New BMW 3 Series review
By Ian Lynas, 17th February 2012
The early part of 2012 sees two of the most important new car launches of the year: the 3 Series from BMW and the A4 from Audi.
Away from the grey skies of Northern Ireland, I spent two days in Southern Spain with the brand new model from BMW.
This car has always been right at the heart of the BMW family and is now in its sixth generation. It bristles with technology and even higher comfort levels and currently outsells the A4 by a healthy 2 to 1. Perhaps when the new Audi arrives things will change but that's a case of 'wait and see'.
New BMW 3 Series interior
Since its launch in 1975, the 3 Series has become a firm favourite - rated highly as a sports saloon and the tradition of legendary rear-wheel drive handling has become a key element in the design of the latest versions. One in five BMWs sold worldwide wears the 3 Series badge and the UK boasts its fourth largest global market.
Design-wise, the new model wears its edgy and dynamic look well and it has come as a result of an internal design competition within Munich. Stiff competition amongst the company‘s designers has been the main drive in creating the new car.
New BMW 3 Series
The new 3 Series, complete with new BMW styling delivers a stronger on-road presence. Being slightly longer, this delivers more space for rear passengers and the boot capacity has been increased by 20 litres, leaving 480 litres of luggage carrying capacity.
The interior quality has moved up another notch, with the cabin very much in focus and the driver is subject to a premium feel.
Even at launch stage, power choice is a wide one: all of the engines feature turbocharging. Ranging from the 316d, with 116bhp to the 335i with 306bhp. I had the opportunity to try a 320d Sport and a petrol-powered 328i; the latter with the eight speed automatic transmission was brilliant; effortless gear changing and 245bhp.
2012 BMW 3 Series
There is no doubt that the big seller in our market will be the 320d and the 320d Efficient Dynamics, the latter has a low CO2 rating of just 109g/km, now that will delight the business user.
Despite power outputs, the fuel economy for the new 3 Series is pretty impressive, on the combined fuel cycle the 320d ED can reward you with 68.9mpg and even the powerful 335i can return 35.8mpg. The eight-speed automatic transmission is available throughout the range.
BMW has increased the choice of trim levels: ES, SE, Sport, Modern, Luxury and M Sport. Modern and Luxury are new names to the list; the Modern adds 17 inch alloy wheels, sports leather steering wheel, cloth/leather upholstery, Pearl interior rim and extended lighting.
Luxury delivers 18 inch Luxury alloys, Dakota leather upholstery with exclusive stitching, Fineline Anthracite wood interior trim and Chromeline exterior trim. The M Sport will arrive later with a focus on the sporting side.
Many of the features being enjoyed by owners of 5 and 7 Series models have found their way into the new 3 Series and in many ways, this car has come of age.
Entry into the new 3 Series range starts at £24,880, a modest increase throughout the range from the outgoing car.
This is the best 3 Series to date.
