[JTO24]

the front and rear are growing on me but I still don't like the character line treatment in the profile. Much prefer the single, bold character line of the e90 and F30.

The new, detached Hoffmeister kink is beyond terrible, IMO.

[praxis218]

Originally Posted by glennQNYC

Interesting that BMW isn't putting the M340i front and center in these press debuts. It's almost like they themselves prefer the 330i with M Sport.

M340i is not ready yet. It'll be at the LA Auto Show next month. And it won't be on sale until months after the 330i.

[Dog Face Pony Soldier]

Originally Posted by cupojava

M340i is not ready yet. It'll be at the LA Auto Show next month. And it won't be on sale until months after the 330i.

I'm not sure if this rebuts or reinforces my comment.

[Ouhei]

Originally Posted by glennQNYC

I'm not sure if this rebuts or reinforces my comment.

They're probably focused on showing off the models that are ready, no sense in showing off something you haven't finished. I don't know what they could be working on still, maybe pricing?

[beemerlover13]

Originally Posted by Prissy

Tbh the msport is sick. Already started growing on me lol. The car looks so much better and proportioned in videos than pictures.

I like the 330 msport look more than the M340 look. But the power is hard to say no to lol.

My thoughts exactly, I actually made a thread yesterday comparing the differences..

[Dog Face Pony Soldier]

Originally Posted by Ouhei

They're probably focused on showing off the models that are ready, no sense in showing off something you haven't finished. I don't know what they could be working on still, maybe pricing?

My suspicion is they're focusing on the model that will sell the most. Not a dumb move, but nonetheless interesting that the flagship of the G20 lineup is playing second fiddle in the big debut.

[praxis218]

Originally Posted by glennQNYC

My suspicion is they're focusing on the model that will sell the most. Not a dumb move, but nonetheless interesting that the flagship of the G20 lineup is playing second fiddle in the big debut.

You're right.

Anecdotally, I live in the center of my city, which has millions of people. On an average week I come across about 25-30 320is, maybe 10 330is, and 0 340is. I've seen the 340i as often as M3/M4s. It's just not a huge percentage of overall sales.

[chris82]

Originally Posted by P1et

Very much a Lexus/Audi A4 in the rear. Shame.

Didn't quite notice it in the vid much but after googling it, yes, there's a lot of audi/lexus there. I hope it looks more "bmw" in person.

[Teutonic]

Originally Posted by eDrive

It's the Euro Pedestrian Safety Laws that forced the change of cars hood lines.

They are just getting better at it over time.

Let me tell you few things:
- I am European and know very well auto industry as I was very involved professionally into it
- it is not about pedestrian laws, please people stop buying this -untrue- suggested idea. Pedestrian safety through vehicle design have specific requirements that need to be met. And they are met by various models, with or without a hood line.
- it is about other things like platform, assembly robots, number of procedures done by machines and the time associated with it, assembly line speed, things like headlamps installed by the supplier in one piece in the bumper, etc. Is just an example, they may vary for different reasons but is not the pedestrian rule.

I have no time to search and prove to you that the angle, height and materials of similar vehicles (even if we stay only in BMW brand) are the same, yet have a different design.
Pedestrian rule is the same regardless of car model.

And just to show you that you are wrong, the previous model "had a line for pedestrian" and the new one which "hide the bonnet line" doesn't have it? So, it got worse? Just a little logic.

Again, the line has nothing to do with it. There are other factors involved and nobody points that it is done so the platform and assembly line is more efficient (please read costs).

I presume that BMW realized few things, and I will include in here not only the bad design but also the brand perception and probably started to repair that since regardless of number of sales, new movements towards FWD, UKL, etc., are not exactly something that was well perceived by enthusiasts and true connoisseurs.

[///M TOWN]

Originally Posted by Tracus

Let me tell you few things:
- I am European and know very well auto industry as I was very involved professionally into it
- it is not about pedestrian laws, please people stop buying this -untrue- suggested idea. Pedestrian safety through vehicle design have specific requirements that need to be met. And they are met by various models, with or without a hood line.
- it is about other things like platform, assembly robots, number of procedures done by machines and the time associated with it, assembly line speed, things like headlamps installed by the supplier in one piece in the bumper, etc. Is just an example, they may vary for different reasons but is not the pedestrian rule.

I have no time to search and prove to you that the angle, height and materials of similar vehicles (even if we stay only in BMW brand) are the same, yet have a different design.
Pedestrian rule is the same regardless of car model.

And just to show you that you are wrong, the previous model "had a line for pedestrian" and the new one which "hide the bonnet line" doesn't have it? So, it got worse? Just a little logic.

Again, the line has nothing to do with it. There are other factors involved and nobody points that it is done so the platform and assembly line is more efficient (please read costs).

I presume that BMW realized few things, and I will include in here not only the bad design but also the brand perception and probably started to repair that since regardless of number of sales, new movements towards FWD, UKL, etc., are not exactly something that was well perceived by enthusiasts and true connoisseurs.

I'm not gonna argue with you.

By the way I'm European as well.

Hood lines and belt lines were raised for safety.

[hans007]

Originally Posted by cupojava

You're right.

Anecdotally, I live in the center of my city, which has millions of people. On an average week I come across about 25-30 320is, maybe 10 330is, and 0 340is. I've seen the 340i as often as M3/M4s. It's just not a huge percentage of overall sales.

in LA , its the same thing. I want to say its easier to notice an m3/m4 possibly, but its entirely possible theres actually more M3/M4 than 440 or 340is.

Its similar with like the C450/c43 vs C63 (i see a ton more C63 than the super rare v6 C class).

I figure, the AMG and M cars are "the baller/noticeable car" to the type who buy cars for that reason. And the people who want the highest performance as well. And the 340i/s4/c43 crowd has got to be a much narrower segment

[P1]

Originally Posted by eDrive

I'm not gonna argue with you.

By the way I'm European as well.

Hood lines and belt lines were raised for safety.

Hey guys, I’m European as well.

[GGG333]

Originally Posted by hans007

in LA , its the same thing. I want to say its easier to notice an m3/m4 possibly, but its entirely possible theres actually more M3/M4 than 440 or 340is.

Its similar with like the C450/c43 vs C63 (i see a ton more C63 than the super rare v6 C class).

I figure, the AMG and M cars are "the baller/noticeable car" to the type who buy cars for that reason. And the people who want the highest performance as well. And the 340i/s4/c43 crowd has got to be a much narrower segment

Agreed, I rarely see 340's in LA but a ton of M cars.
However that could also be attributed to the fact that the F30 335/340 is just pure dog shit compared to the competition such as C43/S4.

[kevinlevrone]

I have to say, they saved this new 3-series and it looks quite all-right, not mind-blowing but at least it doesn't suck like the new 5-series, new 7-series, new X3, new X4, etc.

[Scrippy]

Sport line is giving me hope because luxury is not appealing to me at all! Can't wait for M!!!!

[530iDriver]

Originally Posted by cupojava

You're right.

Anecdotally, I live in the center of my city, which has millions of people. On an average week I come across about 25-30 320is, maybe 10 330is, and 0 340is. I've seen the 340i as often as M3/M4s. It's just not a huge percentage of overall sales.

Not everybody needs or wants a high powered car or brutal 0-60 acceleration.

I would take a 320i every day of the week and 3 times
On Sunday over any Camcord.

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by Tracus

"We have managed to hide the bonet line..."

So, it can be done... Of course it can. It was done successfully before, when BMW use to have a flawless design, simple, elegant, yet aggressive and unique (well defined angel eyes, Hofmeister kink, etc). No more...

What about the rest of the ugly hood-line models please?

....I always thought the way the previous gen was built created the less than beautiful bonnet lines... inserting nose as a large piece... much improved here!

[beemerlover13]

Originally Posted by 530iDriver

Not everybody needs or wants a high powered car or brutal 0-60 acceleration.

I would take a 320i every day of the week and 3 times
On Sunday over any Camcord.

I have a f30 320i spec'd out nicely, just wish it had more power though.. it has 6m granny, led headlights, track handling package, m sport breaks/suspension and heated front seats..

[530iDriver]

Originally Posted by beemerlover13

I have a f30 320i spec'd out nicely, just wish it had more power though.. it has 6m granny, led headlights, track handling package, m sport breaks/suspension and heated front seats..

Great car enjoy!

180HP out of a 4 cyl is nothing to sneeze at.

People just don't realize that 25 years ago, anything over 120HP was considered to be high performance.

[wilstave]

looks most like a C class to me...

[MiamiFan13]

Can't do it.

I used to be able to look at 3 series cars, knowing that 85% of them were automatics, and still consider them drivers' cars. I knew I could get THAT car in a manual while the pedestrian drivers, Honda-converts and cuckhold husbands chose the automatics.

Those days are over now. I look at this car and I see skinny jeans, soyboys and sex robots.

And they call it M Sport...haha.

[Empowered]

Originally Posted by nyklus

I'm getting a little Japanese car vibe. Not digging it too much. I loved how e90s looked simple, compact yet spacious and sporty mixed with luxury. This thing is really shiny, long and skinny like the Altimas, camrys and what not.

Welcome to this decade. Design moves on, trends change. For example, the big feature line along the side has gone. Mercedes has ditched their's too. The big grille is for China, like the big grilles on Audi Q models.