The BMW F30 is the sixth generation of the BMW 3 Series range. Body styles: F30 (sedan), F31 (wagon/,touring), F34 (fastback/gran turismo), and F35 (long-wheelbase). For this generation, coupé/convertible models were spun off to create the new BMW 4 Series.
Predecessor: BMW E90. Successors: G20 3 Series, and G26 4 Series Gran Coupé (F34). Production: 2011–2018.
EMpower
Autobahn Explorer
- Messages
- 2,076
I don't understand why BMW will put the NAV screen sticking out like a half iPad. Trust me, we will hear stories of how someone's car window got broken and NAV screen all bent forward because the dumb thug thought he can just pull the screen out, because that's exactly how it looks. In US they will break the window even if you leave empty bag in the car.
Always been like this, some things need to be left for the facelift. Like the F10/F11, look at the handle when you open the door from the outside. You'll see a great piece of metal when the handle is pulled, looks like a miss in design detail.
EnI
Piston Pioneer
- Messages
- 14,086
They are optional feature of Sport Line cars. Just like in 1er case.
Mind the Lines are additional & optional choice - an addition to "bare standard" car you can still order & pack it up to your own needs & desires. And even within the Lines many things that are exclusive to the Lines, are actually optional (eg. black / white side mirror caps, white wheels on 1er Urban etc etc).
Think of the Lines as preselected & exclusive "design packages" - since mostly the exclusive line things are limited to some styling details (like interior color combinations, interior trims, exterior trims, different side air intakes, grille color, gauges styling - in F30 case etc). While eg. M-Sport pack also (beside the exclusive styling parts) includes specific performance boosters (like eg. firmer & lower suspension, etc).
The customization level of new 3er & new 1er is huge. Customers will get headaches when deciding what to select.
Yet wait till sub-1er arrives --- the customization level there will be even greater. We are talking MINI-like customization level here, and more.LED Lighting Package. I'm not sure anyone would go for it if only low&high beam projector world be upgraded. But when the upgrade also includes LED turn indicators, LED braking lights, perhaps even LED foglights etc - then it's a bit more substantial upgrade, adding some exclusiveness to your car. 6er-like choice (at least when it comes to the front). But first other bigger models have to get optional LEDs. 6er got them. Coming on LCI 7er & X6 etc. Then it's 5er turn ... and then I guess it comes 3er / 3er GT / 4er.
They have to save some candy for GT, coupe / cabrio premiere too.
EMpower said:
It's not just BMW. MB is going same way as well. And others will also follow. It's a rising trend - with not just design advantages (keeping the dash lower, less massive, and without a hump). But in the near future that place in top mid dash where the screen is will become a dock for portable "pad" devices. The carmakers are working on certain common standard right now. But we're still years away. But getting there slowly.
EnI
Piston Pioneer
- Messages
- 14,086
I share the sentiments completely.
BMW designers have some great ideas, but when it comes to execution in production form, the idea is not implemented as it should have been. It started with E65.
I've been told that usually they have to compromise a lot - since design engineers are limited with existing engineering solutions / parts that are shared among series. And even more by the project's budget. Sometimes the complex design ideas are just to costly to implement (since the budget is limited). And then you get the bad compromises.
Are the BMW budget guys too stingy then the ones @ rivals? Are BMW design engineers not good enough, and eg . Audi has better ones? Are the BMW design ideas just too complex for the current industry? Is there a lack of communication between the design, engineering & finance? Is the whole product development project not managed well? Have BMW become too design-driven company so design department is pushing their agenda too much - even when told the execution in production form won't be perfect?
What's the difference here between BMW & eg. Audi? Why eg. Audi can manage such issue better? IMO the guys in Munich wonder as well ...
IMO all above-mentioned potential reasons are actually the real cause. The combination of them. I guess they are not as compatible & well-traind as an orchestra / team. Individual parts are excellence, but still not working perfectly together.
I'm sure the clay model of a new BMW car looks fantastic ... but then, when real production parts have to be implemented the imperfections start to show.
I would like to see BMW guys to find better solutions - which will lead to better production executions. Either picking less complex designs, either spending a bit more for better-fitting parts, either push design engineers to work harder etc.
Yes, this generation is better executed than the last one. But still not reaching the Audi level. I'm that's the secret of Audi "keep it simple / not going complex" designs: they can be implemented better & more perfect in production form.
I also miss that instant expensive & upscale look BMWs once had. The "perceived visual quality" factor is somehow missing sometimes - when compared to direct rivals. Yet as said: this generation is far better then the previous one. And I'm sure the next generation will be perfect. But how far the rivals can still stretch & keep the distance / advantage?
That would have been nice. This is very much a baby 5er in looks but I get a slight front heaviness feeling from the pics and I don't think the M-Sport front bumper sits well for some reason, almost like it does not match the bonnet.
The best thing about this though, is that they have finally put some effort into weight reduction, as I would have been very disappointed if this were yet another new model considerably heavier than the previous
- Messages
- 14,878
- Name
- Derek
The cheaper looking interior door panels are an example of lower perceived quality. The designers tried to break up the vast area of plastic with lines, creases and it does help a little.
Another thing that really bugs me is that random plastic strip which houses the LED lighting, they aren't even inline with the length of the leather trim. I was hoping the designers will find a better way to integrate them in the design but just like the E90, it looks cheap and out of place.
Another thing that really bugs me is that random plastic strip which houses the LED lighting, they aren't even inline with the length of the leather trim. I was hoping the designers will find a better way to integrate them in the design but just like the E90, it looks cheap and out of place.
bmwownage
Kraftkurve King
- Messages
- 1,424
I still yjink the e46 interior is better.. It was sporty classy and upscale.. Even looking back now it's still of excellent quality... E90 was upscale but looks bad, this one is just too toy-ish, not enough for a 3 series
The door panels are ridiculous, e46 and 90 had more leather and trim coverage
The door panels are ridiculous, e46 and 90 had more leather and trim coverage
D
Deleted member 1071
Guest
Quite evolutionary...which is not necessarily a bad thing.
It will however be interesting to see how the new 3 series will eventually fare against the upcoming MY 2014/15 offerings from M-B (C-Class) and Audi (A4). Most certainly M-B and presumably Audi will introduce cars that are quite different in appearance when compared to the current models. Especially the C-Class successor, should it be similar to the F800 Concept Sedan, will make a very big impact on the sector.
But alas, BMW should be quite safe over the course of the next 2 years.
It will however be interesting to see how the new 3 series will eventually fare against the upcoming MY 2014/15 offerings from M-B (C-Class) and Audi (A4). Most certainly M-B and presumably Audi will introduce cars that are quite different in appearance when compared to the current models. Especially the C-Class successor, should it be similar to the F800 Concept Sedan, will make a very big impact on the sector.
But alas, BMW should be quite safe over the course of the next 2 years.
Human
You. The Road. Nothing else.
- Messages
- 6,118
- Name
- Naas
Not hard to spot 6er coupe in the F30's design and the i8's grill incorporated into the F30's design language. The more you study the car the more apparent it becomes that this is BMW's best balanced design and most sporty at that.
The M-Sport steering wheel is just...PERFECT!
Kudos to BMW their ICON is back with a BANG!!!!
The M-Sport steering wheel is just...PERFECT!
Kudos to BMW their ICON is back with a BANG!!!!
Much more upscale looking than the current generation, and it fits better with the whole BMW lineup.
The overall design is better executed and looks sexier than the E90 but that is not so hard to achieve. Side profile is the best part, followed by the 5 series rear and although I like the front a lot but it somehow got ruined by that ugly detail of the light extension. The irony is when you try a new design idea (light extension) to make a specific model look so distinctive and stands out from the whole lineup, it's the same design idea that ruins it's harmony and appeal (IMO). Very weird and shameful.
The interior is not to my liking, IMO it's the weakest part of the F30, it should've been closer to the 5er and not the 1er. One of the biggest mistakes done by BMW to that generation. How come it will withstand 7 years of slaughtering from its direct competitors?!!!
Good to read that BMW paid so much attention to safety as well, they kinda made a similar system to Benz Presafe system, although it's a little bit late but good job that they implemented it already with the new F30.
Overall good job BMW. If it's not for some mistakes, it would've been perfect. But we all know, there is no such a perfect product whatsoever.
The overall design is better executed and looks sexier than the E90 but that is not so hard to achieve. Side profile is the best part, followed by the 5 series rear and although I like the front a lot but it somehow got ruined by that ugly detail of the light extension. The irony is when you try a new design idea (light extension) to make a specific model look so distinctive and stands out from the whole lineup, it's the same design idea that ruins it's harmony and appeal (IMO). Very weird and shameful.
The interior is not to my liking, IMO it's the weakest part of the F30, it should've been closer to the 5er and not the 1er. One of the biggest mistakes done by BMW to that generation. How come it will withstand 7 years of slaughtering from its direct competitors?!!!
Good to read that BMW paid so much attention to safety as well, they kinda made a similar system to Benz Presafe system, although it's a little bit late but good job that they implemented it already with the new F30.
Overall good job BMW. If it's not for some mistakes, it would've been perfect. But we all know, there is no such a perfect product whatsoever.
- Messages
- 7,139
Man, you guys are going easy on this thing, so I'll bite.
To current BMW model status, it's a mess IMO.
It has that A6 syndrome where the sides look like an older car, while the front looks bendy and futuristic. It gives the car an incredibly unbalanced/disproportionate/awkward view from the front 3/4 angle. Just like the A6, but more-so, it looks like they welded a new front end to an older car, making the side area look extremely upright and conservative.
The front is overdesigned I feel, trying too hard, lacks the effortlessness of other BMW models. The car, aside from the front, looks like an E90 mated with an F10, the rear especially is just like the F10's, but more angular/crisp and less elegant/smooth/bloated. BMW seem to be so afraid of getting Bangle-era criticism, they're afraid to take any chances, while M-B are taking too many chances, funny how these guys have overcompensated so much, they've crossed over each other completely.
The interior looks like a Japanese SUV in a weird way to me (Actually, the center console reminds me of an American SUV, with how it looks unattached to the lower-middle console, and how it's framed) for some reason. It's not bad, and certainly better than the pre-facelift C-Class (doesn't say much at all, that interior is a POS), but it isn't very elegant, maybe purposefully. Also, some noticeable cheap areas.
And finally, the name "Modern" is the stupidest thing I've ever heard for a car designation. BMW's Marketing guys are terrible with names IMO.
So there's my harsh critique. There's a lot of good to be said about it as well (although it looks nearly identical to the E90, it looks much better and more evolved/refined at the same time). I do like how BMW is keeping the car so carefully evolutionary, and how they're keeping it as an upright Sedan, and not giving into the "4-Door Coupe" fad, and I like how they're not afraid to make the greenhouse larger, for better interior visibility and airyness, but what ruins a lot of those to me, is how not only does it looks so carefully evolved from the E90, but it looks just like the F10 too.... Too many cars are blending in with each other. And then the front ruins the whole upright-Sedan thing, as it doesn't flow with the theme of the sides and rear, making them look too tall, while the sides and back make the front look wayy too pinched/low/raked.
Queue the "M-B Fanboy" Comments.
To current BMW model status, it's a mess IMO.
It has that A6 syndrome where the sides look like an older car, while the front looks bendy and futuristic. It gives the car an incredibly unbalanced/disproportionate/awkward view from the front 3/4 angle. Just like the A6, but more-so, it looks like they welded a new front end to an older car, making the side area look extremely upright and conservative.
The front is overdesigned I feel, trying too hard, lacks the effortlessness of other BMW models. The car, aside from the front, looks like an E90 mated with an F10, the rear especially is just like the F10's, but more angular/crisp and less elegant/smooth/bloated. BMW seem to be so afraid of getting Bangle-era criticism, they're afraid to take any chances, while M-B are taking too many chances, funny how these guys have overcompensated so much, they've crossed over each other completely.
The interior looks like a Japanese SUV in a weird way to me (Actually, the center console reminds me of an American SUV, with how it looks unattached to the lower-middle console, and how it's framed) for some reason. It's not bad, and certainly better than the pre-facelift C-Class (doesn't say much at all, that interior is a POS), but it isn't very elegant, maybe purposefully. Also, some noticeable cheap areas.
And finally, the name "Modern" is the stupidest thing I've ever heard for a car designation. BMW's Marketing guys are terrible with names IMO.
So there's my harsh critique. There's a lot of good to be said about it as well (although it looks nearly identical to the E90, it looks much better and more evolved/refined at the same time). I do like how BMW is keeping the car so carefully evolutionary, and how they're keeping it as an upright Sedan, and not giving into the "4-Door Coupe" fad, and I like how they're not afraid to make the greenhouse larger, for better interior visibility and airyness, but what ruins a lot of those to me, is how not only does it looks so carefully evolved from the E90, but it looks just like the F10 too.... Too many cars are blending in with each other. And then the front ruins the whole upright-Sedan thing, as it doesn't flow with the theme of the sides and rear, making them look too tall, while the sides and back make the front look wayy too pinched/low/raked.
Queue the "M-B Fanboy" Comments.
Nikos120i
Quattro Commander
- Messages
- 597
This looks unbelievably gorgeous!
M Pack is the way to go for me...in this color apparently.
Too bad the IMF & ze Germans are over our heads...
Similar threads
BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, abbreviated as BMW is a German multinational
manufacturer of luxury vehicles and motorcycles headquartered in Munich, Bavaria, Germany.
The company was founded in 1916 as a manufacturer of aircraft engines, which it produced
from 1917 to 1918 and again from 1933 to 1945.
Official website: BMW (Global), BMW (USA)
Official website: BMW (Global), BMW (USA)
