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New three series.

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3.8K views 48 replies 19 participants last post by  Jason  
#1 ·
I dunno, I really liked the look of last years three instead of this one.

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BMW has issued extensive details and photographs of the European versions of the new 3-Series, which will be introduced in the spring of 2005. It's a fair bet that theU.S. version of the car that carries on the traditions of BMW's biggest seller will be a major exhibit at next January's Detroit Auto Show.

The fifth generation of the hot-selling compact follows the same pattern of each successive generation of any BMW, with more technology, more performance and more power than its predecessor.

The base U.S. 3-Series, the six-cylinder 325, will have a 218-hp six-cylinder engine giving 184 lb-ft of torque, but this will not be available in the range when the car first goes on sale in Europe. The more powerful 330, which is in the European launch range, gets a new 3.0-liter engine that is the first six to feature BMW's patented Valvetronic induction system, first seen on the company's V-8 power units. Valvetronic infinitely varies the inlet valve opening times and, says BMW, when combined with Bi-Vanos variable camshaft timing, delivers optimal fuel efficiency and engine response. The engine is claimed to be the most powerful yet lightest in its class, and is used in the new BMW 630i Coupe. In European tune it delivers 258 hp and 221 lb-ft between 2500 and 4000 rpm, good enough to give 0-62 mph acceleration of 6.3 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph. Combined fuel consumption is just under 28 mpg.

Drive for all models is through a six-speed transmission, whether manual or automatic, and the cars have all the usual electronic driver aids, including a more sophisticated traction-control system which is integrated with the car's brakes. It pre-tensions the brakes when the driver quickly removes pressure from the accelerator, modulates brake pressure at low speed to prevent the front end of the car from diving when traveling slowly, and has a link to the clutch that prevents rolling back on a hill start. The active steering system already featured on the 5- and 6-Series models will also be offered.

Following the company's current practice, the car will use aluminum extensively in its suspension components for lightness. The body is also lighter, but is 25-percent stiffer than that of the current car. In Europe, the 3-Series will come as standard with run-flat tires. It's claimed that the car can run 150 miles at up to 50 mph with four flats, but road testers of other BMW's fitted with these tires have questioned the effects they have on BMW's famous ride and handling characteristics.

The car is bigger than the current 3-Series, being just under 2 inches longer, with an extra 1.37 inches in the wheelbase. The biggest increase is in width, which is up by 3 inches. Height is up a modest 0.35 inches. BMW's controversial iDrive will be available for the first time on a 3-Series, and the car will also have keyless access, in which the car "senses" the key carried by the owner and opens up without the key having to be actually used.

Styling follows the now familiar BMW family look, with a heavy front air-dam and sculptured body sides. The trunk, however, is not as heavy as in the 7- and 5-Series cars that introduced the new image defined by designer Chris Bangle.

Since the introduction of the 1-Series, the 3-Series is no longer BMW's smallest car and it looks like the new rear-drive subcompact is going to join the BMW range in the US. The small Bimmer went on sale in Europe and other markets this fall, and industry gossip says that it will now be exported to BMW's major market. It was felt that the under 2.0-liter 1-Series would not be accepted in the U.S. (2.0-liter versions of the 3-Series are the biggest sellers in Europe but are not even offered in the U.S.). In 2007, however, the 1-Series will get the same six-cylinder unit as the 325, which will make it into a performance car rather than the upmarket subcompact family sedan it currently is in Europe. The U.S. version is also likely to have a trunk, which has greater appeal to American buyers than the five-door hatchback form in which it is currently sold. With a coupe version and the possibility of all-wheel drive also being spoken of, it sounds as though when the 1-Series gets to the U.S., it will do so as a performance car aimed at the 'pocket rocket' buyer. -Ian Norris
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#3 ·
I really like it! :yesway:
 
#5 ·
Thai3g_Eclipse said:
The car or just because the fact that it's a BMW?
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the barely new body and style.
 
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#7 ·
curnaco said:
the barely new body and style.
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Oh okay. Just tired of people autmoatically saying they like the car just because it's a BMW. I like Nissan because I like ALL their cars (Aesthetically and the powerplant). The Titan, Sentra, 350Z, Quest, etc.
 
#8 ·
Thai3g_Eclipse said:
Oh okay. Just tired of people autmoatically saying they like the car just because it's a BMW. I like Nissan because I like ALL their cars (Aesthetically and the powerplant). The Titan, Sentra, 350Z, Quest, etc.
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Same here man! Agree with ya :agreed: My gf automatically says "thats a nice car" when she sees a BMW. :noway:
 
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#15 ·
03Eclipse said:
I agree, the dash looks to plain. BMWs are really getting uglier as of lately.
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:agreed: While I personally think the new front fascia looks more aggressive, everything else seems to go all to hell for BMWs lately.
 
#18 ·
You guys have a queer eye for design. I definitely dig the new looks (except for the rear; the E46 was much more elegant in that department) and the dash is as it should be. BMW's always emphasized the sportiness of their vehicles and a simple, functional dash is part of that vision. If you want to clutter your dash up with a bunch of non-driving oriented features, go buy a Benz or a Jag.
 
#19 ·
kabob said:
You guys have a queer eye for design. I definitely dig the new looks (except for the rear; the E46 was much more elegant in that department) and the dash is as it should be. BMW's always emphasized the sportiness of their vehicles and a simple, functional dash is part of that vision. If you want to clutter your dash up with a bunch of non-driving oriented features, go buy a Benz or a Jag.
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I'd get a Lexus.
 
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#21 ·
I like the new front, it looks more sleek; similar to the 6series. That rear end im not a fan of though. The tail lights look like they dont belong on it. I thiink they could have done a little better with the shape of them. As for the interior, i think it looks terrible. It reminds me of an old buick regal with aluminum instead of the fake wood. actually looking again at it, it also reminds of of the late 80s accords interior, just with better materials.
 
#22 ·
kabob said:
You guys have a queer eye for design. I definitely dig the new looks (except for the rear; the E46 was much more elegant in that department) and the dash is as it should be. BMW's always emphasized the sportiness of their vehicles and a simple, functional dash is part of that vision. If you want to clutter your dash up with a bunch of non-driving oriented features, go buy a Benz or a Jag.
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The interior doesn't really bug me (although I think most of the 3s competition has a more attractive layout). The exterior just looks awful--I loved pre-Bangle BMW design BECAUSE it was overtly conservative--timelessly, classicly, elegantly conservative. I don't necessarily like conservative design per se, but it is what I expect and want in a BMW.

Fast forward to Chris Bangle's disruption. If BMW heads in a new "look-at-me" trendy design image, then so be it. However, this new 3-series design is neither conservative nor daring--it's just ugly. I understand BMW doesn't want to go crazy with the 3s because that is their bread-and-butter, but this design in my eyes lacks the flair of the 6- and 7-series while still being a little too much for the crowd that preferred the more conservative design approach.

My opinion matters little though--that little propeller on the hood will ensure that thing sells, ugly or not.
 
#23 ·
Mark, Chris Bangle didn't design the 3-series, if I remember correctly. His legacy officially ends with the 5-series and the 6-series. Last February, Bangle was taken off of directly designing new lineups and "promoted" (re: shuffled off) from their chief designer to Director of BMW Group Design.

And despite all the criticism thrown at his designs, BMW sales are (miraculously, I guess :p) strong and the Z4 sales are up 250% over that of the Z3. Remember, when that the E36 and E46 were both criticized at their inception (though less so than the Bangle creations) and eventually were embraced by the public. I think the reactions are more rooted in loyalty to the old design than substantial dislike of the new.
 
#24 ·
kabob said:
Mark, Chris Bangle didn't design the 3-series, if I remember correctly. His legacy officially ends with the 5-series and the 6-series. Last February, Bangle was taken off of directly designing new lineups and "promoted" (re: shuffled off) from their chief designer to Director of BMW Group Design.

And despite all the criticism thrown at his designs, BMW sales are (miraculously, I guess :p) strong and the Z4 sales are up 250% over that of the Z3. Remember, when that the E36 and E46 were both criticized at their inception (though less so than the Bangle creations) and eventually were embraced by the public. I think the reactions are more rooted in loyalty to the old design than substantial dislike of the new.
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Bangle didn't design the 3-series (you remember correctly), he IS however responsible for the current design theory, and is what I was referring to. The E36 and E46 were still in line with classic BMW design--classic, solid lines in a tasteful, conservative shape that withstood the test of time. Years from now, I think people are going to wonder how the hell people found these cars attractive.

Although I really don't understand your insistence on people's negative reaction to the car being the result of past-design "loyalty"--my opinion of the current BMW model line-up is firmly rooted in what I find to be a truly ugly design. My preference for the out-going body style aside, I do assure you my opinion is not prejudiced. :)
 
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