New BMW 3 series.

[Adam43]

The bulging bonnet soon to be the most common saloon on the road.

Anyone got the old one? Will the new one be a big improvement? Is it good if chasing up? Or chasing CO2?

[murphygunn]

About CO2 BMW 5 Series has some of the lowest emissions and the highest fuel efficiency in its class. And it perfectly matches beauty and performance...

[SALEEN S7R]

I currently have the outgoing model in 320d format, my car has been re mapped but fuel consumption has remain unchanged, emissions have obviously increased but not enough to require any modifications to get through a MOT. As for the new 3 series, from what I understand the fuel consumption has increased to a average of 60mpg from 48mpg for the 320d, mainly thanks to the start stop technology I would imagine and the new car being 40kg lighter than the outgoing model.

The outgoing 3 series is by far the best car I have had the privilege of owning and I fully expect the new car to be even better. From what I have seen and read though it is evolution rather than revolution which is no bad thing, take the Golf for example.

[Adam43]

Start stop is pretty standard nowadays, it obviously reduces fuel consumption in the tests.
The real trick is the start part and it is amazing how quickly it picks up again.

[GTRMagic]

Originally Posted by Adam43

Start stop is pretty standard nowadays, it obviously reduces fuel consumption in the tests.
The real trick is the start part and it is amazing how quickly it picks up again.

Hopefully you cant notice the transition...

...in the first Honda VTec variable valve timing engines, the transition was noticeable and jerky... as new models, new engines have come and gone.. its such that you only notice the change on very light throttle openings...

As with all BMWs, wait for 6 months to a year til they get the magic sorted.. and the options list incorporated as standard

[garcon]

Saw a new 3 series this week. Evolution is the key. A new front end that is distinctive enough to distinguish from the older model, apart from that it's largely familiar lines and a little bit bigger. It'll keep the 320d at the top of the repmobile sales charts without breaking sweat.

[bella]

slightly irrelevant, but i followed a new 1 series on tuesday. i didn't think they could make that car any more ugly. i was wrong. it's a bizarre cross between straight lines and odd curves, like when ford brought out that... scorpio was it? with the round grill and the funny shaped headlights but in a 80's saloon after the ford escort met its maker.

if it's anything like the 1 series then presumably it's a better car to sit in than look at...

[Adam43]

That sector is about to get more competitive with the new A-Class coming. A3, 1 series and A-Class giving a true entry point to all the German premium manufacturers.

[awrb]

Originally Posted by bella

slightly irrelevant, but i followed a new 1 series on tuesday. i didn't think they could make that car any more ugly. i was wrong.

I've got to say that when Chris Bangle revealed his first BMW's I thought they looked terrible. I thought they were too busy and over-the-top, and that no one could do worse. But after a bit of time I started to like them. When you consider how old his 5 and 3 series are, they still look modern and interesting and I actually like them now.

The new 3 series is ok, but the 1 series is terrible. Maybe I'll change my mind on that, but to me BMW's new design chief (forgotten his name) seems to be following Bangle's design concept but it's just not working.

[JHamilton]

Is the new 1-series out over there? I think the current 1-series coupe is the best looking thing BMW makes... At least since the e46 M3. The 1M is a fantastic looking thing IMO.

[bella]

Originally Posted by JHamilton

I think the current 1-series coupe is the best looking thing BMW makes...

not saying much

we're talking about the hatchback (well i certainly am), the little coupe version is kind of how a 3 series was before it ate all the pies...

[SALEEN S7R]

Personally I think the 5 series is the best looking car in the BMW range at the moment, either that or the new M3. Cant stand the 1 series, it doesent look like a "proper" BMW in my opinion. Yes the 3 series and 5 series might be relatively big size wise but they are quite light, and the 3 series at least is the best handling car in its class going by what i've read, and from my own experince the outgoing 3 series has hot hatch performance in the twisty stuff when using non run flat tyres and the M Sport suspension pack.