We already took a look at a how the new G20 3 Series stacks up against the outgoing F30-gen 3 Series when both cars have their M Sport packages equipped. In those photos, we saw that the new car is sleeker, sportier and more premium looking. But, let’s face it, most buyers won’t be buying the M Sport variants. Instead, most buyers will just be leasing the standard 3er that comes with the advertised lease deal. So we though we’d take a look at how the old and new 3ers look in their standard guises.
Continue Reading Below
While it might be a bit unfair to call the F30 dated looking, as it is quite old now and every one of its competitors when it was released have gained new models, it looks ancient when compared to the new G20, especially on the inside.
When I first saw the standard G20 3 Series from the front, I really didn’t like it. I though those weird “T” shaped foglight surrounds looked odd and its lower front fascia was boring. However, when I see it back-to-back with its predecessor, I realize that I actually like the new car quite a bit. Looks are subjective, so maybe that’s just me, but this new one looks fresh, modern, slick and expensive, while the old on looks, well, old. And that isn’t really fair, admittedly, because the F30 is older but it really feels it now.
Out back, the new G20 3 Series is sportier looking, with a bit of a built-in decklid spoiler, further spread-out exhausts and flared wheel arches. Its new taillights are also a bit more modern looking, as they’re wider and feature turn signals within the gap of the “L” shape, which squares them off and makes them looks more expensive. However, at least the F30 3 Series looks more unique, while the new G20 seems a bit like a Lexus IS from the back.
In profile, the new G20 looks much sportier than the old F30, with the difference between the two being more noticeable here than at either the front or the back. On the G20, its shoulder line is soft until it reaches the rear wheel arch, which accentuates the flared rear wheels more and makes it seem more muscular. Then the body line toward the bottom of the car sweeps upward toward the rear, which kind of makes it look fast while standing still. While the new G20 is actually 1mm taller than the F30, it looks lower and seems to have a lower roofline, which also seems a bit more steeply raked, making it look more athletic.
Inside the two cars, the differences are night and day. The new G20-gen 3 Series is a far more modern than the car it replaces, with more premium materials and better technology. Obviously, the new car is going to look more modern and have better tech but it’s the more upscale look that surprises. The G20 looks like it’s more expensive than the F30, on top of looking newer and that’s important.
While, personally, I really wasn’t thrilled with the look of the non M Sport G20, after seeing the back-t0-back comparisons I’ve really started to warm to it. It seems like it’s going to be a very handsome car on the road and the interior, even without the M Sport steering wheel and trim touches, looks excellent. We can’t wait to see it on the road and get behind the wheel.
They made a real mess of the Hofmeister kink which is now little more than a stuck on bit of plastic behind the rear door. The oversized frame on the front grill makes it look cheap and toy-like. The previous generation’s beautiful long side crease with integrated door handles now gives way to an inelegant mix of dents and holes where all the best brand styling cues have been lost. Design-wise BMW is definitely losing it…
It is definitely an evolution of the F30. As it has been for every 3 series throughout the 7 generations of its 40+ years of development. The look is unique, short overhangs, back shifted greenhouse and a long hood. A sporty and dynamic look even when standing still.The 3 series has gone through changing times, but the look has always been dynamic and unmistakably BMW.
F30 isn’t really looking old yet. It was such a good design. G20, tho, has moved the bar onward, no doubt.
Wow, I really like the new “standard” (non M) bumper design. It’s very modern, almost concept like. Really nice. And at the rear too. That’s such a nice element!
G20 has progressed almost in all parameters. Though i would still prefer older car’s hofmeister kink, the instrument cluster and the rear tail lights over the new one.
That’s a bold design for the Luxury spec front bumper. I’m not sure how I feel about the large painted area on the sides. I don’t know many cars that don’t at least have a faux intake on the sides.
The front of F30 is very ugly. 3 series never was the prettiest model in BMW line. For me E36 is the best. But G20 could became the best looking 3 series ever in time. Even more, best looking modern saloon in BMW line.
It’s nice. I think the Hoffmeister Kink is getting lost, and I’m not 100% sold on the headlight design, but other than those details, the exterior design is excellent, overall. The tail lights are especially successful. The interior is also very nice–not as nice as Audi, but the best expression of BMW’s new interior language so far.
Smaller and lower A/C vents = frozen hands. Big step backwards.
And what for? better integration of the screen? which means that any time I’d look at the screen, my eyes go lower, give less attention to the road!
Design should be functional in a car, especially a driver car , a fast driver car.
I also question the wisdom of placing the horn on the airbag. Are there stats on how many people use the horn just before an accident, and now their arm is blasted backwards, wrecking their shoulder, slamming their hand into their head?