2012 BMW 3 Series

Cosimo · 18 Oct 2011 at 13:59

Another look:

NVP · 3 Dec 2011 at 19:39

My friend went to the F30 launch in Barcelona a couple weekends ago to review the car, I've finally got some pics off his facebook.

Not too sure on the colours, or the textured wood interior...

Muffin` · 3 Dec 2011 at 19:41

good god, that's brown alright!

sunny007 · 3 Dec 2011 at 19:42

Finally they change the look of the dials !

[TW]Fox · 3 Dec 2011 at 20:07

The changed the dials in every 3 Series since the E36?

hurfdurf · 3 Dec 2011 at 20:13

Hang on, does this mean we are going to see a new M3, it doesn't seem like the last one was out very long ago and the one before that seemed to be around for ages.

[TW]Fox · 3 Dec 2011 at 20:15

hurfdurf said:
Hang on, does this mean we are going to see a new M3, it doesn't seem like the last one was out very long ago and the one before that seemed to be around for ages.

E46 M3 introduced 2000, discontinued 2006, lifespan 6 years.

E92 M3 introduced 2007, planned EOL 2013, lifespan 6 years.

So no.

hurfdurf · 3 Dec 2011 at 20:17

2007? Wow, it only seems like a few years ago it was introduced! Time is flying by.

EOL?

Any rumours about the next M3?

NVP · 3 Dec 2011 at 20:19

3.3 straight six with a tri turbo or something to that effect

Kingy · 4 Dec 2011 at 12:10

hurfdurf said:
EOL?

End Of Life...

ash_scotland88 · 4 Dec 2011 at 12:16

Kingy said:
End Of Life...

Eat out Loud....

mjt · 4 Dec 2011 at 12:48

Those dials look proper old man. Not a fan. And the fact that idle isn't horizontal is weird.

Ricochet J · 4 Dec 2011 at 12:50

What are people's opinion on the headlights merging with the grille?

I can't decide if I like it or not.

mnet674 · 4 Dec 2011 at 13:38

Nocturne_sa said:
I heard the BIK thresholds are changing for 2012/13. The lowest BIK tax of 13% will now apply to 110g/km or lower rather than 120g/km. Our company only offers vehicles with 13% BIK tax, does that mean the list of cars available will be shortened to just a few?

Thats just rubbish.

I know my car is going up with 119g/km, guess you'll be restricted to anything with bluemotion, ecomotive, greenline etc. in the model name

Housey · 4 Dec 2011 at 13:44

BMW have actually sourced the wood from a very special tree I believe.

NathWraith · 4 Dec 2011 at 13:51

lol housey

v0n · 4 Dec 2011 at 13:51

That nose is a very strange design decision, from most angles the silver side of air vent trim looks like a massive zit next to "nostrils".

Engineering wise both 5 series and 3 series seem to have gone for very unusual panel design, unless I'm missing something, it looks like they picked "winter bra/hood mask" type of setup and entire front bumper is one piece with grill surroundings and pre bonnet front. Unless it's fully suspended and hollow and was designed to cheat the way through pedestrian ncap, I don't see why any manufacturer would do such a thing - each time you crack plastic front spoiler on high kerb you'll need to replace entire front of the car?

mrk · 4 Dec 2011 at 13:53

Do Not Like!

It's just too busy, nothing flows inside or out like older BMWs, the jet fighter-esque dash angling has also lost its edge

NathWraith · 4 Dec 2011 at 13:57

[TW]Fox;20336340 said:
It's quite bizarre how obsessed we are with CO2. In other countries they recognise the harmful carcigens in diesel emissions and have much tougher regulations for them, whereas we obsess over CO2 and dont care about NOx etc etc.

The sooner we end our obsession with diesel the better. Clean, quiet, efficient petrol and hybrid engines are much nicer.

Isn't it Greece where diesel cars are banned in cities?

Greebo · 4 Dec 2011 at 14:12

NathWraith said:
Isn't it Greece where diesel cars are banned in cities?

Was for 20 yeras in 2 cities but ban lifted last month

http://www.balkans.com/open-news.php?uniquenumber=126195

But academic anyway as you have to be a business to be able to buy and drive a diesel and to take advantage of the massive price difference in fuel costs hence most private people drive petrol cars over there.