[JD6]

For me a lot will come down to:

1. Handling without the need to modify.

They dropped the ball with the SE springs on xDrive as we all know, but even the F3x M Sport suspension is mediocre at best. The detail here sounds quite promising.

2. Interior noise

I hope that they have tested the G20 thoroughly on our less-than-perfect roads. This is a pretty big negative of all F3x (and F8x).

3. Interior quality

This is the biggest unknown, but they must realise that the F3x (and F8x) is well behind the game, particularly the more upmarket models. The G20 feels like a big improvement on the F10 so I am hopeful here.

I reckon this has a decent chance of being a really good car, but time will tell.

[MarkyM]

Originally Posted by dopper99

Yes, was looking at that earlier, but seems you can only get them on 20's on the X3.

So if they are calling these non run flats "high performance tyres", does that imply all other BMW factory fitted tyres (ie run flats) are crap "non-high performance" tyres?! (which we've known all along)

BMW seems to be naming tyres as: -

High Performance = Non-RFT
Performance = RFT Summer Tyres
And then All Seasons

[teaston]

Originally Posted by MarkyM

BMW seems to be naming tyres as: -

High Performance = Non-RFT
Performance = RFT Summer Tyres
And then All Seasons

Do BMW fit all seasons to any models?

[Daftasabrush]

Originally Posted by MarkyM

It may be referring to the electronic M Sport Diff that the G01 M40i/M40d are getting, seems to be a more advanced/updated version of the e-diff and performance control systems although info on what it precisely does differently is a bit vague

I think you're right, although looking on etk, the diffs across all X3 models are the same so it's not a mechanical device.

[MarkyM]

Originally Posted by teaston

Do BMW fit all seasons to any models?

Yes

[MarkyM]

Originally Posted by Daftasabrush

I think you're right, although looking on etk, the diffs across all X3 models are the same so it's not a mechanical device.

Yes that's right it's definitely electronics added to the same mechanical diff, I think a lot of people are expecting a Proper M type mechanical LSD but that's not the case

[Daftasabrush]

Originally Posted by MarkyM

Yes that's right it's definitely electronics added to the same mechanical diff, I think a lot of people are expecting a Proper M type mechanical LSD but that's not the case

So near and yet so far

[teaston]

Originally Posted by MarkyM

Yes

Which models, and which all season tyres? I have never seen all season tyres on a BMW!

[MarkyM]

Originally Posted by teaston

Which models, and which all season tyres? I have never seen all season tyres on a BMW!

Current X3 some 18 and 19", X5 19", had them on a 2012 E70 from factory as well, probably others I'm sure as, 20" Performance Tyres on current car are quieter and more comfortable though but may be down to technology improvements

[teaston]

Originally Posted by MarkyM

Current X3 some 18 and 19", X5 19", had them on a 2012 E70 from factory as well, probably others I'm sure as, 20" Performance Tyres on current car are quieter and more comfortable though but may be down to technology improvements

Which make/model of all season tyres?

[MarkyM]

Originally Posted by teaston

Which make/model of all season tyres?

E70 had Bridgestone Dueler HP Sport AS 19" staggered set up

Don't know about new models, never known BMW to let a customer know what make tyre a car comes with but you can select AS or summers on some rims

Maybe it's a X thing only?

[teaston]

Originally Posted by MarkyM

E70 had Bridgestone Dueler HP Sport AS 19" staggered set up

Don't know about new models, never known BMW to let a customer know what make tyre a car comes with but you can select AS or summers on some rims

Maybe it's a X thing only?

Must just be an X thing. All my dads land rovers have come with all seasons but i assumed that was just a land rover thing.

[fsakita]

I think the G20 interior might look a lot similar to the new Z4

[JNW1]

Originally Posted by JD6

For me a lot will come down to:

1. Handling without the need to modify.

They dropped the ball with the SE springs on xDrive as we all know, but even the F3x M Sport suspension is mediocre at best. The detail here sounds quite promising.

2. Interior noise

I hope that they have tested the G20 thoroughly on our less-than-perfect roads. This is a pretty big negative of all F3x (and F8x).

3. Interior quality

This is the biggest unknown, but they must realise that the F3x (and F8x) is well behind the game, particularly the more upmarket models. The G20 feels like a big improvement on the F10 so I am hopeful here.

I reckon this has a decent chance of being a really good car, but time will tell.

I agree 100% with 1) and 2) but having sat briefly in both an A4 and C Class recently I'm not actually convinced either felt like it had an interior of significantly higher quality than my F31. After almost 4 years and just over 60k miles my car is also completely squeak and rattle free so no complaints on that score either!

Perhaps I've just been lucky and got a good one but I've never really understood the criticism of F3x interior quality....

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Wills2

For me the lack of interest is due to the lacklustre engine line up nothing new or exciting just the same units with small increases in power/mpg.

Same with the car overall a little lighter, a little bigger, a bit better to drive, a few more MPG and a bit more modern.

The interior could move the game on but time will tell.

Yes, that's my issue. I actually feels like cars have been treading water for the last 20 years. The progression that BMW made from the late 70's through the 90's was huge, if we think about the jump from the E21 or E30 through to the E46. From E46 to the G20 seems like nothing like the same progression.

They think that they're losing ground to Mercedes and Audi because of driving dynamics, which may be the case for about 10% of drivers, but the reality is they've completely lost the "desirability" factor through lack of vision and progression, stale design inside and out, volume of poverty spec models devaluing the brand cachet. At least three-quarters of "non-car folk" I know bought/chose their cars without driving them. It was based on how it made them feel looking at it, inside and out, and if the numbers stacked up relative to that.... folk looking at a 3 series now are thinking "Meh", and buying a Mercedes or an Audi, which do a much better job of finding a way to make feel the car is a little bit more special.

I need to see the disguise come off, but my bet now is that it doesn't do the trick, as it's far too safe and far too boring.

[Alice Coupe]

Originally Posted by fsakita

I think the G20 interior might look a lot similar to the new Z4

I think they could get a few more button on the steering wheel


Wtf is that HUD all about?

[Wills2]

To those worried about the e-lsd or lack there of, I wouldn't worry, I have one on the M3 and the M5 had one too, you can't tell what it's doing I often think not much.

Great for Chris Harris as he showboats on a closed road in Spain but unless you're drifting your car I don't see the benefit, the best handling car I had didn't have one and didn't need it either.

[Wills2]

Originally Posted by Alice Coupe

Wtf is that HUD all about?

I guess it's just a representation of the data it shows, it won't appear in that position on the real car unless it's like that hideous Mini HUD, a proper HUD is a fantastic thing however.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by fsakita

I think the G20 interior might look a lot similar to the new Z4

Pretty much, except the G20's centre screen is lower down the dash.

[Wills2]

Originally Posted by fsakita

I think the G20 interior might look a lot similar to the new Z4

Originally Posted by teaston

Pretty much, except the G20's centre screen is lower down the dash.

Looks pretty much the same to me.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Wills2

Looks pretty much the same to me.

Look at the bottom edge of the screens, they’re the same level on the G20 but the centre screen is a fair bit higher on the Z4.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Yes, that's my issue. I actually feels like cars have been treading water for the last 20 years. The progression that BMW made from the late 70's through the 90's was huge, if we think about the jump from the E21 or E30 through to the E46. From E46 to the G20 seems like nothing like the same progression.

They think that they're losing ground to Mercedes and Audi because of driving dynamics, which may be the case for about 10% of drivers, but the reality is they've completely lost the "desirability" factor through lack of vision and progression, stale design inside and out, volume of poverty spec models devaluing the brand cachet. At least three-quarters of "non-car folk" I know bought/chose their cars without driving them. It was based on how it made them feel looking at it, inside and out, and if the numbers stacked up relative to that.... folk looking at a 3 series now are thinking "Meh", and buying a Mercedes or an Audi, which do a much better job of finding a way to make feel the car is a little bit more special.

I need to see the disguise come off, but my bet now is that it doesn't do the trick, as it's far too safe and far too boring.

I definitely agree about the exterior styling, the 3 series looks pretty lacklustre compared to the Alfa Giulia! The Giulia looks like it has been designed from scratch whereas the 3 series looks like a group of different ideas (mainly copied from other BMW's and also other manufacturers cars) that have all been added to the outgoing model to make a "new" car.

I don't think the C Class, A4 or XE look any better (or worse) though.