Rumors about the next 3 Series

[dieselstation]

Auto Spies exclusive: New details on the next-generation 3-series
We take the veil off some of the new features

Auto Spies exclusive:

The next 3-series is a few years off (2005) but the spies are starting to hear details about the next iteration.

- A six-speed manual will be offered
- iDrive finally makes its way into the 3
- A new 'paddle-shift' SMG will be available
- Styling will be the most conservative of all the BMW's
- Performance of the next 330 (won't be a 330, most likely it will be a 350) will rival the current M3
- Convertible will have a retractable hardtop
- It will be less expensive and offer more standard features (due to competition from Infiniti, etc.)
- A diesel will finally make it to the US.

More details as we receive them...



http://www.imakenews.com/autospies/e_article000089480.cfm

also spy picts of the new 6 series! http://www.imakenews.com/autospies/e_article000089475.cfm

 

[SyahM]

If this rumor is true especially about the performance, I cant imagine how fast the M3 would be in 2006 :Q As fast as GT2? GT3? Too bad speed limit will still be the same ...

 

[Doggiedog]

That rear decklid and nose have to go on that 6.

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

I have an idea. Let's believe everything we here - especially from a site called "IMakeNews.com"

 

[Ameesh]

Originally posted by: KnightBreed
I have an idea. Let's believe everything we here - especially from a site called "IMakeNews.com"

i prefer to get my news from putitanywhere.com

 

[NFS4]

The part about the 3-Series having a retractible hardtop convertible has GOT to be BS. It's just not feasible at that price point.

 

[StattlichPassat]

That would be cool if the '350' went up in power, as rumors are going around that the next M3 will have a V8 to compete with the everlong battle with the Audi S4. Still not sure how good of an idea it is to stray from the six...

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Originally posted by: NFS4
The part about the 3-Series having a retractible hardtop convertible has GOT to be BS. It's just not feasible at that price point.

Hell, it's barely feasible at the current pricepoint, and BMW plans to further reduce the price with a stronger engine, hardtop convertible, and more standard features? Since when has BMW aimed to keep competitive, pricewise, to other luxury brands?

- A six-speed manual will be offered
Ok, fair enough.

- iDrive finally makes its way into the 3
The iDrive system will be offered in the 5-series redesign for the 2004 model year. 2005 seems too soon to offer it for the new 3-series.

- A new 'paddle-shift' SMG will be available
They mean SMG for the standard non-M badged version, correct?

- Styling will be the most conservative of all the BMW's
That's a shame since, IMO, the 3-series has traditionally been more sporty looking than 5 and 7-series.

- Performance of the next 330 (won't be a 330, most likely it will be a 350) will rival the current M3

- Convertible will have a retractable hardtop
Possible, I suppose.

- It will be less expensive and offer more standard features (due to competition from Infiniti, etc.)

- A diesel will finally make it to the US.
Are Americans willing to buy a diesel BMW?

 

[GTaudiophile]

Please, no iDrive! Actually, it will be offered in the next 5, but as an option I've heard. If that is the case, it will only be optional on the next 3 as well. If only it were optional on the 7!

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
Please, no iDrive! Actually, it will be offered in the next 5, but as an option I've heard. If that is the case, it will only be optional on the next 3 as well. If only it were optional on the 7!

I don't see why people have such a huge problem with i-Drive.

My roommate & I drove around in a 745 during BMW's ultimate drive (Portland).

That is one damn sweet car, and the i-Drive just adds to it.

Viper GTS

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
Please, no iDrive! Actually, it will be offered in the next 5, but as an option I've heard. If that is the case, it will only be optional on the next 3 as well. If only it were optional on the 7!

I don't see why people have such a huge problem with i-Drive.

My roommate & I drove around in a 745 during BMW's ultimate drive (Portland).

That is one damn sweet car, and the i-Drive just adds to it.

Viper GTS

I-drive adds to the confusion. I'll take a button to press or a dial to turn over a hocky puck and looking at a screen anyday.

 

[dieselstation]

Originally posted by: NFS4

I-drive adds to the confusion. I'll take a button to press or a dial to turn over a hocky puck and looking at a screen anyday.

Well, i guess it all depends on well it's done and implemented. Like Apple's iPod, simple wheel and button that takes care of most functions instead of a ton of functions everywhere.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: dieselstation

Originally posted by: NFS4

I-drive adds to the confusion. I'll take a button to press or a dial to turn over a hocky puck and looking at a screen anyday.

Well, i guess it all depends on well it's done and implemented. Like Apple's iPod, simple wheel and button that takes care of most functions instead of a ton of functions everywhere.

Playing MP3's and moving a simple wheel is different than driving a car and moving a hockey puck and watching an LCD screen while trying to navigate through traffic.

 

[GTaudiophile]

The concept of iDrive is not what is bad. What is bad is BMW's implementation. Check out the new Audi A8 or VW Phaeton to see how such a system should be properly implemented.

 

[bolido2000]

Originally posted by: dieselstation

Auto Spies exclusive: New details on the next-generation 3-series
We take the veil off some of the new features

Auto Spies exclusive:

The next 3-series is a few years off (2005) but the spies are starting to hear details about the next iteration.

- A six-speed manual will be offered

- iDrive finally makes its way into the 3
- A new 'paddle-shift' SMG will be available
- Styling will be the most conservative of all the BMW's
- Performance of the next 330 (won't be a 330, most likely it will be a 350) will rival the current M3
- Convertible will have a retractable hardtop
- It will be less expensive and offer more standard features (due to competition from Infiniti, etc.)
- A diesel will finally make it to the US.

More details as we receive them...



http://www.imakenews.com/autospies/e_article000089480.cfm

also spy picts of the new 6 series! http://www.imakenews.com/autospies/e_article000089475.cfm

I think everything stated makes sense (except for the 335 having the performance of the current M3)

 

[bolido2000]

Originally posted by: NFS4
The part about the 3-Series having a retractible hardtop convertible has GOT to be BS. It's just not feasible at that price point.

I think it makes sense...They need something to compete with the MB SLK which runs for 40K+ and thats about the same as the current 330.
Also, BMW and MB are moving to the low end of the market. MB with its C coupe and BMW with the 1 series. The current 3 series start at about 28K. The only thing they need is add more standard equipment and they have a car that better competes in the bang for a buck dept

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: bolido2000

Originally posted by: NFS4
The part about the 3-Series having a retractible hardtop convertible has GOT to be BS. It's just not feasible at that price point.

I think it makes sense...They need something to compete with the MB SLK which runs for 40K+ and thats about the same as the current 330.
Also, BMW and MB are moving to the low end of the market. MB with its C coupe and BMW with the 1 series. The current 3 series start at about 28K. The only thing they need is add more standard equipment and they have a car that better competes in the bang for a buck dept

Not even close.

The 330i doesn't compete with the SLK. The Z3 (and now, the new Z4) compete with the SLK along with the Audi TT, Honda S2000, and Porsche Boxster. The 330i and SLK are no where close to being competitors.

The 330i convertible competes with the new MB CLK (also with automatic cloth top), Volvo C70 Convertible, Saab 9-3 Convertible, and the new A4 Convertible.

 

[StattlichPassat]

I'm just holding out that it won't turn out all Bangled up.

<rimshot>

 

[Mani]

Wishful thinking. A 350, going by Bimmer's current naming convention would have to have a 5-liter engine.

The rest sounds pretty sketchy as well, this isn't even worth taking with a grain of salt.