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This is our first view of the BMW 3-Series’s forthcoming facelift. The company has ticked off most of the familiar mid-term revision checklist, and the 3-Series will get beefier looks, greener engines and the option of a seven-speed twin-clutch transmission.
Styling revisions include fresh front and rear styling that picks up on the themes seen on BMW’s Read the full article

 

Cut the crap and just tell us the establishment tax CO2 rating of the 318d!

The facelifted Touring does look better, but for some reason the sedan version seems somehow 'busier' or  'fussier' especially in detail.

The newly released 7-series may not break any new ground in terms of design but at least its lines are clean, unfussy and reasonably well-resolved.  I don't think I feel the same way about the facelifted 3-series.

Congratulations are, however, in order for BMW's efforts in making the i-Drive more user friendly although I would have to check it out myself to give a verdict.

Greener engines (plural)

Apart from the Eu6 rated 330d, all the rest are carry overs from the pre-facelift model.

I'm surprised you dont just carry a direct link to the Beemer website.

Autocar Magazine, now incorporating new BMW spin doctor articles. 

Why does this article even have the word 'new' in it's title? 

 Looks great, well done BMW. The front looks aggressive and the lines are clean. 5 stars for the artcle too.

blasos1983:

 Looks great, well done BMW. The front looks aggressive and the lines are clean. 5 stars for the artcle too.

Hey, is the reviewer's mum allowed to post?

The lines are exactly the same as they are now because it's a bumper/headlamps facelift. The rear end still looks like a weird Chinese knock-off, and those tedious spartan versions your accountant drives will still be over top ten seller lists like a rash, putting the car at odds with the 'exclusive lifestyle' image both BMW and BMW owners dine out on. I mean, they sell more of these things than Vauxhall does Vectras.

In summary then, snore.

I want to like the BMW 3 Series. I really do.

But all the latest versions of it look as though it was the previous model with a sheet thrown over it, then pegged at strategic locations on the ground. I would say the same about the current 5 Series over it's previous incarnation.

I find BMW's brand looks at complete odds with marvellous engineering that has been place within it.

ThwartedEfforts:

blasos1983:

 Looks great, well done BMW. The front looks aggressive and the lines are clean. 5 stars for the artcle too.

Hey, is the reviewer's mum allowed to post?

The lines are exactly the same as they are now because it's a bumper/headlamps facelift. The rear end still looks like a weird Chinese knock-off, and those tedious spartan versions your accountant drives will still be over top ten seller lists like a rash, putting the car at odds with the 'exclusive lifestyle' image both BMW and BMW owners dine out on. I mean, they sell more of these things than Vauxhall does Vectras.

In summary then, snore.

 

I think you have some unresolved issues

 

I posted yonks back that all that BMW needed to do to make the 3 series' looks more coherent was to sort out the "chopped off" kidney grill, just as they had done for the coupe and the M3 saloon.  Now that they've done this, its a "buy-able" car in my opinion once again.

 

 

 

By the way, isn't this sort of story far more relevant to Autocar readers than say the SL Black?

The SL Black might be the stuff of bedroom walls and I absolutely think that Autocar should write about these sorts of cars, however people were complaining about a lack of coverage on cars that most readers could afford.  I wouldn't be surprised if the 3-series was the most common car Autocar readers own and will come to own in future years.

Therefore an article on the facelift on one of the UK's most popular private cars is justifiable news.

 

blasos1983:

I think you have some unresolved issues

 

No, I thought I'd come and post something a little more thought-provoking than "the lines are clean". Do you have a 3-Series? Do you want a 3-Series?