now would I buy one? No, but I’m also not the car’s intended audience. Not that I could afford one anyways.

Milky > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 11/03/2020 at 16:33

9

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 11/03/2020 at 16:33

6

Good that you dont find it repulsive but I highly doubt that I wont puke when I see one irl

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Milky 11/03/2020 at 16:34

0

I may have had the same reaction if it were not black (shame, as I love colors).

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 11/03/2020 at 16:37

0

Now listen, I never said it was a great looking car. Still looks like a badge engineered Audi but in a good way?!?!?!

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 11/03/2020 at 16:42

6

The issue is that without that grille it would look a lot like a Toyota. With it, it definitively becomes  a BMW...a really ugly BMW.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 11/03/2020 at 16:42

3

I don’t mind similar looking cars...i do mind tasteless BS like that 4 series... I’m just an old man yelling at clouds tho, just gimme an  E46 BMW!

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media 11/03/2020 at 16:44

0

How does this look like a Toyota?

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 11/03/2020 at 16:45

1

There was an attempt to make something different and I can only find two places where I think they could have done better. That’s a good sign and I don’t even find the grille to be tastelessly out of proportion! It’s smaller than you think, at least visually when the car is black.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media 11/03/2020 at 16:46

0

It’s not as good looking as a gen 1 Solara but then again not many cars are. It doesn’t look like a Toyota at all though. I t looks like a badge engineered Audi with an unusual grille.

Thomas Donohue > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 11/03/2020 at 16:51

5

The only chrome on the car is to accent the huge kidneys? Sorry, that doesn’t look good at all.

They should extend the chrome around the wheel wells and just go for the full spectacle look.

Maybe a front plate will break it up....

Thomas Donohue > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 11/03/2020 at 16:52

0

Much better without the chrome accents.

Cash Rewards > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 11/03/2020 at 16:54

1

I agree. Haven't seen one in public but someone here had a post with about a dozen press photos. And in one of them you could see it. Everything they were trying to do, how it came together, and it looked good. This car will have it's unflattering angles, but no one will be fussing about them once they're commonplace

Saracen > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 11/03/2020 at 16:55

3

Nah, the front still ruins it.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Thomas Donohue 11/03/2020 at 17:00

0

Though on the all black car with black wheels I think the tiny bit of chrome is nice.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Thomas Donohue 11/03/2020 at 17:01

0

I do think it is weird that you can order one with blacked out chrome on the sides and not the front but an all black car with blacked out chrome and black wheels and black grille just doesn’t look right. There’s no contrast.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Cash Rewards 11/03/2020 at 17:04

0

This is a very good looking car from the rear and front angles are pretty good too. The grille and lack of Hoffmeister is about the only reasonable fault you could poke at it. Though as it has been pointed out, it is weird that the one I saw only has chrome around the grille and not the windows.

But in person the grille simply isn’t that bad. I do think it might be a bit much with the fake brake cooling vents in a high contrast color but the grille along isn’t disproportionate to the rest of the car.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Saracen 11/03/2020 at 17:04

1

Harsh but fair. But the rear 3/4 view really is quite nice. . . for an Audi.

Textured Soy Protein > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 11/03/2020 at 17:10

6

The M440i is stupid because it only comes in awd.

The problem with this black car is the grille needs to be fully blacked out to not stand out but this car is all black everything so the only way to see the grille shape is to have a chrome ring around the kidneys. If the car were an actual color and had an all black grille it’d be a better match for the black window trim.

Otherwise the proportions are just off. The super tall grille doesn’t flow right with the squinty headlights. The pinched back not-Hofmeister windows sorta kinda work with the big hips but the big hips are incongruous with the squinty pig-nosed front end.

It looks ok from a rear 3/4 angle. Y’know, because you can’t see the front.

#disgruntledformerbmwowner

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 11/03/2020 at 17:11

2

Not that grill... the other grill!!

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 11/03/2020 at 17:14

1

If you can see past the grille then I see something that reminds me of an A80 Supra.

fintail > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 11/03/2020 at 17:15

2

Black paint can hide a lot of sins.

That grille, no real Hofmeister kink, that grille, the grille, a grille, the front end, no thanks.

CompactLuxuryFan > Textured Soy Protein 11/03/2020 at 17:23

1

A RWD M440 is allegedly on its way for the US market (much like the M340 also gets a RWD variant here) but I’m pretty sure both those models must be on thin ice.

CompactLuxuryFan > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 11/03/2020 at 17:25

0

Absolutely not. That chrome ring needs to go. The hood cut line is the clearest indicator that this was a step backwards in the design department randomly tacked on to cause shock. This thing’s gonna get a much-needed LCI quite soon, I bet.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 11/03/2020 at 17:27

1

I’m not too put off by it either, honestly. On a base boring gray 330i or something it might look crappy...but I think on a nicely specced car with a good color combo, wheels etc I think it has the potential to look interesting...and oddly enough, for it to age as something that might be looked back on as kind of special (again, in the right spec). 

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 11/03/2020 at 17:29

0

I agree with you. I can think of a lot of ways to spec the car to be pretty gaudy but in the spec I saw I think it really stands out as being something different in a good way. 

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 11/03/2020 at 17:30

1

I think it was Frank Stephenson (either in the below video or his recent playdate with Harry Metcalfe ) who said that cars are only introduced in black because they aren’t proud/confident in the design. To BMW’s side, they didn’t introduce the 4-series in black, but it’s certainly a darker color.

I actually saw some pictures of either the M3 or M4 in a grey/ chalk color that didn’t look too bad, or at least enough to get me asking the question of if that color works well enough to forget about the ugly grill.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > CompactLuxuryFan 11/03/2020 at 17:31

0

Hood cut line. . . . . . . oh, that’s not great. Not worse than a lot of cars but not great. It’s not like the old Z4 where every line actually led somewhere but there simply aren’t a lot of lines on the car.

I do think it is weird that the grille surround is the only chrome anywhere on the car. In all black it actually looks okay though.

The point of the post was about reserving judgement until you see it in person. I hated it in photos but in person it actually looks sleek and distinctive.

boredalways > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 11/03/2020 at 17:31

1

Every time I see the new grill, I feel that I’m waiting to witness something leaking from it. For it is no longer a kidney grill, but a pig snout.

Heaven help us all if a booger is left hanging from it!

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > fintail 11/03/2020 at 17:32

0

It’s a major step forward in terms of body sculpting though I think. No excessive flame side surfacing and a nicely understated rest of the car. Needs a Hoffmeister no question though.

All I’m saying is give the grille a chance IRL. It’s the opposite of the C8, which I loved in pictures and don’t like IRL. This looks gaudy in photos but sleek and distinctive in real life.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Textured Soy Protein 11/03/2020 at 17:35

0

Exactly my sentiment

The problem with this black car is the grille needs to be fully blacked out to not stand out but this car is all black everythi ng so the only way to see the grille shape is to have a chrome ring around the kidneys. If the car were an actual color and had an all black grille it’d be a better match for the black window trim.

It is weird to have only that one bit of chrome but I don’t think it looks bad IRL. The rest of the car is sleek and I think the rear especially is quite nice. It is at the very least distinctive and different from the outgoing model. Needs more Hoffmeister though.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 11/03/2020 at 17:38

0

BMW did a bad job of balancing the visual impact of the large grille in different colors though. The big chrome ring is just too much in many cases. In black it makes sense but in that blue it really doesn’t need any additional contrast. I don’t think it was a terrible design for a grille but I do think it could have been executed better. And it distracts from the great proportions of the rest of the car.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media 11/03/2020 at 17:39

0

More like 2010s Audi with a body kit.

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 11/03/2020 at 18:00

1

Maybe that’s why my eyes liked the M3/M4 in chalk because it contrasted well with the black

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 11/03/2020 at 18:04

1

I’d be a real nice Infiniti G35, but it’s a horrible 3 series 

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Textured Soy Protein 11/03/2020 at 18:06

1

The thing is from the rear 3/4 it also doesn’t look like a BMW. 

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 11/03/2020 at 18:13

4

I just showed my wife, of has exactly negative 10 interest in cars what she thinks about the be 4.

#1 from the rear she thought it was a Honda not a BMW. #2 she did not react in violent disgust when she saw the from like I did. #3 she did say that my e90 is much more handsome.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 11/03/2020 at 18:25

1

Ditto but give me an e90. Oh dang it’s in my drive way.  nice

fintail > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 11/03/2020 at 18:48

0

I’ll admit the trunk area of the current one is annoying too, and that car is no beauty contest winner itself.  Maybe it shows my age, the E30 or even E36 and E46 are so nice looking compared to this thing, which to me looks oversized and overstyled.

I think at best, people might become numb to the grille, like they have the Lexus predator face and the over-aggressive gaping maws on many T oyotas. It won’t be good design, but time can ease the pain.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 11/03/2020 at 18:50

0

The rear doesn't say Honda to me. More Audi esque. The front really isn't that bad in person. I'm not saying it is a great looking car but it is different and not ugly. 

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > fintail 11/03/2020 at 18:53

1

I think the comparison to the Lexus grille is a good one. It has been executed to varying degrees of success but people don’t decry it anymore.

The rest of the car really isn’t ov erstyle d which is part of why I like it. 

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 11/03/2020 at 18:54

0

Personally  whole thing looks Infiniti to me. And i do consider that an insult 

fintail > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 11/03/2020 at 18:56

2

Just like if you hate a certain food but eat it 3x per week for 5 years, you’ll probably become tolerant of it. Doesn’t make it good, just more familiar. Nobody is going to look back at the Lexus grille (or these buckteeth) in 50 years and exclaim “classic design!”.

The lighting might also be a little exaggerated, but that’s a BMW thing.

CompactLuxuryFan > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 11/03/2020 at 19:00

1

Well, the E90/E92 didn’t have that hood cut line, then the F30/F32 came along with it and nobody liked it. Now the G20 took it away and we rejoiced, yet this monstrosity for some reason has it?

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 11/03/2020 at 19:03

1

Modern Infiniti? Ick. 

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > CompactLuxuryFan 11/03/2020 at 19:05

0

Hood cut lines can be done well and this isn't it. 

CompactLuxuryFan > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 11/03/2020 at 19:17

0

Yeah, that’s why I think it signals that the beaver teeth were tacked on crudely. Somebody somewhere at BMW said “we can’t put out this good-looking vehicle, we need it to stand out!”.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 11/03/2020 at 19:20

1

Exactly 

Simon > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 11/03/2020 at 20:00

0

Why are you showing the previous generation 340i?

Sovande > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 11/03/2020 at 20:40

2

The all black look really hides everything. It looks like a smooth coupe with nostrils.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 11/03/2020 at 21:31

1

I mean I do still own an E46...

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media 11/03/2020 at 21:32

0

Ya, i just wanted to say that there have been previous BMW which look distinctive and good at the same time

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > Simon 11/03/2020 at 21:33

0

Ya, i just wanted to say that there have been previous BMW which look distinctive and good at the same time

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 11/03/2020 at 21:39

1

Oh, absolutely...it's just the new 4 Series is not one of those BMW's.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 11/03/2020 at 21:44

1

I’ll take your word for it... the specifics of reminiscences are entirely dependent upon the vintage of  the one doing the reminiscing.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 11/03/2020 at 22:04

4

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

But see, if a car only looks good in one color, and because it makes it’s most controversial design feature “less high impact” I think we’ve got a conundrum here. 

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 11/03/2020 at 22:10

2

Hakuna matata

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 11/03/2020 at 22:20

0

My biggest problem with the car is BMW’s use of both chrome and large swarths of black plastic in the same area as body color. There’s just too much going on with the chrome pieces all over the big grille and a contrasting body color. I think they could have made the grille better integrated with the design just based on chrome v blacked out usage alone.

Like, why can you only get chrome on the wheels and one of the grilles? I don’t think it is bad but it could be more cohesive based on that alone.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Sovande 11/03/2020 at 22:24

0

Pretty much my impression. But with the smooth black and sharp chrome contrast outlining the grille it is rather striking looking. Quite a sinister look.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 11/03/2020 at 22:25

0

That comparison is a little harsh.

pip bip - choose Corrour > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 11/04/2020 at 01:54

1

change that hideous front bar then it will be fine

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > pip bip - choose Corrour 11/04/2020 at 08:34

0

Where the grille is outlined but not an air intake? It wasn't very noticeable in person. 

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 11/04/2020 at 11:30

0

Ah, so they made a Mustang

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 11/04/2020 at 11:45

0

Not quite that good looking though. It’s really not a bad design but I’m not a fan of how they’ve used the chrome trim only on the front of the car.

feather-throttle-not-hair > Sovande 11/04/2020 at 18:27

0

Its better without the chrome up front IMHO. At this point though, were I in the market, i’d just buy the 3-series instead and be done with it. It’s more practical AND better looking.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 11/04/2020 at 22:08

1

the grill doesn’t look as bad, but the mix with the angry headlights odd foglights still look mashed together. 

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 11/04/2020 at 22:25

0

Together, the headlights, grille, and oversized brake vents are a little discordant .

Jayvincent > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 11/04/2020 at 23:18

3

aww it looks just like a cute, cuddly warthog with those nostrils and slanty headlights... who doesn’t want to drive a warthog?

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Jayvincent 11/04/2020 at 23:24

1

I'd rather drive the kind from Halo. 

Jayvincent > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 11/04/2020 at 23:34

1

or fly the kind we deployed to Afghanistan... who knew Warthogs could fly?

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Jayvincent 11/04/2020 at 23:35

0

But the BMW is almost better looking and probably drives a lot nicer. ;)

Jayvincent > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 11/04/2020 at 23:55

1

the BMW definitely gets better gas mileage... and has more seats!

LastFirstMI is my name > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 11/15/2020 at 15:30

1

I despised the giant Audi grill at first too, but now it’s either grown on me, or just looks better compared to the progressively uglier offerings from Lexus and BMW....