[creepy coupe]

While picking some parts up from the dealers this morning. I took a look around the new 3 and Z4. Very underwhelming TBH. Especially the Z4. The slashes and curves were a bit lost with the dark blue paint of the one I looked at. Such a pity BMW didn't do the hard top.

As for the 3 series. It looks just like a 5 series. In both size and the body sculpture.More bulbous now. Nothing wrong with the 5 series. Just can't help think BMW now offer two very similar looking cars. The new tech in the 3 series will be welcome though.

[philiper1]

the Z4's interior is nice, but the front is just bad, I was watching the live broadcast from one of the dealers yesterday evening, the wonky headlight rings, don't do it for me at all

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by philiper1

the Z4's interior is nice, but the front is just bad, I was watching the live broadcast from one of the dealers yesterday evening, the wonky headlight rings, don't do it for me at all

Agree. The front is a weak point.

[RENT-A-GOAT]

Had this come through from Rybrook at the end of last week for a preview evening (tonight). I did rsvp for it but after seeing the pics on here I'm not feeling too fussed about going there to go for a walk about have some nibbles and then having them trying to hard sell one when I'm not in the market to change, especially when there's not even a touring to see yet. Might change my mind, could be some freebies to be had.

[Alscoob]

Originally Posted by RENT-A-GOAT

Had this come through from Rybrook at the end of last week for a preview evening (tonight). I did rsvp for it but after seeing the pics on here I'm not feeling too fussed about going there to go for a walk about have some nibbles and then having them trying to hard sell one when I'm not in the market to change, especially when there's not even a touring to see yet. Might change my mind, could be some freebies to be had.

Buy the Supra instead

[Marksw76]

I'm still reserving judgement on the new 3 series, but I'm not impressed with the so called 'russian doll' S/M/L model range that BMW seem to offer these days.

All down to the marketing people I guess, and the emphasis seems to be pushing the brand before the car at the moment

[335d Rocco]

The black grilles on the 3 series are going to really take some getting used to, I saw a black 3 series on the back of a transporter today & the grilles are terrible.

[Lorcan]

Originally Posted by Marksw76

I'm still reserving judgement on the new 3 series, but I'm not impressed with the so called 'russian doll' S/M/L model range that BMW seem to offer these days.

Can't stand Russian dolls, they are so full of themselves.

[Isow]

Originally Posted by Marksw76

I'm still reserving judgement on the new 3 series, but I'm not impressed with the so called 'russian doll' S/M/L model range that BMW seem to offer these days.

All down to the marketing people I guess, and the emphasis seems to be pushing the brand before the car at the moment

Mercedes are worse at the Russian Doll range.
The big advantage of the 3 over the 5 is that it is smaller.

[Goneinsixtyseconds]

Originally Posted by Isow

Mercedes are worse at the Russian Doll range.
The big advantage of the 3 over the 5 is that it is smaller.

No shit Sherlock.

[DaveA]

Just had a good look over a G20 at my local dealer...

First impressions are that the interior is a really good step up from F30.... nothing not to like in there at model/price point... this had the sensatec dash and open pore wood... very nice indeed...

The exterior styling... The rear, rear three quarter etc all look good to me... But I am less impressed with the front, front threequarter, where, from front wheels forward, it seems too fussy and too high off the ground to me... perhaps the "mono block" look of it in black with a black grille just does not work with the styling... for me... Also seems a lot of air/gap around the front wheels that does not work (for me) in the black I saw... wheels seem set in at the rear, also, like spacers would help...

Instantly makes F30's, even new ones, look outdated... inside and out... Just as the F30 did when it came in...

Do I want one.... hmmm... undecided... they cost more to buy on PCP than an F30.... a G20 330 cost more than my F30 340...

Maybe wait to see what the new 1's will be like when they get here...

[Isow]

Originally Posted by Goneinsixtyseconds

No shit Sherlock.

The big advantage of the 5 over the 3 is that it’s larger.

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by Isow

Mercedes are worse at the Russian Doll range.
The big advantage of the 3 over the 5 is that it is smaller.

Not much in it looking at the one in the showroom this morning.

[Cherry2.0]

Originally Posted by Isow

The big advantage of the 5 over the 3 is that it's larger.

Another big advantage of the 3 over the 5 is that it is cheaper!

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by Cherry2.0

Another big advantage of the 3 over the 5 is that it is cheaper!

And 3 comes before 5

[Marksw76]

Originally Posted by DaveA

Just had a good look over a G20 at my local dealer...

First impressions are that the interior is a really good step up from F30.... nothing not to like in there at model/price point... this had the sensatec dash and open pore wood... very nice indeed...

The exterior styling... The rear, rear three quarter etc all look good to me... But I am less impressed with the front, front threequarter, where, from front wheels forward, it seems too fussy and too high off the ground to me... perhaps the "mono block" look of it in black with a black grille just does not work with the styling... for me... Also seems a lot of air/gap around the front wheels that does not work (for me) in the black I saw... wheels seem set in at the rear, also, like spacers would help...

Instantly makes F30's, even new ones, look outdated... inside and out... Just as the F30 did when it came in...

Do I want one.... hmmm... undecided... they cost more to buy on PCP than an F30.... a G20 330 cost more than my F30 340...

Maybe wait to see what the new 1's will be like when they get here...

I'm biased, but I still think the F30 was the best looking 3 series for years, mind you, they couldn't go wrong really, the E90 was never a looker. The original front grill was plain ugly not to mention the disaster that were the back lights.

[Chris Peacock]

Had a good look around one this morning - interior is a good step forward from the F30, love the rear but offended by those grilles at the front.

Plan is to order in black with the M-Sport Plus pack to get the black grilles which should hopefully help with the front end aesthetics.

Overall I think BMW have stepped the car up nicely, looking forward to ordering summer time.

[RobUK]

Had a phone call from my local dealer yesterday afternoon. Asked about the new G20 and even he didn't come across as that excited.

[330XDave]

I think this picture taken from autocar.co.uk sums up best the mess that they have made of the front end.

[Carjack]

Ha! Ha!
Every time BMW come out with a new model/changes it’s: Bleat! Bleat! Bleat!
But it’s nothing compared with what was said/spat when the E90 came out.
Now anything before the E90 looks like it’s from the Stone Age!

[DaveA]

Originally Posted by Chris Peacock

Had a good look around one this morning - interior is a good step forward from the F30, love the rear but offended by those grilles at the front.

Interior is very nice, yes, I agree...

Originally Posted by Chris Peacock

Plan is to order in black with the M-Sport Plus pack to get the black grilles which should hopefully help with the front end aesthetics.

I would say to be sure to see one in the flesh like this before you order... The one I saw was in metallic black with the M Sport Plus pack (hence the black grilles) and I though it did not work at all... far too black with the solid panels behind the "slats" and the black surround set in the black paint... IMHO...

[DaveA]

Originally Posted by 330XDave

I think this picture taken from autocar.co.uk sums up best the mess that they have made of the front end.

That's an interesting comparison but I would be careful in how it looks... To me, it looks like the G20 side is shot from a slightly higher angle down, which makes the ground clearance on the G20 look a lot less than it looks on the F30 and, when you see one in the flesh, the G20 looks at least as high off the ground as the F30, possibly even higher off the ground than the F30... Based on the one I saw (which I have no reason to suspect is not road-ready)...

Also G20 M sport vers F30 Sport...

Will be interested to see accurate measurements...

Just a thought, but I wonder (when I was looking the the G20 in the flesh) if, when evening up ride heights between x-drive and s-drive (they did this, I seem to recall reading), the solution was to raise up the s-drive, rather than lower the x-drive...???? ... and I am comparing to my s-drive F30...