Mercedes and BMW Admit They Have Too Many Models, But the Solution Is a Bummer

[umizoomi]

yet, at least for now, they both continue to offer wagons as part of that excessive line-up. Look at Audi. you can choose from among a dozen different iterations of an R8 but not a single S or RS wagon. They're doing sportback, etc, but that's not the same, and the 'good ones' don't come state-side anyway.

For now, the E63S wagon is the only game in town and that's a shame.

[cbertels]

Originally Posted by Ghetto2315

Did you just say kill the M3?

Members have been banned and beaten for less. I suggest you say you're sorry...

This!!!

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by farns2345

Not to challenge this, but I agree w the general statement that roadsters are dead or at least have been dying a slow death for many years. The sales numbers back the statement. How many roadsters do you see on the road on a daily basis? Sure the boxsters 'sell' but the numbers aren't great. Porsche doesn't sell the volume of cars that BMW or Merc does. As for the Miata it's the cheapest fun convertible you can buy and they recently released a new generation so that would explain the recent sales explosion.

Don't get me wrong it would be great if car manufacturers could continue to produce all kinds of models to satisfy all buyers, but at the end of the day businesses have to do what makes sense and maximizes profit. It's the same reason why they're getting rid of the manuals.

Manuals are actually still staying in certain markets despite manufacturers saying that DCT is preferred.

While indeed the market may have changes, just as often in many cases manufacturers are also attempting to dictate to the market just as much as they are trying to " meet customer demand ".

If BMW did a better job at predicting the market as opoosed to telling the market what it wants, they would have brought an X7 to market sooner , brought a small sedan to the US Market and also brought out an 8 series sooner than now.

Instead we've heard that " there isn't a market for those models " for about 7-10 years and now suddenly they are playing catch up and coming to market with all three.

Same is true for the toaster.

Just because BMW killed their own sales of the z4 by making it heavy , overpriced , and no M version ... and then leave it to languish in the market place for an extra long run.. doesn't mean that a next generation roadster can't be profitable or that the market for roadsters has dried up. Just like Mazda ... a fresh design or new idea can revive the category..

[ASAP]

How about 2,3,5,7, x3,x5,z5?

Solid lineup, offer coupes on the 2,3 and 5...

Done... have a great day.

[sixburgh]

I have a 128i, it's the last true handling BMW made- IMO.

[Dethsupp0rt]

Please, not before you make a proper sized (what people now call "small") sedan. An M2 (or even an M240i) with 4 doors will do.

[Fabs///M]

Originally Posted by Ghetto2315

Did you just say kill the M3?

Members have been banned and beaten for less. I suggest you say you're sorry...

He's drunk.

[CalCarNut]

All you 4GC haters

Drop the 3 series with the exception of the M3 as the GC is more versatile. Keep the 4 coupe and M4. The 5 and 7 gives you a trunk if desired. Kill the GT series. Want a Truck, Get the X series (not that they need the whole cornucopia of them.) X1, X3, X5, X5M. We don't need X3Ms etc. Come out with a genuine 911 competitor. Call it a day.

[RPiM5]

Originally Posted by CalCarNut

All you 4GC haters

Drop the 3 series with the exception of the M3 as the GC is more versatile. Keep the 4 coupe and M4. The 5 and 7 gives you a trunk if desired. Kill the GT series. Want a Truck, Get the X series (not that they need the whole cornucopia of them.) X1, X3, X5, X5M. We don't need X3Ms etc. Come out with a genuine 911 competitor. Call it a day.

BMW really could use a direct 911 competitor. Mercedes has one and look much people love that car!

[MRV99]

So people like me who want a track car yet still function with a family of four. M2 and M4 will not meet my needs outside the 4-6 track days a year. Why would you kill the icon of the company when there are plenty of other not successful models which need axing.

[cncmastr]

It's a shit show.

[SCOTT26]

Again as per usual the wrong end of the stick.

When they say streamline it is more or less increasing their identity.

As an example with Gran Coupe,Gran Turismo and X4 we have three similar vehicles but with varying ride heights.
Now that the next 4er is more distinctive than the next generation 3er.
The Gran Coupe can now be a four door allowing for further variation from the standard 3er.
The Gran Turismo can keep the elements that make it popular but abandon the coupe appearance for a shallower glasshouse and more dynamic roofline from a shooting brake.
The X4 can and will remain a Sport Activity Coupe in its original form.

[SanchoDivine]

Originally Posted by instalher

I said kill the m3 only because the m2 is a better car at doing the "m thing" the 3 series is a great car for someone to get into a bmw for not to much of a hit to the wallet, and I think that's why its BMW #1 selling model. So to that extent they should concentrate on keeping it affordable and for anyone... Now the 2 can be slotted for the sports minded driver, the 5 for the up and coming bank executive, The 6 for the baller who really dosent want his blinged out h3 anymore... and the 7 for the actual bank owner... find your niche and built on it..

2017 M3 owner here. There's a reason I bought the M3 and not the M2 or M4. I wanted a performance sedan. Why would you even bring up the 3 series into the comparison? People aren't buying M's if they are trying to save money. Totally different market

[secretanchitman]

They absolutely need to kill off some of their models, as the lineup is getting way too bloated. Here is my take on what they should do:

1 series Sedan/Coupe/Convertible (120i, 130i, 140i, M2)
3 series Sedan/Wagon/Coupe/Convertible (320i, 330i, 340i, M3)
5 series Sedan (530i, 540i, 550i, M5)
7 series Sedan (740i, 750i, 760i)
8 series Coupe/Convertible (840i, 850i, M8)
X1 (20i, 30i)
X3 (30i, 40i)
X5 (40i, 50i, X5 M)
Z5 (30i, 40i, Z5 M)
i3
i8

Merge:

2 Coupe/Convertible into 1 series
4 Coupe/Convertible into 3 series
6 Coupe/Convertible into 8 series

Kill:

2 Active Tourer/Coupe/Convertible
3 Gran Turismo
4 Gran Coupe
5 Gran Turismo
6 Gran Coupe
X2
X4
X6

Bring back:

6MT on all 1, 3, 5, and Z5 models
5 Series Wagon

[JMD]

BMW only needs 2, 3, 5 and 7 Series and X3 / X5! Note, the 2-series pays homage to the 2002,....and you know where the others track to! JMHO!

[Dog Face Pony Soldier]

Funny no mention of the poor sales in the i division. The i division surely has worst ROI with a Roundel. That's resources better spent on products consumers are actually buying.

[JMD]

[QUOTE=secretanchitman;21428221]They absolutely need to kill off some of their models, as the lineup is getting way too bloated. Here is my take on what they should do:

Kill:

2 Active Tourer/Coupe/Convertible
3 Gran Turismo
4 Gran Coupe
5 Gran Turismo
6 Gran Coupe
X2
X4
X6

Concur 100%!

[Dog Face Pony Soldier]

Did you guys read the article? The entire point was cars like the GC are successes and that it was difficult to have coupes and roadsters work financially. Seems misguided to suggest killing vehicles that sell well.
Jus sayin'

[M3 Number 86]

Originally Posted by RPiM5

- Why do we need an X1, X2, X3, X3M, X4, X4M40i, X5, X5M, X6, X6M, and X7?!?!?!!!

[M3 Number 86]

how do you kill the car that started......

M POWERRRRRRRRR

[M3 Number 86]

how do you kill the car that started......

M POWERRRRRRRRR

[GuidoK]

Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster

BMW tries to convince us that the roadster Is dead.. meanwhile.. Miata sales explode to the highest in decades... Boxster keeps on selling..

Miata sales are also very low compared to previous times:
(US sales):
2016: 9.465
2006: 16.897
1996: 18.408
1990: 35.944
Europe is similar but slightly less decline

Boxster also shows decline

Still of course sales figures bmw could only dream about in their last z4 e89 days, especially US sales...(e89 sales were much better in europe in the last few years of production)
But the e85 z4 easily outsold the boxster in its days