3 doors version. - Page 2

LonghornTX · 06-05-2006, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeeMer Boi

That's my take anyway

And it is a good take at that. I agree

.

Beemer B773ER · 06-05-2006, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LonghornTX

And it is a good take at that. I agree

.

Thanks mate!

Yeh, it's interesting how BMW differs from MB and Audi. I guess from BMW's point of view, having a staggered variant release means periodic sales boosts and marketing opportunities ... but from MB and Audi's point of view it means offering buyers with greater model choices and also not disatisfying current model owners by offering something newer.

Should be interesting to see if the mouth of 1er has been changed for the 3-door since it's masked under the camo in those spypics.

Do you guys think it'll affect Mini sales, especially considering the Mini Traveller* is set to debut sometime soon ?

* As read in another thread, EniLab has said BMW is having trouble in registering the 'Traveller' name for the new Mini.

LonghornTX · 06-06-2006, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeeMer Boi

Thanks mate!

Yeh, it's interesting how BMW differs from MB and Audi. I guess from BMW's point of view, having a staggered variant release means periodic sales boosts and marketing opportunities ... but from MB and Audi's point of view it means offering buyers with greater model choices and also not disatisfying current model owners by offering something newer.

Should be interesting to see if the mouth of 1er has been changed for the 3-door since it's masked under the camo in those spypics.

Do you guys think it'll affect Mini sales, especially considering the Mini Traveller* is set to debut sometime soon ?

* As read in another thread, EniLab has said BMW is having trouble in registering the 'Traveller' name for the new Mini.

To me, the strategy is genius. And my conspiracy theory about the 3-dr is it being used as a cover-up for testing of the coupe model. At least that is my hope

.

Imhotep Evil · 06-06-2006, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeeMer Boi

I think the only reason why it's taking so long is because that's how BMW are. They're fairly different to MB and Audi in that they don't offer all the variants of one range in a matter of weeks. You saw with the new S-class, within a matter of a couple of months the S65 hit the market.

BMW take it slow, not because they don't have the capabilities or resources to offer a full variant onslaught, but rather, release a few variants, and when those models reach a year or 2 in age, then other variants hit the market to provide an injection in sales, but more importantly, another opportunity to promote the series.

All the variants for the 4-door have hit the market now...so they've captured as many 4-door buyers as possible.. now they're gunning for those buyers who decided against the 4-door because it was a bit big for them. Also, buy offering a staggered variant release, it also gives rise to the prospect that some A3 and A/B class owners may want the newest thing on the market or could have been dissatisfied with their current cars and therefore are willing to try the new Baby-Beemer.

That's my take anyway

Actually in some cases, the Z4 M/Coupe, they really were late because of the
V10 engine.

But apart from some exception this is the BMW modus operandi.

Read any book or article about BMW, and they will tell you, that their growth and constant and unprecedented profitability of the BMW brand/car operation since the early 60s to present days, unmatched by anyone in the automotive world, is in no small matter thanks to this pattern.

Some jurnalist even call it the BMW model.

BMW_Dude · 06-06-2006, 08:22 AM

If this is a well known thing that BMW do, what I want to know is why don't other car brands do the same thing!

I guess Audi do kinda do this by bringing the RS model out very late in the products life!

Brookside · 06-06-2006, 08:41 AM

"Read any book or article about BMW, and they will tell you, that their growth and constant and unprecedented profitability
of the BMW brand/car operation since the early 60s to present days, unmatched by anyone in the automotive world,
is in no small matter thanks to this pattern.

Some jurnalist even call it the BMW model." Imhotep Evil

Yeah, I'd agree with that- BMW is uncanny with their timing in freshening existing models and adding variants as sales slow.
Another part of the "BMW model" is to add improvements with little or no fan-fare
during the production life-cycle. All car companies do this to an extent-
but BMW does it all the time.

My question is how different is the 3-door from the 5 door hatch?
I'm seeing some mods (for the better) to the front.
Any other news?

Harry Plopper · 06-06-2006, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LonghornTX

And my conspiracy theory about the 3-dr is it being used as a cover-up for testing of the coupe model. At least that is my hope

.

Yes. 2er coupes were tested under 1er 5dr & 3dr mules.

But now they have been out for a while: 2er coupes driving around Munich camouflaged as 2er cabrios - mimicking the cabrio roof.

I'm really surprised - every single day more & more - how come spy photographers do not take pics of the car.

Don't they see the difference?

It's obvious!
Are they really so stupid?

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW_Dude

If this is a well known thing that BMW do, what I want to know is why don't other car brands do the same thing!

I guess Audi do kinda do this by bringing the RS model out very late in the products life!

RS, M etc versions are very low-volume sellers, so not important for the sales numbers - more for image.

Why the other companies are not copying BMW model? Because it's not easy to change a model in medias res. All the planning, organizational, logistical, financial, production aspects nave to be submissive to such a model. All the sub-systems are built on such a model. Changing a model would require changing many of sub-systems - and that ain't cheap.

There are some words out Lexus is planning to do such a model on IS.

Harry Plopper · 06-06-2006, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James

My question is how different is the 3-door from the 5 door hatch?
I'm seeing some mods (for the better) to the front.
Any other news?

Body will be stiffer, chasis & steering settings will be different. 3dr character will be a bit sportier.

I was told minor exterior & interior modifications will be featured - same as on 5dr facelift.

Brookside · 06-06-2006, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EniLab

Body will be stiffer, chasis & steering settings will be different. 3dr character will be a bit sportier.

I was told minor exterior & interior modifications will be featured - same as on 5dr facelift.

Thanks Eni- great to have an "insider" comment on this.
Will the 2 coupe share similar handling characteristics with the 1-er 3 door?
And will any of these future 1&2's be available with X-drive?

Harry Plopper · 06-06-2006, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James

Will the 2 coupe share similar handling characteristics with the 1-er 3 door?

And will any of these future 1&2's be available with X-drive?

1. 2er coupe will be even more hard core in handling & driving dynamics.

2. Not in this generation. 1er / 2er is marketed as a RWD compact car - the only one in the segment with RWD. So AWD would dilute that message.

But all the future BMW platforms will be xDrive compatible. So ... Maybe in the next generation.

06-06-2006, 08:22 AM	#15 (permalink)
BMW_Dude Aficionado Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 4,224 My Mood: Thanks: 265 Thanked 392 Times in 234 Posts	Re: 3 doors version. If this is a well known thing that BMW do, what I want to know is why don't other car brands do the same thing! I guess Audi do kinda do this by bringing the RS model out very late in the products life!

06-06-2006, 08:41 AM	#16 (permalink)
Brookside Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Brookside Posts: 177 Thanks: 62 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: 3 doors version. "Read any book or article about BMW, and they will tell you, that their growth and constant and unprecedented profitability of the BMW brand/car operation since the early 60s to present days, unmatched by anyone in the automotive world, is in no small matter thanks to this pattern. Some jurnalist even call it the BMW model." Imhotep Evil Yeah, I'd agree with that- BMW is uncanny with their timing in freshening existing models and adding variants as sales slow. Another part of the "BMW model" is to add improvements with little or no fan-fare during the production life-cycle. All car companies do this to an extent- but BMW does it all the time. My question is how different is the 3-door from the 5 door hatch? I'm seeing some mods (for the better) to the front. Any other news?

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