No mid life crisis for the fifth generation BMW 3 Series, rather a popular model given a refresh, offering overall better value in terms of award-winning engines, class-leading driving dynamics, strong residual values, and low whole life running costs courtesy of Efficient Dynamics, the 3 Series looks set to continue to capture a large part of the company’s business for the immediate future.
The current model has been in production for just over three years, with the first generation model appearing in 1977 and many will recall the first generation cars, solid engineering and build quality with few frills, a far cry from the latest model which boasts good specifications throughout the range.
The new model features more aggressive styling, akin to the Z4 Roadster, strong bonnet lines, complete chrome grille, re-designed headlamps, re-worked front apron and larger rear view mirrors.
A wider rear rack and a fresh design of the ear lights provide the newcomer with a much stronger on road presence.
Adding to the exterior finish, a wide choice of alloy wheels, some are of a new design and three new body colours have been added to the palette.The interior is pure BMW, the cockpit designed to provide the driver with that sports-like feel, but there are new features, a new iDrive system is available, easier to use, the sat nav system even features a 3D perspective view. You can download your favourite music tracks, easy with 8 GB of storage.
BMW Efficient Dynamics standard on all 3 Series Saloon and Touring variants, twelve emit less than 140g/km while 53 emit less than 160gkm, the current BMW average CO2 emissions figure.
Worthy of a special note, the 330d engine is a newly developed, all-aluminium power plant using third generation common-rail diesel injection technology and a single turbo-charger for optimum performance. It produces 245bhp, an increase of 14bhp over the previous engine and torque is up by 20Nm.
On the road, rest to 100kph is reached in a mere 6.1 seconds and on economy, 49.6mpg is possible. The emission figure is cut from 160g/km to 152g/km.
Many will welcome the fact that the 318d is now available with an automatic gearbox for the first time. Another option to those customers requiring diesel economy with the relaxed driving characteristics of an automatic.
For four decades BMW has stuck to what many enthusiastic drivers describe as the right formula, front mounted engine, rear wheel drive with near 50:50 weight distribution.
Behind the wheel the drive of the latest model is very satisfying, reassured with such safety items as Dynamic Stability Control. All new 3 Series models come as standard with this feature. Further reassurance for all onboard the new model has a five star Euro NCAP rating for adult occupant impact.
Trim levels are ES, SE and M Sport, the latter has a huge take up in the 3 Series line-up.
The lower premium class in which the 3 Series rests is dominated by the three German prestige car makers, BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz, very much the case throughout Europe. The new offering from BMW will certainly guarantee their place in the top three.
Time magazine recently carried out a poll in five European countries, Spain, Italy, France, UK and Germany to ascertain the best known luxury brands (not just restricted to cars, but including watches and fashion); BMW featured in all of the countries, the only car brand to do so.
The survey was directed at Europeans aged between 25 and 64 years and in the top 10% of household incomes.
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