[uniqueMR]

B M W

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by 6ixSpd

And these are my 3rd and 4th E9Xs! Goes to show you how badly I'm trying to hold on to the best 3 series era lol.

Unfortunately it looks like the G20, while improved from the abhorrent F30, still doesn't cut it for guys like us.

My mint E90 is still with me. Black on brown, always hand washed and detailed inside and out its entire life by me. It's a joy to drive.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by goj

It's interesting that car and driver said the steering has feel again but only in sport mode

It seems to be an ongoing thing in the way the US vs Euro reviews go. A euro review will praise the sportiness and steering of a G30 5 series, while a US review like C/D or MotorTrend will be very critical and harsh and call the G30 "soft" in every manor. But then for the new 8 series and 3 series, the US seems to praise the steering for "actual feel" and the Euro reviews don't like it. I don't really know which it is, I'm hoping for the latter, but it all depends on the buyer I guess.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

Unfortunately it looks like the G20, while improved from the abhorrent F30, still doesn't cut it for guys like us.

My mint E90 is still with me. Black on brown, always hand washed and detailed inside and out its entire life by me. It's a joy to drive.

If you want the best steering feel there's always an Alfa Romeo Giulia available, or maybe even a Jag XE, although, it depends on how much you're willing to bet on reliability.

[goj]

Originally Posted by joshuastein55

It seems to be an ongoing thing in the way the US vs Euro reviews go. A euro review will praise the sportiness and steering of a G30 5 series, while a US review like C/D or MotorTrend will be very critical and harsh and call the G30 "soft" in every manor. But then for the new 8 series and 3 series, the US seems to praise the steering for "actual feel" and the Euro reviews don't like it. I don't really know which it is, I'm hoping for the latter, but it all depends on the buyer I guess.

It seems to me that there's a different software config for Europe vs North America.

Bmw showed in prototype drives that they could use a computer mid-drive to adjust steering feedback. That was a G30 Car and Driver prototype review I believe.

Since that's the case it makes perfect sense that comfort can dial feedback down and sport dials it up. The boring drivers bmw targeted f30 steering at will rarely leave comfort where enthusiasts tend to drive mostly in sport. It's the perfect set up in my opinion. Heck Jason Camissa briefly drove the prototype m340i and said it's very promising.. him being a huge modern bmw dissenter makes that very interesting

[Fraggy]

Originally Posted by joshuastein55

If you want the best steering feel there's always an Alfa Romeo Giulia available, or maybe even a Jag XE, although, it depends on how much you're willing to bet on reliability.

Just bought a Giulia and it's a very fun car to drive. It lacks some tech but more than makes up for it in fun.

[JMon]

Can someone explain the instrument cluster? I thought the new dashes were much bigger and had the display where the speed and the rpm come up the sides... Is this the "cheaper" dash that BMW will use I the lesser cars or something?

[Bahn360Photo]

Driver dashboard looks different from US models, it's like 5 series when US models have same as x5.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by Bahn360Photo

Driver dashboard looks different from US models, it's like 5 series when US models have same as x5.

Its the same dash used in the X3 if you don't opt for the larger nav screen. Its rarely seen though as most dealers don't purchase the cheaper models. Its two analog dials with a backlight similar to the 2er, with a small digital screen in the bottom like the screen in the F30 dash

[JMon]

So there are 2 different dashes for the new 3 series?

[Mavus]

Anybody thinks the headlight design is weak ... meaning wtf happened to awesome angel lights!?

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by JMon

So there are 2 different dashes for the new 3 series?

Yes, lesser spec'ed models without the nav system, get a smaller infotainment screen, with analog gauges, and a small screen in the lower portion of the dash



Opting for nav/premium package gets you the new Live Cockpit Pro gauges



I believe euro models can be spec'ed differently (nav with analog gauges) but so far, in the US, navigation gets you the new digital gauges

[upsidedownfunnel]

Originally Posted by joshuastein55

Yes, lesser spec'ed models without the nav system, get a smaller infotainment screen, with analog gauges, and a small screen in the lower portion of the dash

Opting for nav/premium package gets you the new Live Cockpit Pro gauges

I believe euro models can be spec'ed differently (nav with analog gauges) but so far, in the US, navigation gets you the new digital gauges

Aren't they both all digital gauges?

[praxis218]

Originally Posted by upsidedownfunnel

Aren't they both all digital gauges?

No the cheapo one is just backlit numbers and needles with a rectangular screen like F30.

[praxis218]

Originally Posted by Smooth 330i

Anybody thinks the headlight design is weak ... meaning wtf happened to awesome angel lights!?

Evolving. Other companies are also copying the angel lights.

There are three tiers: base LED, adaptive LED, and adaptive LED w/ LaserLight.

The adaptive LED w/ LaserLight one has a decent DRL shape.

[upsidedownfunnel]

Originally Posted by praxis218

No the cheapo one is just backlit numbers and needles with a rectangular screen like F30.

I think the screen area is larger than that small box. The fuel gauge and oil temp gauge look like they're a screen.

Judging by how the needle is so short, I believe the screen goes all the way up to the numbers and the numbers are printed.

Look at this prototype. Obviously it's different, but I believe it's more like this rather than a small box in the bottom:

[Mavus]

Originally Posted by praxis218

Evolving. Other companies are also copying the angel lights.

There are three tiers: base LED, adaptive LED, and adaptive LED w/ LaserLight.

The adaptive LED w/ LaserLight one has a decent DRL shape.

that reminds me of lexus and vw gti lights ... no bueno

[praxis218]

Originally Posted by upsidedownfunnel

I think the screen area is larger than that small box. The fuel gauge and oil temp gauge look like they're a screen.

Judging by how the needle is so short, I believe the screen goes all the way up to the numbers and the numbers are printed.

Look at this prototype. Obviously it's different, but I believe it's more like this rather than a small box in the bottom:

That entire speedometer is a one piece module you can buy. If you watch the DYIs on YouTube it's held in by like one or two screws and a connector cable. For the prototype I think they just literally pulled it from a 5-series and put it in there until the final digital dash was developed.

G20 specs are 5.7" screen with analog dials. From the service guide this is literally identical to F30 specs (5.7" instrument display w/ analog dials). On the G30 5-series for that full digital instrument display it says: 8.8" Dynamic Digital Instrument Cluster.

So from the marketing materials there are actually two versions of this base version: one like you describe and one with analog. The analog one "looks" digital because parts are invisible until it's backlit by the light bulb. I guess we'll have to see what the U.S. gets. From the 5.7" screen size it's not big enough to go up to the dials. The one from the article is literally almost the same as the base X3's, and you can clearly see which part is a LCD display.

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by joshuastein55

If you want the best steering feel there's always an Alfa Romeo Giulia available, or maybe even a Jag XE, although, it depends on how much you're willing to bet on reliability.

I was hoping the G20 would return to being the de facto drivers' car in this class but it looks like BMW has gone after the mass market of badge snobs and forgotten about us enthusiasts. I'm sure this new car is tolerable unlike the F30 but I won't know until I drive it myself. Who knows I may be pleasantly surprised?

In 3.5-4 yrs time I'll be seriously looking for a new car. I'll give the Giulia a very serious look. Other cars under consideration will be a CPO Boxster, M2, or M4. Beyond reliability, the Alfa's interior is mediocre too. But I can spec it to be nice enough for me.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

I was hoping the G20 would return to being the de facto drivers' car in this class but it looks like BMW has gone after the mass market of badge snobs and forgotten about us enthusiasts. I'm sure this new car is tolerable unlike the F30 but I won't know until I drive it myself. Who knows I may be pleasantly surprised?

In 3.5-4 yrs time I'll be seriously looking for a new car. I'll give the Giulia a very serious look. Other cars under consideration will be a CPO Boxster, M2, or M4. Beyond reliability, the Alfa's interior is mediocre too. But I can spec it to be nice enough for me.

CPO Boxster is very nice, although better as a 2nd car, I used it as a daily for a month when my regular daily driver (540i) was totaled, and while I love the car, I don't think I'd want to get in and out of it every day for a couple of years. If you're smaller in size its easier, thus why my wife finds no problems with it as a daily driver, but it can feel cramped sometimes, not as bad as a Miata, but sometimes its nice to be able to sit a little higher and have more room to spread out. I assume by the E92 in your profile pic that you own the coupe, have you tried the M2/M240i, its a great car and is the size of the E36/46, it may not have the same steering as an E9X but its very good compared to other modern BMWs, I also heard that the C43 is a good choice, don't know much on the steering, but it seems that it drives really well, but can be rough with the large wheels.

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by joshuastein55

CPO Boxster is very nice, although better as a 2nd car, I used it as a daily for a month when my regular daily driver (540i) was totaled, and while I love the car, I don't think I'd want to get in and out of it every day for a couple of years.

That's a fair point. I've thought about it but hearing it from an owner validates it. And with any used German car there's always massive worry about maintenance costs...

I may just lease one of these cars who knows.

[GERMAN M3]

Originally Posted by Smooth 330i

that reminds me of lexus and vw gti lights ... no bueno

Yeah, the rear and those tail lights definitely look like a Lexus. Not to thrilled about that aspect. :