Ever since the all-new BMW M3 sedan and M4 coupe were revealed to the world, those comically long kidney grilles have been a hot topic. Many diehard BMW fans don't like them, while enthusiasts of other brands have used words to describe the new look that can't be printed here. Even a former BMW designer - who otherwise likes the new 4 Series - can't understand the implementation of the grille, while some designers have gone about fixing BMW's mistake.
Prior Design has now come up with several other design solutions to improve the M3/M4's face; as expected, the end result is much less offensive. The German tuning house came up with several iterations of the kidney grille and a revised lower bumper design for the M3/M4, and pretty much all of them look better than BMW's original.
The smaller grille allows one to appreciate appealing aspects of the existing car's face that were overwhelmed by the grille, such as those sleek headlights with their L-shaped LED DRLs and the power bulges on the hood. One of Prior Design's recreations features a grille that's very similar to that of the 8 Series, which is one of the better-looking modern BMWs around.
Another iteration of the grille shows the lower half of a square-shaped grille with thicker, darker surrounds, a design that adds some more aggression without losing its BMW identity. What's especially noticeable with all of the designs is that the license plate becomes much less of a distraction, because it isn't blocking any part of the grille.
Prior Design's unique front bumper designs are also generally successful, with a mesh-type lower section that adds to the car's broad stance. Although these M3/M4 redesigns are just digital renders, for now, Prior Design has previously put into production some works of art, such as a widebody kit for an Audi Coupe, thereby creating what is pretty much a convincing impression of what an RS2 Coupe could have been.
If the company offered a front fascia kit for the M3/M4, we wouldn't be surprised to see these being snapped up. It's just a pity that we even have to entertain the thought of a bona fide M car having its styling fixed.