--- title: "BMW Rumored to Drop the 4 Series Big Grille but it’s a Long Shot" date: "2022-05-29" modified: "2022-05-29" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/bmw-rumored-to-drop-the-4-series-big-grille-but-its-a-long-shot" categories: - "BMW News" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "BMW" --- # BMW Rumored to Drop the 4 Series Big Grille but it’s a Long Shot ![]() BMW's massive beaver-toothed grille has been the main point of criticism for the Bavarian brand over the past few years. Cars like the[ BMW X7 ]()and 7 Series facelift started the trend, and received their fair share of criticism, but it wasn't until the much smaller[ 4 Series]()--and subsequent BMW M3 and M4--that critics really started to lash out. So much so that it's caused a rumor, from a [Japanese site Speed7](), that BMW might change the face of the 4 Series with its upcoming facelift. However, those rumors are probably going to end up being just that--rumors. Social media would have you believe that BMW sales are freefalling, following the launch of its funky new grille. However, that simply isn't the case. In fact, the 4 Series has actually been one of BMW's best-selling cars so far this year, with 7,379 beaver-grilled Bimmers finding homes in America. The only other non-SUV BMW to sell more than that has been the 3 Series, which has always been the brand's bread and butter. Those 4 Series figures also represent a 54.2-percent increase over Q1 of last year, which indicates that customers are coming around to this new grille design. ![]() The 4 Series isn't the only toothy Bimmer to sell well, though. Both the BMW M3 and M4, which have a version of the 4 Series' massive grille, are selling very well. In fact, last year was the BMW M Division's best sales year in history, selling 163,542 cars, a 13-percent increase over the previous year. While BMW M didn't share any specific sales figures, the M3 and M4 were the only new M cars in 2022, which tells me both cars had a lot to do with BMW M's recent success. The rumor that BMW might change the 4 Series grille with its upcoming facelift comes after a render was recently released, showing off the 4 Series with the new 3 Series facelift's grille. The render brought a ton of praise for the its new looks and more sensibly-sized grille, which led some fans to believe that BMW might attempt to make the change for real. But there's just no evidence to suggest that's true, especially with how well its cars are selling. Not only are the 4 Series, M3, and M4 doing well for BMW but the Bavarian brand is also trying to avoid a same-sausage-different-length problem in its lineup, and differentiating the 4 Series from the 3 Series, with a massive grille, seems to be how BMW wants to accomplish that. As with all rumors, there's a small possibility that this one is true. However, while nothing's impossible, it seems highly unlikely BMW is making any changes anytime soon. ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()