001 Lands And Starts Snapping - FIRST Real-Life Shots Of The 2012 BMW 3-Series

I think it look really good the current BMW 5-Series but the front lights look light is connected to the center grille look really weird. But other then that I have to see final production model in person before I can make judgement.

Reminds me of the Spinal Tap pods.

Yawn!!! And BMW wants us to think that this is a complete redesign? Looks like the last model but with different front/rear and interior. Same drivetrains, same engines, same suspensions, same undersized stock wheels, Same side profile.

Toyota did the same thing with the "New Camry".

I think you want people to beleive it not a complete redesign...when it is!! It has a completely new chassis (larger, and lighter), new 2.0t engine, new 8 speed auto, plus the new interior and exterior designs. Sounds like a new car to me. Whould the new 991 911 not be complete redesign b/c it has a similar side profile to the 997?

A new car that looks exactly like the old car with the exception of the front/rear bumpers, and the interior. If that’s what you call a "new exterior design" then they pulled one over on you. It’s a massive refresh, not a complete redesign.

But if you want to believe that it’s a "new design" then who am I to tell you that you are wrong?

From an exterior standpoint, what other than the front bumper/grill and rear bumper/tail-lights looks any different than the outgoing model?

And with the 997? There's a difference between a similar profile and the exact same profile. The new 3-series and the old 3-series have the same exact profile (sans front and rear overhangs). I expected more. Not surprised though, the current BMW designs leave more to be desired.

@lex

Lol! The profile looks the same, so they must be the same. That’s some brilliant logic right there..it must be true.haha.

@car750i
It's more than the profile. The windows, doors, A-pillar, B-pillar, C-pillar, Rear Quarter panel, Roof, and Fenders all look the same as the last generation. Do you disagree with that? The trunk and hood are only slightly different (but not enough to notice).

And none of you guys even answered my question. So I'll ask again; from an exterior standpoint, what other than the front bumper/grill-lights, and rear bumper/tail-lights, looks any different than the outgoing model? Answer that please.

Chop off the new 3-series over hangs (front and rear). And then do the same with the last Generation. Then compare. I'd bet anything that you cannot point out a single thing that is different (other than maybe the ground effects) between the two after the chop job. Just because u own a BMW doesn't mean that BMW isn't capable of trying to pass off a massive refresh as a complete redesign.

“Looks like the last model but with different front/rear and interior. Same drivetrains, same engines, same suspensions, same undersized stock wheels, Same side profile.”

Your initial statement was not true, your just trolling. The new car has a new 2 liter engine (no need to change the other engines b/c they are all among the best in class), transmission, suspension, and chassis.

“So I'll ask again; from an exterior standpoint, what other than the front bumper/grill-lights, and rear bumper/tail-lights, looks any different than the outgoing model?”

Ok, Now you have a revised issue. So your saying take away everything that has changed, and name what’s different….well not much b/c you excluded all the changes. Lol. I would say style wise the new take on the headlights and interior are refreshing and original. There is not really a need to change everything, because a lot of it works incredibly well. IMO a new chassis, suspension geometry, base engine, transmission, interior, and redesigned front, and rear are pretty big changes…but that’s just me.

Take away everything that's changed? What do you think the overhangs add up to as a percentage of the exterior? 20%? So 80% of the exterior is unchanged.

Don't get me wrong. Overall the 3 is a nice package (I like the interior and all the new features). It just seems too mainstream IMO. But as it stands, from an exterior standpoint it looks like a refresh. The M3 might be the one if they decide to flare out the wheel arches a little. They didn't do that last time.