Shows some more nice pix as well as information on increased power and some new bells & whistles. Enjoy!
http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=101090
http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=101090
Autoweek article 2006 330i
- Thread starter DrivingTopless
- Start date
Hmm, don't know what to think. I can't believe I saw a 3 series with the window controls on the door. They have always been beside the gearshift. Seems like BMW is pushing the 3 series into mainstream and taking away the lure and individuality it has always possessed. I think the jury is still out until I see it in person. I didn't like the new 5/6 series until I seen them in person. I like them a lot now. I still like the E46/E39 better, but I wouldn't mind having one.
The new 6’s are nice to drive. I just don't like Idrive too much....
The new 6’s are nice to drive. I just don't like Idrive too much....
A misstep by BMW on their 3 series design could have been devestating. There's real competition out there for the sports coupe/sedan market. The 2005 G35 with its 298 HP is sure to eat into BMW sales. The price of the new G35 will be in the same area as that of the 325, and the G35's performance will exceed that of the 330 which will cost thousands more. It'll be interesting to see just how much the BMW cachet is worth.
By the way I like the appearance of the new 3 series. If 3 series sales fall, it'll be more because of competition than an ugly design.
By the way I like the appearance of the new 3 series. If 3 series sales fall, it'll be more because of competition than an ugly design.
Well said, sly. I feel the same way about BMW facing increasing competition from the Japs. One can say that this type of competition has always existed, but over the past couple of years, the Japanese car makers have really beefed up their offerings in terms of power and driving performance, and have become a serious threat to BMW sales. One can't deny that the likes of the G35 are an incredible value. The 3er is BMW's biggest seller in the States, so it has to be a "solid" offering in order to keep pace.
I'm actually wondering how much more these models are going to cost than current models. With a weak dollar and the increasingly higher cost of German inputs, it wouldn't suprise me if BMW raised prices, as they did on the 5er and 7er. Like you said, it will be interesting to see how much the BMW cahcet is worth.
On a personal note, I like the new design well enough. I would have liked to seen a more traditional headlight, but on the whole not a bad look. But on the same token, I'm not exactly drooling over it either....just kinda lukewarm right now. I'll have to see it person.
I hope they don't offer SMG in it, but I fear they will. I just don't like SMG too much....
I'm actually wondering how much more these models are going to cost than current models. With a weak dollar and the increasingly higher cost of German inputs, it wouldn't suprise me if BMW raised prices, as they did on the 5er and 7er. Like you said, it will be interesting to see how much the BMW cahcet is worth.
On a personal note, I like the new design well enough. I would have liked to seen a more traditional headlight, but on the whole not a bad look. But on the same token, I'm not exactly drooling over it either....just kinda lukewarm right now. I'll have to see it person.
I hope they don't offer SMG in it, but I fear they will. I just don't like SMG too much....
It's unfortunate that BMW's prices have risen so much over the past few years. It didn't seem that long ago when you could get a decently equipped 328 for a little over $30K. Now the 330s are easily exceeding $40K. I'm not blaming BMW for the price increases. They would be foolish to charge less for their products since they are selling so well. But as consummers, we have the responsibility of making sure that we get value for our purchases.
Guys... not sure if you've checked, but BMW is actually previewing the new 3-series on the BMWUSA website.
I've been going back and forth on the design. The car looks better in "motion" than it does standing still. The current 3er looks just as good standing still as it does in motion. I absolutely HATE the new grille too. What's with that heavy strip of chrome across the top? It looks O.K. on the 6-series, but really dogs the 3-series. Why couldn't they have gone with something more like the 5er? The kidney grille on that car looks sweet -- a nice evoluton over the previous car.
Having said all of that, I'm a coupe / convertible fan. Hopefully the grille on those models will be different.
I've been going back and forth on the design. The car looks better in "motion" than it does standing still. The current 3er looks just as good standing still as it does in motion. I absolutely HATE the new grille too. What's with that heavy strip of chrome across the top? It looks O.K. on the 6-series, but really dogs the 3-series. Why couldn't they have gone with something more like the 5er? The kidney grille on that car looks sweet -- a nice evoluton over the previous car.
Having said all of that, I'm a coupe / convertible fan. Hopefully the grille on those models will be different.
I'm really torn too. I think the profile is pretty good (very E46y), and thankfully the rear and front is not too 7er/5er bizarre.
I am most torn on the inside. I always loved how BMW cockpits were driver based, with a slight emphasis on controls for the driver. The new 3er is very flat across the dash...a la 7er/5er. Maybe the materials are high quality (in the pics the dash plastic looks very hard and chinsy), but I really think that the inside looks very sterile, non-sporty and again 7er/5er...which is very mid 1980's Oldsmobile/Buick. I hate those big dashes, and loads of big wood panels. BMW...snap out of it. You build sport sedans....not Park Avenues!!
Final thoughts...probably the best "new" BMW design though. Good idea not to royally piss of 500,000+ buyers worldwide. If BMW did that...Ford would surely swoop down and buy up BMW
They are dying to get their hands on some German Goods. Bought up all of the Brits and Swedes ![[;)]](/images/smilies/wink.png "Wink [;)]")
. Nein Ford.....Sie können BMW nicht haben. Nein, nein, nein!!!!
I am most torn on the inside. I always loved how BMW cockpits were driver based, with a slight emphasis on controls for the driver. The new 3er is very flat across the dash...a la 7er/5er. Maybe the materials are high quality (in the pics the dash plastic looks very hard and chinsy), but I really think that the inside looks very sterile, non-sporty and again 7er/5er...which is very mid 1980's Oldsmobile/Buick. I hate those big dashes, and loads of big wood panels. BMW...snap out of it. You build sport sedans....not Park Avenues!!
Final thoughts...probably the best "new" BMW design though. Good idea not to royally piss of 500,000+ buyers worldwide. If BMW did that...Ford would surely swoop down and buy up BMW
They are dying to get their hands on some German Goods. Bought up all of the Brits and Swedes . Nein Ford.....Sie können BMW nicht haben. Nein, nein, nein!!!!I think it's great, inside and out.
I love my E46, it's beautiful also, but they have to evolve, and it only makes sense that they look a little bit like the 5s and 7s, for product continuity and recognition factor. Competition, tons!! Even the new 250hp Subaru Legacy is a great car.
BUT-
let's not forget the engineering, the ride, the engine, the handling - I'm blown away by my 325 over the last 19,000kms. I can only imagine what a new 325 or 330 with the new engine will be like, and with the new technology like active steering and adaptive headlights - and a 6-speed as standard!!! I love it!! Sign me up!! I'll trade in my new 325!
Also, keep in mind that in promo stuff they only show the fanciest version of whatever it is they're trying to sell, so that "European model" has i-Drive (don't want it), and maybe NA versions will be simpler and more driver oriented. It looks to me like moving the window controls etc., might result in slightly more right leg room, I could stand that.
I love my E46, it's beautiful also, but they have to evolve, and it only makes sense that they look a little bit like the 5s and 7s, for product continuity and recognition factor. Competition, tons!! Even the new 250hp Subaru Legacy is a great car.
BUT-
let's not forget the engineering, the ride, the engine, the handling - I'm blown away by my 325 over the last 19,000kms. I can only imagine what a new 325 or 330 with the new engine will be like, and with the new technology like active steering and adaptive headlights - and a 6-speed as standard!!! I love it!! Sign me up!! I'll trade in my new 325!
Also, keep in mind that in promo stuff they only show the fanciest version of whatever it is they're trying to sell, so that "European model" has i-Drive (don't want it), and maybe NA versions will be simpler and more driver oriented. It looks to me like moving the window controls etc., might result in slightly more right leg room, I could stand that.
