per Top Gear. Bravo!

Runnners up included the sublime Ssangyong Rodius...

Ah yes... Clarkson loves to ruffle the Germans feathers. It's all a bit ridiculous as most I know find the new 3er to be gorgous... especially in 330i Sport Package trim. In fact it's probably the most universally liked new BMW design in years.

Most find Lexii and Acuras "gorgous" as well. Pandering to the least common denominator will never yield a great design.

Okay the key point is "most I know".... not the design-uneducated masses.

anyway, carry on with your fun...

Sorry, didn't mean to have fun at your expense. I just agree with TG that the marque which produced such designs as the 328 (not i), 507 and CS coupes should be held to a higher standard. The new 3-Series is nestled comfortably deep inside the contemporary design envelope.

I love the look of the new 3 series!!

Another tally mark in the Ugly column.

I don't know about or care squat about BMWs, but that thing XAlfa posted a pic of (whatever it is) is really ugly. Not Prius ugly or Tribeca ugly....but definitely a dog. Perhaps that's just it's bad side.

i think the 325's and 525's look kinda ugly in terms of the wheels they get,
but the 330's with the nice wheel package look very good... i like their
wagon too.

I don't know about ugliest but I am not a fan of the Dame Edna trend of headlights with BMW - from the 5 series and now the 3er. The rear lights are horrid too, and the hard lines vs earlier softer/sexier lines do not win me over. I have hopes though that the coupe and M3 will be better looking...

Yeah, somebody took the phrase "roof line" a bit too literally.

I had a '05 325i automatic as a loaner this week - drove like a Buick. I stepped directly from it into my '05 MCS - the contrast just made me love my car all the more - I felt...connected! Sorta like changing from a suit and wingtips to shorts T and sandals - really blew my mind - I so love my car

Word. So not only is it ugly, but it also drives like a Riviera. Nice package.

I am another one that likes the latest designs of the BMWs.

I read some reviews as well. I read a review comparing the 2004 A4 and 3 series - A4 was judged substantially better. Then I read a review comparing A4 and the new 3 series. 3 series was judged to blow away the A4. I am sure others disagree.

I wish I could remember where I saw those reviews - sorry.

Don't expect too much of the M3, but the rear two thirds of the Z4-based coupe are nearly palatable, especially considering the complete dog that spawned them.

um... maybe because I slandered your friends and pointed out your flagrant typo? But I did apologize. And what's up with the blank post?

really... im glad to hear im not missing out on anything!

Alpha strikes again....

and again, making a fool out of himself

I like the new 3 series, well, those Germans are setting the trend for the next 10 years, that's how the new generation cars are going to look like, of course Lexus is going to carbon copy again....blah blah blah....

when the new 5 series first came in, i did not like them, but over the past year, the car has grown on me, the same thing has happened with the 3 series, and now liking it, a lot, does not look like anything else, unique, and much better engineering and design than them Acuras, Lexuses that we see all over the place.

Z4 coupe, if i could afford it right now, would have been all over it....

Looks like they forgot to close the rear hatch.

I like the new 3-series, drove a new 330 last July (a couple of autocross runs), and it drove nothing like the Buicks I've driven. Handled great, styling was acceptable, and I will own one in the near future. Didn't drive or handle like my Mini, but I consider that a good thing

-Keith

Wow. Talk about your inflammatory comments. Please elaborate...

PLEASE just cut the crap. Take it to PMs if you just can't help yourself.

Let me see if I have this straight... so, Top Gear is saying that this monstrosity is more attractive than the 3 series? I personally like the 3. It's the first new BMW I've really liked since the Z3, although the 5 has definitely grown on me.

You know, good styling is subjective, but I've gotta say that the automotive press and car folks in general are so relieved that the 3 series wasn't completey "Bangle-ized" (yes I know its now von hoydook or whatever the hell his name is) thta they're cutting it a lot of slack. IMO it isn't ugly, but it is certainly a step down from the previous car, which was just right. I really think that good design is a product of not trying too hard, and that's what I hate about virtually every recent BMW, especially the over-wrought flanks of the Z4 - scalloping or "flame surfacing" for its own sake isn't good design. The outgoing 330Ci is one of those cars that I really plan on having one day, but I'm just gonna have to find a well-kept used one. I'm sure that the new 3 series is a wonderful driving car, but it just does nothing for me aesthetically. Just my opinion, but I'm certain that if the pictures of BMW board members caught in compromising positions with farm animals are ever recovered, Bangle and his minions will have to find work with Subaru designing the new Tribeca, which is where they belong