F30 3-Series- Officially Unveiled!

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It looks so good and much more refined than the E90 definitely. I fell in love in just my first look which is good for the car!

I think it's going to be more expensive than the E90. I'm thinking it's a little smaller than the A4. Am I right?
 
http://jalopnik.com/5849819/the-2012-bmw-3+series-is-larger-lighter-and-turbo+only

bmw_3_series_-_04.jpg
 
Nice! It is much more expensive, but then it also has a lot of kit as standard. Add that to the fact all the engines are now turbo-ed, and it doesn't really matter if you have a small engine.
 
Will wait for new 1 series. Not really liking this new design direction. From head-on it looks like a face that belongs on a truck. The interior is neat though.
 
Another thing that stunned me the most is its weight.

"The F30 3er is about 80 plus pounds lighter than the old car"

I have to say that is very impressive for a car that has grown a bit and added more stuff into the interior. However, the steering is powered by electrically assisted rack and pinion, in keeping with the EfficientDynamics theme of most BMWs nowadays.

Some other stuff to mention:

  • Six speed manual transmission or, optionally, the eight speed automatic
  • Comfort, Sport, Sport +, and ECOPRO driving mode settings like in the 1 Series.
  • BMW’s modified MacPherson strut suspension in front (called a Double-pivot front axle) and a five link rear suspension.
  • Brakes are floating caliper all around for the 328i and four-pot fixed calipers front and floating calipers rear for the 335i.
  • The M Sport package (which will come soon) will include a lowered suspension (not quite slammed, just a silly 10mm lower), firmer suspension and dampers.
  • Auto Start-Stop will be included on the new 3 Series sedan regardless of which transmission is chosen.
  • Coolant pump, electronically controlled oil pump, and the electromechanical steering system contribute to reduced fuel consumption.
  • The air conditioning compressor sits behind a magnetic clutch to reduce power loss.
  • Use of air-curtain aero for the front wheels and significant underbody aero work to help reduce lift, drag, and also NVH.
  • Gained a couple of inches in wheelbase and length, as well as having a wider track.
  • All engines will be on turbo.

The 3 Series will be offered in 3 different trims which are The Sport Line, Luxury Line and Modern Line.

[Source of informations are from BMWBLOG]
 
Interior is nice but it's a pity that BMW interiors have been getting further and further away from the driver-oriented, sporty feel. BMW, Merc and Audi interiors used to have their own distinct characteristics. Use of materials aside, any interior could now be anyone else's design wise.
 
Oh my God, I had never expected the new 3er to look this good :drool:

On my list of the best BMW designs, it's almost up there with the E46.
 
Electric steering... ew.

They've completed the growth process with this vehicle, it is now officially the 5 series. I forsee the end of the 7 series coming quickly.

I have essentially no interest in this car (which is sad given that my current car is a 3 series). It's too big, too full of features I don't need, and a hybrid option? Yuck.

Looks nice though.
 
The steering in the Cooper S isn't so bad, so I'm all for electrified stuff.

Otherwise, I totally agree with danoff. Is there any word on a 335d? Same torque monster engine or have they improved that too?
 
I quite like it. I have an E90 3er (2007, pre-LCI) now and I think it looks very nice. I would have no issue with trading in my 328i for one of these several years from now.

But I think the steering wheel on the M Sport model looks weird... like it came straight from a MINI.

Other than that, I'll take a blue 335i with M Sport please :D

^And I'm not sure about the 335d. As far as I can tell that engine doesn't need much improvement. A buddy of mine daily drives one and gets over 35mpg out of it.
 
Electric steering... ew.

The steering in the Cooper S isn't so bad, so I'm all for electrified stuff.
I'm all for light weight and efficiency, so I love the idea of electric everything. The only problem is, it sucks ass. The benefits do not outweigh the horrible driving experience.

I wouldn't consider a 3-series past the E46 generation anyway though.
 
Well, I'm used to driving a rack-and-pudding 2002 Hyundai.
 
I'm waiting for Niky to appear in the thread and explain that modern electric steering systems are as good or better than old hydraulic ones anyway...
 
Well, I'm used to driving a rack-and-pudding 2002 Hyundai.
That's the problem. You've never a good sports car's hydraulic rack, much less the beautiful manual unit in an old Miata. Talk about driving feel...it's a real workout holding onto a manual steering Miata with grippy tires while barreling through a mountain road. Forearms of steel son.

And then you get in, say, a Mazda 3 with electronic rack (one of the best so far) and you're like...ehh...this feels like nothing.
 
Well the Mini S is nothing like that. It's like a go kart, literally.
 
Yes, I think the struts are stiffer than your RX-7 too. What would you like me to compare it to? A Cessna?
 
Screw you size-creeping. Why do manufacturers do this? Is it a consequence of the ever-increasing safety requirements?
 
Screw you size-creeping. Why do manufacturers do this? Is it a consequence of the ever-increasing safety requirements?

The best explanation I've heard is that they do it to be able to retain customers who have model loyalty. As customers get older they tend to need more space and more luxury. As a result, the model gets more space and more luxury in order to continue to appeal to the same customer.

My question is this, what customer is permanently loyal to a product that keeps changing? When the result no longer resembles the car they bought to begin with, why do you think they're going to stay with it?

Also, people like to try new things. Almost nobody drives the same make and model their entire lives. BMW (car manufacturers in general) need to be aware that customers are going to want to try something else and expect brand-loyal customers to hop models. That should work just fine. In the meantime, some people would develop model loyalty if the model didn't change size all the time (see porsche).
 
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That's dumb. Everyone knows you trade in the 370z for an Armada once you have a baby.
 
Screw you size-creeping. Why do manufacturers do this? Is it a consequence of the ever-increasing safety requirements?

I once read an article in BMWBLOG and they said it's definitely because of size. BMW made a research and stated that most new generation of people will get bigger and taller every year so that's why the car increases in size and it also has to do with complaint from most customers that current BMW cars are small especially in the back seat. I believe since most BMWs are RWD cars so I think this is the factor that kills the space (but please correct me if I'm wrong in this one).

Another one is safety. Seems like nowadays they have to meet the EU safety requirements which affect the design/overall shape of the car and size etc.

EDIT:

So, the M-Sport package is this!

2012-bmw-3-series-762.jpg


2012-bmw-3-series-722.jpg


Makes it look a whole lot better! :drool:

Now for some comparisons to the E90.

F30-vs-e90-3-series-comparison.jpg


F30-vs-e90-3-series-comparison-1.jpg


F30-vs-e90-3-series.jpg


F30-vs-e90-3-series-comparison-2.jpg


F30-vs-e90-3-series-comparison-4.jpg


And a picture to tell apart the F30 to the current facelifted C-Class. Don't care about the interior, the F30's look waay better!

c-class-vs-3-series-comparison-1.jpg


[Pictures source from BMWBLOG]
 
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^^ Good photo comparisons. Thanks.

It looks really good and aggressive from some angles and just plain poorly styled from others (see front view).
 
Actually, I take it back. I still prefer the E90. Only just, though. The interior is better, the back end is definitely better, the side is as good as makes no difference the same. Only the front on the F30 is a little better, but not enough for me to prefer the whole car.

That said, I'll reserve final judgement on two things - seeing a coupe version of the F30, and seeing the sedan as a WTCC car, since the current E90 is one of my favourite touring cars.
 
Looks better... Not all bloated and cheap looking like the last one. I'd rather have the much sleeker looking A4.

It's odd how trim levels have so much affect on cars in that sector though. I think that in any trim level other than S-Line, the A4 looks incredibly dull and under-wheeled.

Then you have the C-Class, which I reckon looks like a much bigger, more expensive car in luxury trims and a smaller, cheaper one in sport trims with the large star on the grille and bigger wheels.

The F30 is the same - in sport trim above it definitely looks smaller but at the same time, a bit more "cheap" compared to the variant in the comparisons with smaller wheels and more chrome. The E90 was the same, and essentially it's a pretty similar design.
 
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