K-A

Was around a BMW Dealership and decided to check it out (there's something I just love about going to a BMW Dealership in my Benz, always makes me feel happy to walk back to my M-B ). However, didn't drive it.

Looks are what you'd expect, not much different in person than photo's, except the front end is damn hideous in person and up close, IMO (looks better in photo's). That "smooshed" look, how flat and "snub nosed" it is (looks like a wincing creature that smelled something bad), the annoyingly crude shutline that's dictated by EU Regulations and the "eye-booger" headlights. Other than that, I liked it. The rear isn't too elegant, however, it's not supposed to be, and seems just right for a 3-Series. One thing that's nasty is the reflector headlights.... talk about several huge steps backwards (same case for the facelifted C-Class).

Interior seemed nice for a car of this Class. I'm not too into the bending and formed "Nature Inspired" look, as it comes across as something Japanese and fashion-forward which I don't think will look great as time goes on, but it's nice all in all. The materials are fine for this Class. I didn't think it felt cheap or anything, very appropriate. However, it definitely uses that modern "Green-Recycled Plastics" approach, which every manufacturer does, in the plastics.... hard to describe it exactly, but I know it when I see it (again, this goes for most new cars' plastics these days). The greenhouse is quite airy inside, which is nice. The rear door windows in comparison to my even larger E-Class, where the windows wedge upward and "pinch" more, made my cars rear windows seem almost "Coupe-like" in comparison.

The Salesman was very enthusiastic about the car, and it seems like them getting a new 3-Series mean$$$$$$$ "Cha-Ching"!

Pics (My E is filthy, hence the white looking a bit "off"):

oggie

Don't like the new 3. There is not much freshness from the latest design.

K-A

Yeah, it looks a lot, lot lot lot like the previous 3 (and the current 5-Series), lol. Very evolutionary, which is probably smart for a 3-Series (don't want to mess with the formula). It's just the front where they seemed to put too much emphasis on. Overdesigned, too blunt/snub/awkward, and doesn't flow well with the very conservative sides and back.

I will say, the front in these pics look MUCH better than in person, they actually look pretty dynamic here, but in person, looking at it in 3-D and the shapes/form, etc., I was practically gagging.

newyorktoLA

The new 3 series is gorgeous on the outside, but not that great on the inside...I like how there are different design lines and you can get different colored stitching and keys based on which one you pick! Lots of options and choices to make it very personal

K-A

I agree about the Lines. I like how BMW are putting effort to make their cars more personalized from each other, while M-B are taking AWAY individualization Options (one of them is making the Sport Package FREE when it should be an upcharge, and mandatory white headliner with Luxury cars, and black mandatory headliner with Sport cars, etc. etc.) as people like me would happily pay the premium for a little individualization/"exclusivity" factor). It's a smart move as these Luxury Manufacturers get more and more mass and "everywhere".

dbtk

I am beginning to warm up to it. At first, I thought its front was too long--kind of like a flamingo's beak. But when I see it from the front it actually has a nice aggressive face. The true test is time. How will it look 6 years from now?

EKlasseMercedes

everybody and their mother has a 3 series around socal. toooo many of these on the road for sure. affordability + speed + handling = trouble. put a teenage girl behind the wheel of a 3 series and you are asking for trouble...

Zeo

When U look at the front head on it's pig ugly, but in the last picture u took it
looks pretty dynamic.

and with a 2.0 turbo i'm sure it will drive pretty well while returning
good fuel economy.

but at the end of the day I'm just not much of a Bimmer guy.

K-A

Totally agreed. I was shocked at how good that last pic looks. In person, the front does noootttt look that dynamic up close. It looks like some pig and/or rodent that got flicked in the nose.

As for the 3's being everywhere, very true. They're like lamp posts, lol. I always said that it seems like when you want a $40K car in the Premium Segment, it's like they just give you a 3-Series by default.

BenzV12

Thanks for your pics and post on the comparison . BMW know how not to make elegant but rude cars lol
Look at the 7 Series just by your elegant W212

This new F30 is not that bad at all compared to hideous other models in BMW model line up lol

mnje350

In every picture my eye went to your E first. By far the best looking car in every pix. IMO

K-A

Glad to hear it! Same here. My Girlfriend said the same (she said no contest, and she hates cars, and although helplessly attracted to my car, otherwise doesn't like to show much enthusiasm toward it as she's literally "jealous" of the attention I give it ).

Dema

Can you go in Lexus dealership and take pics of new GS and E side by side? I still consider E is better looking. Not certain about interior though.

K-A

I've been planning on that. I will definitely try. I think the E will crush the GS side by side, especially since I've seen the GS side by side with a 5-Series, who the E also outshines when side by side with (IMO), and the 5 looks much better than the GS. Also, the GS just doesn't have the cunning and refined/dynamic/timeless look that I like.

Interior, I've sat in, and it is nice, though the Design I'm half and half on. Some people are saying that it is the best materialistic interior in its segment though. I'll try and poke around one soon.

BM2BZ

my wife doesn't hate cars but she's one loyal bmw fan and most of the mercedes are ugly in her eyes. i still managed to have a w212 and she likes the look as well. that is a huge statement...at least from someone like her.

i'd rather have the f30 than the gs, imo.

K-A

Totally on the same boat here. My Girl actually showing any enthusiasm toward my car is a HUGE testament to it, as she literally does so through her teeth. She never really seemed to care for my W211 (which was a car I loved as well).

Oh, and F30>GS, all day, every day!

ImInPA

The F30 looks to be another winner for BMW. I am sure they will fly off the lots and be everywhere you look on the highways. I definitely like the rear of the F30 better than the prior model. Rear seat leg room seems little changed over the prior model, I think I would give the nod to the C class rear seat accommodations over the F30's. In any event, the E is much more car than a three series.

BM2BZ

it'll take either seconds or years for them to get a car. good thing they are not friends .

BM2BZ

am i the only odd one here ? i actually like this f30 over the previous model .

Wig

I quite like the front, but the rear is boring, bland and dated.
BMW doesn't seem capable of making good looking rears any more.
Mismatched light sizes, weird mix of LEDs and regular bulbs, and (to borrow one of K-A's favourite sayings) no sense of occasion.

I agree that these F30s will fly off the lot. They've always sold well, and too many on the roads for my money.

Overall though, a massive improvement on the last generation. Ugliest 3-series ever made.

K-A

Ooh, yeah, the mix of LED's and regular bulbs in the rear lights is a big (ugly) tease. When they're on, and the LED graphics are shining, it looks good and acclimated your eyes to the brighter, sharper light.... then when they hit the brakes, and you see the halogens flick on.... not so much. Just noticed this on the C-Class as well. I mean, I actually like it, it gives the higher end cars more to pay up for (as it is a lot of corporate parts sharing gives the lesser cars to many features from the more expensive cars.... I heard the F30 has some newer features than the F10).

Also, the reflector headlight bulbs are just vomit inducing. Noticed this on the C-Class, and now on the F30. But, again, I like that they're doing it (since I'm not a buyer in that segment)! They need to give the higher up cars more visual perks.

K-A

Drove an F30 328i "Modern Line".

First, the cons (IMO):

-Uninspiring, pretty bland design. Related: You can see the puffy hood literally ballooning into the windshields view when driving.
-Start/Stop option is terrible, I felt like the car was sputtering/stalling when doing quick takeoffs.
-"Modern Line" wood trim is grotesque. Looks and feels like children's Fischer Price toy material (very plastic-y). But it's different, unique and cute for some I guess.
-4 Cylinder motor has that distinct nasty 4-Banger "mini tractor" sound, mainly heard at idle when the window is down (hard to hear when the windows are up, a good thing).
-Some extremely cheap plastics in a few areas, like the area that houses the E-Brake (aside from those, fine and appropriate materials).

The Pro's:

Drives phenomenally. No, really. The magazines aren't on drugs for once. The sheer balance and poise, whereas the car doesn't sacrifice much, is very impressive. It's VERY tight and sporty, so much fun to toss around. I haven't felt so inclined to haul a$$ and throw a car around in some time.... and my friend and I arrived to the Dealer in a friggin' Nissan GTR.

The 4 cylinder motor is a marvel. I've never driven a 4-banger so well executed. It pulls throughout the power band, actually throws you back a bit, and keeps going. Of course, MPG goes without saying as well. I drove in Sport Mode the whole time, and couldn't find much to dislike about the drive. It's even comfortable and quiet, and seemed to handle rough patches well enough (didn't test it out on them too much).

All in all, the engineering that went into the drive is first rate. To be honest, in terms of true BMW driving dynamics and balance, I feel it practically shames its porky 5/6/7 siblings. THIS is how a BMW should feel. It took me back to the days of more purity, i.e E34 and E39.

hyperion667

I was invited to come drive some BMW's......planning on bringing
cls63 with me, LOL......and asking them what would compare! lol

K-A

Lol.

I love going to BMW dealerships in my Benz.

I always leave and get so happy to walk back to my car, as it usually pleases me immediately upon first visual sighting after looking at all the 'roundel cars.

ImInPA

Like all BMW 3's, in six years it will look like the "old" 3 series.