This is How BMW Treats Customers who Switch from Mercedes to Their Cars [w/Video]

Remember BMW’s launch film for the new 4-Series Coupe? It looks like a couple was so impressed by it that they decided to buy a new 4-Series instead of going for a Mercedes-Benz, per their initial plan.

Debra Hayden wrote BMW on Facebook and told the Bavarian company that the video made her and her husband decide to buy a BMW 428i instead of a Mercedes-Benz. She also wrote that they had opted to pick up the car from BMW Welt in Munich on October 21 and that the marketing team that put the video together “deserves kudos” for bringing in new business for BMW.

Now what do you think BMW did with all this information? It decided to surprise the customers when they arrived in Germany to pick up their brand new car.

They arranged a very special delivery with a VIP treatment, and surprised them by bringing the man responsible for the launch film, among other things. If you happen to own a business, watch and learn how to make your customers happy from the following video.

By Dan Mihalascu

VIDEO

Spy Shots: BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe Puts on its M Styling Costume

While we've seen camouflaged testers of the upcoming BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe before, this one is wearing the Bavarian firm's usually tasty M Sport package, which in some markets at least, will be offered as one of the available trim grades, probably at a similar cost as on the 4-Series Coupe ($3,500 in the U.S.).

With this example finished in one of the traditional M Sport colors dubbed Estoril Blue, the kit contains M-specific front and rear bumpers, the latter fitted with a black diffuser of sorts, side skirts, different wheels and black finish for the window trims.

We can’t see it from these pictures, but the M Sport models will also get sportier front seats, M-specific steering wheel and gearshift knob for manual models, plus several other unique trim items, and a lowered and tighter sports suspension.

Positioned in BMW's range as an alternative for those looking for a sportier looking 3-Series Sedan or a more practical and roomier four-door 4-Series Coupe, the Gran Coupe will have a curved roofline and frameless doors, while riding on the same extended wheelbase (2,920mm) as the 3-Series GT (Gran Turismo) and the China market 3-Series LWB.

The entire engine range will mirror that of the 3-Series and 4-Series models with both diesel and gasoline units on offer. We could see an M4 Gran Coupe as well.

Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoopS

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BMW’s Exterior Design Boss Talks New 4-Series Convertible

For someone who is familiar with the new BMW 4-Series Coupe, the convertible version will come as no surprise as far as the styling is concerned. Its design is identical to the coupe’s up to the waistline, with the folding metal roof above it forming a more upright cabin than on the coupe, similar to the 3-Series Convertible.

Like its predecessor, the 4-Series Convertible comes with a hard-top folding roof, which means there is not a lot of space in the boot once the roof goes down. I guess that’s a compromise one can easily accept in order to experience driving with the wind going thorough his or her hair, especially since the car looks much better with the top down.

In this latest video, BMW has its exterior design chief Domagoj Dukec talk us through the 4-Series Convertible’s styling highlights.

So without further ado, scroll down to hear what he has to say about the car’s exterior and interior styling.

By Dan Mihalascu

VIDEO

BMW 4-Series Coupe Wearing Traditional German Luxury Car Trim Suit

Ah, remember the golden days of German luxury automakers (especially in Europe), when everything, and we mean everything, was considered an option – from the passenger side mirror and heated rear window to hubcaps and the tachometer?

Even if you're not a fan of Japanese carmakers' products, you have to admit that they did change the industry's perceptions in this department forcing the Germans to follow suit.

The artist over at X-Tomi Design had a bit of a tongue-in-cheek inspiration bringing those dark equipment days back to life with a Photoshop of the new BMW 4-Series Coupe dressed in a so-called, Base Line trim, with unpainted front bumper and fascia, side skirts, door mirrors and rear bumper, with no fog lights or even hub-caps.

Brings back a lot of memories, doesn't it…

Photo Credits: Xtomi

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Poll: Has BMW Pulled Off the 3-Series Coupe and 4-Series Name Switch Successfully?

Now that we have had a chance to take in the BMW 4-Series, by seeing the reviews and clicking through all of the photos, and even know what the new M3 coupe, the M4 is going to look like, albeit in ‘concept form’, a question arises.

The question, rather informally put, is did they get away with changing the name? Are these new 4-Series and M4 models just as appealing as they would have been had they retained the traditional naming policy?

Put in a different way: If you were in the market for a 4-Series-sized coupe or convertible, would the new name matter when making the final decision? Feel free to choose your preferred poll option, and don’t hesitate to use the comments box.

I don’t want to influence the result here in any way, but what I will do is will bring the 4-Series Gran Coupe to your attention, since we’re on the topic. It’s not a 3-Series, but it’s not a 4-Series Coupe, because that has two doors, right? It will cost more than both of them, and may get close to the 5-Series in terms of acquisition costs, and with a wheelbase only 48mm smaller, perhaps in terms of size, too.

But what is it? Is it a relevant new and unique model that combines 4-door practicality with coupe looks and more interior space (length- and not height-wise) than a regular 3-Series, or is it just more confusion in an increasingly cluttered BMW range? I think it steps on the toes of the 5-Series a bit.

By Andrei Nedelea

Poll: Was BMW's 3-Series Coupe and Convertible Name Switch to 4-Series Successful?

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BMW Presents New 4-Series Coupe-Convertible, Priced from $49,675 [115 Photos]

BMW will be travelling to next month's Los Angeles Auto Show with a world premiere in hand, that of the all-new 4-Series Convertible, which like its outgoing 3-Series counterpart, has a dual nature being both a coupe and cabriolet thanks to a three-piece folding metal top.

Speaking about the roof, BMW says it has improved the design and construction stating that the new sound-absorbing headliner reduces wind noise by up to 2 dB in comparison to its predecessor. The top can be lowered or raised in 20 seconds at the touch of a button at speeds of up to 11mph (18km/h).

Other interesting tidbits about the roof mentioned in BMW's release is that the car's air resistance is Cd 0.28 with the steel top up, and Cd 0.33 when it's retracted, while in terms of luggage space, you get 7.8 cu. ft. (220 liters) with the top down and 13.0 cu. ft. (370 liters) when raised above your head – that's a 0.7 cu. ft. (20 liters) increase over the 3 Series Convertible.

A redesigned windblock will be standard in the US, while BMW will offer three-temperature neck warmers as an option.

Even though the new 4-Series Convertible is only an inch (26mm) longer than the outgoing 3-Series model bringing its overall length to 182.6 in (4,638 mm), it has a 2.0 inch (50mm) longer wheelbase at 110.6 inches (2,810mm), while it's also 1.7 inches (43mm) wider at 71.9 inches (1,825mm).

At model launch, the 4-Series Convertible will be available in North American with the same two gasoline powertrain options as the 4-Series Coupe, both linked to a standard 8-speed automatic. The 428i, offered with both standard rear wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive (xDrive) is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four delivering 240hp and is priced from $49,675. The 435i, available only with RWD at launch, comes with a 300hp 3.0-liter turbo'd six and starts at $55,825. Both prices include $925 destination and handling, with U.S. sales to begin in the first quarter of 2014.

In Europe, customers will have the option of three models, the 428i with a 242hp (245PS) 2.0L turbo gasoline unit, the 435i with a 302hp (306PS) 3.0L turbo gasoline engine and the 420d featuring a 2.0-liter turbo'd four-cylinder diesel producing 181hp (184PS). All European versions are fitted with a standard six-speed manual, with the 8-speed auto offered as an option.

There will be three available trims in North America, Sport, Luxury and M Sport, while Europe also gets a fourth grade named Modern. The most interesting edition is the M Sport that gains an aerodynamic package, bigger 18-inch (or optionally 19-inch on the 435i) alloy wheels, unique interior trims and a sports suspension.

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