U Draw: Carscoop Reader Reimagines 2012 BMW 3-Series with a New Schnauze

BMW's turn to more conservative shapes and styles after the departure of design head honcho Chris Bangle in early 2009, hasn't satisfied all bimmer fans. In fact, some BMW aficionados believe the company should further simplify the designs of its cars.

And even though the design of the new 3-Series saloon is more or less an evolution of the previous model, Carscoop reader Steph S. thinks that BMW's bread-and-butter saloon could do with a bit of a redo up front, which truth to be said, is the only new styling element that stands out in the car.

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Updated C-Class Helps Mercedes Outsell BMW in the U.S. in October

The battle for luxury brand supremacy in the U.S. between the two main German contenders is far from over. Last month, Mercedes-Benz saw its sales increase by 23%, to 22,637 units, overtaking BMW that delivered 21,873 vehicles.

Mercedes sales have increased despite the fact that it reduced discounts by an average of 15% per vehicle in October, while its Munich-based rival increases its own incentives by 35%.

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BMW 325i Convertible E30 wants to be an 8-Series when it Grows Up

While there's only a single digit gap between the E30 and E31 codenames, in reality, these two BMW models couldn't be more different from each other.

The E30, a.k.a. the 1983-1991 3-Series, represented the firm's entry-level family car in the 1980s, while the E31, more widely known as the 8-Series, was the brand's flagship GT coupe in the 1990s.

But one German owner had the bright idea of taking a 1989 325i Convertible (albeit with pre-1987 tail lamps) and fusing the front end of an 850i Coupe on its nose. Of course, there was a slight problem with the width of the 8-Series fascia that was solved by…removing one of the BMW kidney grilles.

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BMW Begins Regular Production of new 2012 3-Series Sedan

With the official presentation out of the way, the BMW Group began series production of its new premium sedan, the 2012 3-Series, at is Munich plant in Germany as it prepares for its worldwide market launch in February next year.

“The BMW 3 Series is the most important volume-produced model from the BMW Group as well as the biggest-selling model in the entire premium segment," said Frank-Peter Arndt, Member of the BMW AG Board of Management responsible for production.

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First Spy Shots of 2013 BMW 3-Series Coupe or New 4-Series

Now that didn't take long, did it? No sooner than BMW revealed the sixth-generation of its 3-Series saloon and the first camouflaged prototypes of the coupe model have hit the streets of Germany to begin their final stages of testing.

For those of you confused with our title, unconfirmed reports citing insider sources claim that BMW is contemplating the use of odd numbers for its family models such as sedans and station wagons and even numbers for its sportier vehicles like the X6 and the two door version of the 3-Series, which may be named 4-Series.

BMW had toyed around with the idea in the past but it never came to fruition. We still don't know for sure if the next 3-Series Coupe will be renamed or not.

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"Sporting Passion" Theme Takes Center Role in BMW's Campaign for the New 3-Series Sedan

The next generation of the BMW Group's most important volume model, the brand-new 3-Series sedan, made its world premiere in Munich a fortnight ago ahead of its global sales launch in February of 2012.

Today, the Bavarian automaker announced the first details on the ad campaign for the new premium saloon that makes its debut online through BMW's websites and Facebook pages with print media and TV to follow at the beginning of February.

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One More BMW 3 Series Owner Tricked with Car Switch [Video]

Nobody likes pranks when it comes to their own vehicles, but as viewers, we all enjoy watching the reactions of others.

For the third episode of BMW Singapore's "Switch" prank series, in which the vehicles of unsuspected owners are replaced with similar models featuring enhanced performance parts, the mischief-maker is the founder of the BMW SG forum and the victim a member of the club who owns an E90 3-Series sedan.

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2012 BMW 3-Series Sedan Online Configurator Goes Live

BMW is wasting no time to get fans of the new 2012 3-Series saloon in a spending mood even though the car won't go on sale before February next year.

After the comprehensive presentation that even included details on the M Sport package that will be available for order in the summer of 2012, BMW released an online configurator that allows consumers to create the 3-Series of their dreams.

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2014 BMW M3 Sedan F30 and 3-Series Coupe Speculatively Rendered

Given the close proximity in the designs of BMW's outgoing E90 and the newly revealed F30 3-Series saloons, it's not hard to imagine what the rest of the range will look like.

The crew over from PS-Garage sent us these speculative renderings of the next-generation M3 sedan that we recently scooped testing in Germany and the upcoming coupe model.

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2012 BMW 3-Series Video Galore: See the Ins and Outs of the Sedan Model on Film

Today was a very important day for BMW as the Bavarian manufacturer finally lifted the veil off its bread-and-butter model, the sixth generation of the 3-Series sedan. Fittingly, the world premiere took place at BMW's home town of Munich.

But you already know that as we brought you all the details and a mega gallery with more than 140 high-resolution pictures of the F30 along with a separate post on the M Sport Package earlier in the day.

Now it's time to share with you a plethora of videos showing the new 3-Series saloon from all angles, inside and out as well as on the road. You can watch all clips in 1080p hd right after the jump.

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2012 BMW 3-Series Sedan with M-Sport Package

Usually, BMW takes its time to release information on the much sought after M Sport kits for its new models. However, that isn't the case with the all-new 2012 3-Series as the Bavarian manufacturer also slipped out details on the optional M Sport packages for the premium sedan that goes on sale next February.

Scheduled for launch in the summer of 2012, the M Sport package comes with special exterior and interior features and it will be available on the basic trim level as well as on any of three equipment lines.

So what's included in the package? For starters, it adds a lowered M Sport suspension with a 10mm (0.4 in.) drop in ride height, which works with firmer suspension and damping as well as harder anti-roll bars.

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BMW Reveals Sixth Generation of 3-Series Sedan [Full Details and 140+ Photos]

It’s official; as promised, BMW unveiled today the brand-new 3-Series codenamed F30. The sixth generation of its compact luxury sedan, which in its five iterations since its launch in 1975 has sold more than 12 million units becoming the standard in its category, will be available to markets worldwide from February 11, 2012.

According to BMW’s CEO, Norbert Reithofer, the new 3-Series is “the sportiest car in its segment and offers sheer driving pleasure at the highest level”.

The sixth generation mid-size BMW has grown considerably compared to its predecessor. It is 93 mm longer and an augmented wheelbase at 2,810 mm (+50mm) as well as wider front (+37 mm) and rear (+47 mm) tracks. The increase in dimensions promises to address one of the model’s disadvantages compared to the competition, namely that of rear passenger space.

The new model now offers 15 mm more legroom and 8 mm more headroom for rear seat passengers. Yet, despite the increase in size, numerous weight saving measures help make the new 3-Series up to 40 kg (88 lb) lighter than the model it replaces (depending on the version).

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Reminder: 2012 BMW 3-Series to be Officially Unveiled on 10:00 am EST [Updated with Live Pics]

In about an hour from the time we posted this article, BMW will officially lift the covers off its sixth generation 3-Series saloon during a special world premiere event at its headquarters in Munich.

We've more or less nailed it in our scoop stories but for those that want the skinny, the new 3er will launch with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four in gasoline and diesel variants, and the 3.0-liter turbocharged straight six.

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BMW Singapore Tries New Prank on Unsuspecting Owner of 3-Series [with Video]

April 1st may be a long way off for most of us but not for BMW Singapore, which has rolled out a new episode of its candid-camera-like prank series called "The Switch".

In the first episode we saw BMW's pranksters replacing a young woman's standard 1-Series Coupe with a performance-enhanced twin. Similarly, the second chapter involves a young couple with BMW's inside-person being the young wife of a 3-Series sedan owner.

With the wife's help, BMW's people switched her husband's regular, white-colored saloon with a modified 3-Series featuring an array of BMW Performance Accessories such as an engine kit, numerous aero parts, a sport exhaust system, bucket front seats, chunky double spoke alloy wheels and a sports suspension.

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All-New 2012 BMW 3-Series Sedan to be Revealed on October 14

It's almost time for BMW to finally pull the covers off its long-awaited 6th-generation 3-Series sedan, codenamed F30. In fact, we just learned that the big reveal will take place this Friday on October 14, 2011, at the BMW plant in Munich.

Not surprisingly, the Bavarian luxury carmaker is not letting out any details yet, though a plethora of spy shots along with some leaked promotional pictures back in August have provided us with our first look at the premium sedan.

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Dude, I Drive a BMW: Sarcastic Video Take on Bimmer Owners

There are [insert brand here] drivers, and then there are [insert the same brand here] drivers. Naturally, we've all heard the stereotypes and jokes about people that own cars sporting the famous badge that looks like a propeller blade set against a blue sky – but which as it turns out, was actually created to represent the colors of the Free State of Bavaria.

A group of young people decided to visualize some of those stereotypes and create a video parody about BMW owners. Some of the sketches work better than others, but overall, we gather that the clip is worth two-and-a-half minutes of your time.

Watch the video after the break and tell us if you think in the comments section.

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Massive Sports Car Crash on the Nordschleife, BMW's M3 'Ring Taxi Involved

A fun track day at the notorious Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit turned into a nightmare for eight drivers this past Sunday.

The vehicles involved in the crash included a BMW E30 3-Series, a BMW E36 3-Series, a BMW E92 M3, a Chevrolet Corvette Z06, a pair of Vauxhall VX220 / Opel Speedster roadsters, a Porsche 911 (964 series) and the official BMW M3 'Ring Taxi.

According to a police report, the drivers came from several European countries, while the accident apparently took place in two phases.

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