BMW name changes aren’t just for the X6, other models to follow

The memo said:

Due to upcoming U.S. regulations in effect for Model Year 2009, we are changing some of our naming protocol. The new naming protocol will affect all products that currently have an engine displacement designation within the name—X3, X5, X6, Z4 and Z4 Coupe.

What do you think? (not like BMW can do anything about it because of U.S. regulations)

I say....this is bunk. BMW is playing marketing 'catch-up' with Audi ("Quattro"), MB ("4-Matic"), Volvo ("XC / Cross-Country"), etc. in trying to brand their all-wheel drive vehicles, so paranoid suburbanities in states which get minor annual snowfall can waste gas by buying an AWD vehicle.

Up to now, their was no clear identifying label that stated certain BMW's were AWD. I'll bet the addition of the letter "X" didn't register as AWD with most (dumb) consumers and just served to confuse them.

I disagree, or BMW would also be renaming the all-wheel drive versions of the 3-Series, 5-Series, and upcoming 7-Series. The memo indicates that they're not doing that, though, they're just renaming models that used to have an engine size as an add on to the model name (X5 3.0si) instead of being part of the model name itself (335xi). Plus the Z4 doesn't have all-wheel drive and they're renaming it too.

The more likely scenario has nothing to do with all-wheel drive, they're changing it because they're changing the engines on all these models to the twin turbo V6 and V8, and "X5 35i" or "X5 3.0tti" doesn't make any sense (though personally I'd be fine with X5 35i or X5 50i"). Perhaps that's the problem they ran into with the new U.S. naming regulations?

Model numbers should be harmonized in the industry and copyright laws adjusted accordingly. for example, "X" should always stand for AWD or 4WD and that should be followed by engine displacement rounded down to the nearest tenth of a litre. This is good public policy as it avoids consumer confusion.

Model numbers have nothing to do with what the bureaucracy does to the auto industry.

I don't know EnnNorak, I think the manufacturer should be allowed to name their car anything they want. If it confuses people to the point that they don't buy the car, then it's their fault and the manufacturer can blame themselves. I don't believe the government should mandate naming schemes though just because people are too dumb or too lazy to research what they're looking at or buying.

Minor annual snowfall?

Average snowfall total in inches:
http://lwf.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/online/ccd/snowfall.html

Let me guess, you live in "SoCal" and have never seen snow before.

Idiot.

If this new way of identifying models and X Drive makes the designation clearer - I say go for it.

I lost my interest with BMW when they launched the X6, now this doesnt bother me.

Does anyone know what the US regulation itself is, and why it seems to only be affecting BMW, when other brands like Audi, Subaru, and Volvo (to name a few) also place engine displacements on their vehicles?

Why wasn't the regulation quoted? This is pretty cryptic. I agree with JRob. BMW has been doing some goofy stuff lately, but I'm still lusting after the M3.

My point exactly...I don't think there is really a regulatory reason for this change..BMW is just playing marketing 'catch-up'.

Or else, was there a 'truth-in-advertising' lawsuit or something from a group of fools who were annoyed that their '2.5i' really had a detuned 3.0l engine in it? BMW's engine number game is really silly.

I don't think you can sue them for a "325i" having a 3.0L engine, considering many many other cars have no numbers in the names or have numbers that don't match the displacement (Mercedes sold "500" series models with 5.5L engines for a minute there, for example). Again, I think the naming system is changing because BMW is replacing the naturally aspirated six and eight cylinders with twin turbo engines, and models that have displacements in their names (Z4 3.0i and 3.0si, X5 3.0si and 4.8i, and X3 3.0si being the only ones) would no longer make sense. I would say it's possible the U.S. regulation is that model names that list actual displacements have to be accurate, but then Mercedes has "6.3L" badges all over their 6.2L V8 AMG models, so who knows? Personally I don't like the longer names, hopefully BMW limits it to the X3, X5, and X6.

The tags at least look tastefully done, I thought they would be much bigger. But I really think that there should be some kind of regulation here.

I understand that Audi has Quattro, MB has 4matic, VW has 4motion, and so on. So it seems logical to make this move. Toyota/Lexus still used the small AWD moniker and Infiniti uses the current X just like BMW does to notify an AWD car.

But it is BMW, and people will buy them no matter what name they put on them. I always admired the small lettering that did not take away from the design of the car.

Although I am not aware of it, there could be some regulation which will prevent labeling 3.5 (consistent with 335) a vehicle that really has a 3.0 L engine.

Nothing that a piece of Dental Floss cannot fix.... confusing

Acura made a HUGE mistake in dropping "Legend" and "Integra"... and going with confusing letter names (correlates with the down fall of the RL aka "replaced Legend")... But them Cadillac has done well...with CTS.. but then Caddy did it to "leave the past behind"... What do you think of when you hear "Eldorado".... would you rather own, a 2010 CTC or 2010 Eldorado?

The main problem I see is the the E550 or 550i, a E350 or 535i

I posted this several months ago.

I don't think this is smart. It's just too many letters. What could possibly be wrong with the simple "X3 3.5si" or "X6 5.0i?" Isn't xDrive implicit?

"35i" is better than 3.5si because 3.5 would (incorrectly)indicate 3.5 liter to some.

About the xDrive being redundant, that's true for the X models, but may need that for future F or V models, which may come in both RWD and AWD variations.

I like the names that they have now.

I don't even see the issue. It's not going to appear on the backs of the cars right, so what's the big deal. I know it will still be on the car either the front door or the front fender but really that doesn't hurt anything. For the people that don't want to say the whole thing then don't say it.

It doesn't matter as long as their product is still of high grade and cars are still a pleasure to drive the loyal fanbase of BMW will not be phased one bit.

yes bmw needed to change their name to beat benz... bmw should have listened long time ago