New 3 Series caught testing on the 'Ring

[PricklyPete]

Looks pretty sharp to me:

http://www.insideline.com/bmw/3-series/2013/videos/2013_bmw_3-series_ss_333.html

Still can't see everything with the camo...but looks like a baby 5 series...except I think the shape actually hangs better on the 3 series size.

Eagerly awaiting next M3.

 

[evident]

I think the current 5 series is the best looking BMW out there right now, so a baby 5 series is def. a compliment!

 

[JackBurton]

Ooooo, can't want to see it fully unveiled.

 

[satyajitmenon]

Hmm. Sounded a little wierd when it was revving (in the end of the video). Wonder if that's the 4 cyl?

 

[Arkaign]

Hmm. Sounded a little wierd when it was revving (in the end of the video). Wonder if that's the 4 cyl?

I'd have to guess so, if they're going to bother with a lot of testing, they'd probably prefer getting the miles (or kilometers, lol) under the belt of that new i4 turbo under hard real conditions rather than heavy re-testing of the mildly reworked i6 models.

I'm very curious about the 3-series i4 models upcoming for the states, they've always had i4 options for europe, but we've missed out for a long time. Of course, driving E46 2.5 i6 was kind of a snore, but as that and the IS250 has proven, a lot of buyers don't really care about compelling engine power from their entry-lux cars.

 

[PricklyPete]

I'd have to guess so, if they're going to bother with a lot of testing, they'd probably prefer getting the miles (or kilometers, lol) under the belt of that new i4 turbo under hard real conditions rather than heavy re-testing of the mildly reworked i6 models.

I'm very curious about the 3-series i4 models upcoming for the states, they've always had i4 options for europe, but we've missed out for a long time. Of course, driving E46 2.5 i6 was kind of a snore, but as that and the IS250 has proven, a lot of buyers don't really care about compelling engine power from their entry-lux cars.

It probably was the T-I4, but that engine isn't entirely "all-new"...just new to us in the states. It has been in the X1 for a while now...and the X1 has been around since 2009 I believe...although I don't know if the engine debuted at the same time.

I'm sure the new I4 will be a good 4cyl...but I can't see buying a BMW and not getting a inline 6. I might make an exception for one of their high-revving 8 cylinders...but really the "specialness" of BMW has always been the inline 6 and balanced handling.

 

[Arkaign]

It probably was the T-I4, but that engine isn't entirely "all-new"...just new to us in the states. It has been in the X1 for a while now...and the X1 has been around since 2009 I believe...although I don't know if the engine debuted at the same time.

I'm sure the new I4 will be a good 4cyl...but I can't see buying a BMW and not getting a inline 6. I might make an exception for one of their high-revving 8 cylinders...but really the "specialness" of BMW has always been the inline 6 and balanced handling.

I agree, though the lower models (325i/328i) are a bit underwhelming even if still smooth as silk.

Having only the 318ti to go by, I'm still sort of interested in how the turbo 4 plays out. I know that the 2.0T in the VW/Audi stable has been prone to a lot of various reliability problems over the years, but is capable of astonishing power for the displacement size. I'll be curious to see if people get 320t (naming obviously modified to reflect series and motor here) models and chip/mod them up past 300hp.

 

[PricklyPete]

I agree, though the lower models (325i/328i) are a bit underwhelming even if still smooth as silk.

Having only the 318ti to go by, I'm still sort of interested in how the turbo 4 plays out. I know that the 2.0T in the VW/Audi stable has been prone to a lot of various reliability problems over the years, but is capable of astonishing power for the displacement size. I'll be curious to see if people get 320t (naming obviously modified to reflect series and motor here) models and chip/mod them up past 300hp.

BMW's N54 wasn't a peach either...though I have not heard many results on the N55 with its twinscroll approach. I'm eager to see how well the N55 is doing reliability wise.

 

[punjabiplaya]

I liked the Bangle 5 series more than the current one, but the only 3 series that I like (appearance wise) is the 335 coupe. The M3 makes sense with all its bulges and stuff, but I don't necessarily like it.

 

[mmntech]

I love the half-arsed camo job they did on it. Never understood the point of that. Oooo, I saw it before it was officially unveiled. Disaster.

But yeah, it does look a little more modern. Not bad at all. Would love to see it in white. Just wish they'd make the interior a little nicer. Never been a fan of the dash control layout on the 3 series.

 

[PricklyPete]

I love the half-arsed camo job they did on it. Never understood the point of that. Oooo, I saw it before it was officially unveiled. Disaster.

But yeah, it does look a little more modern. Not bad at all. Would love to see it in white. Just wish they'd make the interior a little nicer. Never been a fan of the dash control layout on the 3 series.

Agreed...I thought older 3-Series were nicer. For instance, I always thought the E46 dash was more clean than the E9X. Hopefully they improve it this time around. While the upcoming 1-Series looks a bit of a mess, the interior at least looked good...so hopefully that will rub off on the new 3 Series.

 

[exar333]

Look's really big....the size of the current 3-class is perfect. This is too big.
With the new 1-class FUGLY, that doesn't leave any attractive small car options from BMW. No Thanks.

 

[Miramonti]

That's a "spy" video? lol

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Look's really big....the size of the current 3-class is perfect. This is too big.
With the new 1-class FUGLY, that doesn't leave any attractive small car options from BMW. No Thanks.

I would guess it will be only a hair larger than the E90. The wheelbase is definitely longer (hence the shorter overhangs), but I don't know that the car is much larger. For what it's worth I own an E90 and find the interior a little cramped - I am 6'4" and it's hard to fit a fairly tall person behind me comfortably. I wouldn't mind a bit more space. Actually my E46 M3 actually seems to have better rear legroom than my E90.

 

[ayabe]

Changes seem relatively small compared to the E46->E9x. It looks OK, which is how I feel about the new 5-series, just a tad boring and generic.

But I withhold final judgment until we see the non-camo version.

 

[hanoverphist]

Hmm. Sounded a little wierd when it was revving (in the end of the video). Wonder if that's the 4 cyl?

at :22 in the video the guy says its the turbo 4 cyl. engine in it at the base

 

[rh71]

love the current 5-series design... baby 5 as the 3 would look great. I don't like the current 3-series sedans... coupes are much better but still room for improvement such as this.

 

[GTaudiophile]

I was a guest a few weeks ago at the BMW FIZ in Munich. FIZ = Forschung und Innovation Zentrum. I got to see a lot of these in the flesh, including the new 3, new M5, new M6, among others.

 

[Excelsior]

It probably was the T-I4, but that engine isn't entirely "all-new"...just new to us in the states. It has been in the X1 for a while now...and the X1 has been around since 2009 I believe...although I don't know if the engine debuted at the same time.

I'm sure the new I4 will be a good 4cyl...but I can't see buying a BMW and not getting a inline 6. I might make an exception for one of their high-revving 8 cylinders...but really the "specialness" of BMW has always been the inline 6 and balanced handling.

The much beloved e30 M3 and e30 318(is) would have something to say about that "specialness" bit.

 

[Demo24]

I drove a first gen e90 with a 4cyl in it, and while it was hardly beastly it did the job pretty well. Enough power to get the back end out and pretty good fuel economy.

 

[hans007]

i don tthink they really have to test the i-4 since it's not really new.

the z4 that has it should be out any month now.