3 Series (G20) BMW G20 3 Series LCI - First Official Pics!

[hovabongZA]

Its actually quite a big change to the top dash design to incorporate the new screen, as BMW had to totally redesign the area on the drivers side with the slush mold as it doesn't have any hood for the instruments but now flat. Even the passenger side previously had an angle and line divide on the slush molding but now its flat and curved on top without the line. The metallic trim panel on the passenger side now is stepped to incorporate the screen whereas before it was flat and same angle as the top of the dash.

Last picture really shows off the screen.

 

[Rolf]

The configurator is on the German site now, prices up about 4000 Euros compared to pre LCI:

Base 318i spec. The base bumpers look quite good. Grill is a bit strange but looks ok.

The new large screen is standard on all models. Even base model with cloth seats.

The cream sensatec looks great.

M340i in Portimao Blue looks stunning. 71300 Euros base price.

Interior with Sensatec Tecararot

 

[martinbo]

It's a facelift, the 22 model. All come standard with paddles and auto.

That's a f#ckup for the SA market. BMW SA does not spec Sport Auto for dealer stock of 320i and 320d. If you want Sport Auto you have to order.
So, on thusly configured cars - no ability to change gears yourself (which is still vital in spirited driving - even in a diesel).

 

[Rolf]

That's a f#ckup for the SA market. BMW SA does not spec Sport Auto for dealer stock of 320i and 320d. If you want Sport Auto you have to order.
So, on thusly configured cars - no ability to change gears yourself (which is still vital in spirited driving - even in a diesel).

With the new small shifter it would make sense to have paddle shifts as standard to change gears manually as previously it would be with the gearshift knob or optional sports shift with the paddles.

As per German website standard equipment, the paddles are standard.

A few interesting and worthwhile equipment is standard now- navigation, 3 zone climate control, LED lights front and rear, cruise control with braking function, park distance front and rear.

SERIENAUSSTATTUNG
Dieser BMW überzeugt schon in der Basisausführung mit einer großzügigen Serienausstattung im Interieur und Exterieur. Zur Grundausstattung gehören u. a.:

Exterieur

• M Hochglanz Shadow Line
• LED-Scheinwerfer und LED-Heckleuchten
• Leichtmetallräder (basic size now 17inch)

Interieur

• BMW Live Cockpit Plus mit BMW Curved Display
• BMW Operating System 8 mit Navigation
• Sport-Lederlenkrad
• Klimaautomatik mit 3-Zonenregelung

Antrieb/Fahrwerk

• Steptronic Automatikgetriebe mit Schaltwippen (Steptronic automatic transmission with shift paddles)

Fahrerassistenz

• Geschwindigkeitsregelung mit Bremsfunktion
• Park Distance Control vorn und hinten

 

[Centurion]

A few interesting and worthwhile equipment is standard now- navigation, 3 zone climate control, LED lights front and rear, cruise control with braking function, park distance front and rear.

Night and day difference from the pre-lci F30 that has zero standard equipment. Rear folding seats weren’t even standard.

This resulted in aweful examples on the used market like a 318d with every optional extra except front parking sensors or a car with sunroof and top stereo but no heated seats.

 

[martinbo]

or a car with sunroof and top stereo but no heated seats.

Funny that. That spec suits me to a tee. Heated seats are on the lowest rung for optional extras for me. Can’t stand ‘em. Everyone’s different hey.

 

[Centurion]

Funny that. That spec suits me to a tee. Heated seats are on the lowest rung for optional extras for me. Can’t stand ‘em. Everyone’s different hey.

Yes. There is a benefit to al carte speccing. I hate when manufacturers force you to choose a flagship engine or a big package if you want a particular feature.

 

[leylandi]

base

 

[Sunny]

No more shifter? I been enjoying shifting using the lever on my wife's 328i. Only way I can enjoy an auto.

 

[martinbo]

No more shifter? I been enjoying shifting using the lever on my wife's 328i. Only way I can enjoy an auto.

Don't get me started. For me it's a massive diminishment in practical usability and driver appeal. But hey, why listen to a raving lunatic who happens to only have owned the last 3 BMW 3 Series models. Those who worship at the alter of any brand have far more important opinions to convey over actual owners - didn't you know?

Anyhow, for your and my inconsequential discussion... it's not only about being able to select gears yourself (which is vital in a BMW imo), there's also a very useful feature you get with the gear lever. I've used Stop/Start in all my 3ers as I believe there's absolutely no reason to idle a car at an intersection when stopped for longer than 5 seconds.
However, since F30 LCI, the auto engine stop is aggressive to the point of being unsafe. The wheels haven't even come to a dead stop and Stop/Start comes in.
It's a problem especially in feeder lanes where you yield to oncoming traffic and then have to gap it. The lag between the engine stopping and restarting creates enough of a delay that, where you could cross oncoming traffic safely, you're now languishing as everything wakes up and gets going again.

Just a simple tap of the gear lever to left puts the 'box in sport mode and disables the Stop/Start. It's so ergonomically intuitive and simple - I use it all the time and it makes for safer vehicle reactions.

So now, what's BMW's answer to this requirement? Look down, fiddle for the Sport button or Auto Stop Start button or just drive the car in Sport Mode all the time and negate the point of Stop/Start and the more frugal driving modes. Or maybe "Hey BMW, I'm approaching a busy feeder lane and I need you to disable Stop/Start pretty please". F#ck off.

Well at least you got a big fat curved display to look at.

 

[Sunny]

Just a simple tap of the gear lever to left puts the 'box in sport mode and disables the Stop/Start. It's so ergonomically intuitive and simple - I use it all the time and it makes for safer vehicle reactions.

If I am driving my wife's car, first thing I do is put the car in sport mode, even if it is a leisurely jaunt, cause I can't stand the throttle lag in the normal mode - you keep pressing and nothing happens and suddenly everything hits you. It is like the throttle pedal is connected with a rubber band. So I am either in sport or eco for highway cruising.

As for the shifter, I hope they keep the shifter in the M3/4 at least.

 

[martinbo]

If I am driving my wife's car, first thing I do is put the car in sport mode, even if it is a leisurely jaunt, cause I can't stand the throttle lag in the normal mode - you keep pressing and nothing happens and suddenly everything hits you. It is like the throttle pedal is connected with a rubber band. So I am either in sport or eco for highway cruising.

As for the shifter, I hope they keep the shifter in the M3/4 at least.

You should try Eco Pro mode, which I use all the time on business travel. Or rather, don't!

 

[Mick Briesgau]

Don't get me started. For me it's a massive diminishment in practical usability and driver appeal. But hey, why listen to a raving lunatic who happens to only have owned the last 3 BMW 3 Series models. Those who worship at the alter of any brand have far more important opinions to convey over actual owners - didn't you know?

Anyhow, for your and my inconsequential discussion... it's not only about being able to select gears yourself (which is vital in a BMW imo), there's also a very useful feature you get with the gear lever. I've used Stop/Start in all my 3ers as I believe there's absolutely no reason to idle a car at an intersection when stopped for longer than 5 seconds.
However, since F30 LCI, the auto engine stop is aggressive to the point of being unsafe. The wheels haven't even come to a dead stop and Stop/Start comes in.
It's a problem especially in feeder lanes where you yield to oncoming traffic and then have to gap it. The lag between the engine stopping and restarting creates enough of a delay that, where you could cross oncoming traffic safely, you're now languishing as everything wakes up and gets going again.

Just a simple tap of the gear lever to left puts the 'box in sport mode and disables the Stop/Start. It's so ergonomically intuitive and simple - I use it all the time and it makes for safer vehicle reactions.

So now, what's BMW's answer to this requirement? Look down, fiddle for the Sport button or Auto Stop Start button or just drive the car in Sport Mode all the time and negate the point of Stop/Start and the more frugal driving modes. Or maybe "Hey BMW, I'm approaching a busy feeder lane and I need you to disable Stop/Start pretty please". F#ck off.

Well at least you got a big fat curved display to look at.

I remember that feature (tapping the gear lever to the left to put the box in sportmodel). Though it was in my E46 LCI 330d and long time before anyone even thought about start-stop (which by the way, I always disable before driving), it was an easy to use and practical feature. For instance when overtaking, a tap to the left and in sport mode it reacts more direct, quicker and therefore safer.

 

[klier]

Looks cleaner and more modern with the refresh.

I remember that feature (tapping the gear lever to the left to put the box in sportmodel). Though it was in my E46 LCI 330d and long time before anyone even thought about start-stop (which by the way, I always disable before driving), it was an easy to use and practical feature. For instance when overtaking, a tap to the left and in sport mode it reacts more direct, quicker and therefore safer.

Start-stop with a BMW gasoline I6 is just fabulous. The way this engine turns on again and again is an extremely satisfying and powerful experience, also aurally.
And yeah, flipping the gear lever to the left for sport mode always was fun!

 

[Centurion]

base

Front end looks very attractive and premium for a base model.

No more shifter? I been enjoying shifting using the lever on my wife's 328i. Only way I can enjoy an auto.

Parallel parking and three point turns will certainly be more fiddly with that gear selector.

 

[dalab]

Parallel parking and three point turns will certainly be more fiddly with that gear selector.

And less pleasant, backing up and putting it in D was an action that gave satisfaction

 

[Rolf]

Front end looks very attractive and premium for a base model.


Parallel parking and three point turns will certainly be more fiddly with that gear selector.

That new gear switch It looks so small and flimsy. With the old gearshift knob it is quick to shift between reverse and drive as you can feel it with the notches between the shift and nice feeling of the gearshift in your hand gives a satisfying feeling of the leather or aluminum, but with this new switch its more like a volume switch, up or down, how boring.

 

[Centurion]

That new gear switch It looks so small and flimsy. With the old gearshift knob it is quick to shift between reverse and drive as you can feel it with the notches between the shift and nice feeling of the gearshift in your hand gives a satisfying feeling of the leather or aluminum, but with this new switch its more like a volume switch, up or down, how boring.

On the plus side it's atleast easier now to grab and put your drink back!

 

[martinbo]

On the plus side it's atleast easier now to grab and put your drink back!

When we start talking about the ease of drink placement being a plus in a BMW interior then things have gotten lost along the way.

 

[Sunny]

When we start talking about the ease of drink placement being a plus in a BMW interior then things have gotten lost along the way.

On the topic of losing way...

So my E36 M3 was in storage from almost since the beginning of the Pandemic. Last week I took it out to put new battery/tires/oil change etc. Mind you, it is far, far from perfect, needs at least 5k of work. But even so was such a delight to drive. The controls are so perfectly weighted and consist and the car reacts so linearly and predictably to your input. Really, for me that is the crux of driving fun, not ultimate power, nor grip, but a car that reacts to driver's inputs instantaneously and honestly.

I had to run an errand right after in my wife's F31, it is a good car, but so so far off what made BMW fun to drive. In a blind test, no one would even guess it is from the same company.