Visible Muffler

[Epacy]

Is anyone else losing sleep over this aspect? It detracts so much from the look of the rear. BMW didn't have this problem with other models and I just can't understand they are letting this happen? At least try to hide it by coloring it black or something.
This is just such a let-down.
BMW please fix.

[DougLikesBMW]

Yes...I know I am...it makes me .

[monsta]

Originally Posted by Epacy

Is anyone else losing sleep over this aspect? It detracts so much from the look of the rear. BMW didn't have this problem with other models and I just can't understand they are letting this happen? At least try to hide it by coloring it black or something.
This is just such a let-down.
BMW please fix.

+1

[RandyB]

Not an issue. Cars have mufflers.

Now if they put sidepipes on it that's another story.

[Mii]

+2
Let's do something BMW? I hope Scott is reading this thread and already been talking to BMW engineering team on what color of black paint they plan to use on the muffler as we speak.

Imagine how it would look from rear without visibility of muffler!

[DougLikesBMW]

Originally Posted by Mii

+2
Let's do something BMW? I hope Scott is reading this thread and already been talking to BMW engineering team on what color of black paint they plan to use on the muffler as we speak.

Imagine how it would look from rear without visibility of muffler!

It would look great....

[swamp2]

Originally Posted by Mii

+2
Let's do something BMW? I hope Scott is reading this thread and already been talking to BMW engineering team on what color of black paint they plan to use on the muffler as we speak.

Imagine how it would look from rear without visibility of muffler!

+3, it looks really bad.

This absolutely has not been the case with almost all past BMWs (MB as well). This make it quite puzzling. Notice how even in much official BMW collaterals such as pics and vids the dark shading in this area totally conceals this flaw. It seems to me you can even see more of the suspension from the rear as well. I'm hoping it will be less prevalent in person looking at the car from car seat height from the rear. The bad news is that no matter how much we whine it ain't going to change. Production is too close, production car has been unveiled, production tooling is done and the "wheels are in motion". A disappointment but not nearly enough for me to not buy the car.

[Mii]

Originally Posted by swamp2

The bad news is that no matter how much we whine it ain't going to change. Production is too close, production car has been unveiled, production tooling is done and the "wheels are in motion". A disappointment but not nearly enough for me to not buy the car.

I concur, even as whine goes on, we'd still buy one, so let the whine carry on as long as it makes us feel we are actually communicating with BMW. Since the car is already in production, that's where the black paint comes in rescue. It would be totally not feasible for BMW to re-engineer the whole muffler, but darkening the muffler to create less visible illusion should be a no brainer to BMW team.

[paulyd]

seriously what were you thinking bmw??

trying to cop chevy or something?

maybe this feature comes in a package with hubcaps, wheelgap, and plastic bumpers...

[joelk]

I like it ... hiding it behind a bunch of plastic lacks aggression imho.

I also expect it to not be as visible when you viewing it IRL as the pictures might indicate.

no worries from me!

[DougLikesBMW]

Originally Posted by joelk

I like it ... hiding it behind a bunch of plastic lacks aggression imho.

I also expect it to not be as visible when you viewing it IRL as the pictures might indicate.

no worries from me!

Lol...you think this lacks aggression? (Talking about the E46 M3 by the way.)

[joelk]

Originally Posted by DougLikesBMW

Lol...you think this lacks aggression? (Talking about the E46 M3 by the way.)

yeah i do. no offense but those E46 M3s look really dated to me. again no offense...just my personal opinion. i realize i'm in the minority but i'm fine with that.

[paulyd]

Originally Posted by joelk

I like it ... hiding it behind a bunch of plastic lacks aggression imho.

whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa??

whenever I see undercarriage from behind another car, all I can think is ugly, cheap, lazy, unclassy, idiotic, pathetic, and wtf were they thinking!!

[joelk]

Originally Posted by chitown08

whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa??

whenever I see undercarriage from behind another car, all I can think is ugly, cheap, lazy, unclassy, idiotic, pathetic, and wtf were they thinking!!

Yeah I realize I'm in the minority here. and on any other car i would probably agree.... i just don't care for the large amount of bumper on the E46 pic above.... the newer version looks more modern to me.

lol, obviously everyone disagrees with me so i accept that.

[paulyd]

You're def entitled to ur opinion man.
I don't think these cars lack aggression tho...

[joelk]

Originally Posted by chitown08

You're def entitled to ur opinion man.
I don't think these cars lack aggression tho...

Yeah maybe I didn't express myself well. I don't think hiding the muffler and aggression are mutually exclusive. I mean those pictures you posted are great examples. I was just comparing the E46 butt to the new M3 and decided I like the new one better (I even think it looks more aggressive) even if it is showing a little under carriage.

Could they have built it better? hell yeah...but i'd prefer a more modern treatment than the old E46 ... nice pictures and excellent examples of what could have been done!

[Epacy]

Originally Posted by swamp2

This make it quite puzzling. Notice how even in much official BMW collaterals such as pics and vids the dark shading in this area totally conceals this flaw.

This was another point I was going to make.
BMW definately hides the muffler in their releases with shading. Like they know it doesn't look as good.
They just need to fix it and please the masses.

[Hans Delbruck]

Hmmm.. yeah, the E92M rear makes it look like BMW ran out of $$ in the final stages of development... or maybe it was a Friday and they all wanted to go for beers .... "Hmph -- Ziss iss goot enaff!"

[paulyd]

Originally Posted by Hans Delbruck

Hmmm.. yeah, the E92M rear makes it look like BMW ran out of $$ in the final stages of development... or maybe it was a Friday and they all wanted to go for beers .... "Hmph -- Ziss iss goot enaff!"

hahaha


and joelk, I agree with your point, despite this flaw the e92 still rocks the e46, hands down. It does look more aggressive. (and not outdated)

[The CSL]

I really don't see what the problem is. It's probably been done this way to improve underflow, because I can't see why BMW would 'miss' something like this otherwise.

[esquire]

if bmw doesn't fix it... they'll just be givng me another reason to get an aftermarket body kit, one that hides the muffler and brings the rear lower to the ground.

[Epacy]

Originally Posted by The CSL

I really don't see what the problem is. It's probably been done this way to improve underflow, because I can't see why BMW would 'miss' something like this otherwise.

I don't either. So, I would either like an explanation or have them fix it.
I want the latter.