2, 3, 4 series, what's the difference?

grannyknot · 01-17-2022, 04:47 PM

Of course there many differences I know but it seems like all three of those series are aimed at the same kind of customer, male, likes to drive a powerful well handling car.
Since buying the Z4, the newest car I have ever owned, I have just become aware of the 2 & 4 series, sorry, I just don't follow modern cars.

So it seems to me like BMW is diluting their own market by offering a similar products, but since everything they are producing seems to be selling like hotcakes I guess they know what they doing.
Honestly, I'm not trying to troll but started thinking about this when looking at the list of forums in the header at the top of the page.

Squidd99 · 01-17-2022, 06:38 PM

The 2 series is a smaller car than the 3 series, which is smaller than the 5 series, which is smaller than the 7 series. The 4 series is simply the 2 door version of the 3 series. Offering your car in a variety of sizes to fit different needs (and the needs of different males who take a shine to powerful, well handling cars) is common, and rather than diluting the brand, expands its availability.

Lucky1 · 01-17-2022, 08:15 PM

You're just at the beginning of the movie. Wait until you get to the part about the Gran Coupes, ///M badges, full SUV four door and coupe lineup, Toyota's with Mpower engines and an AWD M3 without a manual that ironically needs a dentist (ironic because dentists drive them?) and then come back and let us know how you feel.

grannyknot · 01-17-2022, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucky1

You're just at the beginning of the movie. Wait until you get to the part about the Gran Coupes, ///M badges, full SUV four door and coupe lineup, Toyota's with Mpower engines and an AWD M3 without a manual that ironically needs a dentist (ironic because dentists drive them?) and then come back and let us know how you feel.

Haha, So you're hinting that I might be justified in not keeping up with the current lineup?

I have no problem with new stuff but the older BMWs not only fit my budget, are very capable but there is also a certain charm they have that the new stuff doesn't.

3 series don't come in 2 doors anymore? I did notice a 4 series a few years ago, smart looking car, good lines.

XMetal · 01-17-2022, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grannyknot

3 series don't come in 2 doors anymore? I did notice a 4 series a few years ago, smart looking car, good lines.

Have you seen a recent 4 series with those gargantuan kidneys? If not, here's one for you - sorry for blindsiding you like that

Still think those are smart looking?

The new BMW rule is odd series have 4 doors while even series have 2 doors. Then they go and break their own rule by introducing "Gran Coupe" and put 4 doors on those even series cars.

grannyknot · 01-18-2022, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Have you seen a recent 4 series with those gargantuan kidneys? If not, here's one for you - sorry for blindsiding you like that

Still think those are smart looking?

The new BMW rule is odd series have 4 doors while even series have 2 doors. Then they go and break their own rule by introducing "Gran Coupe" and put 4 doors on those even series cars.

Oh my, that is unfortunate. I guess I saw the first 4 series they released?

mmm-five · 01-18-2022, 07:28 AM

Once upon a time there was a 1 series, 3 series, 5, 6, 7, 8 series.

The 6-series and the 8-series were never really sold in the same period (might have been a small overlap, but that was all).

Then there was a 1-series hatch and a 1 series coupe. BMW decided it would be better to differentiate them by calling the coupe the 2-series...but then also further confused the matter by having a 2-series Active Tourer which was a mini-van...and have further diluted the 2-series by having a 4-door Gran Coupe, and a Gran Tourer.

The 3-series had saloon, coupe, GT, estate and convertible - and BMW in their infinite wisdom decided to call the coupe/convertible the new 4-series...and then further blurred the lines by creating a 4-door coupe version of the 4-series called the Gran Coupe.

bwright657 · 01-18-2022, 08:07 AM

Mechanically, they're fundamentally the same, engines and transmissions are all identical. it's just a matter of how big of a car and how many doors do you want. The 2 series is the best handling and lightest of the bunch, but isn't as fun and engaging as a Z4 M. I had a 440i Gran Coupe for a bit. The hatch made it a great daily. For the F2x/F3x models, I would take the 4 Gran Coupe over a 3 series sedan for a daily driver. With the current lineup, that grill is too much to deal with, so I got a X3 M40i instead.

vt100 · 01-18-2022, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwright657

The 2 series is the best handling and lightest of the bunch

It's also FWD now AFAIK... So I'd look at Kia if I was on the market for a good handling car

vt100 · 01-18-2022, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grannyknot

Oh my, that is unfortunate. I guess I saw the first 4 series they released?

You were mentioning beaver teeth in the other thread just few days ago. And you hadn't seen this car before that?!

XMetal · 01-18-2022, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vt100

It's also FWD now AFAIK... So I'd look at Kia if I was on the market for a good handling car

That statement only applies to the 2 series Gran Coupe. The regular 2 series Coupe is still RWD and a pretty dang good car.

grannyknot · 01-18-2022, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vt100

You were mentioning beaver teeth in the other thread just few days ago. And you hadn't seen this car before that?!

I've seen the big grills before but they where on an SUV of some kind but seeing them on that white coupe they look huge.

vt100 · 01-18-2022, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XMetal

Gran Coupe

That by itself is huge oxymoron

Gamb1t · 01-19-2022, 01:58 PM

Don't forget the once informative numerical value that denotes engine size. It gets even more annoying when BMW recycled old numbers.
328i is a 2.0l
335i is a 3.0l
then
330i is the new 2.0l
340i is still 3.0l

Maybe BMW should just ditch these numeric values and simply follow Mazda or Audi naming conventions.

mmm-five · 01-19-2022, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gamb1t

Don't forget the once informative numerical value that denotes engine size. It gets even more annoying when BMW recycled old numbers.
328i is a 2.0l
335i is a 3.0l
then
330i is the new 2.0l
340i is still 3.0l

Maybe BMW should just ditch these numeric values and simply follow Mazda or Audi naming conventions.

You mean the straightforward system that Audi use, with models such as:

35 TFSI (with a 2.0L)
40 TFSI (with a 2.0L)
40 TFSI (with a 2.0L)
45 TFSI (with a 2.0L)
50 TFSI (with a 3.0L)?

Gamb1t · 01-20-2022, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmm-five

You mean the straightforward system that Audi use, with models such as:

35 TFSI (with a 2.0L)
40 TFSI (with a 2.0L)
40 TFSI (with a 2.0L)
45 TFSI (with a 2.0L)
50 TFSI (with a 3.0L)?

I don't recall seeing those numerical TFSI badges over here. Might be a UK thing?

pungo · 01-20-2022, 02:40 PM

Way too complicated, the simple answer is "1"

Seriously though, I've lost track of the modern numbering theme...

mmm-five · 01-21-2022, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gamb1t

I don't recall seeing those numerical TFSI badges over here. Might be a UK thing?

It's also a USA and Canada thing...

USA - https://www.audiusa.com/us/web/en/mo...iew/build.html

Canada - https://www.audi.ca/ca/web/en/models...ild-price.html

WickedNy · 01-21-2022, 03:35 PM

I see it as the 2series replaced the old 3 series in size and the 3 became as big as a 5 till they made a 6 now the 5 seems like a 6 which the 6 was as big as an old 7 the 4 which should be the 2dr of the 3 is now between the old 5/6…make sense?

01-17-2022, 04:47 PM	#1
grannyknot Captain 951 Rep 778 Posts Drives: 2008 Z4M coupe Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: toronto iTrader: (0)	2, 3, 4 series, what's the difference? Of course there many differences I know but it seems like all three of those series are aimed at the same kind of customer, male, likes to drive a powerful well handling car. Since buying the Z4, the newest car I have ever owned, I have just become aware of the 2 & 4 series, sorry, I just don't follow modern cars. So it seems to me like BMW is diluting their own market by offering a similar products, but since everything they are producing seems to be selling like hotcakes I guess they know what they doing. Honestly, I'm not trying to troll but started thinking about this when looking at the list of forums in the header at the top of the page. __________________ 2008 E86 M coupe
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01-17-2022, 06:38 PM	#2
Squidd99 Private 54 Rep 59 Posts Drives: 2008 Z4 3.0 Csi Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Cincinnati, OH iTrader: (0)	The 2 series is a smaller car than the 3 series, which is smaller than the 5 series, which is smaller than the 7 series. The 4 series is simply the 2 door version of the 3 series. Offering your car in a variety of sizes to fit different needs (and the needs of different males who take a shine to powerful, well handling cars) is common, and rather than diluting the brand, expands its availability.
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01-17-2022, 08:15 PM	#3
Lucky1 Colonel 647 Rep 2,051 Posts Drives: '08 128i Coupe SGM 6MT Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 Porsche 911 Ca ... [0.00] 2008 128i Coupe [0.00] 2006 Z4 M Roadster [0.00]	You're just at the beginning of the movie. Wait until you get to the part about the Gran Coupes, ///M badges, full SUV four door and coupe lineup, Toyota's with Mpower engines and an AWD M3 without a manual that ironically needs a dentist (ironic because dentists drive them?) and then come back and let us know how you feel.
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01-18-2022, 07:28 AM	#7
mmm-five First Lieutenant 222 Rep 374 Posts Drives: 2006 Z4MC + 2015 320D M-Sport Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Liverpool, UK iTrader: (0)	Once upon a time there was a 1 series, 3 series, 5, 6, 7, 8 series. The 6-series and the 8-series were never really sold in the same period (might have been a small overlap, but that was all). Then there was a 1-series hatch and a 1 series coupe. BMW decided it would be better to differentiate them by calling the coupe the 2-series...but then also further confused the matter by having a 2-series Active Tourer which was a mini-van...and have further diluted the 2-series by having a 4-door Gran Coupe, and a Gran Tourer. The 3-series had saloon, coupe, GT, estate and convertible - and BMW in their infinite wisdom decided to call the coupe/convertible the new 4-series...and then further blurred the lines by creating a 4-door coupe version of the 4-series called the Gran Coupe.
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01-18-2022, 08:07 AM	#8
bwright657 Second Lieutenant 258 Rep 208 Posts Drives: 08 Z4 M Coupe Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Greenville, SC iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 BMW Z4M Coupe [9.50] 1999 Mazda Miata [0.00]	Mechanically, they're fundamentally the same, engines and transmissions are all identical. it's just a matter of how big of a car and how many doors do you want. The 2 series is the best handling and lightest of the bunch, but isn't as fun and engaging as a Z4 M. I had a 440i Gran Coupe for a bit. The hatch made it a great daily. For the F2x/F3x models, I would take the 4 Gran Coupe over a 3 series sedan for a daily driver. With the current lineup, that grill is too much to deal with, so I got a X3 M40i instead. __________________ '08 Z4M Coupe \| Space Grey/Imola Red Extended/Carbon Leather \| Eventuri Intake \| Strömung Exhaust \| Strong Strut Front/Rear Braces \| 19" E46 M3 ZCP Wheels
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01-19-2022, 01:58 PM	#14
Gamb1t Major 598 Rep 1,343 Posts Drives: 330i,X1,Z4,Solstice GXP, RX-8 Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Canukistan iTrader: (0)	Don't forget the once informative numerical value that denotes engine size. It gets even more annoying when BMW recycled old numbers. 328i is a 2.0l 335i is a 3.0l then 330i is the new 2.0l 340i is still 3.0l Maybe BMW should just ditch these numeric values and simply follow Mazda or Audi naming conventions.
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01-20-2022, 02:40 PM	#17
pungo Colonel 877 Rep 2,542 Posts Drives: Z4MC-X3-35i-525i, Corrado G60 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: MD iTrader: (5) Garage List 2011 BMW X3 x35i [0.00] 2001 BMW 525i [0.00] 2007 BMW Z4 M Coupe [8.76]	Way too complicated, the simple answer is "1" Seriously though, I've lost track of the modern numbering theme... Last edited by pungo; 01-21-2022 at 09:22 AM..
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01-21-2022, 03:35 PM	#19
WickedNy Get Some 225 Rep 759 Posts Drives: 07 Z4 3.0si Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Long Island iTrader: (1) Garage List 07 z4 3.0si [0.00]	I see it as the 2series replaced the old 3 series in size and the 3 became as big as a 5 till they made a 6 now the 5 seems like a 6 which the 6 was as big as an old 7 the 4 which should be the 2dr of the 3 is now between the old 5/6…make sense?
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