Thoughts on the G20 3 Series?

[z335is]

I went to the dealer yesterday to pick up my CS (sorry for the humblebrag) and as I was sitting with the salesman, he points and says "how do you like the new 3 series?" Admittedly, in pictures it didn't wow me, but seemed fine enough. In person though, it just seemed like a mishmash of incongruent parts and odd angles (interior seemed ok though).

I thought the last three generations were all incremental improvements, but man I'm worried about this one. I'm hopeful that the G8x M3 will refine some of the looks, but I'm just curious of others thoughts on this as it stands right now.

[aerostar]

I don't really care for it.

Looks kind of like the new 5 Series. Hasn't really changed much from the F30.

Not like the F3p was all that beautiful, either.

[GlazierGlaze]

Anxiously waiting to see what the M3 will look like as I plan to replace my F82 with a euro delivery spec'd G80.

[SeatownF80]

I can't unsee the taillights looking like the current Lexus IS

[nicknaz]

Honestly, for me personally, it’s too little too late from BMW

“Commuter street only car” job in my garage has been taken by EVs with self driving tech

If I get a non M bmw again, it’s going to be a beater e46 spec racer. Haha.

[Humdizzle]

If they make the the awd G80 lighter than the current M3 i'll be impressed. That thing will be a rocket ship. S58 in the X4M has 510hp, so the M3 will definitely have more.

Basically a GTR weighing 300 pounds less and having much more refinement.

[ext]

To me, it looks like pure garbage on the outside. Too bad it has great updated tech This is kind of why I decided to go with an '18 F80 rather than waiting for the G80, which may or may not be pleasing to the eyes.

[mbiondo]

F80 is one of the prettiest car on the road, Period. But I think the G80 will disappoint the purist.

[clutchdj]

Rear has jdm body lines, tail lights especially. That’s probably the most disappointing feature I’ve seen. Don’t like that audi style bend/design (for lack of better words) that swoops through the lower section of the side doors. Front will look good with the power dome but the nose does not look aggressive anymore as it lacks the heavy brow & tucked kidneys. The F80 has a tough act to follow. So yeah from the A - pillar forward the car will probably look ok.

[dkhm3]

+
aggressive front fascia
raft of interior tech

-
rear end looks generic/ not bmw
awd is the performance model below m3, awd even rear biased feels heavy and is against the ethos of bmw imo.
tach goes the wrong way, gauges are minimal and now gimmicky rather than functional
center console looks bulky and buttons look cheapened vs before

to be honest, I think bmw is rightfully focusing on their SUV's these days, the sedans are not the future at least for the short term.
Sad to hear that the future m3 will be AWD performance model, without dct, and looks like going to be an even more mini m5.

[Clark_Kent]

I'm not terribly concerned about the G series since I'm not a loyalist. Early indications are I'm not a fan at all. The front end looks fine enough but it goes downhill from there. From the odd body lines to the oversized door handles to the entire rear end, I'm not sure there's any redemption. However, I will keep an open mind and wait for the M3/M4 to be released. I believe the F8x will overshadow the G series much to the chagrin of BMW. Only time will tell.

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

way too busy. all german manufacturers have lost their class and are pulling out trash and lower tier models. Ill never be seen in one...but devalues the brand.

i think base model 3er and 4er are complete shit...like a honda or mazda is literally the same thing if not better for way cheaper

[Funf6cyl]

Originally Posted by Humdizzle

If they make the the awd G80 lighter than the current M3 i'll be impressed. That thing will be a rocket ship. S58 in the X4M has 510hp, so the M3 will definitely have more.

Basically a GTR weighing 300 pounds less and having much more refinement.

If they give the new M3 AWD and the ZF, it will be a 3900-4000 lb car. - the current M3 with dct is 3700 lbs! I also doubt it will get anymore HP than the x3/4m (which are not aesthetically pleasing), but that’s just a guess. It will get more vague steering like the M5 and still not sound very good either.

[Racer20]

The front fascia on the non M-sport is horrendous. The rear end is ok but starting to look a bit too Lexus-like. The M-sport bumper improves the front end considerably. I have a B9 S4 that sits next to my F80 in the garage. The Audi is a few inches longer, but to me it feels like a much bigger car; enough to push the car into the next size class compared to the F80.

To me the E60 was the last M5 that I'd call a sports sedan (F10+ is more of a luxury/sports sedan). Similarly, I'm worried that the G80 might be too big to really have the response and feel of a true sports car replacement/trackable sedan.

[NickyC]

To me it's a new generation which looks dated compared to what it's replacing. The grills are trash of course and the taillights look straight off a medium priced Lexus (I have no idea where those tail lights came from). I'd also think it was a five series without the badge telling me otherwise.

[Refined]

Front end is way too busy. Looks terrible, now I'm afraid for the g80. BMW has lost the plot.

[JamRWS6]

Just saw a Portimao blue M Sport at the dealer and thought the car looked really nice. Would certainly have considered the M340 if it was already out. Went with a leftover F80 instead. No regrets.

[blinkme323]

I'm kind of indifferent on the car itself, don't love it or hate it. What scares me though are some of the lease deals that people are reporting on that forum - upwards of 700-800 a month for a 330? Which means means that the 340 will likely be in the 800-1000 range, craziness.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by blinkme323

I'm kind of indifferent on the car itself, don't love it or hate it. What scares me though are some of the lease deals that people are reporting on that forum - upwards of 700-800 a month for a 330? Which means means that the 340 will likely be in the 800-1000 range, craziness.

An SA I have worked with a lot told me that half the lease customers get sharp deals with almost no profit, and half get hosed down hard and keep the dealership running.

700-800 for a 330. Wow. I have my opinions which half those forums members fall into

[nicknaz]

I’m eagerly awaiting the M version of the G20.

I am too but am super worried what it will be.

3900+ lb awd car that’s larger in size. Too much pork to be a credible track day fun car.

Will no doubt put down some great 1-2 lap times but starts to get to the size and weight where tire and brake pad costs will be $$ for heavy track users.

[Funf6cyl]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

I am too but am super worried what it will be.

3900+ lb awd car that’s larger in size. Too much pork to be a credible track day fun car.

Will no doubt put down some great 1-2 lap times but starts to get to the size and weight where tire and brake pad costs will be $$ for heavy track users.

I think it will be that - heavy (wait it’s still heavy now) and more GT focused, however, I am not sure they do the GT thing quite as well as AMG and RS do it.

[Humdizzle]

Originally Posted by blinkme323

I'm kind of indifferent on the car itself, don't love it or hate it. What scares me though are some of the lease deals that people are reporting on that forum - upwards of 700-800 a month for a 330? Which means means that the 340 will likely be in the 800-1000 range, craziness.

That's straight robbery. 12000 a year to drive a 340i LMAO.