BMW 3 Series (F30) review

By Farzana Chaumoo

 A breakdown of what the BMW F30 3 Series has to offer.

When the 3 Series was initially launched, it came in only one body style, a two-door sedan. Being the life of BMW, today you will find a sedan, an estate and that strangely shaped Gran Turismo hatchback. And if you’re wondering why I didn’t mention the long-serving coupé and cabriolets, that’s because BMW rebadged those as the 4 Series, but essentially they are still the same car.

Brand manipulation aside, the most significant quality the 3 Series has come to characterise, regardless of the variant, is its class leadership.

The ‘F30’ generation continues to carry forth Munich’s best traditions of rear-wheel-drive handling and incredible performance. It sat at the top of many road tests until recently. Then came along the all-new Audi A4, there’s the admired Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the spirited Jaguar XE and Alfa Romeo returned with its Guilia. Now more than ever the 3 Series needs to up its game just to stand still.

But even that’s not a guarantee as the demise of the 3 Series Coupé and Convertible (cabrio) has made the range lose a bit of its old lustre. However, it still remains a strong seller in South Africa, whereas in the UK it dropped out of the top 10 biggest-selling cars.

It’s also going to be exciting to see what lengths BMW has gone to raise the bar on its seventh-generation 3 Series when it drops on the market next year.

F30 UPDATES

For its mid-cycle update, the F30 didn’t just receive the usual headlights-and-bumpers revision, although those were included, along with new optional LED headlights. It came with new turbocharged petrol and diesel engines that were paired to an updated optional eight-speed automatic gearbox. Extensive changes were also made to its suspension, cabin and equipment.

In 2017, through a minor refresh, the 3 Series was also equipped with the latest version of its marvelous iDrive infotainment system.

DESIGN AND STYLING

As much as the 3 Series is the life of BMW, its four-door variant is the core of the range. The F30 is a better looking model than its conservative E90 predecessor. It has a 93mm extension in length over the E90, with more than half of that being between the wheels.

BMW reduced the amount of metal used to construct the model by making use of higher-strength steels, which in turn improved safety, and also increased rigidity by 10 percent and dropping weight of 40kg.

Even with the changes in proportion, the 3 Series doesn’t appear as expanded as it actually is. Rather it appears more sleeker and lower, as well as more sporting. This is enhanced by the lower and wider front grille and narrowed headlamps. The lines of the car and its strong horizontal creases all have its place, disguising the car’s physical bulk to your eye.

The upgrades made to the suspension was made viable by a change to the way the car’s various combination of struts and links mount to the body. Previously, it was only anchored at three points but now the car’s suspension is secured at five separate points per corner. This allows for better rigidity and robustness from the suspension assemblies themselves and with the car’s weight, it also provides more effective support.

Furthermore, because of these solid mountings BMW was able to increase the car’s suspension spring and damper rates without adversely affecting its refinement levels. Now you will find new twin-tube dampers and stiffer springs on the F30 as standard, while adaptive dampers in tandem with a 10mm drop in ride height will be optional.

ENGINES

There are several petrol and diesel options to peruse when deciding on which is best for you. The range starts with the entry-level 318i which is powered by a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged motor that puts out power of 100 kW and torque of 220 Nm.

Then there’s the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine that comes in two variations. In the 320i it develops power of 135 kW and 290 Nm of torque, while in the 328i-replacing 330i it puts out power of 185 kW and 350 Nm of torque.

A 3.0-litre, six-cylinder 3 Series will continue to be offered in the guise of the 340i that is fitted with a new twin-scroll turbocharged unit.

The four-cylinder diesel engines are also new and were based around BMW's B47 motor in different states of tune. The entry-level 320d puts out power of 140 kW and 400 Nm of torque while the 330d develops 190 kW and a beefy 560 Nm of torque. The 320d Efficient Dynamics can sprint from 0-100 km/h in 7.2 seconds when paired with the eight-speed automatic gearbox.

RIDE AND HANDLING

Enthusiasts have always relied on the 3 Series when it comes to first-class ride quality served with amazing handling characteristics.

But the void between BMW and cars in the segment is wider than ever.

The way in which BMW makes its top opponents look slow-witted with such ease is something close to astonishing. You would expect that the car would start exhibiting the limitations of its design but seemingly the 3 Series is just getting into its stride.

The body control on the 3 Series and the accuracy of the steering inputs could shame many sports cars. And the best part is, you don’t even need the sports suspension to enjoy these benefits.

INTERIOR

The interior design of the 3 Series is simple, clean and functional, unlike the classical vogue feel of a Mercedes or the modernity of an Audi. BMW is big on ergonomic efficiency, and less on trivial surprise and delight features.

The BMW 3 Series driving position is unimpeachable. There is a considerable range of seat and steering adjustments to fit your fancy, both height and length-wise. The central display features a 6.5-inch colour screen and all functions are operated by the world-class iDrive control system.

The 2017 iDrive update got a new polished interface with numerous BMW tools and several new online connectivity options that allows streaming from apps like Deezer and Spotify.

The extra space between the wheels, as aforementioned, has been dedicated to providing passengers in the rear        some much-needed extra room.

TRIM LEVELS

The Sport Line “exudes unadulterated dynamics”. It has striking Black high-gloss design elements on the exterior, while several details on the interior enhances its athletic profile.

Then there’s the Luxury Line which “enhances the exclusive aura of the new BMW 3 Series Sedan, on the outside and inside alike”. This trim makes use of premium quality chrome applications, exclusive leather coverings, and fine-wood interior trims.

Sportiness will shine through with the M Sport package. This trim has the M Aerodynamics package tight M Sport suspension, exclusive 18'' or 19'' light alloy wheels, as well as several other extras for the interior and exterior that includes badging.

Lastly, the BMW Individual selection will allow you perfection in every detail and is yours to discover.

For a more detailed description of each trim level, visit the BMW lines and equipment site.

VERDICT

There are other top models playing in the 3 Series league. Between the 3 Series rivals; the Audi A4, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Lexus IS and Jaguar XE, it comes down to a matter of personal taste. These cars are all excellent in their own right.

However, when you consider these new players, the small Jaguar is the only one that has better outright ability than the 3 Series, while the Benz ups BMW on ride comfort. The A4 announces “step aside, peasants!” as it has the best compromise between dynamic ability and a comfortable ride but the Jag will also trump Audi on the driving stakes. You can read more about the comparison in the link above.

Now it’s not to say the BMW is not a great car anymore, the abilities of the 3 Series are still admired around the world. There is a just a massive difference from its 2012 launch to cars launching in 2018. There is more fresh meat available at the moment and BMW will need to up the ante to show followers where they rightly belong.