The BMW 3 Series continues to be the go-to luxury saloon for individuals who appreciate driving them because it is stylish, sporty, and updated with the most recent technology.
The truth is that most BMW purchasers now choose an X-branded SUV or crossover, yet even in light of this, the 3 Series continues to be the brand’s emotional centre. It is a conventional four-door sedan (a touring version is also offered in the estate) made for customary BMW owners, all of whom will value the low stance, sporty handling, and potent engines that come in diesel, petrol, and hybrid variants. Several Auto Trader New Car Award winners,
The upgraded model maintains the formula that you previously used to vote it Best Loved Car and Best Hybrid. Significant improvements include slight stylistic adjustments and the addition of BMW’s newest widescreen digital instrument cluster. Although the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is undoubtedly more comfortable if you drive many miles, sportier rivals like the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Jaguar XE may offer more oomph. Still, neither can compete with BMW’s breadth or technology.
Operating costs
There’s no electric 3 Series yet, though the i4 fills that role if you want a fully battery-powered BMW of this type.
Corporate drivers have always favoured the 3 Series as their vehicle of choice. Those who factor monthly Benefit In Kind costs into their purchasing decisions, like BMW’s propensity to produce tax-friendly emissions numbers. Although the fleet-favoured 320d diesel is still available, if the 330e plug-in hybrid wins for having a lower CO2 rating, the tax benefits will likely offset the higher list price.
Although there isn’t a fully electric 3 Series yet, the i4 serves that purpose if you desire a BMW of this type. If you’re buying privately, don’t overlook the M340i diesel or M340i petrol six-cylinder models. Although large engines may not be in style, the M440i shows that even powerful gasoline engines can operate efficiently. Its performance is just as remarkable.
Reliability
The technology and engines in this new 3 Series have been well-tested and are shared with many other models in the lineup.
BMW doesn’t quite live up to its stellar reputation for reliability, as evidenced by its ranking in popular reliability rankings. There are several service packages and improved warranties available for further peace of mind should you need them, and the engines and technology in this revised 3 Series are well established at this point at least and shared with many other vehicles in the lineup.
Safety
Upgrade to the Driving Assistant Professional package to get the real deal, including semi-autonomous driving.
With its many driver aid systems, BMW is actively advancing “labor-saving” automation, and the new 3 Series comes with a number of them as standard. Additionally, some can be “downloaded” retroactively as cost options through the Connected Drive system, such as the high-package Auto Assist. Parking and parking lane sensors are all standard, and the car will automatically brake if it doesn’t react to pedestrians, cyclists, or other objects in your way. The whole package, which includes semi-autonomous driving that will ‘prepare’ to direct the car into the inside lane if the navigator knows you’ll depart at the next intersection, is available by upgrading to Driving Assistant Professional.
How comfortable
With a low, sporty seating position and the impression that everything is working to your benefit, the A 3 Series delivers the driver its best.
The front and outboard rear seats in the 3 Series are both comfortable, pleasant, and unapologetically luxurious. But if you’re a fifth passenger, you’re out of luck because the middle position on the back seat is bumpy and has little headroom and legroom. In conclusion and l with history, the 3 Series gives the driver the finest possible experience, with a low, sporty seating position and the impression that everything works in your favour.
Everything except the comfort of the trip that is. Even on the relatively small 18-inch wheels we tested, the M Sport version of the 3 Series suspension is excessively stiff. As a result, while you may still be grinning, your passengers will be leaning forward. If you choose Comfort mode as the default and spend extra money on the adaptive dampers, as we did with the M340i, which we also tested, they will thank you. The Mercedes C-Class may be quieter if you drive many miles, but it is still mighty.
Features of the BMW 3 Series
The simplified range architecture of the Sport and M Sport trims organizes options into simple packages.
BMW’s most recent dual-screen head-up display is the primary modification for this mid-life update, other than the customary stylistic adjustments to the new grille, sculpted bumpers, and thinner headlights. It utilizes a paired digital instrument panel and central infotainment screen powered by one of the most innovative operating systems in the industry, which was first introduced on the iX electric SUV and is now being implemented across the rest of the range.
Configurable tiles allow you to set it up, so your chosen functions are only a swipe away. Phone-style tools are also available for deeper interaction. It also uses an excellent linked operating system, with features including real-time route planning based on traffic and cloud data. The Sport and M Sport-only trims’ simplified range structure organizes extras into clear packages, and the 3 Series upgrade option is only constrained by your ability to pay.
THE POWER
All 3 Series vehicles now have an eight-speed automatic transmission with multiple modes, paddle shifters, and smooth shifting.
Back then, the base 320d offered premium BMW performance with improved daily usability in a tax-friendly package that the company’s drivers adored. But even this model, now considered “basic,” has speed beyond aesthetics and refinement to the point where you no longer even notice you’re in a diesel. Today, an eight-speed automatic transmission with several modes and paddle shifters behind the steering wheel is standard on all 3 Series vehicles.
Any engine you want to use with this works flawlessly. We also drove the hybrid version of the 330e (available with rear-wheel or all-wheel drive). We were particularly impressed by the smooth “handover” of electric power to the gasoline engine. You may purchase it knowing that it will perform well both on and off the road in terms of taxes and fuel efficiency. Performance is comparable to an M3 in a less expensive, covert package. Perhaps a modern-day guilty pleasure. Yet one that we enjoyed.
