[avi66]

Originally Posted by Mavus

well bmw enhisiasts will need to test that new V6 model vs I6 that many prefer 😉

LOL

[MidnightLight]

Originally Posted by avi66

Is there a significant difference in the look and feel of the interior material between 30 and M50 ?

As far as I can tell, the only interior physical features that are exclusive to the M50 are:

• Piano black trim piece on the front doors, below the window controls
• Red 12 o' clock marking on the flat-bottomed steering wheel
• M tricolor stitching on the steering wheel

Everything else is available through the M Sport trim on the 30, as far as I know.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by MidnightLight

As far as I can tell, the only interior physical features that are exclusive to the M50 are:

• Piano black trim piece on the front doors, below the window controls
• Red 12 o' clock marking on the flat-bottomed steering wheel

Everything else is available through the M Sport trim on the 30, as far as I know.

Thanks

Does the M50 have different seatbelts with the M tricolour stitching compared to the 30 or 30 M Sport ?

[MidnightLight]

Originally Posted by avi66

Thanks

Does the M50 have different seatbelts with the M tricolour stitching compared to the 30 or 30 M Sport ?

Not over here in the US. We don't get the tricolor seat belts in any trim, for some reason.

Though now that you mention it -- I believe the steering wheel M tricolor stitching is exclusive to the M50 too. Amended my previous post to add that.

[DCBmwMD]

I took a couple pics of my interior where I think the most egregious use of hard shiny plastic takes place. I think the most evident is on the door which unlike in the G01 it is a mostly flat featureless surface which really adds to the down graded look a lot of people complain of. I don't know why all my pics come in sideways but you get the idea lol

[blackpear]

Originally Posted by DCBmwMD

I took a couple pics of my interior where I think the most egregious use of hard shiny plastic takes place. I think the most evident is on the door which unlike in the G01 it is a mostly flat featureless surface which really adds to the down graded look a lot of people complain of. I don't know why all my pics come in sideways but you get the idea lol

Thank you.
The more I look at these areas the more I believe it was a design choice rather than a cost cutting decision.
But why?
Cleaner lines? Dark colours? Aesthetic match to doors?

[DCBmwMD]

Originally Posted by blackpear

Thank you.
The more I look at these areas the more I believe it was a design choice rather than a cost cutting decision.
But why?
Cleaner lines? Dark colours? Aesthetic match to doors?

That is the million dollar question. BMW recently has had a love affair with hard shiny black plastic not just on the interiors but exterior as well. The interior is very minimalist compared to the G01 so your eye is drawn to a lot of these flat surfaces devoid of buttons and switches. I don't know why but a lot of cars I have seen in reviews and on social media have black or dark seats/upholstery which does NOT do this new interior any favors IMO. That's why I chose the Amber Merino leather with the brushed aluminum trim to warm up the interior. Also this is the first year run. I bet BMW will improve the surfaces as time goes by and they get feedback from first time buyers.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by blackpear

Thank you.
The more I look at these areas the more I believe it was a design choice rather than a cost cutting decision.
But why?
Cleaner lines? Dark colours? Aesthetic match to doors?

At the end of the day, it is what it is. You either accept it or you don’t. It’s Marmite.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by blackpear

Thank you.
The more I look at these areas the more I believe it was a design choice rather than a cost cutting decision.

The two are inextricably intertwined. Program Management gives the Design Office a variable cost target and then they do the best they can within. Trade-offs happen always...save a bit on a piece of the door trim panel and spend it on something elsewhere, perhaps the more extensive console lighting. There is no doubt that within the same design, more premium materials could have been used with the unrealistic/hypothetical unlimited budget. I cannot count the number of times we discussed hard plastic vs. soft touch paint vs padded/soft surfaces for various parts during new program development.

[hotwasabipeas]

Just curious if the new 2025 2-Series Gran Coupe has the option for a pano roof that can be opened? According to BMW no one really uses the pano roof which is the reason they give for only having a fixed glass roof for the new X3. Of course that's BS and it's just cost cutting. Will be interesting to see if this is the same for the new 2-series.

[justjoey011]

I noticed the switch button is gone from the side mirror controls to dip the passenger window down to see the curb. Is that now enabled in ID 9?

[DCBmwMD]

Originally Posted by justjoey011

I noticed the switch button is gone from the side mirror controls to dip the passenger window down to see the curb. Is that now enabled in ID 9?

It's still there below the round directional button. As long as your have the right button active when you go in reverse the passenger side mirror dips down.

[DCBmwMD]

Originally Posted by hotwasabipeas

Just curious if the new 2025 2-Series Gran Coupe has the option for a pano roof that can be opened? According to BMW no one really uses the pano roof which is the reason they give for only having a fixed glass roof for the new X3. Of course that's BS and it's just cost cutting. Will be interesting to see if this is the same for the new 2-series.

I thought the lack of an opening sunroof would be a deal breaker for me as well then I thought about how many times a really opened it which wasn't very often. The amount of area that is glass is more than the G01 and it is nice that is a completely clean sheet of glass without any of the cross bars associated with the sunroof please it is whisper quiet at high speed.

[ModernAngel]

Originally Posted by DCBmwMD

I took a couple pics of my interior where I think the most egregious use of hard shiny plastic takes place. I think the most evident is on the door which unlike in the G01 it is a mostly flat featureless surface which really adds to the down graded look a lot of people complain of. I don't know why all my pics come in sideways but you get the idea lol

For me the worst plastic part is the shiny black for all the high-touch center console controls around the iDrive controller and shifter. Those are areas I touch every time I'm in the car and they quickly end up getting fingerprints/etc. on them. The OCD part of me keeps a microfiber cloth in the glove compartment so I can wipe it down at stop-lights.

[DCBmwMD]

Originally Posted by ModernAngel

For me the worst plastic part is the shiny black for all the high-touch center console controls around the iDrive controller and shifter. Those are areas I touch every time I'm in the car and they quickly end up getting fingerprints/etc. on them. The OCD part of me keeps a microfiber cloth in the glove compartment so I can wipe it down at stop-lights.

LOL. Me too !!! It drives me nuts. I now try to use the voice assistant as much as possible to keep from touching things lol. This is not new to the G45 though. I think my G01 LCI had the same shiny center controls as well as some of the other models. I will never understand BMW's choice in this. it's like they want to drive OCD'ers and neat freaks insane.

[RussB]

2025 X3



2025 X4 (same as 2024 X3)



My current SUV that I want to replace.




2025 X3




2025 X4



The X4 and 2024 X3 have door sill trim, a nicer horn cover, leatherette on the center console sides, and just better quality interior materials.

[Mavus]

that new x3 door design looks like somebody glued on patch from leftover material … really horrid looking

[DCBmwMD]

Originally Posted by RussB

2025 X3
Attachment 3578235


2025 X4 (same as 2024 X3)

Attachment 3578238

My current SUV that I want to replace.

Attachment 3578239


2025 X3

Attachment 3578240


2025 X4

Attachment 3578241

The X4 and 2024 X3 have door sill trim, a nicer horn cover, leatherette on the center console sides, and just better quality interior materials.

That is my old interior except X3 M40i’s do not have leatherette on the center console sides. It has plastic. Otherwise the doors are exactly the same as is the rest of theninterior. This LCI interior was a big upgrade from the original X3/X4 interior that was originally in the carmwhen it debuted. Looking at both side by side I feel the old interior looks very traditional with better leather and wood trim. The M50 interior is more futuristic, minimalist and obviously a much greater use of plastic and deletion of more trim pieces. I loved my old interior and I am growing to appreciate the new one. Do I wish they had used better plastics yes but overall that does not detract from the overall function of the car and how it drives. Hopefully BMW will take the criticism of us first time buyers to heart and improve on them with the LCI.

[Montaver]

I went back and looked at the iX interior and read some reviews. Many of them comment on the interior quality and fresh design. The X3 is strikingly similar, except it’s the dollar store version.

If you look at the interior of the new 2 series, it’s a much more traditional design but has much better use of materials yet at a lower price point. Clearly designed for the European market.

[stormchaser]

That was a good write-up in Forbes. While I have not sat inside the new X3, I just rented the new G60 5 series (4th rental) and can testify the interior quality lacks the outgoing G30 (my current car) and I hate the screen-based menus. However, the good side similar to what some others said in this post, on my 6-hour road trip it was one of the most comfortable cruisers I have ever sat in (The seats on the new 5 were incredibly comfy unlike most BMWs), and the road noise was low. My guess is the new X3 uses a similar design seat. The new 5 is technologically a better car similar to what the new X3 might be, but the mark was missed with the interior and perhaps even the exterior. Some of these exterior bashing forums need to also understand that to reach the new ECAP (Green EU standards etc. MPG) the drag coefficient (Shape) is very important in increasing MPG. While I don't like the looks of the new X3 (I have seen them in person- I like the front but hate the back) it might also relate to efficiency. I can't wait to test-drive one.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by RussB

2025 X3
Attachment 3578235


2025 X4 (same as 2024 X3)

Attachment 3578238

My current SUV that I want to replace.

Attachment 3578239


2025 X3

Attachment 3578240


2025 X4

Attachment 3578241

The X4 and 2024 X3 have door sill trim, a nicer horn cover, leatherette on the center console sides, and just better quality interior materials.

Also, if you opted for leather & sensactec dash on the G01/G02 there would also be more contrast stitching detail on the door caps, door card, door armrest, door grab, centre armrest, dash etc.

Merino leather was also an individual option on these cars here, just not with M Sport seats.

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by Jeremy V

Was curious about the added dimension to the car. I currently drive an X5, but thought about going to a 3. My wife says no, she likes the added space - but wanted to get input on the new interior feel from a roominess standpoint.

Here is the G45 and G01 side by side w/the X5 thrown in for comparison:
https://www.edmunds.com/car-comparis...veh3=402028749

The interior passenger space is largely unchanged for the X3 but I do expect the head room to go down (consistent w/lower car height).

Congrats on the extra 1" rear legroom in your X5!