fahoumh

it looks "okay" but I think the E46 is a lot better looking.

Nicky Pass

Thats one reason I am hesitant to ever buy a BMW...they change like every 2 years!

95gt

The current model has been out forever. I would say germans don't change their models often enough. They give them a light refresh every 3-4 years but not enough to make them look any different.

pimpscls

i hate that the e36 and e46 are still better looking

titan

I like the front... can't tell about the back yet. I'm happy it's slightly larger too... it will have to grow a bit to stay competitive. They're posititoning the 1 Series under it, and it will be small, so theres a little room to grow.

TSX 'R' US

Has anyone seen these?

ABP-CL9-TSX

The front end looks like the new X3 SUV, but its hard to say about the rear. The new Bimmers aren't that nice looking on the exterior anymore.

provench

Wow ... the worst yet of the redesigned BMW's ... :busted:

jiggaman

they are ruining the look of all their cars. pretty sad. oh well, i'll live.

MarkPinTx

The color in the second pic (copper!?!?) is hideous !!

I could see getting used to that, but I dunno . . . .

The 7 series doesn't visually horrify me the way it does some folks. It's what's inside that makes my bowels rumble.

Dan Martin

If the 3 series flops because of bangle there's no way he'll be around for very long. The 3 is BMW's bread and butter and if they can't move them they won't survive without some major restructuring.

JosieBWay

looks like a Hyundai.

fdl

I started a thread about this a while ago, although the pics arent showing up anymore.

http://www.acura-tsx.com/forums/show...&threadid=4794

TSX 'R' US

Ah, figures... I tried to do a search for "2005 3 series" but wouldn't work because of a single digit/letter in the query.
But hey, have pics now
Maybe merge the two threads?

gocubsgo55

i love the new 5 series, but this 3 is bad. not THAT bad, but bad. im different about this stuff, i believe bangle is great, but the x3, 7, 5, and now the 3 are all screwed up. hmmm.. what else does BMW have. oh yeah, the z4, also bangled up. BMW is screwed, i expect a huge, maybe even record decrease in profit, and a sad sad good-bye to Chris Bangle, one of MY favorite car designers. Love your 5 series Chris, but cmon man, they aren't your cars to buy, if the people don't like them, stop designing them. Ah I don't know, i just feel bad for him and BMW. But maybe people just need to adapt to this change (iDrive was at one time the most hated component on any car anywhere, look how makes have followed the lead, INCLUDING HIGHLY INNOVATIVE AUDI!)

James

not as much as a 6-series looks like a tiburon

TSX 'R' US

There's something about the front end that makes the car look feminine...
I think it might be the eyelids (signal lights)

kiteboy

It's the Mary Kay pink paint.

TSXhopefull

anyone have interior pics

Dan Martin

Hey Kiteboy I like the new avatar!

fdl

Ya, very nice! Could we see the full size version?

Dr. Daryl

This is simply repeat of what some of my dentist acquaintances have said: Chris Bangle was not allowed to design the 3-series. BMW, despite putting on a good face, is scrambling to redo the entire line before it's a financial debacle.

But that is only hear-say.

Gotta admit he's been very very good for Acura. I want a TL or 05 RL far more than a 3-series or 5-series even though they drive beamers.

Dr. Daryl

jlukja

This new 3 series better be a MAJOR improvement in performance because it looks terrible. WTF is going on with those headlights?

biker

It seems many makes have passed BMW in the looks, price and reliability categories but until now BMW still had the upper hand in terms of driveability. Once other cars catch up in this latter category - the only thing left is the little badge on the hood.

The look on the new 3 is OK but I'm not sure that the 10K/month sales will continue. Of course after 2005 the 3 series will include only the sedan as the coupe will be the 4 series.

phile

I don't think it looks so bad. It looks a little more coherent than the X3. Despite all the hard lines, it manages to look softer than the outgoing model,IMO.

TSX Hokie

...with some Daewoo thrown in. I'll reserve judgement until I see a production model. Would be a shame for the 'benchmark' entry-lux sports sedan to get ruined by poor exterior design.

kiteboy

http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4287177037

gavriil

M3 Gets V8 Punch - - Source: Autoexpress

It's not only the 2-Series that reveals BMW's future sporting potential. The M3 performance flagship will arrive hot on the heels of next year's all-new 3-Series, and comes with a 400bhp 4.0-litre V8. That will make it the first V-engined M3 since the badge debuted in 1988.

The powerplant should be enough to give the car a sub-five second 0-60mph time, while the top speed will be electronically limited to 155mph. The machine will be easy to distinguish from lesser 3-Series models thanks to a larger front bumper, full-width airdam and muscular wheelarches, which will be filled by 20-inch alloy wheels fitted as standard.

Both coupé and cabriolet versions of the car will feature the V8, although these are likely to be called M4, in line with BMW's new naming policy that began with the 6-Series. It uses even numbers to denote coupé or drop-top models based on the platforms of odd-numbered saloons.

The M3 and M4 will also be offered in lightweight CSL guises. These models will tip the scales at significantly less than the standard cars thanks to aluminium panels, carbon fibre trim and heavy components such as the air-conditioning unit removed. The M3 is expected to appear in late 2005 and will cost about £45,000. Meanwhile, the M4 versions will follow in spring 2006, with the lightweight CSL in showrooms later that year.

bigman

God knows the current M3 inline is a time bomb waiting to blow. But imagine being able to go forced induction on a v-8 m3/4.

Red-CL

Just might be my next car.

charliemike

$55-60k for an M3?

Jeezus.

titan

Damn. 4.0 V8= 400hp in the M3/M4, 5.0 v10 = 500hp in the M5/M6... this 100hp per litre trend on the M models from BMW is fucking amzaing.

charliemike

3.0 V6 in the M2 with 300hp?

goldmemberer

Yep, but that 5.0 V8 in the current M5 only produces 394 hp.

gavriil

That's UK pricing. It will be cheaper here.

gavriil

The M6 is expcted to make 550HP from the same engine.

Minch00

Being an M3, I'm sure it will be an awesome road monster, however, I'm still worried about what it's going to look like. In my opinion, you can't improve on the current M3 bodystyle, especially with BMW's new look.

titan

Wow, better than I thought. The cost will be sky high though.

gavriil

Source: http://xelopolis.membres.jexiste.org...rticle&sid=400

fahoumh

blech