3 Series (G20) [Renders] BMW 3 Series (G20) Rendered

[Busty]

Yes. The top models are likely to have leather on the transmission tunnel and on the outside of the door bins. Merino leather will be standard but are also an option on the 3-Series.

I would love to see weighted metal dials and wheels in the interiors on the THE models.

You guys are absolutely right. What might be the core problem is that most customers - even the ones who are in the top-level markets - do not have real quality perception anymore. Based on my experience, the crowd in here is a huuuuuge exception to the rule. In real life, you can sell plastic in its numerous variants to practically anybody, as long as it 'looks' expensive. That is a horrible trend.
However, I see first indications for a counter movement. And at least a few people at BMW show some interest in it. In contrast to the other German premium OEMs. (Cannot elaborate on details, yet.)

 

[hovabongZA]

Except Mercedes. Every interior is so unique...







I hope I’m saying it before @hovabongZA , but this will without doubt be the class b3nchmark!

At least there are somethings we can agree on

 

[hovabongZA]

Let’s try and wait for the cars to be fully revealed before we make judgements on what the interiors will look like.

 

[bmwownage]

BMW interiors have always been very similar across models haven't they? No surprises here, just that there are so many more models now than let's say the 90's days when there were only 3, 5, 7, X5, Z3 era. Looking at the current line up of G20, G30, G11, it's pretty similar to the one sausage in different size era of the E46, E39, E38 - and they shared very similar interiors - which is OK, as long as the trim and quality is reflective of their respective positioning.

With tech nowadays, I don't think people are ignoring quality - say a piece of real wood trim vs a fake piece of wood-patterned plastic do look different. But things like leather - i mean we have Civics and Corollas getting "leather" trimmed consoles and panels, and those synthetic leather may probably be longer lasting and do not feel different to the real thing. Take my home sofa for example, they say the main seating area are real ox leather while the back and foot rest etc. parts are synthetic leather - i honestly cannot tell the difference. Then, it becomes a matter of how it looks, and you add stupid things like interior ambient light around the full interior. At night, a driver should prefer a dark interior with everything dimmed to the max. BMW used to have full orange lights which was soft to the eyes and best for night vision, but now obviously with the competition, they had to do the same bs, just to provide the me too wow factor.

 

[CrunchSlaughtered]

The formula with the similar cockpits is not from yesterday. For me personaly it works well.
E30

E34

E32

 

[martinbo]

I have no problem with similar facias which follow a common design theme. What I have a problem with is the "Cheapening"...

[just bear with me here - 2 glasses of red down and here we go; remember the original Highlander movie which spoke of the "Quickening" where things move faster toward an event where eventually "there can be only one".]

... a similar thing is happening here where superficial, easier-on-the-eye interior cosmetics are beginning to usurp build & tactile quality and form & function.

I must ask: what the fūck are itty bitty rocker switches for the primary HVAC temperature controls doing there instead of the tried and tested (and far better to use) rotary dials? I'll tell you why - they're far cheaper, and, screw ergonomics in the touch screen era. Merc have done it, Audi have done it. Your cue, BMW, to get on the bandwagon of The Cheapening.

I have to say that I'm worried about this dashboard given what (admittedly it's limited) I can see thus far.

 

[Centurion]

what the fūck are itty bitty rocker switches for the primary HVAC temperature controls

@Enl @Scott

I have pointed this out in this thread and the X5 one. Why does some centre consoles have rockers and others buttons for temperature and fan controls?

 

[Rolf]

A massive leap in quality.

I must say I am feeling a tinge of disappointment looking at these mules interiors. There appears to be too much black plastic on the center console for my liking, the new flat black plastic selection panel for the infotainment near the I drive wheel scroller looks really cheap, it looks like BMW are reducing the button count by changing classy looking individual squared off buttons into a flat large plastic panel doesn't look good at all.

The current F30 I drive controller and selector buttons looks more classy.

With regards to the buttons for HVAC and radio also are flat black plastic that could be coming out of a Hyundai or Kia. This is a BMW and should have something to make it look more special so more expensive looking metallic look switches would look great.

The new I drive screen position on the center console looks much lower than the current models, it is the same height as the instrument panel whereas current models it's higher.

 

[Rolf]

The formula with the similar cockpits is not from yesterday. For me personaly it works well.
E30

E34

E32

The E30 was the first model out of the 3 to have that fantastic ergonomically perfect benchmark driver centric cockpit and its build quality was on par with the E34 interior. E32 had a great interior with extremely comfortable soft pleated leather seats.

 

[Busty]

I must say I am feeling a tinge of disappointment looking at these mules interiors. There appears to be too much black plastic on the center console for my liking, the new flat black plastic selection panel for the infotainment near the I drive wheel scroller looks really cheap, it looks like BMW are reducing the button count by changing classy looking individual squared off buttons into a flat large plastic panel doesn't look good at all.

The current F30 I drive controller and selector buttons looks more classy.

With regards to the buttons for HVAC and radio also are flat black plastic that could be coming out of a Hyundai or Kia. This is a BMW and should have something to make it look more special so more expensive looking metallic look switches would look great.

The new I drive screen position on the center console looks much lower than the current models, it is the same height as the instrument panel whereas current models it's higher.

Material mix is far from finished in mules of that stage. Especially the new infotainment controller area will be very classy. A differentiating factor for the interiors across the range will be symmetry (8 series: symmetrical; X5/7/3-series etc.: dissymmetrical) and details. However, it's true: the justified criticisms about the current 3 series interior strengthened the wish to bring it closer to up-scale models.

 

[klier]

I must say I am feeling a tinge of disappointment looking at these mules interiors. There appears to be too much black plastic on the center console for my liking, the new flat black plastic selection panel for the infotainment near the I drive wheel scroller looks really cheap, it looks like BMW are reducing the button count by changing classy looking individual squared off buttons into a flat large plastic panel doesn't look good at all.


With regards to the buttons for HVAC and radio also are flat black plastic that could be coming out of a Hyundai or Kia. This is a BMW and should have something to make it look more special so more expensive looking metallic look switches would look great.

You are aware you are looking at a freaking mule right? A test car? You know, where not the final parts are fitted?

 

[Matski]

I remember stripping the interiors out of my E24 and my E30... I have to say I think there's a certain degree of nostalgia creeping in to some posts with regards to past build quality. I've no quibbles with the ergonomics or design, but it wasn't screwed together that well as I recall.

 

[klier]

I remember stripping the interiors out of my E24 and my E30... I have to say I think there's a certain degree of nostalgia creeping in to some posts with regards to past build quality. I've no quibbles with the ergonomics or design, but it wasn't screwed together that well as I recall.

BMW's holy grail seems to be the interior quality of the E38, E39 and E46 generation. E24 and E30 are too old.

 

[JPATT93]

Now that we can depict the lines/surface work of the car from more recent spy photos, these old pictures make more sense.

 

[SKY]

As expected, less radical profile creases with one running across the entire side profile above the door handles and a shorter one linking the rear lights to the rear door handle.

 

[Deleted member 1071]

BMW's holy grail seems to be the interior quality of the E38, E39 and E46 generation. E24 and E30 are too old.

I recall how I perceived my former E46s' interior as being a genuinely vast improvement compared to its' E36 predecessor. The E46 in general was a vastly improved car versus the E36.

 

[rollo]

I also had an E46 with a manual transmission, great car. Those were the days.

 

[Rolf]

I recall how I perceived my former E46s' interior as being a genuinely vast improvement compared to its' E36 predecessor. The E46 in general was a vastly improved car versus the E36.

The E46 is one of the best 3 series ever in my honest opinion especially the FL from 2002 onwards. It had perfect design proportions with gorgeous short front overhang and blistered wheelarches. The interior was a huge improvement over the E36, especially the build quality and rear space and it had much more comfortable seats. The E36 had those ugly thin clamshell like front seats and it's rear space still was limited. But both were great drivers cars none the less.

 

[rollo]

The E46 is one of the best 3 series ever in my honest opinion especially the FL from 2002 onwards. It had perfect design proportions with gorgeous short front overhang and blistered wheelarches. The interior was a huge improvement over the E36, especially the build quality and rear space and it had much more comfortable seats. The E36 had those ugly thin clamshell like front seats and it's rear space still was limited. But both were great drivers cars none the less.

And it drove like an Ultimate Driving Machine. Great balance, engine, suspension etc.

 

[tomazino]

Side character lines and surfaces