[sgm]

Originally Posted by Sahil

Here is a pic of the real BIG change

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NImbBH6hCHo

The ultra soft pillows on the rear headrest look cool, 7 series owner won't be happy with this trickle down of features

[SnS_12]

Originally Posted by Sahil

Here is a pic of the real BIG change

With that seat design the fifth passenger will feel uninvited more than ever now

[84.monsoon]

This will be another prime example of a car from the lower segment moving into the price bracket occupied by the upper segment just 3 years ago.

When the 5-series was launched in 2017, the range extended from 49.99 lakhs ex-showroom for the 530i/520D Sportline trims, with the 520D Luxury Line priced at 54 lakhs. The LWB 3-seiries will probably be placed bang in the middle of this range.

The 530i Sportline is gone and in its place the 530i Sport base trim has been launched, which has many of the features downgraded or removed (such as leatherette seats instead Dakota Leather, 17 inch wheels instead of 18, dynamic damper removed) and yet it is priced 5.5 lakhs more. They did add apple car play and a digital instrument cluster but these are not expensive to add. The 520 D luxury line is now 61 lakhs (7 lakhs higher) and retains the same features as before.

[.HEM]

Originally Posted by Sahil

Here is a pic of the real BIG change

If this rear space is real, and with the ample legroom. This will put the 5 series to shame. Time is up for BMW to launch the 5 series XLWB version. With the competition becoming stiffer, the customer will be delighted

[SanjuInGgn]

Originally Posted by Big Smoke

From what I speculate, this longer 3 series would actually eat away sales from the Skoda Superb.

You see, customers who are looking for a chauffeur driven car less than 50 lakhs have no choice apart from C-Class, 3 Series or Superb. And it was a no-brainer to pick the Superb (barring used car option).

So now even if the longer 3 series retails for about 55 lakhs (max.), the Skoda Superb has serious competition.

Well, I would doubt that, given the Superb has been priced very competitively. Also, if the "badge" does not matter, then its actually priced very well for the features it packs. And with an amazing new 2.0L TSI engine to go with it.

[amolathalye]

Great News , finally they understand the importance of having good leg room for rear seat passengers.

Originally Posted by Venkatesh

The BMW 3 Series Gran Limousine, essentially the long-wheelbase version of BMW 3 Series, will launch on January 21, 2021.

Attachment 2095453

Along with the longer wheelbase length – 110mm to be precise, the 3 Series Gran Limousine is also 120mm longer than the standard model, and slightly taller. The longer wheelbase liberates an extra 43mm of legroom for the rear passengers.

Engine options are also expected to be shared between the standard and long-wheelbase 3 Series. A 258hp, 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and a 190hp, 2.0-litre turbo-diesel unit are expected to be available with the Gran Limousine.

Gran Limousine will also be priced higher than the current 3 Series, which retails between Rs 42.30-49.30 lakh ex-showroom.

Source

[CARDEEP]

Originally Posted by .HEM

If this rear space is real, and with the ample legroom. This will put the 5 series to shame. Time is up for BMW to launch the 5 series XLWB version. With the competition becoming stiffer, the customer will be delighted

No, it looks like the front seats are pulled ahead towards the steering to display maximum legroom.

I'm five & a half footer & when I'm driving the driver's seat (in Ford Aspire) is bit behind the B-pillar. For taller folks, even with plethora of height & reach adjustments, the driver's seat will be even backwards. You can judge the legroom from this angle.

[Breathe2drive]

Mod Note : Please do NOT post messages that add little or no informational value to the thread. We need your co-operation to maintain the quality of this forum.

We advise you to read the Forum Rules before proceeding any further. Request to post ONLY when you have something substantial to add to a discussion.

[anarchy_99]

What is all the hustle about? it has just 4 cm of additional legroom. You wont even feel the difference of the 4cm. Its not like a huge increase in the leg room. Its the size of an average woman's finger nail. "4 Centimetres".

[21Archer84]

Originally Posted by anarchy_99

What is all the hustle about? it has just 4 cm of additional legroom.

You got the basic math wrong, hence the confusion to understand this hustle.

It is a big deal, because It is not just 4cm, but just over 4inches(110mm as per OP), which makes all the difference between sitting in a cramped space and having enough to stretch one's legs a bit to relax.
It is roughly enough space to fit a latest gen thin/flat TV box in front of the legs and still have similar space as a standard 3-series.

[itwasntme]

Originally Posted by Sahil

Here is a pic of the real BIG change

For some context from the 330i:






The front seats are setup for a comfortable posture for 5' 9" adults. Please excuse the dirty mats.

[Vid6639]

Originally Posted by 21Archer84

You got the basic math wrong, hence the confusion to understand this hustle.

It is a big deal, because It is not just 4cm, but just over 4inches(110mm as per OP), which makes all the difference between sitting in a cramped space and having enough to stretch one's legs a bit to relax.
It is roughly enough space to fit a latest gen thin/flat TV box in front of the legs and still have similar space as a standard 3-series.

He's not completely wrong. The wheelbase goes up by 110mm but BMW are claiming only 43mm increase in rear legroom.

While this 43mm may seem small it is very significant when it comes to cars. Moreover the increase in wheelbase by 110mm allows the rear seats to be contoured differently. You can also see from the pics the seat base has now been extended with better under thigh support.

On top of the wider door opening aids in better ingress and egress and now the wheel arch doesn't fold inwards leading to better width.

While the footspace is 43mm more, it is the overall space which has been liberated due to the 110mm increase in wheelbase that results in the better rear seat comfort.

BMW is not just going to add 110mm in the middle and not redesign the seats to show 110mm increase in legroom. They increased 110mm in wheelbase to enable to redesign the rear seats and that resulted in legroom increase of 43mm.

[androdev]

Originally Posted by Vid6639

BMW is not just going to add 110mm in the middle and not redesign the seats to show 110mm increase in legroom. They increased 110mm in wheelbase to enable to redesign the rear seats and that resulted in legroom increase of 43mm.

You are right, it is not just about legroom. In EU markets, usable boot space tends to be more important than rear seat comfort and as a result we see poorly designed rear seats. Honda City has a better rear seat design than many expensive EU cars. These LWB cars are a broader recognition of Asian market preferences where rear seats matter a lot.

Unfortunately some of these LWBs are designed as an afterthought, often not by the core design team. They come across as less-than-perfect to a trained eye but a well-designed rear seat can make the overall package very compelling.

I feel LWB complements MBs better than BMWs. It's better BMW prioritises other areas to compete better - they were the first to come up with confidence inspiring insurance, warranty, service packages in the luxury car market.

[Nucliomaniac]

Originally Posted by GTO

Nice . The long-wheelbase E-Class was a master stroke by Mercedes in a segment above. If BMW prices & equips this well, the 3-Series could become the default choice for chauffeur driven owners. There is nothing more painful than seeing a chauffeur-driven rich dude sitting uncomfortably on the backseat of a cramped C-Class.

Spot on! and with the tiny seat, with no underthigh support.

A chauffer driven Skoda Superb would have been better, but are often forced to buy a C class.

[21Archer84]

Originally Posted by Vid6639

He's not completely wrong. The wheelbase goes up by 110mm but BMW are claiming only 43mm increase in rear legroom.

Thanks for correcting me.

However, it is interesting and equally strange to me, usually when the wheel base is increased for an existing platform, OEMs sandwich the new panels in between the existing ones, unless the development is happening at the same time, to help them save a lot of cost and time.

In this case, I was assuming the addition of new panels to be in between the FR and RR FLOOR Panels.
Would be interesting to know where the rest of the WB increase has been allocated for.