[m8s2l]

Hello everyone, I am considering to buy a new car and in a market for new BMW 3 series, Acura TL, and Lexus IS. During this weekend, I visited those three car dealers to decide, and honestly I liked the new BMW 335 exterior the most.

However, The Only reason I didn't buy the 3 series this weekend is because of the INTERIOR. Honestly, I was very disappointed how plain, ugly and bland the Interior was!! From the gauges to the layout of the interior, BMW 3 series was least attractive compared to Acura TL and Lexus IS.

Do you guys think i will get used to the interior once I purchase it? And what do you guys honestly think of the BMW interior? ( lets put the logo BMW aside and give me an honest opinion) Didn't you guys felt that interior was crap?

[Greeney]

Are you getting iDrive?

[FotiosF90M5]

I love the interior. Its all business and doesnt have that much clutter unlike the japanese cars.I think its the simplicity and quality of the materials that makes it much nicer than any other japanese car in its class. beautiful interiors in my opinion, especially with idrive.

[TheAcAvenger]

Coming from a TL, I'd say that the non-I drive 3 I drove on my test drive was a huge step backwards. With I-Drive, it's a whole different game.

[KkSc]

that's what a european car like, not as those japs car, they sell interior becuz they wanna attract ppl , but i will go for bmw for sure, cuz it's a trandition for european car

[bigcracker22]

I never checked out the TL, so I cant comment on that. I think e90's could look better, but I honestly think the overall design of the e90 looks much classier.

The IS looks like, well just put everything in the center console, and make it high tech. It feels like they designed everything seperatly, and then put it together. However, its very eco-friendly though, meaning everything is easy to reach and all. Also, very nice and soft & smooth leathers.

For the e90's interior, it feels less high tech (wihtout iDrive at least... I love my iDrive), but you got a sense of how everything blends in together prefectly, and the curves and detail fits well together. Leathers are not as soft and smooth, but I still like it =]

[KkSc]

Do you guys think i will get used to the interior once I purchase it? And what do you guys honestly think of the BMW interior? ( lets put the logo BMW aside and give me an honest opinion) Didn't you guys felt that interior was crap?

sry, but it's really hard to put the bmw logo aside, cuz u r at e90 post, and it's a bmw post!!lol

[dejav0o]

I was on the same boat as the OP when it came to the interior decision. What got me was that BMWs tend to age better. Both interior and exterior when you compare the look of a new BMW with that of an older generation, they both have a classic design that's ageless. You could still get into a e36 or e46 and think it's a very nice car.

Compare that to the Japanese market cars, where yes, it's very very cool at the moment, and the interior looks high tech. But when they release their next model, it makes the old one seem very dated. Think previous model TL with current model TL... HUGE difference....

[normtrum]

I love the interior of my 335, but if you don't like it, you shoudn't have to "settle", or "get used to" anything. You should get EXACTLY what you want.

[m8s2l]

I stopped by BMW dealer to take a closer look at 335i Coupe after work. I am still kinda disappointed by interior from a car that cost +40,000 dollars...

For comparison, here are some pictures of other car interiors.

Acura TL:








Lexus IS:





BMW 335i coupe:









And also, someone mentioned that Japanese cars have Hi-Tech look. Other European cars have Hi-Tech appearance also. For example, take a look at Audi and mercedes, Their interior are Much better than BMW...

Audi A4:

[FotiosF90M5]

how about some pictures with idrive. IMO big difference. unfair comparison. Go with the bmw.Its a much more engaging car.you wont regret it.

[m8s2l]

Originally Posted by keith7872

that's what a european car like, not as those japs car, they sell interior becuz they wanna attract ppl , but i will go for bmw for sure, cuz it's a trandition for european car

Let me re-quote what you said, except let me just replace the word "jap" with "European".

"that's what a Japs car like, not as those European car, they sell interior becuz they wanna attract ppl , but i will go for Acura/Lexus for sure, cuz it's a trandition for Japs car"

You sound like a BMW fanboy.
Like i said earlier, put aside your over-inflated BMW ego and give me an honest opinion.

[KkSc]

well, japenese car is japanese car, euro car is euro car, they r different...can't really compare with specific thing..except u compare there overall!!

[FotiosF90M5]

they are all in the same class, so yes you can compare them.different styles, yes, but they are all competitors in the same class of cars.You have no choice but to compare. grammar,grammar,grammar j/k hahaha

[uhaulball]

bmw has always had the worst interiors. thats one of my few complaints about bmw as a whole.

[bavarian19]

I really like the BMW interior. I have had both, one without idrive, and one with idrive. The idrive layout is an all business approach. It has everything you need close, but no clutter...

I looked at the TL a while back, and I felt it was cheap. It seemed like a rebadged Honda Accord (and Im not trying to open up that can of worms). I didnt feel as if the interior was worthy of a 30k+ car. The technology was nice, but as an overall package, I was not a fan.

The rest of my family drives a Lexus (Dad - LS430, Mom - RX 330, Sister IS300). With the exception of the IS, I really like the interiors of the Lexus. Plush and good build quality. The Lexus lineup makes me yawn for an everyday car.

[bavarian19]

Originally Posted by uhaulball

bmw has always had the worst interiors. thats one of my few complaints about bmw as a whole.

You have not driven a GM or any cheap rental cars recently have you???

[Fraposo]

My personal Opinion is that neither the Acura TL nor the BMW have interiors that meet all of my standards, but each has its advantages. If I were going for comfort of seats and leather I would go for the TL or the IS (especially the IS becuase I think toyota/lexus has the nicest feeling leather from what I've felt and seen). But it depends what kind of a car enthusiasts you are. The BMW is much more of a drivers car, the gauges are simple but classy, and the rest of the console just flows together (and I prefer the red color of the gaguges and console over a bluish or greenish color of other japanese models). Idrive is definitely a step up in the interior look of a BMW, but overall it comes down to your personal opinion and being completely happy with what you purchase. As was mentioned before as well, the BMW is more "timeless" meaning they don't change their interior drastically from model to model like other Japanese companies. On the other hand, the lexus IS and the TL are excellent running cars and have very nice interiors (perhaps the quality of the material overall is lacking when compared to the BMW) and they also drive nice. I think that the BMW strikes a better balance between everything from handling, build quality, interior, looks, and name/reputation. The IS and TL, in my opinion, are not as nicely balanced and definitely do not excel past the BMW in the performance department. Whatever you get, make sure you love it! In this day and age it is hard to find a horrible car out on the market and the differences between cars are becoming blurred. So good luck on your purchase!

[canucklion]

if you insist on saying it's crap, then DON'T BUY IT! Gawd, you're asking for opinions, and people are telling you what they think.

sheesh, so anything other than agreeing with your statement that BMW's interior sucks doesn't count as an "honest" opinion?

Originally Posted by m8s2l

You sound like a BMW fanboy.
Like i said earlier, put aside your over-inflated BMW ego and give me an honest opinion.

[Zshazz]

Hey there!

Personally, I prefer the BMW's interior. All the fancy stuff gets old after awhile, while a simple design lasts. Good examples were given about the e36 and e46's interiors. Actually, to be honest, IMO, the BMW's design is bordering on too complex ... though, I'm *really* into the driving experience, so anything that draws my attention away from that might get negative points

Though, this is coming from someone who is use to the crud GM puts out

And btw ... why are you even comparing an Acura TL to a BMW? The Acura is a *front wheel drive car* isn't it? ... it's a damn near painful experience for me to drive a front wheel drive car, so I wouldn't be able to stand driving it, so the interior wouldn't matter much to me

[evoi19]

It's true that japanese cars do have more gadgets and more buttons to push and things to look at more so than the BMW. However, I personally don't like alot of buttons everywhere and prefer a simplistic approach. When I was shopping for my car, I looked at all the cars you mentioned, including the Audi. When i sat in it, I felt like i needed to do an air control check, like i was about to fly a plane. hehe

My whole family has japanese cars, and over time, it does get a little old looking and it doesn't feel as "refine". In the BMW all the buttons (which are few) feel a bit more "solid". I don't know if you understand what i mean here, but to me the BMW just felt like it was built with better plastic. Plus, to me, the less the better...

In the end, i bought a BMW because of it's overall package. Handling, power, interior, sportiness....it just fit my style and my needs. You should go for what fits you. If you don't like the interior that much, you'll probably still not like it 2 or 3 years from now.

Good luck!

[killer_bee]

Originally Posted by m8s2l

Hello everyone, I am considering to buy a new car and in a market for new BMW 3 series, Acura TL, and Lexus IS. During this weekend, I visited those three car dealers to decide, and honestly I liked the new BMW 335 exterior the most.

However, The Only reason I didn't buy the 3 series this weekend is because of the INTERIOR. Honestly, I was very disappointed how plain, ugly and bland the Interior was!! From the gauges to the layout of the interior, BMW 3 series was least attractive compared to Acura TL and Lexus IS.

Do you guys think i will get used to the interior once I purchase it? And what do you guys honestly think of the BMW interior? ( lets put the logo BMW aside and give me an honest opinion) Didn't you guys felt that interior was crap?

Interesting because I come from a TSX like you. Also have a 3 series and a Lexus GS in the family so I've gotten to experience all three regularly. BMW interior is definitely starker/more spartan...(I used to call it "crap" even!). But if you get the right combo, it can look very sporty-it HAS grown on me and now I actually prefer the slight bland-ness.

But for me, the interior is a much lower priority compared to the driving experience/performance/styling. It depends on what you want in a car but I highly doubt you will "regret" getting the 335...(although it is gonna cost you a lot more!) If you think it looks best(which I do too) then I say it's an easy decision once you factor in the performance too.