[BimmerGuyFL78]

My attempted to point out the lines and styling based on what I can see in these pics.

[scoale]

Originally Posted by Cl0ud7

is this 3series about the size of a e60 5series now or a bit a smaller?

Good question. My E60 535 M Sport is 3,700 lbs. Vastly underrated car. Will consider G20 as possible replacement

[nozydog]

Originally Posted by F32Fleet

Dual exhaust typically is used as a visual cue for "Power". 520 doesn't meet that definition when compared to say the 540i/d

Current 320’s have double (not dual) pipes which they probably don’t need! Seems to be a trend nowadays to go overkill on the look of the exhaust, but hey if it makes the car ‘appear’ more powerful than it is, that’s what it’s all about isn’t it!? The overall styling of modern ‘prestige’ cars is all about that surely... maybe they’re thinking that now the ‘performance’ variant is M_40i or similar with other obvious ‘power’ design cues it’s ok to put dual pipes on lesser models. Everybody’s doing it and BMW aren’t about to be left out

[BimmerGuyFL78]

Originally Posted by scoale

Good question. My E60 535 M Sport is 3,700 lbs. Vastly underrated car. Will consider G20 as possible replacement

Originally Posted by scoale

Good question. My E60 535 M Sport is 3,700 lbs. Vastly underrated car. Will consider G20 as possible replacement

Actually Edmunds.com/insideline tested a 2008 E60 535i and they found that the actually weight was 3,909 lbs. Manufacturer claims 3,704

[nozydog]

Originally Posted by Cl0ud7

is this 3series about the size of a e60 5series now or a bit a smaller?

Smaller thankfully! E60 is 484cm and current F30 is 460cm (+/- a few mm) New G20 will grow, but shouldn’t be much over 470cm in length... still around 4” short of the E60. It’s still got too big tho in most people’s opinion!

[kern417]

Originally Posted by kbNO

omg what is wrong with you people. So much negativity. Why are you spending your lives in a BMW forum if you hate the brand so much... All this E39/E46 nostalgia. You guys are like old people who constantly complain and think everything was so much better during WW2.

This new 3 series will be a stunning car!

i leased my car specifically because
1. i was planning on getting an audi, but was sorely disappointed by the new audi lineup after waiting for years to see what the next gen would be
2. i want the option to hop into the next gen 4 series if i like it.

but there's a reason why every generation of vehicle has a slew of people new to the brand. you buy a car because you like it, and you hope the next gen is a proper upgrade of all the things you like. but it typically ends up being the opposite. and now you have a world full of luxury-biased "sports" sedans and muscle cars with better track handling characteristics. and you're surprised that people that want to be loyal to a brand aren't happy with the direction it goes? there's no obligation for anyone on here to like anything that bmw comes out with.

so to be frank, deal with it. if you can't handle the negativity and opinions, maybe try the kia forums. they're probably an ignorantly happy bunch over there.

[RedKloud]

Someone please make a render based on these pics.

[nozydog]

Originally Posted by RedKloud

Someone please make a render based on these pics.

Renders are rarely that accurate and often disappoint us... it’s only 6 months or so and we’ll see the car... be patient!

[CSBM5]

Originally Posted by Alpine535Msport

Actually Edmunds.com/insideline tested a 2008 E60 535i and they found that the actually weight was 3,909 lbs. Manufacturer claims 3,704

The "as tested" weight they quote includes the driver and any test equipment in the vehicle -- no way an E60 535i weighs over 3900lbs without a driver or other stuff included in that value. BMWNA is legally required to provide the actual vehicle curb weight, all fluids, full gas tank, with options that 33% or more of vehicles are expected to be sold with. From measuring my own cars over the years, I've found the US spec weights to be conservative (i.e. on my E39 the claimed weight was just over 4000lbs but measured with a full tank came out to 3961 lbs.

[nozydog]

Originally Posted by kbNO

omg what is wrong with you people. So much negativity. Why are you spending your lives in a BMW forum if you hate the brand so much... All this E39/E46 nostalgia. You guys are like old people who constantly complain and think everything was so much better during WW2.

This new 3 series will be a stunning car!

Absolutely... I can’t wait to see this car, I reckon it will be a looker! Really just hope it doesn’t grow too much in length...

[SCOTT26]

So many questions. Where to begin? I have answers and you may not entirely like what you hear?

Shall we begin?

[SCOTT26]

Originally Posted by kern417

No halos in the headlights?

And definitely looks like a baby 5 series, especially the msport. I hope it has a more distinct look under the camo. And i really hope the new 4 is more aggressive.

The halo lights are there but under the guise of "squircles"
The technical term used to describe the more modern shape.
This time around 3er and 4er are far more distinctive.
Look to the 8er for the direction and the CSL Hommage for the new facia. The design for the 4er is beyond radical, and a lot here will hate the direction. That is very much a given from your reactions to the X7,VFL etc.

[SCOTT26]

Originally Posted by Law

The IS300 was RWD with a 3.0L Inline Six (2JZ-GE, basically an NA Supra engine), made around the ballpark of 220ish HP and had a manual gearbox option.
On paper, comparable to the E46 330i, but I must emphasize the on paper bit.



So much this. But it seems that ship also sailed already.
It's quite amazing that BMW fail to see a market a "small" RWD sedan, sad considering small RWD sedans were what put BMW on the map in the first place (particularly in the US).

The first Lexus IS200 was a perfect facsimile of the E36 3er. The dimensions, overhang etc were exact to the then outgoing E36, it was nothing too special especially in the driving but then BMW launched the E46 and the Lexus was outmatched even the second and third generations still play second fiddle behind the E90 and F30.

[SCOTT26]

Originally Posted by bobloblaw

I think BMW is moving towards making the grilles single piece. The new M2 Competition will be a single piece, and I think the new 8er will as well.

Side note, kind of surprised BMW is still going with the headlight connected to the grille. I thought they were going to start moving away from it based on the 8er, new X3/4, and Z4 concept.

Yes the kidney grille will be a single piece element from now on some models. It is also easier to locate and disguise the front camera lenses rather than having a black dot in the centre.

[SCOTT26]

Originally Posted by ndukyh

Interesting - didn't notice that

It doesn't. It reverts back to the days of the E46.

[SCOTT26]

Originally Posted by DML

Less tech, better connection. THIS is what put BMW on the map...The ultimate DRIVING machine.

BMW dropped the "Ultimate Driving Machine" for "Sheer Driving Pleasure" on the advent of the launch of the E65 7er back in 2001.
Buyers of luxury cars pre-E65 globally were not interested in "The Ultimate Driving Machine"

it did not reflect the changing customer demographic for this car which is why Sheer Driving Pleasure spearheaded E65 to reflect its modernism and technology which was a complete success.
Especially cracking the Asian markets which was back then a big deal.

"The Ultimate Driving Machine" is now only used by marketing by
English language distributors such as the USA, UK, Australia etc.
But the global BMW marketing term is "Sheer Driving Pleasure" or "Freud Am Fahren"

[SCOTT26]

Originally Posted by glennQNYC

Sure looks like those kidneys have active grill shutters...

Yes. All new BMWs have this feature for EfficientDynamics.

[SCOTT26]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

But I will take quality over quantity any day.

So the Porsche special editions are worth it...but the BMW? A GTS is the best they can do, and are now going for under 100K.

I’d rather have something based off a true sports car any day, rather than a 2 door version of a mass produced sedan...cough, GTS, cough

I really don't understand why enthusiasts and the media compare BMWs to Porsches.
The M4 and the 911 are not direct rivals,never have been either.

[SCOTT26]

Originally Posted by cfm56d7b

About the wheels on M340i ... are those going to be production wheels? Not the biggest fan of these wheels.

There the standard M wheel option, similar to the G30 5er standard option.
The flagship for now (M340i/M340d) models will receive these wheels. Which you have seen in a conceptual form on the Z4 Concept.
Here they are in production form.

[autopal]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

Yes. All new BMWs have this feature for EfficientDynamics.

Keep going SCOTT26. How about power for the M340i, 380? Auto only?

[SCOTT26]

Originally Posted by moff

Because they've taken away one of the unique visual features of the 540i and 535d and given to a much lower model.

The only difference now is the badge!

No. The lower end models get the dual circle tips. M Sport gets trapezoid shaped tips. And the non-UK M550i/550d get squared off tips.

[SCOTT26]

Originally Posted by Alpine535Msport

My attempted to point out the lines and styling based on what I can see in these pics.

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