[stein_325i]

A little, I think its just more confusing than anything. This car should have just been called a 1-series Sedan plain and simple. I'm not sure why BMW made a whole big deal about odd for sedans and even for coupes just to introduce gran coupes which are pretty much sedans but with an even moniker.

This "2GC" however, doesn't look like any of the other gran coupes or really have coupe inspired lines, the CLA is more "coupe-inspired" than this thing. Add to the fact that they will continue making a RWD variant alongside this car and it just seems a bit ridiculous.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by Moflow

“To be fair” is an expression here in the US. It’s referring to the other posters who are bothered by the M235i name or mustang owners who might be bugged by the Mach e.

Here’s the long version of the point I was trying to make:

I know being unhappy about name sharing is sort of illogical, but to be fair to M235i and Mustang owners who have to deal with this, I too would feel slightly unhappy, despite the fact that my unhappiness is not based on logic.

Make more sense now?

American since birth all those decades ago, and know the expression well. I just don't see its applicability to this topic.

I think it goes beyond being illogical. I don't see anything more than self-imposed emotional fragility for those owners to "have to deal with" this. The folks who are so distressed that some other car shares a semblance of the name of a car they have (un-uniquely produced in tens of thousands by the company that actually owns the name via trademark), or that - the horror! - their color was allowed on wider choice of models, have a level of self-indulgent sensitivity/insecurity one would hope had long since been outgrown.

[albertw]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

I think it goes beyond being illogical. I don't see anything more than self-imposed emotional fragility for those owners to "have to deal with" this. The folks who are so distressed that some other car shares a semblance of the name of a car they have (un-uniquely produced in tens of thousands by the company that actually owns the name via trademark), or that - the horror! - their color was allowed on wider choice of models, have a level of self-indulgent sensitivity/insecurity one would hope had long since been outgrown.

This is funny!

You seem to be blind to the reality that most people buy luxury cars to be seen in them. If a lesser car gets the same name, the pleasure of being seen in the car they own is decreased proportionally.

I think you should get over your distaste for most owners of BMWs. If people didn't buy them just to use them the same way they would use a Civic, we enthusiasts wouldn't have these great cars to enjoy.

[Middy2000]

I couldn't care less what that butt ugly thing is called. It's bad enough the active tourer is classed as a 2 series.
I don't associate either with what I own

[KennyFSU]

It doesn't bother me either. If people want to assume I drive a slow compact sedan and then be surprised when they see it, whatever lol.

[Moflow]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

American since birth all those decades ago, and know the expression well. I just don't see its applicability to this topic.

I think it goes beyond being illogical. I don't see anything more than self-imposed emotional fragility for those owners to "have to deal with" this. The folks who are so distressed that some other car shares a semblance of the name of a car they have (un-uniquely produced in tens of thousands by the company that actually owns the name via trademark), or that - the horror! - their color was allowed on wider choice of models, have a level of self-indulgent sensitivity/insecurity one would hope had long since been outgrown.

Okay. Well I primarily agree with you, but I have a sense of empathy and I’m not a purely logical human being, so rather than berating those who feel differently, I can admit that I too am imperfect and shallow on some level.

[Mehim]

#notmym235

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by Moflow

Okay. Well I primarily agree with you, but I have a sense of empathy and I’m not a purely logical human being, so rather than berating those who feel differently, I can admit that I too am imperfect and shallow on some level.

We agree on the value of empathy and that we are all works in progress. As noted widely by commentators, a person lacking empathy is truly an incomplete human.

One of both the strengths and weaknesses of forums is that we are all strangers to each other. Suffice it to say that empathy is well-placed for those who are hungry, homeless, injured, disabled, unsettled immigrants, refugees from war, those who have suffered personal losses, can't figure out whether to pay a bill or buy food. But, for some affluent folks whining that someone named a less desirable car similarly to their expensive car...that merits empathy? That is something they have to "deal with"? Just how entitled are we?

I think we need to enjoy the benefits we have been able to work hard to provide ourselves and reassess those areas that merit our attention and empathy. Not all "first world problems" equally justify such compassion.

If we don't agree with BMW's marketing strategy regarding nomenclature, fine, we can discuss/debate that. But please don't suggest this is an emotional drain that should burden anyone and be taken seriously.

[H2O_Doc]

Interesting. There's a lot of neuroscience at play here.

[Maynard]

I don't need anyone's sympathy (nor am I really hurt or offended), not asking for that. But it seems pretty obvious to me that it was a colossal boneheaded marketing mistake to bring out a model that shares NOTHING with another, established model line, and name it with the exact same name as was just used in that other model line. My main sense of upset is a feeling of insult that BMW would think anyone stupid enough to buy into this as a way to add cred to this excoriable new product (you have to see one - it is like all those ricer jokes were being taken seriously). And the distress that now we will never sort out the aftermarket parts situation. Now I'm off to the garage with my dental floss in hand....

[Moflow]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

We agree on the value of empathy and that we are all works in progress. As noted widely by commentators, a person lacking empathy is truly an incomplete human.

One of both the strengths and weaknesses of forums is that we are all strangers to each other. Suffice it to say that empathy is well-placed for those who are hungry, homeless, injured, disabled, unsettled immigrants, refugees from war, those who have suffered personal losses, can't figure out whether to pay a bill or buy food. But, for some affluent folks whining that someone named a less desirable car similarly to their expensive car...that merits empathy? That is something they have to "deal with"? Just how entitled are we?

I think we need to enjoy the benefits we have been able to work hard to provide ourselves and reassess those areas that merit our attention and empathy. Not all "first world problems" equally justify such compassion.

If we don't agree with BMW's marketing strategy regarding nomenclature, fine, we can discuss/debate that. But please don't suggest this is an emotional drain that should burden anyone and be taken seriously.

Good post. At the end of the day, any disagreement we might be having is over molehill size problems (if they can even be called that.)

[Middy2000]

Maybe at BMW they've realised they've run out of numbers so are slipping models under the same series numbers.

Mind you there's always the 9 series.

[cristo]

I’d like to see them try to sell the 2GC
series as a 928i or M930i xDrive.

In my book there’s nothing wrong with
being a little annoyed by the GC models
being named 228i or M235i given their
predecessors of the same name.
For that matter, I’m annoyed by the 3rd gen
MINIS still being called MINI Coopers or
MINI Clubmen taking into account what
they’ve now become.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by Moflow

Good post. At the end of the day, any disagreement we might be having is over molehill size problems (if they can even be called that.)

Thanks, I agree and I sensed that there was fundamental underlying agreement once we got past the many limitations of forum posts.

[msej449]

I'm with the OP in irritation at BMW for retrospectively messing-up their once crystal-clear model nomenclature. It's used to be pretty simple and if you were a buyer, you could see that it was Series+Engine+Fuel and T for Turbo (or tds for turbo-diesel) - all very straightforward.

Along comes that bane of modern business, the Marketing Executive, and messes that up.

So once upon a time, a 1998cc engine would have made it an -20i model, but the 2 Series 1.998L is called a 230. If you're being generous, it's because they ran out of numbers - if not, it's because the marketeers thought it added a certain cachet.

Lots of other examples - so now the model numbering really doesn't tell you that much. In fact, it's misleading and confusing.

I can understand the problem: a truly accurate name would probably be unattractive and not necessarily any clearer e.g. M2306Tx for an M Performance xDrive 3.0L turbo 6-cylinder 2 Series (i.e. the current M240i). Giving a model a name would also be a challenge: at least the {n} Series in BMW indicates a physically larger vehicle.

In the end, I've no problem with someone thinking my M235i has a 3.5L engine. But yes, it is vaguely irritating that BMW have messed-up what was once a model naming convention that was so clear.

[Moflow]

Originally Posted by msej449

I'm with the OP in irritation at BMW for retrospectively messing-up their once crystal-clear model nomenclature. It's used to be pretty simple and if you were a buyer, you could see that it was Series+Engine+Fuel and T for Turbo (or tds for turbo-diesel) - all very straightforward.

Along comes that bane of modern business, the Marketing Executive, and messes that up.

So once upon a time, a 1998cc engine would have made it an -20i model, but the 2 Series 1.998L is called a 230. If you're being generous, it's because they ran out of numbers - if not, it's because the marketeers thought it added a certain cachet.

Lots of other examples - so now the model numbering really doesn't tell you that much. In fact, it's misleading and confusing.

I can understand the problem: a truly accurate name would probably be unattractive and not necessarily any clearer e.g. M2306Tx for an M Performance xDrive 3.0L turbo 6-cylinder 2 Series (i.e. the current M240i). Giving a model a name would also be a challenge: at least the {n} Series in BMW indicates a physically larger vehicle.

In the end, I've no problem with someone thinking my M235i has a 3.5L engine. But yes, it is vaguely irritating that BMW have messed-up what was once a model naming convention that was so clear.

I agree, have names for cars (e.g. “Camry” “Mustang” etc.) or have alphanumerics that make sense. There’s no point in naming your car a random string of numbers and letters if they mean nothing.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by Moflow

I agree, have names for cars (e.g. “Camry” “Mustang” etc.) or have alphanumerics that make sense. There’s no point in naming your car a random string of numbers and letters if they mean nothing.

From a marketing perspective, agree completely. Words connote much more emotion to exploit in naming a product than letters/numbers that do not relate to any characteristic of the product. Whatever we think of Lincoln vehicles, they seemed to have learned that marketing lesson with their most recent generation of new vehicles.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by Moflow

no point in naming your car a random string of numbers and letters if they mean nothing.

I 100% agree with your point, BMW's (and Audi, Merc, Cadillac, etc.) nomenclature is becoming completely random and meaningless, although ironically thats how the GT350 and 500 names came about. Shelby actually believed the name's meaning doesn't matter, as long as its remembered. 350 is the amount of steps between his two workshops, and 500 is actually just a random meaningless number

[Jashue]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

...This whole 4-door coupe naming thing never appealed to me.

Me neither. That should have been nipped in the bud. If it has four doors, it's a sedan. End of story.

[Dylan86]

I'm a bit butthurt over it, not gonna lie...

#debadge2020

[GrimJaw]

Op here, it honestly just pissed me off that they used the badge/name m235i instead of something new. I also feel like mine/our m235is are a sportier package and I don't want it confused with the new sedan.

[RoundelM3]

At least they didn't give it the chassis designation of "F40"...