The all new BMW 3 Series Sedan

[Kevlar]

Keep informed: http://www.BMW.com/3SeriesUpdate . The BMW 3 Series is the heart of the brand BMW. For the first time, BMW presents the sixth generation of the BMW 3 Series Sedan. You're invited to have a closer look at the car. The Vice President Brand Communication BMW, Andreas-Christoph Hofmann, the exterior designer of the BMW 3 Series Sedan, Christopher Weil and the Interior designer of the BMW 3 Series Sedan Christian Bauer will show you the car in detail.

More... (http://www.bmw.tv/com/article/show/video.do?articleID=14733&spaceID=2)

[jbernard1234]

I see what's going on with the new grill arrangement now, it's actually quite attractive, in the future, I should suspend my judgment until I'm able to view it on a full screen, smartphone screen left out all the nuances in the new design. Not bad.

[mryakan]

http://www.roadandtrack.com/future-cars/first/2012-bmw-3-series-sedan?zeta_mid=HFM2_597018&zeta_rid=81162430

Some highlights:
- To be offered in 3 new lines: Sport, modern, luxury.
- An 8-speed automatic option.
- An ActiveHybrid model to come.
- A claimed drag coefficient of 0.26, among the lowest of production automobiles.
- Front and rear tracks grow by 1.5 and 1.9 in., respectively. Overall length is 3.7 in. greater; wheelbase accounts for part of this, up by 2.0 in.
- Despite the larger size, the new 3 Series is 88 lb. lighter than a comparably equipped car it replaces.
- Interior layout angled toward the driver by 7 degrees (throwback to older designs?).
- M Sport package availability.

[testify]

Looks like the current 3 series to me.

[Isdera]

Because 7 speeds aren't enough?

[Isdera]

Because 7 speeds aren't enough?

[mattjw916]

Looks good... looking forward to reading C&D, Top Gear's, and everyone else's take on it.

[mryakan]

Because 7 speeds aren't enough?
lol, no it is all about efficiency, or as BMW calls it, efficient dynamics. Supposedly it does not weigh any more than the 6 speed it replaces.

[///M3Vader4dr]

:az hmm...

I do like the interior.

[Skinfaxi]

They've done some serious magic to make the front end look almost good while conforming to the new euro crash regulations.

[igor700]

Take the kidneys off and it blends in with every other sedan out there...disappointing.

[Isdera]

lol, no it is all about efficiency, or as BMW calls it, efficient dynamics. Supposedly it does not weigh any more than the 6 speed it replaces.
I just prefer a traditional 6-speed, if I wanted it to be more efficent and I knew what I was doing, I would adjust ratios/swap rear ends..

Although to be fair 6-speeds were unheard of in the past so I guess 8-speeds are just the way forward. Just seems like overkill to me. When will the engineers say "enough is enough"?

[mryakan]

I just prefer a traditional 6-speed, if I wanted it to be more efficent and I knew what I was doing, I would adjust ratios/swap rear ends..

Although to be fair 6-speeds were unheard of in the past so I guess 8-speeds are just the way forward. Just seems like overkill to me. When will the engineers say "enough is enough"?
I agree, but I feel the traditional manual will disappear in the not to distant future :(. With the ever stricter regulations and push for efficiency, I am not sure the engineers have a say on this. In fact, they should be commended for meeting such regulations and restrictions without completely eliminating the fun factor. I know from my job, we are always asked to make things faster, more reliable and cheaper, and believe me it does not make life any easier for us, esp. when the competition is fierce and the deadlines are ever shrinking. I have a feeling it is the same in the automotive industry.

[FLYINV]

Not bad at all. I really like that weight has gone down and in terms of size it must surely be close to the e39.

From the pics it seems that there will be a distinct sporty trim option.

[Isdera]

I agree, but I feel the traditional manual will disappear in the not to distant future :(. With the ever stricter regulations and push for efficiency, I am not sure the engineers have a say on this. In fact, they should be commended for meeting such regulations and restrictions without completely eliminating the fun factor. I know from my job, we are always asked to make things faster, more reliable and cheaper, and believe me it does not make life any easier for us, esp. when the competition is fierce and the deadlines are ever shrinking. I have a feeling it is the same in the automotive industry.
Nothing saddens me more, as a real gearhead, to see the traditional manual go away for good. Everyone, at some point, should be able to drive one, or needs to learn on one.

To be fair, I also love seeing the evolution of the car right before my eyes. Seeing technology as efficent and clean as it is, working in a car that is still fun to drive? Witchcraft. Although that is getting rarer and rarer now...:( Soon it will be 100% effiency and no fun factor.

Can't blame the companies though!:mad

[brunp]

Having the traditional manual disappear would be a sad day for me. Out of all the premium brands, BMW and Audi are the only ones that offer manual transmissions in a number of their lines. Almost all other makes are done with manuals. :-(

Paul

[TJQMaster]

Has anyone seen the official release fotos of the NEW F30?

BMW F30 3 Series (http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=592598)




Personally, I thought I wasnt gonna like it....but I do!

[SexualChocolate]

I saw them earlier when I got the e-mail. It's a winner IMO. I still think that the E9X is a fine automobile too lol.

[Luftwaffe1O1]

Is no one else super excited with the fact they have stopped insanely piggying up the cars? This one is LIGHTER than the e90....

[87iSee]

I want to like it, I really do. But everything that came after the e46... it's just not what I think of as a BMW. To me it looks like they are trying too hard.

[Isdera]

Is no one else super excited with the fact they have stopped insanely piggying up the cars? This one is LIGHTER than the e90....
Seems to be a healthy trend among car makers as of late. Seems to me that low curb weight is coming to light again as an important thing to consider when producing an efficent car. That seems like the one factor car companies always disregard...:nono

[bimmerjph]

i think it looks seriously aggressive, but i a good way. I cant image how aggressive the M3 is going to look. Over all I think it looks great and is a true sucessor (design wise) to the E46.

[WHITEXi]

I think it looks like the rest of the Euro market took a crap on a canvas board and BMW said "THE NEW F30 3 SERIES"

My love now ends at the E9x, I really don't think that will grow on me!

[ezx248]

in other words the e46 back with a different hood

[black bnr32]

it looks wierd in some respects. like how the headlights meet the kidneys, and the massive swoop in the dash.

the side profile looks real good

[GuitarDTO]

I really like this. Bravo BMW. I didn't care for the previous sedan but love the coupe. Can't wait til the new coupe comes out now after seeing how nice the sedan looks.

[KevRC4130]

Hmm that headlight/grille interaction looked ugly at first but with a better look it's actually quite trick! Overall I like it, though it has the rear of the newest 5, which is my least favorite angle (of both cars). All in all, nice looking car. Still LOVE the new 1 the best.

[Schermer]

I sorta refuse to take this as a new model. It's a face-lift that looks pretty good, but nothing impressive. New interior, new front end, little lighter, and no manual. :(

[hon2bmw]

Excited to see the new wagon. I still like the current facelift E90 though.

[FLYINV]

I sorta refuse to take this as a new model. It's a face-lift that looks pretty good, but nothing impressive. New interior, new front end, little lighter, and no manual. :(

The pics show a manual is available, and I can't see how this anything but an all new model.
Some of the engines might carry over but that looks to be about it.

[PorscheH6]

Is this really a new 3? Or is it a E90 v 3.0?

[vickumar]

I sorta refuse to take this as a new model. It's a face-lift that looks pretty good, but nothing impressive. New interior, new front end, little lighter, and no manual. :(

thats what happens when a designer who takes risks leaves the company
(chris bangle) only to be replaced by a more conservative designer who is scared to take chances. Everyone hated Bangle, but lets face it, he took chances and made BMW quite sucessful with his designs.

This new 3er, looks like all they did was smooth over the edges of the e90 and call it a new model, very safe move BMW. Looks good, but not amazing. Just like the new 6er is a rounded more girly looking E63, again safe move. And by safe, I mean boring.

Im sure the M version will look quite nice though.

[dworthy]

Did they put the temp gauge back in it? Looks like on on the right side of the dash. That is one reason I will never buy a E-9x, no temp gauge, just a dummy light.

[mikeSS]

this is what annoys me about BMWs. i look at them the internet and they don't look that great. but when i got to the dealership they look nuts. maybe its just me, right now i dont really like the new look. but i bet once i see it in person i will. lol

also i am happy they did a whole new design, they were due for one.

[2kBMW3Series]

The new M3 may be either bi-turbo or tri-turbo.

That thing is going to be a freaking beast.

they look real good

The new M3 may be either bi-turbo or tri-turbo.

That thing is going to be a freaking beast.

they look real good

[Meric]

Hate the design they should put him in jail forever..

[faranginline6]

It looks good. The front/headlights take after the Z4 convertible.
I'm interested in the 328i model. 245 horsepower seems good for a 3-series.

[530transam]

This is still an e90/2 right? I mean it looks massaged but not all new. Maybe i'll have a crack at it when im done with school in 2 years :)

[esberelias]

not a big fan of how alllll new BMW's look pretty much identical in the back now and some what in the front... I liked how the 3, 5 and 7 series used to be completely different and now they look alike

[Garrett M]

Any interior shots? Will they be offering a 335? The link won't load on my phone.

[spoonerDee]

It's not bad, but I hate the front end, its too busy looking. Looks like a cross between the e9x and an x3/x5

[brunp]

Any interior shots? Will they be offering a 335? The link won't load on my phone.

there are shots of the interior and they do offer a 335i which rolled out with the 5 cars presented in Munich.

[Ladzio]

Love the new interior. The new 3 should stop me from switching to Audi.

[cmpcpro]

I love it! The one thing I hate about E46's is the boxy rearend.. this car is beautiful!

[cmpcpro]

I love it! The one thing I hate about E46's is the boxy rearend.. this car is beautiful!

[cmpcpro]

I love it! The one thing I hate about E46's is the boxy rearend.. this car is beautiful!

[Karl Hungus]

Soon we will all be driving eco cars, because that's the direction this is going. Hybrid? 8 speed ? Drag Coefficient at the expense of aesthetics? 4 cylinders? C'mon :( The evolution of the BMW 3 series is getting closer and closer to prius territory.

I refuse to drive anything with some kind of an 8 speed automatic shatbox. It's a terrible terrible day when you can't even get a true manual gearbox. Who are they making these cars for? Hippies?

[rayneman]

So when is this new 3 going to be available...maybe I missed it in the various links?

My current lease ends in March, and I'm leaning toward another BWM 3 series so I wonder if the new model will be available.

[SexualChocolate]

The more I look at it the more details I see...
Front has a lot of Vision EfficientDynamics
Roofline has E46 in it
Initial cutline from the E21
Secondary cutline from the E30
E9X midsection

It isn't exactly like the rest of the lineup (for the frontend), which makes me think that the others mid cycle refresh will have their front ends morph into something very similar to this.
I'm glad the brand will be instantly recognizeable again (they have been working on getting the rear lights to have a specific pattern for some time now). It's going to be the 80s all over again when a BMW looked like a BMW (where the 5er was a larger version of the 3, and the 7 an even larger version of the 5).

I am hoping we get the touring! I find myself yearning to keep my dailys as tourings for as long as possible.

[RabidChimp]

Production starts in November with availability for the North American market starting in February. That is if I remember the bulletin correctly.



So far I like what I see in the new 3, to me is seems like a natural progression from the E90. As another poster said, the profile of the car is quite striking.

[kornkid8600]

Not digging the kidney/light touching the way they are. It could have been more cleanly integrated like on the Connected Drive roadster...but that would have required a much wider grille. I also hate that horizontal hood line BMW has been doing lately.

All in all, better than the E90 but I forsee them getting rid of that light/grill feature with the facelift.

The interior is really nice though.

One last concern I have is reliability. No more naturally aspirated engines, everything has too many gizmos and I'm hoping BMW will keep quality up to par now that they have a luxury, sports and modern variant. Seems kind of daunting that there are so many variances.
Sent from my Incredible using Tapatalk.

[stowe9man]

Looks outstanding to me, I love the interior and exterior. Definitely a big improvement over the e46 and e90.

[bimmerjph]

Looks outstanding to me, I love the interior and exterior. Definitely a big improvement over the e46 and e90.

i know. i could be parked by a bunch of e90's, and i could gladly get in my e46. I dont know if it will be like that with the f30.

[Garrett M]

I'll be waiting to get a new car now...Dammit I can't deal with driving an E36 for another mile...Whens the coupe out with an Msport on the 335?

[kornkid8600]

I'll be waiting to get a new car now...Dammit I can't deal with driving an E36 for another mile...Whens the coupe out with an Msport on the 335?

Sedan comes first
Coupe comes a year later
Vert around the same time as the coupe
M version comes out 2 years after the sedan

So if the F30 sedan hits America in Spring 2012, the Coupe should follow Spring 2013. Since the M package is already avail on the F30, it will probably come at the same time.

BTW these cars have so much electronics, I can see BMW hiking the prices potentially 2-3k more again. Looks like even the Sedans will be easy to hit 50k now.

[brunp]

I'll be waiting to get a new car now...Dammit I can't deal with driving an E36 for another mile...Whens the coupe out with an Msport on the 335?

I think the coupe will be available sometime mid-year next year. I also want to get myself into a new coupe and sell my E36. I am very curious as to what the coupe will look like because the 3-series variants looked so different within the e9x generation. I wonder what the coupe will look like. :-)

Paul

[youngbimmer]

I approve. The aggressive look is very nice, like to see BMW going back to the "shark" look. Also nice to see 4 separate gauges in the cluster again, instead of ridiculously clumping them together.

[Garrett M]

BMW needs to keep the prices where they are now... It's really starting to get ridiculous.

[kornkid8600]

BMW needs to keep the prices where they are now... It's really starting to get ridiculous.

I really can't see that staying the same.
There's so many new features in this car.
HUD System
Blinkers on the mirrors
Lane departure warning on mirror
Electronic power steering, optional mechanical power steering.
If you have electronic steering, it can parallel park for you.
Cameras on the front bumper sides for scanning parking spaces.
Rear camera.
Electronic limited slip differential.
Driver Experience Control for suspension changes (comfort/sport/sport+)
Active Cruise Control
Infotech systems

I think that's all new stuff the 3 series never even had..Good news is that you can get all the luxury features of an S class/7 series in a 3 series package but it's going to cost serious coin to have any of that.

Looks like if you want a 3 series to be cheap you're going to have to order it cuz they never come option-less on the lot.

[dreamer85]

I'll have to see it in person.

[Karl Hungus]

I really can't see that staying the same.
There's so many new features in this car.
HUD System
Blinkers on the mirrors
Lane departure warning on mirror
Electronic power steering, optional mechanical power steering.
If you have electronic steering, it can parallel park for you.
Cameras on the front bumper sides for scanning parking spaces.
Rear camera.
Electronic limited slip differential.
Driver Experience Control for suspension changes (comfort/sport/sport+)
Active Cruise Control
Infotech systems

I think that's all new stuff the 3 series never even had..Good news is that you can get all the luxury features of an S class/7 series in a 3 series package but it's going to cost serious coin to have any of that.

Looks like if you want a 3 series to be cheap you're going to have to order it cuz they never come option-less on the lot.

Who the hell needs some of this stuff? HUD system, don't need it don't want it. Blinkers on the mirrors, wtf. . Lane departure warning?!!?!! Really? Parallel parks for you, wow the world really is going downhill. Rear camera, I despise them and refuse to use them. I have a coworker who drives a maxima and he's a techy idiot sometimes - he relies soley on his backup camera as a crutch while backing his car up. It's terrifying.

They must be making these cars for the feeble and lazy. Too much techy garbage put into cars nowadays, it's almost distracting. It's terrifying to me that people need this gadgetry like some kind of a crutch, sooner or later all driving will be done for you.

[pizzaman09]

I am not sure on the lights touching the kidneys but I do like the new lights. They are more like the older BMWs with the lights on the front face of the car instead of being the corners of the car.

Overall I think I looks ok. It definitely seems more like a 3rd facelift for the e9x.

[CirrusSR22]

I just want to see the 320d EfficientDynamics in the USA.

[sjpgoalie]

Looks like the current 3 series to me.

Yeah, other than the fact that it looks like someone sat on the front and they put the e46 dumbo ears back on it.

[544iE39er]

Like the rest of them, it'll grow on me.

[sjpgoalie]

Touche.

[Luftwaffe1O1]

I think the amount of people hating BMW for the stupidest reasons is getting rather annoying. They can't seem to get anything right in the eyes of certain "purists". They will always find something to complain about.

Jesus F. Christ. Seriously, they go back to their old ways of all the series looking similar, the lighten the cars up. And people are bitching about blinkers on the side mirrors? Or a HUD? Or that it has an 8 speed automatic? Hey guess what.... get it in manual if you dont want that.

So what if they are attempting to make the cars more efficient? Seriously? This is a complaint now? They are pushing the envelope of design, performance and efficiency, and people just moan and complain. Just go buy an audi already, and seriously, shut up. They are a company, don't like their product? Don't buy it. They are hugely successful, and its only getting better for them.

I think the new 3er is absolutely gorgeous, and I love the fact that they have not forsaken their roots entirely like so many other manufacturers have.

[brunp]

I think the amount of people hating BMW for the stupidest reasons is getting rather annoying. They can't seem to get anything right in the eyes of certain "purists". They will always find something to complain about.

Jesus F. Christ. Seriously, they go back to their old ways of all the series looking similar, the lighten the cars up. And people are bitching about blinkers on the side mirrors? Or a HUD? Or that it has an 8 speed automatic? Hey guess what.... get it in manual if you dont want that.

So what if they are attempting to make the cars more efficient? Seriously? This is a complaint now? They are pushing the envelope of design, performance and efficiency, and people just moan and complain. Just go buy an audi already, and seriously, shut up. They are a company, don't like their product? Don't buy it. They are hugely successful, and its only getting better for them.

I think the new 3er is absolutely gorgeous, and I love the fact that they have not forsaken their roots entirely like so many other manufacturers have.

I completely agree with you. Good job on stating the obvious. I personally will opt for the manual transmission because that is just me. I love manuals and will always love them. I hope they will not stop producing manuals for the enthusiasts like me. :-)

As for those that complain about headlights this, front fascia that, lines like this, stop lights like that. This vehicle is absolutely stunning and BMW must be doing something right because they sell these cars really well and they are doing really well financially.

Paul

[Interstate90]

The front end looks completely boring. The only thing it has going is a kidney grill. Other than that, it really does not stand out as a BMW.

I don't know how official the F30 link is. If you read the F30 link that was posted early in the thread, it mentions a 6 speed manual gearbox as standard equipment.
Also mentions an a/c compressor that can be disengaged?
And 45 mpg?
Ref: (http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=592598)

As far as efficiency goes, that sounds good to me.

[brunp]

Who the hell needs some of this stuff? HUD system, don't need it don't want it. Blinkers on the mirrors, wtf. . Lane departure warning?!!?!! Really? Parallel parks for you, wow the world really is going downhill. Rear camera, I despise them and refuse to use them. I have a coworker who drives a maxima and he's a techy idiot sometimes - he relies soley on his backup camera as a crutch while backing his car up. It's terrifying.

They must be making these cars for the feeble and lazy. Too much techy garbage put into cars nowadays, it's almost distracting. It's terrifying to me that people need this gadgetry like some kind of a crutch, sooner or later all driving will be done for you.

Our GMC Terrain has a backup camera....must tell you, it is the most useful feature ever. I don't use it all the time, but it sure helps when you start backing up to make sure there is no toddler running in behind your car, animal or the like below your line of visibility. It is also very helpful for you when you got to back up the vehicle and lining it up with a trailer you have to tow. No hassle in having to re-align the car, or having to get in and out of the car to figure out how far you have to go back to line yourself up.

Heads-up display can be handy, especially, if it can outline dark objects up ahead that you would otherwise not see at night. You do realize that heads up display's have been used in combat aircraft and passenger planes for a number of years already. Why not bring it to driver level?

Paul

[Kommodore]

I watched the you tube video of it, and it looks way better in a more 3-demensional setting. I bet it looks fantastic in person.

And that m-sport package on the configurator looks hot too :P

http://www.bmw.com/com/en/newvehicles/3series/sedan/2011/showroom/design/visualizer.html

[SpecRacer50]

One major glitch IMHO is the front cut line of the hood, about a six inches back from the grille. It's just a straight line that breaks up too many of the contours. It clashes with the hoodline, the grill and the headlights.

They should have made the cut line right at the top of the grill, or included the grill on the hood. No doubt, moving the hoodline back makes for less expensive repair bills in a fender-bender. But it is a flaw IMHO.

[Karl Hungus]

Our GMC Terrain has a backup camera....must tell you, it is the most useful feature ever. I don't use it all the time, but it sure helps when you start backing up to make sure there is no toddler running in behind your car, animal or the like below your line of visibility. It is also very helpful for you when you got to back up the vehicle and lining it up with a trailer you have to tow. No hassle in having to re-align the car, or having to get in and out of the car to figure out how far you have to go back to line yourself up.

Heads-up display can be handy, especially, if it can outline dark objects up ahead that you would otherwise not see at night. You do realize that heads up display's have been used in combat aircraft and passenger planes for a number of years already. Why not bring it to driver level?

Paul

It's definitely a personal preference sort of thing. I must be odd, because I have actually driven cars with a backup camera before - and I prefer to turn my head around and look for myself. I learned to drive quite fast backwards while turning my head around. I've never been in a situation where I thought I needed it to see a toddler or something, so I can understand maybe if you have a family.

HUD has been used in aircraft mainly as a means to plot altitude and track waypoints/offensive/defensive targets. For driving, it's something that would highly annoy me if sitting in my field of view. Maybe I need to drive it and see, but I watched a video of it, and it seems that it would be distracting to me. I'm a simple guy for my age, I hate techy stuff. I'm very traditional I guess when it comes to cars.

[mryakan]

It's definitely a personal preference sort of thing. I must be odd, because I have actually driven cars with a backup camera before - and I prefer to turn my head around and look for myself. I learned to drive quite fast backwards while turning my head around. I've never been in a situation where I thought I needed it to see a toddler or something, so I can understand maybe if you have a family.

HUD has been used in aircraft mainly as a means to plot altitude and track waypoints/offensive/defensive targets. For driving, it's something that would highly annoy me if sitting in my field of view. Maybe I need to drive it and see, but I watched a video of it, and it seems that it would be distracting to me. I'm a simple guy for my age, I hate techy stuff. I'm very traditional I guess when it comes to cars.
The HUD is actually supposed to reduce distraction by displaying info in your field of view instead (corner) instead of you having to glance down to see things like your speed and other important info. It can also be used to display infra red images of objects that otherwise cannot be seen in the dark, so it does have benefits. I have not driven a car with one so I cannot say if it can be distraction when you do not need to look at that info, but I think you should be able to turn it off if you do not want it. It is also an option that you can skip when ordering/buying a car if you do not care for it. It is definitely something one can live without esp. if the price is high. Similarly with the backup camera, which is not necessary IMO on a car this size. On an SUV or minivan it can sure be handy though.
Tech stuff is not going to go away, instead more and more will be added, just part of evolution, no point resisting it.

[2000mkoop]

Likin' it overall. I was curious to see what it would look like with the headlight area a little simpler/smoother and that hood-line gone above the roundel:

http://i338.photobucket.com/albums/n410/2000mkoop/bimmerforums/3series.jpg

[mikeSS]

i showed my mom to new look, and she doesn't like it. if anyone was wondering.

[Meric]

No1 likes new 3 series in my family including me!

[brunp]

It's definitely a personal preference sort of thing. I must be odd, because I have actually driven cars with a backup camera before - and I prefer to turn my head around and look for myself. I learned to drive quite fast backwards while turning my head around. I've never been in a situation where I thought I needed it to see a toddler or something, so I can understand maybe if you have a family.

HUD has been used in aircraft mainly as a means to plot altitude and track waypoints/offensive/defensive targets. For driving, it's something that would highly annoy me if sitting in my field of view. Maybe I need to drive it and see, but I watched a video of it, and it seems that it would be distracting to me. I'm a simple guy for my age, I hate techy stuff. I'm very traditional I guess when it comes to cars.

don't get me wrong, I turn my head around too when I back up and do almost all the time and do not use the backup camera. But once I am a foot from the trailer, I use the backup camera to get myself lined up and make sure I do not go too far back for the trailer/towball connection piece. I do not use it solely to back up....but I do use it as an additional aide for lining up the SUV with the trailer.

Paul

[QtheGenius]

looks like it's as big as a 5 series

[M0nK3y]

looks like it's as big as a 5 series

Seems like they are making room for the 1 series to grow IMO

[Hugo]

Chassis codes that start with an F suck.

[Concentric190]

So far I like the E90 LCI way more. Don't like the lines on the F30, especially by the headlights.

[gary88]

I think the amount of people hating BMW for the stupidest reasons is getting rather annoying. They can't seem to get anything right in the eyes of certain "purists". They will always find something to complain about.

Jesus F. Christ. Seriously, they go back to their old ways of all the series looking similar, the lighten the cars up. And people are bitching about blinkers on the side mirrors? Or a HUD? Or that it has an 8 speed automatic? Hey guess what.... get it in manual if you dont want that.

So what if they are attempting to make the cars more efficient? Seriously? This is a complaint now? They are pushing the envelope of design, performance and efficiency, and people just moan and complain. Just go buy an audi already, and seriously, shut up. They are a company, don't like their product? Don't buy it. They are hugely successful, and its only getting better for them.

I think the new 3er is absolutely gorgeous, and I love the fact that they have not forsaken their roots entirely like so many other manufacturers have.

+1

Also, the line on the hood is where it is for aerodynamic purposes.

Hopefully I'll get one as a loaner before my warranty runs out to see what they're like :cool

[tysun1313]

With exception of front dashboard forgetting there is a passenger by mid-drop/push to the side, interior is great; specially m-sport steering wheel; and the front grill looking like it's ripping out of the front of the car is best feature even though it gets lost in the sudden drop-off/ bending of front end. But over all with right color, it's awesome, especially the weight reduction!

I also hope that something similar with past ones and 335i being the same heart that there is a 340i, 345i, or 350i. I don't think 328 with the gains is going away this time like 325i did in previous, so I hope there is one above the 335i before m3 with more power!

[BMWMPow3r]

not sure If I like it. Any word on the new M3?

[kornkid8600]

not sure If I like it. Any word on the new M3?

M3s always come out a year after the 3 series coupe comes. So we're 2 years away after the sedan is released.

[Bigo1087]

not sure If I like it. Any word on the new M3?

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/19/bmw-m3-sedan-being-worked-out-on-the-ring/

There dropping the v8 and Going to have a Brand New Twin Turbo 6 Cylinder.

[Skinfaxi]

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/19/bmw-m3-sedan-being-worked-out-on-the-ring/

There dropping the v8 and Going to have a Brand New Twin Turbo 6 Cylinder.

Like others, I thought a forced induction M car would be a sad day. However, after seeing the new M5, I gotta say I'm supportive now. The power gain and efficiency of the new motor over last gen's V10 is impressive. I would feel much better about dailying the new one over the gas-guzzling old one.

[Luftwaffe1O1]

Like others, I thought a forced induction M car would be a sad day. However, after seeing the new M5, I gotta say I'm supportive now. The power gain and efficiency of the new motor over last gen's V10 is impressive. I would feel much better about dailying the new one over the gas-guzzling old one.

They had for the most part tapped out the NA thing without getting into the ridiculous cost levels. Unlike american manufacturers, they are hindered by taxes on engine displacement, so putting in massive 6+ liter V8s is not the greatest idea, and going into the V12 range would start making the cars ever more expensive. The M3 going back to a 6 cylinder engine with Forced induction is a good thing. Better efficiency, more power available, and dare I say, more reliable than adding cylinders?

[JDMgone Euro91]

i hate it honestly..it looks like a small 5 series..and even the new 5 is just ok to me..unless it the m sport mmmm

[JDMgone Euro91]

i hate it honestly..it looks like a small 5 series..and even the new 5 is just ok to me..unless it the m sport mmmm

[ekimp]

When I first saw this, I thought it was pig ugly. I'm getting used to it though...

[BleedsBlue]

When I first saw this, I thought it was pig ugly. I'm getting used to it though...

My exact reaction to every new BMW since the 2002 745i. Now I even like some E60s, and the face-lifted E90. Like someone said, I think the F30 will look far better in person. Interested to see it in black, silver, and white as those are the most popular BMW colors.

It is encouraging that they kept weight down but the car still got bigger (boo) and they saved a handful of # on it... I respect the job Porsche did on the new Cayenne far more in terms of new model weight reduction. It is the future for cars, for the sake of fuel economy. History repeating itself ('70s w/ American cars).

[kornkid8600]

The E65 is still hideous. The E60 never really grew on me. The E63 is awful too.

The new F series BMWs has started out on a much better foot than the last generation of cars, except the E92. I love that car. I can't wait to see BMW's new Gran Coupe. Based on the concept it should look sex.