Skip to content

  • Home
  • Our YouTube Channel

The F30 Show – Live from Munich

April 26, 2020 by Randy Stern

I understand why the 3-Series is both loved and hated by everyone. It is a symbol of prestige and performance. When you make it in life, the 3-Series is on your shopping list. If you want an enthusiast sedan for under $35,000, you consider one. Or, you avoid anything having to do with the Roundel for something closer to your taste and style for the same amount of money.

Tweet

The BMW 3-Series is an icon – whether you like it or not.

It's tough. I understand why the 3-Series is both loved and hated by everyone. It is a symbol of prestige and performance. When you make it in life, the 3-Series is on your shopping list. If you want an enthusiast sedan for under $35,000, you consider one. Or, you avoid anything having to do with the Roundel for something closer to your taste and style for the same amount of money.

On Friday, the world experienced a social media breakthrough. A company such as BMW doesn't have the time to do something for the masses. Yet, BMW has a global following that would give the company a huge audience for a celebration worth putting on Facebook. No matter how much money you have in your pocket – or at the bank – there was some form of curiosity or interest on the events that unfolded at BMW's world headquarters in Munich.

It was quite the show – an hour and a half's worth. The event had great video shots from the air of the proceedings, along with hosts and speeches galore. Then, BMW rolled out a parade of the five generations of 3-Series. It was great seeing the old cars again from the 1970s on to yesterday's models. The roadway was lined with BMW employees with camera phones out to take as many images as possible of the big show.

Then, the big moment arrived. Another parade of BMWs – the F30 3-Series – rolled out from a darkened room with glimmering tassels. You can tell from the headlights these babies were quite special indeed. From the shadows, the cars hit the sunlight of an October Munich afternoon. First, a white 3-Series rolled out with the signatures of everyone involved in the process of building it. Then, another few 3-Series models followed along.

The show was something never seen amongst vehicle launches in years. It was something I did not expect from BMW – a pleasant surprise indeed!

Even more surprising was my initial reaction to the F30 3-Series. Historically, I have not been much of a fan of the small BMW sedan. It had been one of those vehicles that I always found fault in, whether it was interior space, the design and the lack of honest value in the line. It would always be the car I'd love to hate.

Yet, I found another side of BMW. There are some really great people I've been interacting with lately who either are employees of the company, in the business of selling and servicing the cars and are dedicated to writing about the company's endeavors. BMW people can be welcoming and engaging – just like most of social media.

Yet, I needed to be convinced that this model would have a positive effect on me. In recent months, I've found favor in a couple of the Roundel's products: The X3 and the 5-Series. The second generation X3 corrected many of the complaints and faults from the previous model in creating a premium small crossover/SAV worth looking at. It has become the top of its class by setting a record pace in sales in North America worthy of an honest breakout. The new 5-Series drew me in as an organic, but extraordinarily spacious luxury transport. Gone were the sharp creases and distant feeling I had with previous 5ers. This one is comfortable, sumptuous and a technological feast worthy of its price tag.

Now, the sixth generation 3-Series shows up. This became the first 3er that caught my eye upon the first second. Any vehicle that catches my eye quickly enough gets my vote – and there had been quite a few over the years that had done that. This was the first BMW since 1976 to have done so – remember the original 6-Series?

We've seen some cues of the new 3er on some of the latest BMWs. What makes these design cues work on the 3 is how they were melded onto a smaller sedan form. The long hood/short deck format was retained, but with some streamlining and scaling to create a svelte, but wider profile. You could also see a constant, but slightly angled wedge shape emerge on the side profile.

The details also won me over. The headlamps are connected to the twin kidney grilles, but are given a new profile with chopped circular lamp halos. The tail lights also embody width and a sweeping design bridging the license plate enclave. Wheel arches remain circular, but the suspension profile to minimize the gap between the well opening and the top of the sidewall.

Interior-wise, I was drawn to how BMW stepped up the level of prestige in all three grades of 3-Series: Sport, Modern and Luxury. You’d think you were stepping into a 5-Series instead of a 3er. A coordinated and matching interior scheme, lighter materials and woodgrains never seen before just popped out of the new 3er – beckoning a want for a fitting inside. Though the instrument panel is mainly from other of the latest BMW models, it absolutely works in the new 3er.

Even without touching the car, I have a feeling I will be examining the new 3-Series very deeply. In fact, I'm looking forward to just getting into one – even if it's just to open every compartment and looking beyond the crevices.

Now with three flavors, which one caught my eye the most? The Modern one. It's exactly the kind of BMW I'd rather drive above all – a balance of luxury, style and comfort.

All I can say to BMW North America and to my friends in and around BMW – bring it on!

Photo (c)2011 BMW of North America LLC.

Post navigation

Previous Post:

Do You Have The "Feel?"

Next Post:

Dan Wheldon 1978-2011

6 Commments

  1. M5Manny says:
    October 15, 2011 at 8:24 am

    Great write up Randy!

    Reply
    1. Randy says:
      October 17, 2011 at 10:10 am

      Thanks, Manny!

      Reply
  2. EndrasBMW says:
    October 17, 2011 at 10:00 am

    Wonderfully engaging post!

    Reply
    1. Randy says:
      October 17, 2011 at 10:11 am

      Thanks, Alex!

      Reply
  3. 135Misha says:
    October 20, 2011 at 6:35 pm

    Really enjoyed this write-up, Randy. BMW did a nice job with the F30 3er. I'd love to get one with M Sport package in the next few years!

    Reply
    1. Randy says:
      October 20, 2011 at 6:39 pm

      Misha – I think that's going to be the hot model for the new 3er. I can see the M Sport truly becoming the model's focus in a year or so when the line gets fleshed out further.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Time limit is exhausted. Please reload CAPTCHA.

Recent Posts

  • V&R Stories: San Francisco Days and Nights
  • The Speculator: EV All Things!
  • Commentary: The Temptation of Flight
  • Reporter's Notebook: Unloading Another Set of Unpopular Opinions
  • Video Preview: The 2023 Acura Integra at #CAS2023

Categories

Follow Us!

Follow Us on FacebookFollow Us on YouTubeFollow Us on Instagram
March 2023
M T W T F S S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031  
« Feb    

About Victory & Reseda

Victory & Reseda is a website/blog telling the story of the automobile through the eyes of freelance automotive writer Randy Stern and friends. This website/blog serves as a virtual intersection of the automobile, its culture, the past, present and future of personal transportation. It also features travel pieces that center on the automotive experience.

Archives

Tags

Acura Alfa Romeo Audi BMW Buick Cadillac Chevrolet Chrysler COVID-19 Dodge FCA Fiat Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Ford General Motors Genesis GM GMC Holden Honda Hyundai Infiniti Jaguar Jeep Kia Lexus Lincoln Maserati Mazda Mercedes-Benz Mercury Mitsubishi Nissan Oldsmobile Opel Plymouth Pontiac Porsche RAM Scion Stellantis Subaru Toyota Volkswagen Volvo

Credits

Hosted by Tiger Technologies
© 2023 | WordPress Theme by Superbthemes