[K3V808]

That is NOT corona fog lights, it just the light effect from where the sun hits on the corner of the fog light housing.

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

Would love to have one as a DD. Looks good so far.

[malter2.0]

does anyone know if suspension will be the same in design?

[BACCEPMAH]

Looks like Imperial Blue Metallic (A89), not Deep Sea Blue

[ORIGIN M.]

I'm thinking the same thing.

Originally Posted by Frosty

...perhaps this is the 335iL

~Frost

[Tallest]

Originally Posted by blipit

Those wheels look huge. They look like 20's? But I am sure they are 19's.

wheels are 19s, but they look bigger because the sidewall is bigger. size of overall diameter now is comparable to E60 5 series. THey've gone up a size and that's good - car proportions look very well balanced now. E90 always had too small wheels and 19in rims never quite made up for it due to very narrow sidewall. Look at M3 - they look much better visually partly due to "normal" size wheels.

Proportions is almost everything. Other thing is the lights - front and back. NOte we can't tell still much about the car - we like the shape overall, but lack of lights now makes us guess if we like it. IF they suck (like with new 1er) - then this car will be called ugly. If they're good - I think this car will be a massive hit.

I only hope that because it was developed during a financial crisis, there aren't too many shortcuts here..

[JohnMan]

Originally Posted by research

wheels are 19s, but they look bigger because the sidewall is bigger. size of overall diameter now is comparable to E60 5 series. THey've gone up a size and that's good - car proportions look very well balanced now. E90 always had too small wheels and 19in rims never quite made up for it due to very narrow sidewall. Look at M3 - they look much better visually partly due to "normal" size wheels.

Proportions is almost everything. Other thing is the lights - front and back. NOte we can't tell still much about the car - we like the shape overall, but lack of lights now makes us guess if we like it. IF they suck (like with new 1er) - then this car will be called ugly. If they're good - I think this car will be a massive hit.

I only hope that because it was developed during a financial crisis, there aren't too many shortcuts here..

I don't think BMW will be stupid enough to have shortcuts in their bread and butter car (or will they?). After all, competiton against the 3 series is getting tougher and BMW knows very well they can't sit on their laurels. Financial crisis or not, BMW knows they have to deliver on each new generation of the 3 series. Consumer's expectations of the 3 series will not drop because of economic issues. The performance and handling yardstick will remain as it is. So I think BMW knows that very well (or at least I hope they do).

The side profile reminds me alot of the E90 while the back looks alot like the E92, so i think BMW will be playing safe with the design of the F30.

[Tallest]

Originally Posted by malter2.0

does anyone know if suspension will be the same in design?

i only heard it will be much better optimised to work with runflat tyres and ride will be much smoother, plus you get the magnetic dampers or something similar like on 5 series. so i really hope its better suspension.

but also expect this car to be heavier, called less nimble, more luxuries etc.

[ORIGIN M.]

Definitely a 3er "iL"

[Tallest]

i for one, would buy an iL and solve the only gripe with current e90 i get from family - no space in back for long journey. Kid is hitting the rear seat back with legs, etc. Knowing what a successful car is a Skoda Superb (basically a stretched Passat for you US guys) - this car would make a whole lot of sense in my view. In any case, now, Audi A4 in back is much roomier so BMW has to catch up. Such as the shortfall of the rear wheel drive layout that you get limited space in rear (transmission tunnel is in the interior, etc). So this stretch will help things surely, plus high speed stability for German autobahns will be even better (but pointless in real world and in city driving.. )

[DooBs]

when is this expected to begin sales? and when is the coupe projected to be released?

[Justin Spelman]

Originally Posted by DooBs

when is this expected to begin sales? and when is the coupe projected to be released?

Read the first post.

Coupe usually comes 1 yr later than sedan.

[Shuttlegoose]

It definitely looks like a much bigger car. I'm not sure if I like that or not. If it is an "L" version then that's fine, but automakers seem to be making their vehicles bigger every year, then introducing new smaller models to fit the size the original car used to be.

[RR80]

The F30 is quite prefect in terms of size and look! The 19" made the car very sporty!

[LeMans E90]

Originally Posted by Faust

Shape is 100% BMW, especially from the A-pillar back. The rear reminds me of E60 from certain angles which I love! Glasshouse may be a tad too tall in relation to the rest of the body.

The front is a mixed bag. Too low and squashed, it bends down too abruptly, as if it crashed on something head on. The grille is small and not very imposing and the headlights are still an unknown as we don't know the exact shape and there still too much space between them and the grille.

The rear definitely reminds me of the E60, specially those lights in the bumper.

[desertfox73]

I'm just not into this look...the block-like front end, and the hood line that cuts across the front parabola swoop...i don't think i'll ever understand why BMW made that design move.

Seeing more of this car is what actually pushed me into the current 3 series M.

[JohnMan]

Originally Posted by wallstreet

It's funny how you just posted that comment. I'm about to say how interesting that hood was raised on both driver & passenger sides.

I am guessing the raised hood is done so that they can accomodate the engine?

[V_therussian]

Looks great so far. I'm thinking this might actually be my next daily driver... if it manages to retain and improve the driving experience of the e9x, of course.

[speedfan]

Originally Posted by research

i for one, would buy an iL and solve the only gripe with current e90 i get from family - no space in back for long journey. Kid is hitting the rear seat back with legs, etc. Knowing what a successful car is a Skoda Superb (basically a stretched Passat for you US guys) - this car would make a whole lot of sense in my view. In any case, now, Audi A4 in back is much roomier so BMW has to catch up. Such as the shortfall of the rear wheel drive layout that you get limited space in rear (transmission tunnel is in the interior, etc). So this stretch will help things surely, plus high speed stability for German autobahns will be even better (but pointless in real world and in city driving.. )

hrm...I wonder why you dont consider the 5series.

This's 1 of the main reasons cars in general, & 3series in particular, keep growing in size, heavier & heavier, because of demand from consumers like you.
Not that there's anything wrong with that because BMW will introduce smaller series. & people who dont like big 3series can go buy the 1series right?
I thought I should ask..

[tony20009]

I like that the turn signals are integrated into the mirrors.

[ron_jeremy]

Uhm, midnight blue is not a new colour.
I've seen both E53 and E39 with this colour, and it's perhaps the greatest colour i've ever seen on a BMW.
Yes, it's that good, it really looks exclusive imo.

[sfax]

Good comparison review. Thanks for posting. I might have been interested if it was bigger but I can easily fill up the X3 so going any smaller is a no no. Would also have have reliability concerns. Styling looks good from front and sides but back looks like someone sat on it