For forty years, the BMW 3 Series has been the epitome of Sheer Driving Pleasure; the steadfast and respectable way to get yourself into one of the Bavarian driving machines. With approximately one in every four BMW sold being a 3 Series, it is undoubtedly the most successful model in the BMW range.

Now in its sixth generation, the F30 has received a mild facelift and update to coincide with the 40th year of production.

Visuals

The 2015 update sees the 3 Series with a new front apron, incorporating larger air dams and seamless integration of the Active Cruise Control sensor. It’s further highlighted by the redesigned headlights which are now also available in a full LED option.

Revised LED taillights and a new rear apron appear at the back, along with twin exit tail pipes for the four-cylinder 320d and 320i. The new taillights draw the 3 Series in line with current BMW offerings and larger indicator sections improve visibility.

Chassis

For 2015, all the 3 Series models benefit from revised damper settings and a stiffer suspension. The lamented slow steering of the F30 has been addressed and the steering is now sharper and more responsive.

While the steering has been improved, the changes to the damper settings seem to have made the chassis more alive over uneven surfaces and mid corner manners are sadly less than confidence inspiring, with a propensity to unload mid corner.

Engines

Four petrol derivatives and two diesel models are available, starting with the 1.5-litre 3-cylinder TwinPower Turbo 318i making 100kW and 220Nm, returning a combined 5.5-5.1-litres/100km.

The 320i is fitted with the 135kW and 290Nm 2-litre inline 4-cylinder, also with direct injection and TwinPower Turbo technology. It is followed up by the brand new engine in the 330i which also employs a 2-litre TwinPower Turbo motor.

This motor produces 3% more power and is 12% more efficient than the previous motor, making 185kW and 350Nm torque while only using 5.5l/100km on the combined cycle.
There’s a new motor for the 340i, which as a model designation, is a first for the 3 Series. It replaces the 335i motor and is a ceremonial nod to the 40 years of BMW 3 Series as well. While not fitted with a 4-litre motor as many suggested, it is instead fitted with all-new 3-litre, straight six-cyliner engine from the BMW EfficientDynamics range. This makes it the first model in the whole BMW line-up to employ one of these motors.

The 340i is up on power and down on fuel consumption when compared to the 335i that it replaces. It produces 240kW and 450Nm torque while returning figures of 6.5l/100km.
While undoubtedly a powerful motor, the 340i seems to be happiest when kept in the mid-range. Pushing the revs to over 5500rpm does little to excite the car and not much momentum is generated up there. In gear acceleration though is impressive, thanks to that meaty mid-range power band.

Two diesel offerings are presented, with the 320d and 330d still feature in the 3 Series line-up with changes to the 320d only (the 330d remains as current). 
Power has been increased in the 320d to 140kW and the torque figures rest at 400Nm.

Interior

Minor changes to the look and feel of the interior have been made to create an air of greater luxury and to improve comfort levels. 
Interior options are now expanded and optional conveniences now include a full-colour, high-resolution heads up display that includes information on active safety systems as well as navigation and the all-important speed readings, amongst others.
Navigation and Connected Drive have also been improved to be faster and more responsive with greater detail available, including improved real-time traffic information.

Pricing

Models are available in either Standard, Sport Line, Luxury Line or M Sport packages.

Pricing starts from R409 000 for a Standard BMW 318i with a manual gearbox and ranges to RR680 600 for the BMW 340i in M Sport trim with the Sport Steptronic gearbox.
All models are sold with BMWs 5 year / 100 000km Motorplan maintenance contract.