3 Series (G20) [Official] BMW 3 Series (G20)

[Betty Swollocks]

You talk about unnecessary lines yet you fail to mention the F30, the king of redundant lines? You make an effort to point a big red line at something you don't like about the design, yet the previous 3er is filled with these things.

Er, no it really isn't. There are far more lines on the G20 in every respect. Front, side and rear.

G20 side view

F30 side view. Clearly less lines.

G20 M Sport front view

F30 M Sport front view. Much more simple.

You sure he still buys car mags? Or did that stop 25 years ago? There's maybe some Lexus ideas for sure, but to mistake this for a Lexus if you're a car guy is just beyond me. Beyond me, you hear?

Conveniently left out the rest of my sentence didn't you? The bit where I said it was a "fleeting mistake"? In case you aren't aware, this is a term which means for a split second.

Maybe not, but this has to be the 3rd or 4th time I see you write this down, so there must be a lot of insecurity in this regard. Don't worry, people won't hold it against you.

Believe me, if I wanted to get a G20 I could get a G20. In fact, I'd say it's quite likely at some point.

And then there's the small things that you don't like like the Live Cockpit (best looking cockpit in the industry AFAIAC), thick chrome grille (best looking BMW kidney I have ever seen), so it's safe to say your opinion and my opinion yet again are vastly different, which is of course excellent. And for the moment you have your strong cards because you're one of the few with first hand experience. So take advantage of it.

You really get upset when someone doesn't validate your own thoughts don't you? Your feelings seem genuinely hurt.

 

[LaArtist]

So, I went to the Paris Motor Show on Monday, and as I've already posted in this thread, I wasn't "blown away" by the new 3 Series. This is my attempt to understand WHY I wasn't blown away. Sometimes you don't know.

The first indications were before my dad and I got to the BMW stand. We approached from the side, and clearly visible (side on) w...

Hahha best post this year.
The first video was just magic, they way you tapped that plastic, there is hate in the movement of your wrist, I think I’ve watched it 7 times already!

 

[braaf]

Hahha best post this year.
The first video was just magic, they way you tapped that plastic, there is hate in the movement of your wrist, I think I’ve watched it 7 times already!

They're great videos, but i too wonder what is it with peoples obsessions with tapping plastics in a car. Example, Not sure if many people are familiar with the Toyota Hilux bakkies AKA pick ups.

Those are great looking bakkies (pick ups) IMO but the interior is be sodden with hard plastic EVERYWHERE. Yet it doesn't bother me, as long as it doesn't rattle or squeak and looks good then I'm happy.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

They're great videos, but i too wonder what is it with peoples obsessions with tapping plastics in a car. Example, Not sure if many people are familiar with the Toyota Hilux bakkies AKA pick ups.

Those are great looking bakkies (pick ups) IMO but the interior is be sodden with hard plastic EVERYWHERE. Yet it doesn't bother me, as long as it doesn't rattle or squeak and looks good then I'm happy.

1) I was "tapping plastic" because @martinbo expressed a desire to find out the quality of the materials in the interior of the G20. Not sure what to do, I assumed this was sufficient in providing the answers Martin wanted.

2) Not sure what relevance a Toyota pick-up truck has when considering acceptable levels of plastic in a premium sedan.

 

[braaf]

1) I was "tapping plastic" because @martinbo expressed a desire to find out the quality of the materials in the interior of the G20. Not sure what to do, I assumed this was sufficient in providing the answers Martin wanted.

2) Not sure what relevance a Toyota pick-up truck has when considering acceptable levels of plastic in a...

That was no dig at you, I like what you did in the videos and value your opinion. I was merely stating that it has become an obsession with many people on this forum, sometimes including myself.

The Toyota pick up has absolutely nothing in common with the premium sedan interior quality except for maybe they cost the same in South Africa. I was merely pointing out my experience with that vehicle and that the hard plastics never bothered me.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

Hey, Betty, thanks for the insight. Don't agree with you assessment regarding how busy the side profile of the G20 is versus the F30 as they almost equally "busy" with their character lines. In fact, the F30 has three major character lines whereas the G20 looks like it has two major character lines: 1) the line that starts aft of the lower portion of the front wheels that rises as it gets to the rear wheel, and 2) the line that starts subtly aft of the front wheel continues below the window sill then becomes more pronounce as it incorporates the rear door pull and then terminates into the taillights. I guess one can argue that the latter line is really two separate lines, as in the F30, but the front portion of that line is not as pronounced as it is on the F30. On the other hand, the front of the M sport G20 is fussier than its predecessor.

 

[fortuner]

1) I was "tapping plastic" because @martinbo expressed a desire to find out the quality of the materials in the interior of the G20. Not sure what to do, I assumed this was sufficient in providing the answers Martin wanted.

2) Not sure what relevance a Toyota pick-up truck has when considering acceptable levels of plastic in a...

I must say when I sit in a car I also do the same especially if its my first time in a specific car I like to get the feel of thr material I don't see what's the issue people are complaining .What I find wierd is you are a guy who owns now two BMW one a beast in the form of the m4 and yet if you give your opinion people are upset I mean I can understand if a member like me who is and admit being a Mercedes fan posted what you posted I know it will cause a stir but you just saying what your feel and are a BMW owner..

Also I must say when I see the new 3 I also see too any lines and edges and definateky more then the previous generation.. I even find it a bit to busy and just lines put for the sake of it.

Anywyas watch the disagrees lol.

 

[martinbo]

Hey, Betty, thanks for the insight. Don't agree with you assessment regarding how busy the side profile of the G20 is versus the F30 as they almost equally "busy" with their character lines. In fact, the F30 has three major character lines whereas the G20 looks like it has two major character lines: 1) the line that starts aft of the lower por...

Sure, but one man's lines are not the same as another's as Betty has pointed out.

Whilst the bonnet and front wing (from the side and ahead of the A-pillar) surfacing is notably smoother - almost in the unsensual impurity idiom - in the G20 versus the F30, the same cannot be said for other areas, particularly the lower half of the vehicle. So, whereas the upper flanks are smoother, anything below the mid-line on the side surfacing is notably busier. See how the simple, rounded forms of the rear bumper on the F30 have changed to a flat-side + bevel format, not at all dissimilar in theme from what we've seen on the rear of a current Toyota Corolla. I think this looks great by the way but it's clearly nothing new in terms of design originality.

I wonder if people have noticed how, in profile, the G20 appears to be heavier-sided than the F30. This is particularly prevalent, again, ahead of the A-pillar where the front wing is distinctly taller on the G20 over that of the F30 because it rises up higher to meet a flatter bonnet (in profile between the A-pillars). In the F30, the bonnet is heavily profiled (with complex contouring at the A-pillar junction) and drops down to present a shutline which is lower for front fender to meet. So, the G20 definitely has fatter front fenders. Furthermore, I am pretty sure that, as a result of what's just been described, the beltline of the G20 is a little higher and the side DLO a little shallower than that on the F30, respectively.

Of course, much of this is purely based on judgement-by-eye and I'm no "Marvelous Matski" when it comes to ghosted overlays of one image over another. [Believe me when I tell you I tried! See attached]
Still, to my mind, the G20 is a heavier-looking design than the F30.

 

[donkeykong]

@Betty Swollocks ,thank you for taking the time provide your insights on the new 3er, I appreciate it.

 

[martinbo]

More of my thoughts on this G20 exterior design...

Again, even if I've gotten my scaling wrong (I've erred on the side of the G20) - it's clear that:

The front overhang of the G20 is longer than that of the F30
The sheetmetal to wheel ratio on the G20 is greater over that of the F30
Also, the side glasshouse is shallower on the G20
The overall design of the G20 is bulkier than that of its predecessor.

The above are not criticisms - just observations. And, the evolution from the F30 is as clear as an elephant's ballbag.

I do have one, major criticism though... that Hofmeister kink on the G20 is a dog's breakfast compared with the beautiful, traditional flow of the elbow curve into the shutline of the door.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

Sure, but one man's lines are not the same as another's as Betty has pointed out.

Whilst the bonnet and front wing (from the side and ahead of the A-pillar) surfacing is notably smoother - almost in the unsensual impurity idiom - in the G20 versus the F30, the same cannot be said for other areas, particularly the lower half of the vehicle. So, whereas t...

I wouldn't categorize it is as fat, but "muscular" or "big-boned."

And frankly, I'd like to co-sign on fortuner's sentiments. We are talking about bloody cars! The way some people react is if someone's talking about another's loved one! We are all enthusiasts, and I'm not saying we should all come together and sing Kumbaya, but let's keep things in perspective.

 

[donkeykong]

I wouldn't categorize it is as fat, but "muscular" or "big-boned."

And frankly, I'd like to co-sign on fortuner's sentiments. We are talking about bloody cars! The way some people react is if someone's talking about another's loved one! We are all enthusiasts, and I'm not saying we should all come together and sing Kumbaya, but let's keep...

It does appear slightly more bloated to me, I guess big boned can be considered acceptable as well. lol

 

[Matski]

"Marvelous Matski"

After this week I might have more time to do some comparison stuff...

.. or I'll be dead, we'll see.

 

[SDNR]

I can’t believe we’re into the 7th generation of the 3er - time seems to be passing super fast!

Like Martin, I’m not crazy about the new take on the hofmeister kink - sometimes keeping things simple works better.

Overall, this is a highly attractive new design for the 3er - I like it more than its rivals.

 

[LaArtist]

HAve agree with the fussy lines.
BMW are going bronkers with the lines, and i like sharp lines, this is why I liked the previous gen of mb’s More than the current.

And I feel the 3er is the least liney one of them all.

But just look at the 8er for eg,
It looks like samurai victim, it’s cut all over the place with no flow nor sense, much like another brand from the land of samurais... rhymes with flexus

 

[SDNR]

HAve agree with the fussy lines.
BMW are going bronkers with the lines, and i like sharp lines, this is why I liked the previous gen of mb’s More than the current.

And I feel the 3er is the least liney one of them all.

But just look at the 8er for eg,
It looks like samurai victim, it’s cut all over the place with no flow nor sense, much like anoth...

Ha ha, yeah don’t get me started on Lexus!

The RX is one of the very worst-looking vehicles in production
...but the LX rivals the Pontiac Aztec for Fugliness!

 

[bimmer6]

HAve agree with the fussy lines.
BMW are going bronkers with the lines, and i like sharp lines, this is why I liked the previous gen of mb’s More than the current.

And I feel the 3er is the least liney one of them all.

But just look at the 8er for eg,
It looks like samurai victim, it’s cut all over the place with no flow nor sense, much like anoth...

Do you really need that trolling in BMW threads? This is only one out of several times that you're criticising BMW designs for not having sharp lines while at the same you're glorifying every single Porsche design, although they aren't exactly famous for their sharp lines either...

 

[SCOTT27]

Will be seeing a lot of these now the cat is out of the bag.

 

[klier]

^ Superb! Fresh modern and typically BMW. Lets all hope for an M3 Touring.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

^ Superb! Fresh modern and typically BMW. Lets all hope for an M3 Touring.

Dream the dream, friend. Dream the dream.