At First Glance, Is The BMW 3-Series The MOST DISAPPOINTING All-new Vehicle Debut Of 2018?

BMW has essentially become a bank that happens to sell mediocre cars.

No. The worst car this year is the Lexus RX-L. Not only is it the least attractive premium SUV already, but not only did they add a virtually useless 3rd row, but they also sacrified 8 inches of 2nd-row legroom to do so. Absolutely horrific packaging for a higher price tag. And still ugly.

Okay, so...

This is not the segment of greatest interest to me. Entry-level cars are neither on my shopping list, nor hold my attention too much, so I don't necessarily have the most stake in this game.

However, this seems to happen every time:

"The new car is bad! The old car was good! Bring back the [insert older generation of your choosing]! It looks too busy! It looks too bland! They changed too much! Just another warmed over refresh! It doesn't have [insert old feature]! BMW has lost its way! It's too big! It's too small! I'm buying [insert competitor instead]! (spoiler alert, hardly anyone who writes something like that actually has the money to buy one, even in this segment)"

From all of this carrying on, you would think BMW hasn't made a good car since the late 70s. That seems farfetched.

I think it looks good. About what you would expect. The same BMW look just updated and better. What do you expect them to do? Get rid of the double kidneys, the four headlights, and the Hofmeister kink? Most car companies would kill to have the design language recognition of BMW.

Yes, particularly everyone has high expectation on the essential car of BMW, after the disappointment of 8 series and Z4.

It seem there's just no stopping BMW making cheaper and design that doesn't make sense, particularly at the interior.

Speechless.

Great shot of hard plastic around the headlight switch.

Why because you're going to be touching that 1/2 inch of plastic surround every time you're in the car? Come on now. I think the obsession of "hard plastic" vs. "soft touch" has gotten a bit to the point of nonsense. I saw a reviewer on youtube literally reaching underneath the dashboard of a car (i.e., won't see it, won't touch it) and criticizing the plastic used. WTF. Not only that, a manufacturer can cover a car part with the most exquisite material, but if its movement and function feels cheap and clunky, defeating the purpose (i.e., my current car). Two cars ago, my car had the most beautiful finishes and design of the interior, but it was plagued by squeaks and rattles galore from day one. I'd rather a company spend money on an interior that functions and is built (structurally) to quality rather than worrying about strictly aesthetic appeal.

The point is that even the E39 and E46 had little to no hard plastic faux leather parts, they've seemed to only up the tech wizadry while cost-cutting on areas of touch unfortunately.

More "leading questions" from Autospies after seeking story ideas from their psychologist significant other, because they were coming up dry.

This "leading question" story is just premature until we all see the 3-series at the Auto Show with human beings around it so we get a sense of its size and proportions and it also comes across as more than a little mean.

No more premature questions please.

They are going down a downward spiral...all of what made BMWs great up to the E90 generation is gone. Their exterior designs are stagnant, and their interiors are behind the competition. At this point they are selling based on brand image (which only lasts so long) and aggressive leasing.

100% agree. The bigoted snobs laugh at cars like the Kia Stinger, but if a person would drive a Stinger back to back with a 3 Series, the 3 Series would not leap out as clearly better. It's like Alfa Romeo crowing that the Giulia outpaces the 3 Series and then you realize how off their pace BMW is so that Alfa's "accomplishment" with their reduced-size Charger really isn't that noteworthy.

No Korean cars. Period.

I'd say E46 is the last great 3. E90 sedan is probably the ugliest of all 3 series, but its coupe looks pretty good. because of the streamlined rear.

If you drive both E46 and E90 back to back, you'll find the latter has higher COG and body roll/dive/squat. Also the steering, while still hydraulic, is getting vague in feel, and nowhere as transparent as E46

Whether it’s how Audi and Benz can do no wrong or how Tesla or BMW can do no right, you gotta love Autospies and their clickbait headlines. “Journalistic integrity” indeed. Anyone remember Billy Madison?

https://goo.gl/images/Kaa89u

Initially disappointing, but I would reserve final judgement until I can see it in person, maybe take a test drive if it is interesting enough.

Really? Cheapest interior in decades?

https://www.dodge.com/assets/images/vehicles/2016/dart/features/interior/2016-dart-interior-islandbezel.jpg

https://car-images.bauersecure.com/pagefiles/71740/bmw_320d_05.jpg

And those are from the past two years alone, and one is from BMW themselves.

You really want to go "decades"?

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4150/5006083793_1ac7c2361f_b.jpg

http://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2647/4128329610_d9a80d850f.jpg

Point is, this new 3-Series may or may not be good, and it may or may not even be to your tastes, but a lot of people seem to think it's absolute crap and garbage and BMW should have closed after peaking in 1996 and just given the money back to the shareholders.

Isn't it a more thoughtful conclusion to state that you don't care for the most recent interpretation of the design language, and may consider alternatives instead, but will reserve judgement until you see it in person?

I think it looks great and identifiable as a BMW. Surface details are difficult to discern in pictures. If it drives great, all is forgiven. It seems that BMW is touting the dynamics on this new 3 as greatly improved. let's wait for a test drive.

Why does BMW bother with the 3 when they now have the 4 Gran Coupé? You're not going to stuff fully grown adults in the back seat anyway unless you want their knee caps busted, so the headroom sacrifice is worth it for a much better look and aerodynamics. This new 3 just looks old and obsolete.

I think this is a fine, incremental update, both inside and out. The driving dynamics remains to be seen,thiugh. And this is the key. This segment is not what it used to be with the rise of crossovers, ut for those who want a smallish sporty sedan the 3 series will remIn at the top of the list if the streering snd handling measure up. Many od you need to take a desp breath and czlm down.

I'm sure it will drive well and be built well but BMW has lost its nerve and mojo when it comes to interior and exterior design. No wow factor, no I gotta have it.

BMW has never been about a WOW factor. What German design is all about standing out and be loud and brash? None. You're supposed to drive the car, not just worry about a laser light show on the inside.
I think everyone on auto spies has become mentally challenged.

Personally, I like the evolutionary change vs abrupt depreciation inducing change. I can't say if it's going to be good, bad or great until I drive it. It's the touch and drive feel that are most important in these critiques and way too early for anyone to opine otherwise.

1 - It is actually not a bad looking car - it just looks too much like the previous cars for an ALL NEW model.

2 - One must remember that BMW made its bed on the 3 - series. It never was any larger car -which BMW fails to make exciting. AS a result - I am disappointed that they did not at least come up with something Obviously different to separate the new one from the old one

3 -A Yugo was a piece of Shit. This is not even in the same league. ANd I will bet it does drive well - probably better than the last one.

The biggest problem is the "Prestige factor" =yes the car may be technically a home run - but from its looks - it is out of the past. Since this class car is too small to meet my minimum requirements -

Looks very E90

The new 3-series looks ok for what it is an entry-level "luxury vehicle. If this was released five years ago it would be revolutionary. Unfortunately the market expects more than just "ok".


There is an image of the M symbol on the brakes and on the side panel. I can't help but notice the large wheel-gap on a vehicle with an M-badge. What does "M" symbolize?

The horizon is cloudy, but one thing is clear, BMW AG is so disconnected from their buyers, dealers, distributors and reality that they think anything they produce will sell... how can the once great company that set the standard for so much of what we have come to expect from a luxury car produce such uninspiring product.. People are all hot and crazy for the Tesla Model 3, and the new BMW 3 series is being universally panned as too little and little changed... but that same sediment has been the case now for 10 years.. and no one at BMW AG is listening... so unfortunately the only choice is to ignore the brand until someone gets the message... the cost of ownership for BMW is outrageous, the style is uninspired, the interiors are less interesting then most KIA products... This new 3 is not new to the non-car enthusiast, BMW ws a statement of personal style and success, one that people did much the same as they are now for Tesla, lined up and waited to get their hands on market changing ideas... think about the i3... can there be a better example of ugly and out of touch... now the new 3... same same... I see BMW's horizon as a company that needs to have fundamental change at the top levels of management or lose their place among the luxury car makers... this in not an all new luxury car that you want to have no matter the cost, this is a mid-cycle update pawned off like an all new product... people will vote with their hard earned money and stay away... simple response to the obvious, consumers are not dumb...

How is Audi's head up display? Oh wait...
Also, Auto spies full of crap again. You still get free maintenance with the BMW.

They cut it from 4/50 to 3/36 from 2017 on...

The front looks ok, the back screams Lexus IS. Interior dash seems ripped from an Audi with their trapezoids IMHO. The question really is how many of the secretaries in my office will brag about buying one?