BMW 3 Series Launch

[sparoz]

Just some photos of the 3 series launch at Coastline BMW. Unfortunately, I have forgotten to take photos of the 3 series itself... doh.. but the car was a step up from the E90 in terms of finishing and quality. It feels more luxurious although the launch car is the Luxury line. If anything, it becomes more a luxury sedan rather than a sport sedan, but I haven't seen the sport line as it was time for the baby to go.

I have to say the M5 and the Mini Coupe and Roadster stole the show, but by judging from its looks - it is more than worthy successor to the E90.

Thought I will start a thread to post photos of the launch.

[woosh]

Last night Col Crawford BMW decided it would be a fantastic idea to occupy the foot paths at Dee Why beach with their vehicle displays. They even booked out a Cafe for the event lol. It was such a talking point amongst the crowd!

No pics unfortunately - was too busy eating ice cream

[sparoz]

lol - you can just see me holding my daughter

[130iWanted]

Man the new 3er is ugly. Love the new 5er though.

[130iWanted]

The F30's front end, especially the lights look atrocious mate. Reminds me of a cross between Mr Burns and Moe

[Ninjaoz]

Just got back from the F30 launch, test drove the 328i..quite disappointed, wasn't as fast as what I expected, I floored a couple of times..no sudden urge, pull or anything...the acceleration is quite linear. Reckon the 335i is still the best pick.

[Dr Stig 2]

Spent the day at the motorline event. What cars?
Couldn't drive anything.
The food and entertainment was great though.
I'll have to wait until next week to drive the new 335.
They certainly put on a good family friendly day. Wife and kids have never had that much fun while I looked at cars.
The new M5 was my pick.
And the K1600GT.
Might take that out next weekend as well.
Tempting. So tempting.

[Honny]

Originally Posted by Dr Stig 2

Spent the day at the motorline event. What cars?
Couldn't drive anything.
The food and entertainment was great though.
I'll have to wait until next week to drive the new 335.
They certainly put on a good family friendly day. Wife and kids have never had that much fun while I looked at cars.
The new M5 was my pick.
And the K1600GT.
Might take that out next weekend as well.
Tempting. So tempting.

You know you want that M5......

[BMW86]

I went to Bruce Lynton event at O'Reily's Winery in Canungra. It was a nice drive up from Surfers, some of the road was in really bad shape so it was an interesting choice of location.

I drove a 335i SPORT 8speed stepronic. Very nice, had the DCT shifter and DCT paddles too. I have to be honest, very nice car. A great 3 series to own, definitely the best available today besides the E90/E92 M3.

The N55 with the 8speed transmission felt great. I was 100km at 1700rpm, 110km at 1900rpm - both in 8th gear. Overall, a better updated version, especially in the interior and the overall drive. The outside is definitely better, especially the 4 door I drove.

The longer wheelbase felt good on the road, very stable. I punched it a few times and the N55 just felt really smooth.

I think when this car comes out in Msport it's going to be epic.

The F20 interior is definitely so much nicer than the E82 interior it's not funny. The F20 looks very nice for a BMW, the E82 already looks boring. The E82 interior works for me though, it's basic but it works so I'm happy. The rattles can be a pain though.

Btw, the F20 idrive screen looks much more premium again. The colour stitching on the seats is neat.

[Knightelf]

Yeah, the new interior is a step up.

Good to see they put iDrive & electric seats in as standard on the 3 series line up (I think except for the 318).

Not a fan of the orange/red stitching & that coloured line on the dash (in the sports line).

The new iDrive screen looks good, as does the display panel at the wheel. It does make the E82 interior seem dull in comparison, although I suppose the drive makes up for it.

[BMW86]

Oh forgot to say the actual event was great.

Got to drive the 335i straight away on some mountain roads.

Afterwards they gave me a picnic hamper for 2 people and there were a few people eating down by the water. Great scenery.

Also had free wine testing which isn't a good mix with cars, end up buying a couple bottles for later though.

I liked how well organised it was, it didn't feel busy because they must have kept numbers down.

[Knightelf]

Originally Posted by BMW86

Oh forgot to say the actual event was great.

Got to drive the 335i straight away on some mountain roads.

Afterwards they gave me a picnic hamper for 2 people and there were a few people eating down by the water. Great scenery.

Also had free wine testing which isn't a good mix with cars, end up buying a couple bottles for later though.

I liked how well organised it was, it didn't feel busy because they must have kept numbers down.

Sounds nice and relaxing.

Brisbane one was hectic, with people just swarming over the cars and no test drive.

The only thing good was the "lighting" show at the start (see pics from other thread).

[sparoz]

Originally Posted by Ninja333

Just got back from the F30 launch, test drove the 328i..quite disappointed, wasn't as fast as what I expected, I floored a couple of times..no sudden urge, pull or anything...the acceleration is quite linear. Reckon the 335i is still the best pick.

Linear acceleration is a good thing . I didn't drive the car because I had to go, so hopefully find sometime next week.

[Dr Stig 2]

Originally Posted by Honny

You know you want that M5......

Yes, but need more garage space. Not ready to part with the z4 or the x3 just yet.
One thing about the M5, the dash stitching wasn't straight. Not what you expect in a $250k car.

[Honny]

Originally Posted by BMW86

I went to Bruce Lynton event at O'Reily's Winery in Canungra. It was a nice drive up from Surfers, some of the road was in really bad shape so it was an interesting choice of location.

I drove a 335i SPORT 8speed stepronic. Very nice, had the DCT shifter and DCT paddles too. I have to be honest, very nice car. A great 3 series to own, definitely the best available today besides the E90/E92 M3.

The N55 with the 8speed transmission felt great. I was 100km at 1700rpm, 110km at 1900rpm - both in 8th gear. Overall, a better updated version, especially in the interior and the overall drive. The outside is definitely better, especially the 4 door I drove.

The longer wheelbase felt good on the road, very stable. I punched it a few times and the N55 just felt really smooth.

I think when this car comes out in Msport it's going to be epic.

The F20 interior is definitely so much nicer than the E82 interior it's not funny. The F20 looks very nice for a BMW, the E82 already looks boring. The E82 interior works for me though, it's basic but it works so I'm happy. The rattles can be a pain though.

Btw, the F20 idrive screen looks much more premium again. The colour stitching on the seats is neat.

Great review Vinney. The new F20 and even F30 is really growing on me..... however how would you compare the new 335i ($100+k) mark to other cars you can buy around that price in todays market?

new 335i or used C63/M3/GTR and some $$$

[handy]

went to motoline aswell today thought they put on a great family day.
didnt mind to much about no test drives as it made the day nice and relaxing with no sales guys pestering you.they had a good selection of cars, liked the new interior even the red strip in the sport line,however they had a modern line their in beige that look awful and what were they thinking with that sculptered wood trim ?????.
on a side note made a huge mistake took the wife with me as they had some things for her to do whilst i looked at "boring" cars she normally wont go to these things and i had to persude her to go today at all anyway turned my back for five mins and she goes and puts her name on a silver jcw roadster suject to a test drive
iam like shit there goes my 'take the wife out for a cheap day out'

[Smiley1175]

How much is the M5?

[Mechz]

Originally Posted by Smiley1175

How much is the M5?

$230k plus on-roads.

[Dr Stig 2]

Originally Posted by Mechz

$230k plus on-roads.

plus options. Theone on the floor with only two options was $247K

[TWD]

Originally Posted by Ninja333

Just got back from the F30 launch, test drove the 328i..quite disappointed, wasn't as fast as what I expected, I floored a couple of times..no sudden urge, pull or anything...the acceleration is quite linear. Reckon the 335i is still the best pick.

It was a different story on the race track

I thought the 328i was fantastic on the track. That is where you appreciate the TP turbo. The gearbox is great, pretty quick changes and the awesome rev matching downshifts. Coming out of corners, there is power when you want it & you've also got that turbo whistle to match

186km/h in the 328i down the straight at EC, where as the M3 was doing 210-215km/h. Interesting, considering I've had a E92 335i M sport down there at just over 200km/h too.

So put that all in perspective, it's not bad at all from a stock 2.0L 4 cyl Turbo

The F30 335i was great too. Drove a Modern Line and Sport Line on the skid pan a few times but you can definitely feel it's weight through the corners compared to a 328i. But as you'd expect from a 6 cylinder, bit more torque and a lot smoother. The F30 is alot more composed than the E90. The track has been increased and that's a good thing because it looks tougher too.

If you thought the E90 was good, this is better in every aspect and that's what I expect from a new release.

My pick of the bunch - the 328i ....and at 65K + onroads, it's pretty good value for money too

M Sport is coming out later on in the year and they are bringing back Estoril Blue!

[Ninjaoz]

Just got back from the track day. driven the 123d, 118d, 325i and the M3. The M3 is a freaking awesome car, it handled so well on the track, reached 210km/h on the straight, plenty of traction even on a wet rainy day - I'm totally sold!!

[amk2912]

Originally Posted by Ninja333

Just got back from the track day. driven the 123d, 118d, 325i and the M3. The M3 is a freaking awesome car, it handled so well on the track, reached 210km/h on the straight, plenty of traction even on a wet rainy day - I'm totally sold!!

That's what sold me on the M3 and I ended up with the E90. Great car on the track but as a daily driver I found that I didn't often get up to 6,000 rpm so I didn't often get to experience the brutish power of the V8 - except on freeway on-ramps. I found it a bit of a slug below 5,000 and the M-DCT lag nearly got me T-boned a few times.

That's why I'm now looking at the F30 diesel.... a motza of torque at low revs when you need it.