ChristianJan

IMO, I think it depends on the car.

white_w203

i totally agree as well....U-G-L-Y

pookie

they just really need to fix the back a little and then it won't be the ugliest, just ugly.



btw, i wonder if they are going to change the chassis any time soon as a result of this. hope they are listening!

MiKeSSw203

I think the new 3 series looks okay. It looks really good when in black. I saw a black one the other day I guess on the stock premium wheels and it look really good. I would sport it.

I agree the backside isn't its best side. Its too plain looking needs some different with the tail lights.

netboy

TopGear names new BMW 3 series the ugliest car of the year? You kidding, right? TopGear?? Those fools must be talking about last year model! (i did a search on "BMW 3 series" on topgear.com and those idiots is showing pictures of last year model!), the new 3 series is not ugly! It' much better looking that your C230 sedan! The C230 sedan is just too plain! I would pick the new BMW 3 series over your C230 sedan!

Cappa26

sorry I wouldnt.

nlpamg

woah, calm down there buddy... you're getting pretty heated about this. I find it kind of ironic coming from a coupe owner saying that the sedan is too plain though... I'd choose the w203 looks over an e90 ANY DAY.

netboy

yes, this thread should be closed already! people in mercedes forums saying how ugly the new BMW is.. and people in BMW forums saying how much better their BMW is compare to Mercedes.. so what is the point??..

e1000

Any day... ALLLL DAYY!!!!

360_iti

http://www.bbc.co.uk/topgear/series_7/prog_6/

No. The picture you were talking about is related to the "Golf vs BMW" article.
The picture is even titled "BMW 130". Put your mouse over the pic long enough until the picture tag pops up.

The tedious-looking car they're talking about can't be E46, bc E46 is good looking. So it must be E90. Sorry.

oggle

You're right. The ugliest car isn't the BMW 3 series. It's the C230 coupe.

nlpamg

Evil Duffman

i watch top gear for the cars, not the comments.

360_iti

right.. u just watch the cars, and dont really care about their comments.
do u turn the sound off then ?..

r3v1ls

I saw a lowered 330i in black one night. To my own amazement i thought it looked good. Much better than the stock one. People may argue that the e90 is a better car than the C, but we're simply talking about looks here. All I have to say is no matter how much i look at the e90, I can't help but miss the e46.

anonymouse

backside...frontside...sideside - they are all ugly. That's why I couldn't even bring myslef to test drive that ugly beast cuase

1. I might have liked it too much and bought it despite its hideous looks
2. I would be helping Chris Bangle keep his job

terry-6speed

I ordered a 2006 C230 with manual transmission for March delivery. This was a big step for me since I have been driving BMWs since 1979. I waited for the new 3 to come out, went back to the dealer every couple of weeks to see if the new style would grow on me - - - it just won't! I haven't liked any of the BMWs that Chris Bangle has designed since he started with the 7-series. He tends to mix hard lines and reverse overhangs with a few softened panels. A sports sedan should be smooth and flowing (i.e.: Drag Coefficient - C230 = .27, BMW 3 = .30). Some may like the design, finding it a bit edgy and more progressive, but it just didn't appeal to me. The Mercedes is not without a few issues - Reliability in recent years, the odd emergency brake placement for the manual transmission (2 feet and 4 pedals!!), weight (the car gained ~150 lbs moving to the 6-cylinder engine). On the plus side, the car has nice lines, a very balanced driving feel, a wonderful 6-speed manual (better then the BMW's) and a very classy interior. Last year the San Jose Mercury news nominated the new 5 to its list of 10 ugliest new cars, Top Gear in not alone in its thinking. So Just my 2-cents!

Outland

Did someone hide your meds today? Whassup grasshopper?

mick1

here's another opinion on the styling of the new 3-series from usatoday:

"Styling. Not as ugly as the similar look on the bigger 5, 6 and 7 Series BMWs, but way ugly nonetheless. It looks especially bad in white, better in silver and dark hues.

Sad, because the previous 3 was so very nice-looking."

-- usa today

Link:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/...12-bmw-3_x.htm

StillKickin

I really dont find the new 3 series bad looking, something about it reminds me of Aqua-man, I dont know why its just the first thing I think when I see that car, but its not bad looking at all. Inside I think the recent MBs outdid the competition.

MBNorCal

i just can't wait till the w204 comes out. it will clown on the compact rwd segment. even in it's 5th year, the c-class still looks and performs good.

netboy

where were you when Car and Driver called the new BMW 3 series "THE 10 BEST CAR OF THE YEAR".. and "CAR OF THE YEAR" from Automobile Magazine?
just because you own a Mercedes and NOT a BMW, it DOES NOT make the BMW ugly..

platinumsc

I am surprised so many would agree with the opinions of Top Gear. The main guy, Jeremy Clarkson, he is an opionated, judgemental guy with poor tast imo. I watched the show a couple times and couldn't belive some of his comments. I know very few people who don't like the Continental GT. Clarkson ragged on it. Uselessly at that. He put down the citing stupid things like the armrests and interior. I belive he said he wouldn't own the car based on those issues. Who the heck cares about an armrest? In a car like that. The interior is top notch. I've seen them in person...gorgeous. Clarkson also ragged on other cars on other episodes that I don't understand. The Aston Marton Vanquish. It's an exotic. Again he cited stupid things that are irrelevant to the cars overall effect.
As for the bimmer. Looks alright to me. Put a set of 19's on it and I'll bet some of you jump back on the bandwagon.

Outland

Top Gear is by far the best of the car enthusiast television shows, and Jeremy is one of the funniest guys on TV. He makes the show entertaining. Its a great ensemble with James and the Hamster. I love it. Wouldn't change a thing.

As far as hit 'nitpicking' goes, he's got a lot more income than you or I, so I would assume he has the right to say he wouldn't buy it, because he actually could if he wanted. And opinions are like *******s...youve got one too.

I couldn't agree more about the 3 series...it is an ugly car. Not a fan of the previous version in 4 door form(but still better than this), although both of the previous coupe 3 series bodies were excellent. Frankly, if youre driving a Lexus, I don't think your interested in styling anyway.

BTW, I don't recall his comments on the AM's to be damming, he did say in one episode he would take the aston over the better performing Ferrari, just based how much more distinct a design it was...then he went on to detail the mechanical problems they had experienced trying to get it tested. Not too great from a reliability standpoint...but hey, its a Ford.

e1000

ugly, fugly, pugly, pug-fugly, fug-pugly, EVEN UGLY-UGLY!!