Stud Or Dud? 2012 BMW 3-Series Gets Scooped!

Stud Or Dud? 2012 BMW 3-Series Gets Scooped!
Our scoopsters in Germany have caught the next-generation BMW 3-series out on test early in the development process. Our spyshots capture a test mule – the widened track and bulging bodywork let slip this is the new 3-series, codenamed F30, which is due in showrooms in early 2012.

Our info is that the new Three will sport a brand new body, designed by recent design boss appointment Adrian van Hooydonk, wrapped around carryover chassis and suspension from today's E90 3-series family.

Will the new 3-series range share oily bits with other BMWs?



2010 BMW 550i And 530d GT PHOTO GALLERY

2010 Lexus IS-C And HS250H Photo Gallery

2009 Lexus LX570 Photo Gallery

2009 BimmerFest Photo Gallery

If you want to see your photos running on our homepage photo ticker, be sure to upload your photos on the go by sending them to Mobile@AutoSpies.com

There are photos and then there are AutoSpies.com photos!

AutoSpies.com is ranked number one on Google search for auto shows

Share on Facebook



Read Article

WillisWillis - 5/27/2009 11:33:58 AM
+14 Boost
What's new?


Agent004Agent004 - 5/27/2009 2:44:46 PM
+3 Boost
Ya, tough to find anything new, except it looks like the front car might have night vision or active cruise as the lower part of the front bumper looks like it has some sort of camera/laser system embedded in it.


Agent00RAgent00R - 5/27/2009 11:56:23 AM
+9 Boost
How much bigger does the 3-series have to get?


MrBratwurstMrBratwurst - 5/27/2009 1:11:51 PM
0 Boost
A lot.

Growing cars always triggers arms race. When competition does this, so need BMW. Audi inflated the current A4 massively when compared to the previous generation and the Skoda Superb, a new Passat in drag, has been enlarged beyond any proportions.

Bigger stuff is easier to sell cause there is little argument to justify a smaller option. Look at the Lexus with their IS. They made it tiny and cramped in the back (+ a tight boot) and everyone complains.

3er has no other way rather than going large.


t_bonet_bone - 5/28/2009 8:45:05 PM
+1 Boost
What's funny is it keeps getting bigger as I get older, so even though 10 years old I figured by now I'd be in a 5 series, it just keeps growing to fit what I want.

I guess the 1 is the new 3, sort of.


SP2HybridSP2Hybrid - 5/27/2009 12:32:18 PM
+2 Boost
... until it can properly seat a couple of adults in the back. :)


henbmwhenbmw - 5/27/2009 12:36:05 PM
+9 Boost
Oh wow, barely recognizable


LACMANLACMAN - 5/27/2009 12:40:32 PM
+7 Boost
Stud or Dud based on a test mule? Im confused...


I95SPEEDINGTICKETSI95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 5/27/2009 3:40:02 PM
+11 Boost
Exactly

More fitting is to say is Agent009 Dumb or Retarded ?


sectorsector - 5/27/2009 12:57:54 PM
0 Boost
just as chinsy as before


PerformanceGuyPerformanceGuy - 5/27/2009 1:02:10 PM
+10 Boost
Looks the same!


_43LE_43LE - 5/27/2009 4:09:37 PM
+1 Boost
Yes, as a car for driving for sure.


EL34EL34 - 5/27/2009 1:49:09 PM
-1 Boost
I hope it doesn't look tupid like that Pokemon deluxe Lexus thingy.


_43LE_43LE - 5/28/2009 1:09:06 PM
+1 Boost
No, I think you have the monopoly on the "tupid" thingy.


PlanBPlanB - 5/27/2009 2:05:59 PM
+4 Boost
Wow, I guess they thought the current model was so freaking awesome they decided to keep everything the same.


Agent004Agent004 - 5/27/2009 2:44:31 PM
+1 Boost
Ya, tough to find anything new, except it looks like the front car might have night vision or active cruise as the lower part of the front bumper looks like it has some sort of camera/laser system embedded in it.


acuramikeacuramike - 5/27/2009 2:45:28 PM
+5 Boost
Seriously '009, how are we supposed to determine if the new 3 series is a stud or dud based on test mules??


dbsvolantedbsvolante - 5/27/2009 3:02:00 PM
+1 Boost
110% DUD


ThierryHenry14ThierryHenry14 - 5/27/2009 3:13:14 PM
+5 Boost
1) This is the dumbest headline ever!!! Stud or Dud based on Mules?

2) Please read before commenting. Of course you are not going to find anything different, because its the E90 family body and looks, just testing different technology for the next generation. It says it in the text!!!


golfer38golfer38 - 5/27/2009 3:29:39 PM
+3 Boost
Brilliant post. Lets all base our opinions on a test mule that's 3 years away.


theoptimisticpessimisttheoptimisticpessimist - 5/27/2009 4:11:19 PM
+1 Boost
This looks to be just a drive train mule. With the exception of the fender flares for a wider track, the exterior and interior are the same as the E90.


investor27investor27 - 5/27/2009 4:32:39 PM
+1 Boost
Man. BMW is heading in the wrong direction...again...on the 3 series. The current 3 series is fat, bloated and over-weight. The 535xi is only 90lbs more than the 335xi. Can you believe that? BMW needs to reduce the over-all size of the 3 series. And if they don't want to do that, then at the very least keep it the same size, and reduce its weight by 200-300lbs.


schnell330ischnell330i - 5/27/2009 5:59:23 PM
+3 Boost
man yall are idiots. That is a mule (current) e90 bmw testing the F30 suspension. Its a MULE!! Determining whether the car is a "stud or dud" is therefore impossible unless you are talking about the attractiveness of the new suspension width



mpwrmpwr - 5/27/2009 9:48:25 PM
0 Boost
This is the E90 you tool! Its a mule! What is your basic malfunction?


BondMI6BondMI6 - 5/28/2009 1:09:04 AM
+1 Boost
Investor 27- think again. While I'm not a huge 3er fan there is no doubt the new model will weigh less/or the same as the current model. How? Through the use of aluminum and carbon fiber along with a TT 4 cyl engine or an advanced lightwight turbo 6 for the top of the line model with 5-8 MPG better fuel econ.


SteveSteve - 5/28/2009 5:16:03 PM
0 Boost
Just another car.
Copyright 2026 AutoSpies.com, LLC