[RickyRaz]

I do like the f30 but I hate how the front is stooped down so much at the front. Kinda like a sumo wrestler sat on it. But I can't hate on any one of them. All great cars, the e46 though is a classic.

[monaco330]

Originally Posted by E46M54325Ci

god the e46 still looks damn good

Exactly what I was thinking.

[sle39lvr]

Originally Posted by Taipei-TT

Great post and hopefully we can see even better pics of these kinds of comparisons too!

What strikes me is that when viewed separately, I felt the F30 was an evolution of the E90 design. But with the E46 in the pics, I really agree with others who say the E90 looks like the odd man out. All great cars and very interesting to see how the F30 designer went back to the E46 for many of the refreshed styling cues on the F30...I did not see that as strongly until I saw them side by side.

First two pics, not helping the E90. I think the wide angle lens is making the cars on the sides stretched. Though F30 is wider, it looks like a 7-series in comparison in those pics.

[DylanBerg]

Definitely the e46 especially with csl's and for about $12,000

[ATX78703]

e46 is the best looker no doubt....

what's interesting is how the pre-LCI e90 isn't very good looking at all. The LCI makes such a big difference with the kidney, tail and head lamps. Most recent LCIs (i.e. x5, x6, x1) dont look very diffferent at all from pre-LCIs.

[farishat]

E46 will always win in design, for the next couple decades.
I'm glad I grabbed a decent E46 330i ZHP before it was too late! There will never be one like it from BMW for some time.

[farishat]

Originally Posted by RickyRaz

I do like the f30 but I hate how the front is stooped down so much at the front. Kinda like a sumo wrestler sat on it. But I can't hate on any one of them. All great cars, the e46 though is a classic.

Right, that's my biggest issue with the design... I mean it is NOT a Camaro or Firebird, but sure seems to try to be one in the front!!

And the headlights merging into the grill, where did that come from! They should have dropped that silly idea!

They should bring back the forward nose from the 635i, long vertical kidney grills and maybe horizontal side grills. THAT is classic.

[speedyjoe]

gosh... E46 is such a timeless design BMW ever made!

[Taipei-TT]

Originally Posted by sle39lvr

First two pics, not helping the E90. I think the wide angle lens is making the cars on the sides stretched. Though F30 is wider, it looks like a 7-series in comparison in those pics.

I agree with that about these pictures. But I noticed something about all the 3 series ever made... To me, at least, it seems that the design remains similar for 2 models, then changes. For instance, the e36 to e46 are similar in terms of design language. (e.g. more boxy, harder edge) and the e90 and the F30 seem more similar (flame surfacing, softer edges and lines.)

But as I said, i did notice more similarities with the e46 and F30 in this pic than I had before. I wonder what the reaction was to the e46 when it debuted.

[vonnxdub]

the e90 was so much sexyer than that f30. The f30 is an oldmans car

[MrPig]

Originally Posted by bimmerjph

In my completely unbiased opinion the E46 still looks the best, and it probably always will.

And is it just me or does the F30 look like the size of 7er in te second picture.

The e46 is a looker, but nothing will ever beat the styling of the e30.

[rmani]

f30 looks the worst. e46 still looks the best.

[S4NoMore]

oh lord... the E46 really does look so much better than both.

E90 LCI is so much better looking than pre-facelift, so that's the comparison I'd like to see. but damn, the F30 is weird looking. E46 M3 just went up a couple notches in the list of my potential next vehicles.

[Fester]

Nice effort!!

[positiveions]

E46 zhp still looks more aggressive and more sporty looking

[lonestar22]

these have to be the grainiest pics to ever be on the homepage

[N54CoupeHP]

Originally Posted by lonestar22

these have to be the grainiest pics to ever be on the homepage

I think they took the pictures with a calculator.

[EdM5]

Sweet. E46 is a classic.

[Touring]

Wish they get inspired by the E46 when the next 3-series is coming out.

I have a E21(first 3-series) and a E46 parked outside. The F30 would look misplaced next to those, like some kind of modern art next to a Michelangelo.

[AZ865]

f30 looks so wider.......I like it.

[CUTigers]

Originally Posted by Touring

Wish they get inspired by the E46 when the next 3-series is coming out.

I have a E21(first 3-series) and a E46 parked outside. The F30 would look misplaced next to those, like some kind of modern art next to a Michelangelo.

Haha that the F30 would

[ppatel223]

F30 is just OK (nothing spectacular) compared to E90, If BMW just had tweak E90 Design, it would be still look good in today's world and competition. I feel like slapping bmw for F30!!!!