babypuppi: [11] 2012 Bmw 3 Series Sedan Becomes This Year Discuss

Monday, December 31, 2018

[11] 2012 Bmw 3 Series Sedan Becomes This Year Discuss

The 2012 BMW 3 Series has serious front styling that's intended to intimidate other drivers hogging the fast lane on highways everywhere. While the outgoing 2011 BMW 3 Series has an upscale snob appeal of its own, the 2012 3 Series adopts a far angrier styling direction. Before long, plenty of the all-new BMW 3 Series sedans will be cruising on roads in a wealthy neighborhood near you. Which design would you rather see: the 2011 BMW 3 Series or 2012 BMW 3 Series?

The cut line of the hood is one of the biggest design changes to the 2012 BMW 3 Series, along with those headlights that oddly connect to the dual oval grille. The front lower fascia, while understated, is actually one of the best designs we've seen in a while.

Aside from the addition of turn signals integrated into the side mirrors, there aren't many visual changes from the side view of the new 3 Series, which retains a character line flowing through the door handles and BMW's trademark rear side window kink.

The L-shaped taillights of the 2012 3 Series instantly establish the compact luxury sedan as the 5 Series' little brother. Really, aside from the funky headlights, the exterior of the 2012 BMW 3 Series hasn't changed dramatically.

Inside, the 2011 and 2012 BMW 3 Series sedans could not be more different. The center stack is still canted toward the driver, but the controls' layout has been updated. A new steering wheel and an expanded instrument cluster complete the major interior changes.

BMW is the sales leader of the compact luxury sports sedan segment. Does the 2012 BMW 3 Series have the design it needs to remain on top? Tell us what you think in the comments section below.

Last week, an unconventional Refreshing/Revolting compared the U.S.-market Hyundai Sonata to the European Hyundai i40 sedan. There seemed to be no consensus on the styling of the two sedans.

"I like the front of the i40 more than the Sonata's front, but the side and rear of the Sonata look better," said BMW Guy.

Coleman preferred the Sonata: "Much smoother lines gives it a classy look. Besides, we already have an Elantra, why would we want one negligibly larger?"

Photos of the 2012 BMW 3 Series sedan are on the left while images of the 2011 BMW 3 Series are on the right.