The next 3.....

[sportyaccordy]

So basically you say that families on a budget get a car they can afford - wow big news!


Here's some reality for you:

There are some people who buy cars which they can't afford to maintain or run. These people shouldn't even be shopping in a higher class of automobile if they can't even afford to pay their two ex-wives alimony and child support. 

And there are some people who buy cars they CAN afford, but are disappointed in because they are unreliable. You know what, you're dumb, time to put you on ignore.

[mojammer]

What on earth are those ridiculous chromed protrusions either side of the grille, and sprouting out of the headlights?

Get rid of them immediately.



Better.

Yeah, better.  But the headlights still look kinda weird, and overall the face looks scrunched/asian or something.  I really like BMWs, so this'll probably grow on me, but right now I'm not really into it.

[sportyaccordy]

The nose looks swollen. The headlights need to be bigger

[Cookie Monster]

The nose looks swollen. The headlights need to be bigger

I'm not sure they need to be bigger, it's just that they're too pointy on the insides near the grille. It makes the front look awkward.

[2o6]

I mean, seriously?

[Vinsanity]

I mean, seriously?

not only that...

[Tave]

No comprendo

[CALL_911]

I mean, seriously?

They're classically good looking cars, IMO. I'm not sure why you're complaining about that...

I'm a huge fan of this generation. I don't love the interior, and the steering wheel was stolen out of a Corolla, but I like the styling and I love the fact that it's lighter. The turbo-4 seems promising as well, even though I'll miss the N52.

[ifcar]

It's pretty clear that BMW was trying to meet safety standards while avoiding the stubby-nosed look of the 7-Series, but I still wonder if this wouldn't have worked better if the headlights and grille were higher up. It would flow better with the rest of the car.

Otherwise, a safe design. I appreciate windows that you can see out of.

[Cookie Monster]

I'm not a fan of the front, but it looks quite conservative otherwise and I'm hoping I'll get used to the front in person.

[68_427]

My favorite part of the front is the way the grill meets the headlights.

[850CSi]

I mean, seriously?

I actually kind of liked it up until you posted that (other than the front), but now I think my car is definitely better looking than the new one.


Doesn't matter, I'll never own one of these anyways.

[Atomic]

some other great shots, additional info and the really sweet interior:

http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2011/10/bmw-reveals-sixth-generation-of-3.html

[CJ]

I really don't like the interior. There's too much happening.

[Galaxy]

My favorite part of the front is the way the grill meets the headlights.

Yeah, unlike some here I also find the front view nice. What I find more problematic is how the front looks from the side.

[Galaxy]

I really don't like the interior. There's too much happening.

All in all I like the interior, only the "swoosh" in the center console, and the dash bother me.

[Atomic]

I really don't like the interior. There's too much happening.

i see where you are coming from, especially on the models featuring a "loud" contrasting accent color strip running along the entire length of the dash. there are exceptions, like the interior shots showing a consistent color pattern and the use of black and "saddle brown" as a warm color combination.

[Galaxy]

One thing that is odd is that BMW is banning most of the Inline 6 engines from it's cars, yet when it comes to motorcycles they recently introduced a brand new inline 6, and declared it to be the non plus ultra of engines....

[hotrodalex]

I love the exterior. Not sure about the interior (mostly the steering wheel), but I'll have to see it in person to really decide.

[sportyaccordy]

One thing that is odd is that BMW is banning most of the Inline 6 engines from it's cars, yet when it comes to motorcycles they recently introduced a brand new inline 6, and declared it to be the non plus ultra of engines....

It's so ridiculous too, totally unnecessary.

[SVT666]

Except for the red stripe I quite like the interior.

[AltinD]

BMW uses the crappiest leather from all German manufacturers. Even VW uses a better one in their cars.

[AltinD]

BTW, overall I do like it. The previous generation looked like a cheap POS when first came out, only later was updated to look good, so it's a good thing.

[Galaxy]

BMW uses the crappiest leather from all German manufacturers. Even VW uses a better one in their cars.

BMW uses three different kinds of leather under the names Dakota, Walknappa and Merino.

Dakota is a regular kind of car leather, relatively hard but sturdy. Merino is a very soft leather, feels very nice, but it can be scratched by things like metal decor on jeans pants.

Btw. with VW it is the same, their regular leather (Vienna)  is also nothing to write home about, Nappa is better, but again more delicate.

[AltinD]

From what I have seen on the BMW cars I've ridden on, and my own cars, VW leather ages way better then that in BMWs, which get all wrinkled and even scratched in a short period of time.

[sportyaccordy]

BTW, overall I do like it. The previous generation looked like a cheap POS when first came out, only later was updated to look good, so it's a good thing.

Yea this one looks thoroughly modern, though I think there are some things they need to clean up in front.

[MexicoCityM3]

From what I have seen on the BMW cars I've ridden on, and my own cars, VW leather ages way better then that in BMWs, which get all wrinkled and even scratched in a short period of time.

That?s because in the VW?s it is plastic leatherette.

J/K.

Seriously, BMW nappa leather (M3s) is very soft and nice but it requires maintenance to stay tip-top because it is so soft. I treat the leather every 3 or 4 months and it is still great, even on the E46.

The dakota leather (1M) is much more resistant but less nice to the touch.

[MX793]

One thing that is odd is that BMW is banning most of the Inline 6 engines from it's cars, yet when it comes to motorcycles they recently introduced a brand new inline 6, and declared it to be the non plus ultra of engines....

Motorcycles do not have the same emissions standards, fleet fuel economy averages or crash safety standards levied against them as cars do.

[hotrodalex]

That?s because in the VW?s it is plastic leatherette.

J/K.

Seriously, BMW nappa leather (M3s) is very soft and nice but it requires maintenance to stay tip-top because it is so soft. I treat the leather every 3 or 4 months and it is still great, even on the E46.

The dakota leather (1M) is much more resistant but less nice to the touch.

The leather in our 2000 328i is quite nice. Not too stiff, not too soft. Pretty durable. Still looks good after 120k miles.

[68_427]

The leather in my mom's Legacy is really soft, and starting to wrinkle a little bit in areas.  My car with more than 3x the miles has super stiff leather, and looks just ok.