BMW makes a few subtle changes to the 3 series

Did you know that one out of every four BMW’s sold worldwide, is a 3 Series? That means it will be hard to improve on a recipe that is clearly blowing the competition out of the water. Still, it was time for a facelift so BMW has made a few subtle changes to the 3 series. If you have a magnifying glass and a touch of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, you may notice small details such as the redesigned air takes in the revised front aprons, and newly designed daytime running headlights. (Rear aprons have been slightly tweaked as well.)But if changes are that minimal, why bother? If it’s too drastic, models start looking dated too soon and lose their value, and BMW is playing it very safe, upholding their design language of a sloping bonnet with short overhangs and a long wheelbase.

Cabin fever

The cabin is well-appointed and posh, but not tremendously exciting. The contemporary wraparound-layout doesn’t seem very different from the previous 3 Series, apart from more chrome highlights for the air vents and central control panel. There is room for personalisation galore, and it’s easy to get carried away ticking all kinds of optional boxes. BMW SA thankfully decided on coral red leather interior that jazzes things up considerably, and looks very stylish with the white exterior.

The centre console now features a sliding cover for the cup holders which create an even tidier appearance, and an additional surface for small items. Everything else is still in their original place, such as the iDrive scroll wheel to control the functions on the screen in the centre dash. Our 320i was also fitted with an optional sunroof, sports seats, as well as a substantial list of tech and safety equipment, such as satnav and Active Cruise control, which works just like radar-based Distronic Plus in many a Mercedes-Benz: You set the speed and distance, and the 320i autonomously stays in the tracks of the car in front of you, braking when abovementioned vehicle comes to a standstill. This takes away most of the frustration experienced in stop-and-go traffic. Other optional highlights that make life easier, include Surround View, Internet Connectivity (which forms a part of ConnectedDrive), Park Distance Control and Park Assist, for automatic parallel parking. Optional Head up Display keeps your eyes on the road, with all the necessary info straight ahead, on the windscreen. It isn’t visible if your sunglasses have polarised lenses, by the way.

All of the interior, driver assistance and exterior options came to almost another 300K, which is steep if you consider the standard model’s base price of  R 443 000. (If you opt for the 8 speed Automatic Sports Transmission, the price goes up to R467 000 immediately.) What can you buy, with 300K? Used cars…

The interior is nice and spacious, and the added 50mm longer wheelbase makes quite a big difference to ones knees, if they were pressed against the seatbacks. It’s supposedly a four-seater, but three average sized adults can fit on the rear bench easily. The boot is 480 litres, with enough space for a family of four’s holiday luggage. There are recesses on both sides of the boot for smaller items. The cabin has ample space for water bottles too.

“Sheer Driving Pleasure” ?

All the three-, four- and six-cylinder petrol engines for the 3 Series are now sourced from the BMW EfficientDynamics engine family. A two litre, twin-turbo four-cylinder power plant makes its debut in the 320i, and it lives up to its expectations. Apart from being almost sinisterly quiet, this engine is like the perfectly polished school prefect. Always in control, always composed, never at a loss for performance - 135kW/290Nm is not be sniffed at. Drive Performance Control settings comprise EcoPro, Comfort, Sport and Sport +. The 320i is like a lady with a shoe for every outfit – there’s a setting for every mood. On Sport and Sport+, the throttle is way more sensitive and damping is altered for sportier performance, getting even friskier on Sport+ by allowing a little booty-shaking action.  In Comfort and EcoPro mode, the 320i becomes a luxurious, leisurely cruiser. The 3-series has always been renowned for its superb handling, and the latest version is no different. It isn’t as light on fuel as I’d hoped, at 9.4 litres per 100km in town. Steering is excellently direct – BMW usually sets the bar high when it comes to steering feedback and response, and the new 3 Series is no different.

Defending Champion

Even though there’s hardly anything to fault (except the manual seat height adjustment that takes some effort), the 320i leaves me a little underwhelmed. It is very sensible, established and grown-up, like a seasoned chartered accountant. Had it not been for the vivacious red leather and glossy piano black trim, the interior would be on the dreary side. From a design perspective, the interior of the latest Mercedes-Benz C-Class has a lot more character. But the Bimmer undoubtedly has the better gear box, which shifts seamlessly, whereas the C-class’s auto box doesn’t feel quite as smooth.

Will the 3 series remain the segment leader? I believe it may. South Africans love the 3-series, and its reputation is rock-solid.

Facts & Figures

Base Price	:R443 000
Price, as tested	:R721 210.40
Engine	:2.0 litre, four cylinder turbo petrol
Transmission	:8-speed Automatic Sport
Power	:135kW
Torque	:290Nm
Top Speed	:235 km/h
Fuel tank	:60 litres
Realistic Fuel Consumption	:6.6 – 9.8 l/100 km
Boot size	:480 litres
Also consider	:Audi A4, Mercedes Benz C-Class, Jaguar XE
Motorplan	:5 year/ 100 000 km maintenance contract
Warranty	:Two years / unlimited km

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