[Zirenz2006]

Originally Posted by c63er

Damn it's huge. This is just nuts.

It's clear bmw gives a damn about sport sedan enthusiasts of yore. Where do we go since no one gives a damn about us lol

I'm making the prediction now. This car will be a shocking failure for bmw leading to further platform collaborations with other manufacturers. This car will be a failure because it's physically impossible for a car of this size with mainstream amenities and engines can be any kind of fun. A 3 series that is not fun will not have any competitive advantage over a c class or a4

OK Nostradamus...we will see what happens

[Gangplank]

Reading this thread I am reminded why many consider the E82 1 series to be the last generation of great BMW driving cars. They are in line 6, RWD and hydraulic steering.

It seems that BMW has divided its lineup. It makes base modes that are bloated comfy cars, and it has the M models which are expensive (relatively speaking) suped up sports sedan models.

IMHO what it should in fact do is continue and do more of this - continue making the 2, 3, 4, etc series in various sizes, but split the lineup into real offerings. For example, make the base 3 series a base, comfy car. Make the "Msport" a real upgraded euro spec sports upgrade (not just a bunch of marketing b/s of slapping an M// badge on it), and keep the "M" cars the true sports cars they are.

[BimmerMat135]

Originally Posted by spuntyb

I lost interest when they said they weren't sending us the wagon.

I see an AMG wagon in my future...

I'm still having hope it would be such a dumb move to do when all other manufacturers are changing their mind. With all the import duty that will be add with Trump Mexican built G20 won't be much cheaper than German built G21 after all!

[motorwerkeman]

*Flamesuit on*

I actually really like what we can see. Headlamp to grill proportion looks aggressive and combines the F30 with elements of the new G30. The sides have camo but look to be even more sculpted than the F30. The lower door line looks to be more sharply defined and the rear drops off a bit more and makes the profile sleeker than the F30. So far so good - awaiting more info on the interior and chassis.

And a reminder - the interior photos are still prototype stage. They are mostly F30 panels with camo and newer parts tacked on for testing. We still have no idea what interior design will be at this point, but I'd assume it will follow what we see in the G30.

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by GTATX

I am very disappointed looking at the interior. E46 interior was amazing, e90 not so much then the f30 I think ruined it and this going down the same line. F10 interior was a good modern compromise but f30 reminded me of late 90s civic interior

The E46 and E90 interiors were both ahead of all the competition in design, quality of materials, and fit and finish. When the F30 came out, the interior certainly wasn't "bad" but it was clear that BMW had gotten complacent since the interior was near identical to that of the E90 with a few added curves. The competition has not only caught up but has overtaken BMW in the interior department.

So what should be the saving grace of the 3-series? The driving experience right? That should still make it a worthwhile purchase over the likes of the A4 and C-class shouldn't it?

Well when I drove all of them I found they feel nearly identical. BMW is playing to the lowest common denominator and there is simply no good reason left to purchase the 3-series over the competition. I suppose it still has looks on its side, but with the right options the A4 and C-class look pretty nice as well. Having owned an E90 since 2008 and seeing that nearly a decade later the only advantage the F30 and upcoming G20 will have over my E90 is some more modern tech, that's not enough to keep me loyal to the 3-series! My car is in mint condition inside and out and the latest 3-series' are just marginally better cars but are inferior BMWs. A royal shame indeed.

[SCOTT26]

Originally Posted by paul223

I agree with you. I manage hotels. People are getting increasingly getting fatter, so bigger and comfortable car make sense.

And you hit the nail on the head. That is exactly right.
However the car is not as big as made out to be. As the picture is slightly skewed.

[SCOTT26]

Originally Posted by motorwerkeman

*Flamesuit on*

I actually really like what we can see. Headlamp to grill proportion looks aggressive and combines the F30 with elements of the new G30. The sides have camo but look to be even more sculpted than the F30. The lower door line looks to be more sharply defined and the rear drops off a bit more and makes the profile sleeker than the F30. So far so good - awaiting more info on the interior and chassis.

And a reminder - the interior photos are still prototype stage. They are mostly F30 panels with camo and newer parts tacked on for testing. We still have no idea what interior design will be at this point, but I'd assume it will follow what we see in the G30.

It follows the same transition as the F10 5er to G30. So yes Evolutionary.
But if you look at the 5er you can see the details are becoming angular and more sharper rather than curvier and shapely. The G20 brings more of a sharper technical look than before. The front is similar to this.

[scoobysaurus]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

It follows the same transition as the F10 5er to G30. So yes Evolutionary.
But if you look at the 5er you can see the details are becoming angular and more sharper rather than curvier and shapely. The G20 brings more of a sharper technical look than before. The front is similar to this.

that grill is too big for the car. Headlights look nice though

[BMW-ALPINA]

Hope we will get comfort seats for G20-gen 3-series. Scott?

[firedown31]

Originally Posted by Nomana

Why indicator blink button need to be that big?:

Because test mule is test mule.

[BMW XI series]

Originally Posted by goj

You're declaring a failure over 2 years before it's announced? good for you

the crazy part is that the car is still under heavy camouflage

[goj]

Originally Posted by BMW XI series

the crazy part is that the car is still under heavy camouflage

Seriously. Ppl love to be negative

[hector]

Originally Posted by Jason

2019 3 series (G20) will have mostly the same model designations we have today on F30, with just some relatively small changes:

- 320i will get the B46 engine
- 328d will get B47 and become 330d (which RTW (rest-of-the-world) model it
will correspond to is unknown atm)
- 340i will be called M340i (a small power output bump is virtually guaranteed).


]

so no 330i or did I miss that somewhere? or is it that the 320i's output obviates the 330i?

[DJKapeesh]

Where is the hofmeister kink in the window line?

[positiveions]

Interesting design

[BMWSHL]

If you need a true 3er driving experience in a new car, it seems like the 2 series is the only option in the BMW line-up. I have not driven the M2, but the M235i felt great even with an auto transmission. You'll get no driving pleasure out of the Fs, and if the new G is anything like it, then the 3er will become a thing of the past. It is such a shame. They could have done so much more with the follow up to the E90/92. So well, at least it is survived by the 2er.

[Jason]

Update: December 14, 2016
This is likely the first look at the G20 M Sport prototype. The larger front bumper camouflage covers the M Sport bumper underneath, but we spot larger brakes, a trunk spoiler lip, rear diffuser, and lower suspension. This is also the first look at finished exhaust tips on the G20.

BMW 3 Series (G20) M Sport Prototype

[clbmw]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

Reading this thread I am reminded why many consider the E82 1 series to be the last generation of great BMW driving cars. They are in line 6, RWD and hydraulic steering.

It seems that BMW has divided its lineup. It makes base modes that are bloated comfy cars, and it has the M models which are expensive (relatively speaking) suped up sports sedan models.

IMHO what it should in fact do is continue and do more of this - continue making the 2, 3, 4, etc series in various sizes, but split the lineup into real offerings. For example, make the base 3 series a base, comfy car. Make the "Msport" a real upgraded euro spec sports upgrade (not just a bunch of marketing b/s of slapping an M// badge on it), and keep the "M" cars the true sports cars they are.

I have to agree partially, BMW have a very long way to go in making the electric rack even a patch on the old hydraulic steering. Electric motors are just crap at feedback, I don't know what Porsche have done to solve it but they are the only ones to have done AFAIK

I also agree with greater diversity within each model range, better spec on M sports as standard. Why put a sports pack on a 316 or 318? My 320d is far from a proper sports sedan

[wdeerfield]

those exhaust tips are awful. bring us back real exhaust tips that are round and welded to the pipe.. thankfully it looks fixable with an aftermarket diffuser with proper round cutouts.

[M-Pilot]

Originally Posted by wdeerfield

those exhaust tips are awful. bring us back real exhaust tips that are round and welded to the pipe.. thankfully it looks fixable with an aftermarket diffuser with proper round cutouts.

This! I hate this type of tips. This is the kind of shit MB does with all their cars.

[T!m3]

Looks like kia. Bmw officially dead for me

[lan4]

Bigger and uglier with every generation. Sales aren't hurting however, so it must be me.