I'll Be Honest When I Say that I Like it
- Thread starter 1X83Z
- 45 comments
- 1,188 views
ShobThaBob
Premium
- 2,651
- rosooftw
The changes are very banglish, yet it looks like a natural evolution of the car. As crazy as some of the other model changes were (bangle wise), I think that this by far is the best and most "right" looking. I wouldnt be ashamed to own one at all.
- 4,680
I absolutely love the new 3 series. I personally like all of Bangle's designs except for the 5-series, which just looks a bit out of proportion to me. But the 3 series has a great agressive look to it, while still retaining a sense of elegance. The styling is perfect for the car.
As for the car itself, it is fantastic. I've already sat in a 325i at the dealership, and I was amazed by the build quality in particular. There was also a previous gen 325i at the dealership the same day, and there is no comparing the two. While the old 3-series is a great car, the new 3-series just simply does everything better. I'd love to drive one of these someday.
As for the car itself, it is fantastic. I've already sat in a 325i at the dealership, and I was amazed by the build quality in particular. There was also a previous gen 325i at the dealership the same day, and there is no comparing the two. While the old 3-series is a great car, the new 3-series just simply does everything better. I'd love to drive one of these someday.
One of the problems on the new 3 is that the optional nav system comes with iDrive - reason enough not to choose nav, in my opinion (then again, maybe they've simplified it once again for the new 3 - the problem is, on the 5-series, it's easier than on the 7-series, but it destroys the look of the interior).
I agree with ShobThaBob's comments - some of the models were pretty odd (7, maybe 5, maybe Z4) but this one's nice. I love the X3's styling, and I like this one nearly as much.
I agree with ShobThaBob's comments - some of the models were pretty odd (7, maybe 5, maybe Z4) but this one's nice. I love the X3's styling, and I like this one nearly as much.
- 1,929
I still don't like it. The 6 series looks good, but that's all I like.
I think someone's still has a quote from me in their sig about exactly what I think of Bangle and his designs. Something about diseased vegetables, and something considerably less witty about shotguns and testicles.
I think someone's still has a quote from me in their sig about exactly what I think of Bangle and his designs. Something about diseased vegetables, and something considerably less witty about shotguns and testicles.
- 4,522
- TwinTurboJay
Best styled BMW's ever where IMO mid eighties 6 series and M6s...damn sweet cars !
- 2,336
- Los Angeles, CA
- WRBWRXMAX
- Max Archer
I agree about iDrive being a problem. Admittedly, I've only used the 745Li (I think that was the one, it's the top of the line "stretched" model) version, but it's total crap. The design is bad enough, but the big issue is that it's so slow to load that switching screens takes forever.
- 25,131
- Somewhere.
It's ugly, like all of the current range, even down to the M5/M6. Who cares how good it is to drive, just look at it! It looks like a Kia or a Hyundai with a roundel up front.. In the compact luxury sedan market, I still think the A4 is the nicest car to look at. Might not be the best one, but at least I wouldn't be embarrassed to be seen in it... unlike the E90.
- 25,131
- Somewhere.
The whole sides are an array of convex and concave lines, there's nothing that defines the shape. It's... bland. It's got a definitively Korean/Japanese look to it. From the back it looks like a 96-00 Civic 4 door, and while there's nothing really wrong with a rear end like that, it belongs on a 96-00 Civic 4 door, and not a 30 000$ luxury sedan. The whole front end is blunt looking, it looks like they took the headlights straight off the 1 series.
- 1,397
it, like every bangle supervised model bar the X5 and Z8, will have to grow on me.
its certainly not throwing out the baby with the bath water like the 7 did. and the five could have looked less "gimmicky" for lack of a better word. like they tried too hard to make it look like something it really wasnt, tried to hard to differentiate it from its (visually excellent) predecesor.
its a natural evolution of the past model. one that i guess i need to get used to.
it looks kinda bloated to me. if idecide to go to the ride and drive end of june i will give my impressions. but i already think that the los angeles event conflicts with a rugby tournament. we will see.
its certainly not throwing out the baby with the bath water like the 7 did. and the five could have looked less "gimmicky" for lack of a better word. like they tried too hard to make it look like something it really wasnt, tried to hard to differentiate it from its (visually excellent) predecesor.
its a natural evolution of the past model. one that i guess i need to get used to.
it looks kinda bloated to me. if idecide to go to the ride and drive end of june i will give my impressions. but i already think that the los angeles event conflicts with a rugby tournament. we will see.
PS
(Banned)
- 2,883
I hate the new 3.
I love the new 5.
I'm indifferent to the new 6, maybe a 1% bias towards good.
I really dislike the 7.
The new 3 doesn't look elegant enough. The front end is too smooth and its starting to go in a less-BMW direction. Remember what these cars have always looked like? Bricks. But sexy bricks. Damn sexy bricks. Until the Z4 came out, but I also love that one. I also love the Z8 for that matter. But we digress.
The new 3, 5, 6 series models are practically a violation of BMW heritage. They're all smooth and flowingwhich is fine...if you're not BMW. While I like the Z's (all of them), and the X's, I despise the 3 and 7. The designs, IMO, have strayed too far awya from BMW design.
I do however aprove of the new interiors, and yes I'll say that it was an improvement over previous models sans iDrive, that is. While I've never used iDrive, everyone has badmouthed it and I'm not sure what to make of it. If the interiors really are as good as they say they are, then I'll just have to get used to them. But for the moment, the exteriors turn me off.
I love the new 5.
I'm indifferent to the new 6, maybe a 1% bias towards good.
I really dislike the 7.
The new 3 doesn't look elegant enough. The front end is too smooth and its starting to go in a less-BMW direction. Remember what these cars have always looked like? Bricks. But sexy bricks. Damn sexy bricks. Until the Z4 came out, but I also love that one. I also love the Z8 for that matter. But we digress.
The new 3, 5, 6 series models are practically a violation of BMW heritage. They're all smooth and flowingwhich is fine...if you're not BMW. While I like the Z's (all of them), and the X's, I despise the 3 and 7. The designs, IMO, have strayed too far awya from BMW design.
I do however aprove of the new interiors, and yes I'll say that it was an improvement over previous models sans iDrive, that is. While I've never used iDrive, everyone has badmouthed it and I'm not sure what to make of it. If the interiors really are as good as they say they are, then I'll just have to get used to them. But for the moment, the exteriors turn me off.
///M-Spec
Staff Emeritus
- 4,928
It used to take years for me to warm up to a new 3 series ever since I started even looking at BMWs seriously in the mid-80s. I thought the E30 (83-91) was the perfectly styled BMW. I hated the E36 (91-99) at first, disliked the E46 at first (99-07) but took to the E90 after seeing it in person very quickly.
To this day, I still think the best looking 3-Series is the E36 (in M3 trim, of course), even though I am an E46 owner now and will possibly be an E90 customer when the turbo comes out.
I think the basic shape is of the E90 good. I really like the front end; it is alert and assertive. The rear is somewhat weak. I had hope the new tail-light treatment would look better in person, but after staring at it in every direction, I can only conclude that they've fudged it up.
Overall, I think the car will continue to grow on me. It's not weird like the Z4 and not ponderous and ungainly like the pre-facelift 7-Series. I still think the 5 is the best looking of the new range.
M
To this day, I still think the best looking 3-Series is the E36 (in M3 trim, of course), even though I am an E46 owner now and will possibly be an E90 customer when the turbo comes out.
I think the basic shape is of the E90 good. I really like the front end; it is alert and assertive. The rear is somewhat weak. I had hope the new tail-light treatment would look better in person, but after staring at it in every direction, I can only conclude that they've fudged it up.
Overall, I think the car will continue to grow on me. It's not weird like the Z4 and not ponderous and ungainly like the pre-facelift 7-Series. I still think the 5 is the best looking of the new range.
M
- 24,344
- Midlantic Area
- GTP_Duke
Actually, it's not, and I'm not. It's quite a boring 3-box with semi-modern aerodynamics and a bunch of fussy detailing pasted all over it. Underneath the stupid swoopy panel lines and prissy headlight/grille, it looks like anything else.M5PowerI think it's a perfectly natural evolution over the old model and I swear you're criticizing it just to criticize it.
BMW is trying way too hard to get away from the perceived boxiness of the previous designs. The thing is, BMWs were never boxy and dull like old Volvos were boxy and dull. BMWs were simple in form because they were purpose-built performance semi-luxury cars. They were efficient-looking, competent and aggressive in a subtle way. Nothing was done for its own sake; everything supported the mission: going fast in safety and comfort.
With the new cars, that feeling has been totally lost. Now everything is done just to grab attention and to stir up controversy. Like they say, "there's no such thing as bad publicity". None of Bangle's cute detail gimmicks have anything to do with the mission at all, and they just obscure the idea while failing to decorate the overall banality of the car's shape very much.
The mission has changed, I guess. I see the new designs as symptoms of lost direction at BMW, regardless of the relative performance levels of the new cars versus the old cars.
- 1,397
i liked the E30 and E36 immediately. i eventually liked the E36.
i liked the E34 and E39 immediately.
same with the E36, Z8 and X5.
im warming up to the new 5, the new 7 is still ugly, as is this new three.
i liked the E34 and E39 immediately.
same with the E36, Z8 and X5.
im warming up to the new 5, the new 7 is still ugly, as is this new three.
Duke
I was addressing PunkRock you damn Delawarian.
And remember, BMW doesn't care what you think - they're enjoying record sales on most models and profits are huge.
LoudMusic
Hmm - now I agree to some degree. Except for the C-pillar the cars do bear some resemblance. I don't know though - to me, the BMW is definite BMW.
- 10,687
- Everywhere
This is what a 3 series looks like to me (maybe with a little better lighting). The new styling on all the cars just doesn't grab me. I wouldn't go so far as to say it offends me, but it just doesn't light my fire. I'll be happy when this era is over and we get something new.
