Powerfully taut surfaces with sweeping lines dominate the side view of the BMW 3-Series Sedan, stretching the car visually and lending extra verve to its dynamic stance. The flanks of the car are shaped by an eye-catching "double swage line" made up of two character lines running alongside each other. The higher swage line emerges out of the low-slung front end and flows over the front wheel with an understated sweep, in a nod to the sedan's fleetness of foot. The second swage line develops lower down behind the front wheel and follows a delicately arching path towards the rear. Together, they reinforce the dynamic wedge shape of the car's flanks and create vivid light and shade effects below the swage line, which draw further attention to the car's wide track.

The striking interpretation of the hallmark BMW Hofmeister kink at the base of the C-pillar injects the silhouette of the new 3-Series with even greater élan. Alongside it runs a fine contour line from the roof into the boot lid, giving the roof an even lower appearance from the side. The resultant sense of sporty yet elegant lightness spreads all the way down the sedan's sides, with the slightly rising shade line low down on the heavily contoured side skirt adding further emphasis. The large light surfaces above the side skirt serve to enhance the lightness of the car's flank lines.