BMW's One Letter Leaves 00R In The Dark & 001's 3-Series Prediction

BMW's One Letter Leaves 00R In The Dark & 001's 3-Series Prediction
This past Saturday, the Bavarian boys announced an upgraded Z4 to the line up. Donned the Z4 sDrive35is, it implies a vehicle with more serious hardware wearing some modifcations, inside and out. But, this raises some questions.

As of late it seems that BMW's nomenclature has become pretty wild. "XDrive" this, "sDrive" that, "iS," "iL" to "Li," "iA" to simply "i." What is up with all the switches and in some cases, absolute redundancy.

In the case of the "is," BMW has thrown us for a loop. Originally, it meant to differentiate a model by including more sporting packaging. In 1985, the 325is included mechanical and cosmetic modifications. But, as time has worn on, it seems the "s" lost its clear meaning.

When the E36 debuted, "iS" was the designation for coupe variants. Then it became used in the E53 X5 4.6iS and 4.8iS, which was largely considered an M product by many BMW communities. Hell, BMW even sent out a letter proclaiming it as an M car.

Now the storied "s" makes another appearance in the latest Z4, which makes me wonder if this is the closest we will get to a BMW Z4 M, again.

But even better than that is 001's prediction that due to the Z4 sDrive35is' modifications, we will likely see a trickle-down effect in the form of a 335is coupe.

Then we wondered, SHOULD BMW produce a 335is sedan?

Essentially, it would emulate the E46 330 performance package, better known as "zhp."

What do you think, SPIES? Let us know in the comments below.


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bmwdrvrbmwdrvr - 12/14/2009 2:03:23 PM
-1 Boost
Not really sure whats so confusing about it other than the sdrive, and xdrive are a bit rediculous, there was an is version of the last Z4 as well there was also a M. There probably isn't a reason for an M variant of the Z4 from a business case stand point. It was make sense for BMW to do the is models across all model ranges albeit without the "aluminum optic" mirrors that are uh hem a little to similar to someone elses "s models, this would also allow for more performance from the M cars, and at a higher price point.


HantraHantra - 12/14/2009 2:26:46 PM
+7 Boost
The marketing folks should be killed. The whole SDrive35i is bad enough. Now you're gonna start adding letters?


NannerPusNannerPus - 12/14/2009 8:27:42 PM
0 Boost
If you choose to say the entire name it is a whopping eight syllables. OMG! I can't pronounce eight syllables! Fire someone! Seriously, shut up and call it a Z4 and if you need clarification call it a Z4 35is. Is that really so hard?

No one cries to their mommy when they say "Quatro". xDrive, Quatro, xDrive, Quatro.


synxsynx - 12/14/2009 3:18:37 PM
+3 Boost
God, that badging looks ugly. What happened to the good old days of 535i being the most complex model number?

They need to get rid of that xdrive and sdrive crap.


WhelanWhelan - 12/14/2009 3:18:52 PM
+3 Boost
SDrive35iS HYBRID Z!!!!!!!!!!


lexusrox123lexusrox123 - 12/14/2009 3:27:53 PM
-1 Boost
Well, at least it improves your memory by forcing you to memorize a complicated, convoluted name for your car. Like i said before, this badging nonsense is just like how Ford gave the Mustang about a hundred different names and variants.

Keep it simple, stupid!


M53RM53R - 12/14/2009 3:28:22 PM
+3 Boost
I don't understand the confusion caused by them simply adding Sdrive to show that this is the RWD version. From an enthusiasts point of view, the only thing that should be read is "35is".


NannerPusNannerPus - 12/14/2009 10:45:42 PM
0 Boost
Ah, the fresh air of common sense and intelligence. Thank you.


Need4SpeedNeed4Speed - 12/14/2009 3:28:32 PM
+2 Boost
The poster of this article mentioned the Performance Package for the e46. Funny enough BMW never differentiated this car (from an exterior point of view) from any normal 330 other than a cool looking body kit...which you could have bought as an option on any 330. That was one of the best things about the 'ZHP'...unless you were a car enthusiast who was keen on BMW or someone told you...you didn't know anything about this car. Nothing on the body of the car said anything about the 'M' handling or increased power. Now...they'll stamp a letter or name to differentiate the hell out of everything on the showroom floor!


JUGNUJUGNU - 12/14/2009 4:30:07 PM
+6 Boost
Agree that are so too many letters.

Next model: Z4 sdrive 35iS Individual

One more thing is German manufacturers offer so many options on there cars so for them it doesn't make sense to go for 'ready-made packages'. This type of adding S or T or whatever makes more sense for Japanese brands like Lexus and Infiniti beceause their starting model is already very loaded with options and they can add a letter to the top of the line model.
Example G37 and G37S or IS350 and IS350S

JUGNU


Agent001Agent001 - 12/14/2009 5:22:03 PM
0 Boost
No ones answered the question...

Should they do a 335is coupe and sedan and will my prediction going to be right?

Insiders tell me it's right around the corner...

001


ChipChip - 12/14/2009 9:41:20 PM
+6 Boost
001, stop acting like you're predicting this news. It was announced a few days ago via BMW military sales.

BMW is producing a 335is coupe/sedan/convert. They also mentioned the Z4 35is as well.

They will begin production in March 2010 as 2011 models.

What exactly do you think you're predicting?





Agent004Agent004 - 12/15/2009 11:20:55 AM
-2 Boost
FYI - he's a different Chip than me.

Chip-


JRobUSCJRobUSC - 12/14/2009 5:46:10 PM
+5 Boost
I don't see what the big deal is about the naming. Benz has had "C300 4MATIC", Audi "A4 2.0T Quattro", etc. so I don't care that BMW has a "328i xDrive". Car enthusiasts will figure out the nomenclature, people who aren't won't care anyway. No one is going to buy or not buy a car because of the naming structure.

As for whether BMW should make a 335is, uh, yeah, they absolutely should. They should it in one of two ways:

1) Either make the 335is a standalone model, like they did with the new Z4, and drop the expensive M-Sport Package from the "regular" 335i model so they can use the bodykit on the 335is, or

2) Make the M-Sport package include the performance upgrade and DCT and don't make the 335is a separate model.

I don't care which way they do it but the ingredients are already there. So I say go for it, especially with the new S4 out (how great would it be to eclipse the brand new S4 with the outgoing 335i? Do it BMW.)


BondMI6BondMI6 - 12/14/2009 7:37:05 PM
+4 Boost
Of course, 001..........BMW will be doing the 335is across the board. Not a really big prediction- the competition is doing it already. The S4 makes @330HP.....the new IS that will be debuting in 2012 will make 350HP.......so all BMW is doing is keeping up with the joneses at this point. This begs the question though- if the new 335is does 0-60 in around 4.5-4.6 sec's (very reasonable considering it does 4.8 now) what does that mean for the current M3 which does it in 4.2-4.3....???


MSP6MSP6 - 12/14/2009 11:31:12 PM
+3 Boost
Xdrive60iLActiveHybrid7


85bmw745i85bmw745i - 12/14/2009 11:40:18 PM
+1 Boost
What ever happened to I, IS, IC and IX. 335i for the regular, 335is for the M sport package, 335ix for allwheel drive and M3. Simple. This extra badging makes it look like BMW is reaching for attention, Attention that it don't need. Keep It Simple Stupid (KISS)


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