“The grille” is the oversized highly-criticized grille fitted to the current 4 Series Coupe, M4, and M3.
The 7th generation G20 3 Series debuted in 2018.
So far, it seems as though BMW’s taken note of the endless negative comments in relation to “the grille”.
Back in 2020, other than all the pandemic-related news stories, one topic remained top-of-mind for most car enthusiasts: BMW’s new oversized kidney grille. Introduced with the new M3 and M4, it garnered more negative comments than Nicolas Cage’s performance as Edward Malus in The Wicker Man.
2021 BMW M3 | Photo: Olivier Delorme
Since then, BMW’s introduced the same controversial face on the 4 Series but that’s as far as they got. Other updated or new models have surfaced since and thankfully, none of them sport “The Grille”. And it looks as though the facelifted 3 Series will also forgo the face.
The Drive has published spy shots of the new non-M 3 Series and although covered in camouflage, it evidently does without the extended kidneys. Everything else about the new car looks just right.
To be honest, the divisive front end did grow on us when we reviewed the new G80 2021 BMW M3 a little while back. Although it’s impossible to qualify the fascia as attractive, it somehow fits the M3’s over-the-top personality. A basic 3 Series, or a 330i, is anything but over-the-top.
The large front grille is fucking ugly…. it is as simple as that. That was the only reason I decided to go with M340i… A pseudo M (not a proper M) but nonetheless, proper grille size.