2019 BMW 3 Series

[PricklyPete]

I was surprised I didn’t see a post on this yet. I guess between the consumer shift from cars to CUV’s and Tesla taking a huge bite out of the 3 series pie with the Tesla Model 3...there is a lot less interest in the car.

https://www.motor1.com/news/268066/2019-bmw-3-series-debut/

I am still a huge fan of the 3 series having owned both an E46 and F30 (currently driving). From my perspective:

Pros:
- love the 382hp in-line 6... 50 more horsepower than my current car with less weight to haul around
- less weight while actually increasing size (it is now essentially the size of the E39 5 series which always felt like the perfectly well rounded sedan)
- design has evolved, but still looks great IMHO
- love the renewed focus on driving experience. While it still has to prove itself on this, recent BMW releases like the M5, M2, X3, X1, X2, and X5 have all been lauded for BMW having gotten its mojo back...hopefully that translates to the 3 series as well.

Cons:
- no manual ... you suck BMW. Full confession, my current 3 series is an automatic... but that was not my choice (necessary so that my wife can drive it...you don’t win all battles)
- some of the styling seems to be lifted right off the Lexus IS (rear) and the Honda Civic (front). While not surprising...just don’t see the need.

My car has plenty of more life in it, but this will certainly be at the forefront of my test driving list when I’m ready to replace it. Part of me wants to go electric next time around...but that in-line 6 always draws me in.

 

[PricklyPete]

I think it is pretty telling that BMW (and other companies selling sedans) have an upward struggle selling non electric sedans.

Pretty incredible how little interest there is in a new 3 series vs the Model. 3. Hats off to Tesla on the sales numbers they are racking up.

Side note, saw that BMW will have a full electric car on this platform (likely using the 4 Series 4door coupe body). Seems like it will be a crucial vehicle to gain back sales from Tesla.

Trying to gain back its reputation, Cadillac has been chasing after the German sedans. Sounds like they should have been chasing Tesla all along to really grab that next generation buyer.

 

[ponyo]

I think BMW is the most vulnerable and most likely of the luxury German automotive company to fail because of Tesla. BMW appealed to the young and the cool crowd who likes performance vehicles. Tesla has taken over that segment. This is just the beginning. BMW is dead. They just don't know it yet.

 

[PricklyPete]

I think BMW is the most vulnerable and most likely of the luxury German automotive company to fail because of Tesla. BMW appealed to the young and the cool crowd who likes performance vehicles. Tesla has taken over that segment. This is just the beginning. BMW is dead. They just don't know it yet.

It certainly will be an interesting space to watch over the next decade. It is likely that BMW will put out a compelling product to match the Tesla options, but I think you make a strong argument that they lost the “cool” factor they have been riding on for many years. they will retain die hards and people that still like to drive. But between losing that “cool” factor and more and more autonomy tech, BMW will likely become the next Cadillac trying to grasp at relevance.

 

[cyclistca]

Now that they do not offer a manual would not even consider buying one

 

[Insomniator]

It looks like a Lexus and no manual is a sad day for BMW. I'm sure its a fine car but eh what makes it a BMW anymore.

They better keep making M3's in manual!

 

[tsupersonic]

I think BMW is the most vulnerable and most likely of the luxury German automotive company to fail because of Tesla. BMW appealed to the young and the cool crowd who likes performance vehicles. Tesla has taken over that segment. This is just the beginning. BMW is dead. They just don't know it yet.

Something to think about - BMW is has the i3 and i8, which could be the foundation to the future of BMW when it comes to hybrid / alternative fuels. MB also has the B class electric drive, but that's just rare in the US.

The tail lights are very Lexus like! I do like the progression of the 3 series.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

I like the look of it but will reserve judgement until I can drive one. I really hope they rummaged around in their dust bin and put the mojo back.

 

[manly]

I think BMW is the most vulnerable and most likely of the luxury German automotive company to fail because of Tesla. BMW appealed to the young and the cool crowd who likes performance vehicles. Tesla has taken over that segment. This is just the beginning. BMW is dead. They just don't know it yet.

I guess you aren't aware BMW sells about 2M cars a year, and no more than 20% of that is the 3/4 Series. People still strongly associate this model with BMW, but that isn't where their profits (and growth) are.

We'll see what calendar year 2019 auto sales look like for Tesla vs legacy automakers. Tesla's stated goal of selling 1M BEVs within a couple years is extremely optimistic, nonsensical unless the Model Y is being launched anytime soon. You could argue that is their Achilles heel. They do not have a CUV/2-row SUV for sale in the sweet spot of the auto market, and nobody expects them to before a deluge of competition arrives.

 

[ponyo]

I guess you aren't aware BMW sells about 2M cars a year, and no more than 20% of that is the 3/4 Series. People still strongly associate this model with BMW, but that isn't where their profits (and growth) are.

We'll see what calendar year 2019 auto sales look like for Tesla vs legacy automakers. Tesla's stated goal of selling 1M BEVs within a couple years is extremely optimistic, nonsensical unless the Model Y is being launched anytime soon. You could argue that is their Achilles heel. They do not have a CUV/2-row SUV for sale in the sweet spot of the auto market, and nobody expects them to before a deluge of competition arrives.

 

[GoodRevrnd]

- less weight while actually increasing size (it is now essentially the size of the E39 5 series which always felt like the perfectly well rounded sedan)

While I agree e39 is the perfect size sedan, I actually hate the modern 3 series size, from an enthusiast perspective. It leaves their performance lineup completely awkward. You have to get at least an M3 if you want solid power or anything plush, but I don't want a car that big. The M2, while pretty slick, just falls short all around. Not enough weight savings over M3, even less interesting engine, no luxury options, not enough cost savings over an entry M3, etc.

New 3 is at least doing a bit better w/ understated looks, but I'm not exactly a fan of the design. The nose is too bloated for a 3 and those fog light scoops are hideous. The M bumper is a bit more balanced and doesn't have the overboard angular design like the F30. Nose is still awful though.

I think BMW lost a lot of cool factor when they started over-designing their body styles and sacrificed too much driving feel for comfort and mass appeal. Then they completely over-saturated their model lineup. They could also use a halo car. The i8 is nice but doesn't quite fill the role for performance. But at least it's unique. The last unique car they had was the e60 M5/6 for their V10 and those were fugly and not without a bundle of other valid criticisms.

 

[GoodRevrnd]

Also, whoever came up with that black M Performance door inlay should be shot.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Now that they do not offer a manual would not even consider buying one

Why? Because you absolutely have to have a manual transmission? I love manuals but they are a chore to drive in stop and go traffic.

 

[Ackmed]

Because they can be very fun? Especially with a nice sounding exhaust note. I love manual in both of our main cars. When toying around on back roads it can be a blast, or just down shifting before stopping is an old habit too.

For the OP, I agree with most of your points. For me BMW has fine tuned one of the main goals for the "driving experience". The new updated controls and such look nice. I like the start/stop on by the shifter, mine is up on the dash. I didnt read the entire article, I think the screen is touch now? My 2016 is not, and it amazes me that it doesnt. Just seems so dumb.

The engine is promising, and should push that car around very fast. We recently just got my wife a used 2016 X6 M series, and even after reading the reviews it is SO much faster in person. Its to the point of being ridiculous. Its much faster 0-60 that my Maserati car was at stock. I've chipped it, so they're pretty close now, but I would still give the X6 the win just on the feel test. Sits you back in the seat hard, and doesnt have the lag of spooling up twin t's that the Maserati has. Maserati sounds better to me... but its a different sound. X6 is deeper.

 

[dasherHampton]

I seriously doubt BMW is in any more danger than any other car maker.

 

[NutBucket]

Why? Because you absolutely have to have a manual transmission? I love manuals but they are a chore to drive in stop and go traffic.

Yep. If I'm buying a driver's car I think the MT is a big part of that even if it is now slower and less efficient.

Obviously for a family hauler it makes less sense. But I'd still get the MT in an Accord...maybe I'm just a curmudgeon.

 

[hans007]

I seriously doubt BMW is in any more danger than any other car maker.

I'm probably going to buy one in a year. I am probably the target market for it. Hopefully they are still doing euro delivery. I already miss driving a RWD car and if the steering and handling is as improved over the old one I'm definitely in the market for a 330i.

I dont think BMW is hurting much if at all, tesla is a money burning , junk bond rated company that will likely not exist in its current form in a year when the 3 series is out. That seems like nothing but patience BMW has to have.

I actually like the size of the new 3. The old one was 3" shorter. This one is about .5" shorter than my current car (audi a4). Its not exactly e39 length, its actually the same length as an e34, but has a longer wheel base than an e39 so that is really not so bad. I know a lot of people are griping about the length, but if you are going to buy a sedan anyway you might as well have rear leg room for actual normal sized people... a lot of people seem to feel all nostalgic for the E46 sized cars, but I remember having to sit in the back of those and having so much less leg room and i'm only 5'11

 

[PricklyPete]

I'm probably going to buy one in a year. I am probably the target market for it. Hopefully they are still doing euro delivery. I already miss driving a RWD car and if the steering and handling is as improved over the old one I'm definitely in the market for a 330i.

I dont think BMW is hurting much if at all, tesla is a money burning , junk bond rated company that will likely not exist in its current form in a year when the 3 series is out. That seems like nothing but patience BMW has to have.

I actually like the size of the new 3. The old one was 3" shorter. This one is about .5" shorter than my current car (audi a4). Its not exactly e39 length, its actually the same length as an e34, but has a longer wheel base than an e39 so that is really not so bad. I know a lot of people are griping about the length, but if you are going to buy a sedan anyway you might as well have rear leg room for actual normal sized people... a lot of people seem to feel all nostalgic for the E46 sized cars, but I remember having to sit in the back of those and having so much less leg room and i'm only 5'11

I really thought my next car would be a 5 series (or something similar sized),so I’m perfectly happy with the larger interior of the 3 series.

I’m not as pessimistic of Tesla. BMW used to be the brand that people looked at and thought “that is what the cool kids drove”. Sure there have always been people who like the way they have driven, but their last generation or two of vehicles have lost their way somewhat (losing some of the driving enthusiasts interest) and now Tesla is taking over the “cool kids” crown. Just look at this forum as an example...it is nearly dead, but you will still see a ton of interest in a Tesla thread. It took 2+ days and me bumping this thread to get any response at all. If I bring up Tesla at a party, I will have both guys and girls discussing. If I were to bring up BMW, I’d be lucky to get one person who is interested in the conversation.

You may be correct that Tesla in its current state may not last, but the cars are pretty amazing for a decade old company and show a lot of promise. The Model 3 is definitely hurting BMW 3 series sales in the (second most common car traded in for a model 3).

 

[dawheat]

I drive a 430 GC which is heavily based on the 3-series. This might be the first model update where I don't have the urge to upgrade right away.

In a couple years when I'm back in the market, I absolutely will be cross shopping the Model 3 and the next gen 4-series GC (I think they just look better than the 3 series without much trade-off in utility). I have to say it's the Model 3's to lose.

 

[mztykal]

My 4 series GC is way nicer than the 335 e92 I came from. Just the hatchback alone would get me to buy the next version. Though I think in a couple years a 5 series will be next...

 

[hans007]

My 4 series GC is way nicer than the 335 e92 I came from. Just the hatchback alone would get me to buy the next version. Though I think in a couple years a 5 series will be next...

my coworker has a 2017 440 grancoupe. His is pretty loaded, i think the only thing he doesn't have is full executive package so his speedometer dials are still analog. That said, I had an f30 328i a few years back... and a decked out normal 3 series and a 440i interior wise just feels basically the same. The G20 has a way way way better interior from the looks of it. I think the next gen grancoupe if you are into grancoupe style is going to be pretty nice inside and out, but that just the GXX platform in general which seems a huge improvement over the FXX ones