2019 BMW 3-Series Review – Most Dynamic In Class!

Performance – BMW is offering the 3-Series in India with two engine options – the 320d and the 330i, we have tested the latter which is powered by a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder engine that produces 258 HP of power at 5000 RPM and 400 Nm of torque from 1550 RPM, going all the way till 4400 RPM. The numbers on paper are strong, with a 6 HP and 50 Nm increase over the F30 330i. Claimed 0-100 km/hr comes up in a quick 5.8 seconds, top speed being limited to 250 km/hr. The car is supremely refined and although the motor is turbocharged, the twin-scroll technology ensures you have no lag lower down, yes, that is how good the low-end performance is. But it’s really the mid-range which is the strong suit of the petrol 3-Series as it feels really punchy there while it screams to the redline that comes in at 7000 RPM, it’s just doesn’t rev as fast in the last 1000 RPM which is actually a good thing as it lets you relish the top-end. The motor becomes vocal in a very good way post 4000 RPM.

The petrol engine’s performance is stupendous and it also sounds sweet

The BMW 3-Series comes with 6 drive modes – Comfort which has no setting and Eco Pro and Sport, both of which get Individual setting that lets you alter a few parameters, meanwhile Sport mode also gets a Plus setting. The engine, gearbox and steering are altered in the various drive modes and the gear lever also has a M/S mode, one can shift gears using the tiptronic function or the steering mounted paddles which gives you complete control of the 8-speed gearbox, not upshifting even at redline unless you manually decide to do so. The gearbox is smooth and quick with shifts and the powertrain has more than enough oomph to dispatch slow-moving traffic with a little nudge on the accelerator pedal. Fuel economy is between 9-12 km/h while the ARAI rated figure is 16.13 km/l. The 330i and 320d have similar displacement as well as identical torque output of 400 Nm while the latter is more frugal by 3 km/l, it’s the 330i which has higher CO2 emission, so much for diesel vehicles pollute more!

Driving Dynamics – The 7th generation BMW 3-Series is bigger in every dimension and also has a longer wheelbase, yet there has been a weight reduction of up to 55 kgs. The chassis and various underpinnings have been stiffened by 25 to 50% while the track is wider on both ends, the car also has a 50:50 weight distribution. Naturally, the handling is the highlight here as the car performs brilliantly through the corners, it offers low body roll, great composure and acres of grip too. Traction control can be completely turned off which makes the 3-Series very tail-happy. The steering is light at low speeds but becomes staggeringly quick as the speeds increase, it offers great feel and feedback at high speeds but it’s as agile at lower speeds.

The 3-series still delivers outstanding ride and handling dynamics and is the most fun-to-drive car in its segment

While the 3-Series stays true to being the ‘Ultimate Driving Machine’ in its segment, the car’s stiffness can be felt and there are no two ways about it. On bad roads, you can feel the bumps but BMW has given it lift-related dampers which is basically an additional piston for rebound damping that does help the ride quality to an extent. With lower CG and thus improved aerodynamics (the grille closes for reducing drag and there are air curtains on the edge of the bumper) ensure great high-speed stability. The brakes offer stupendous stopping power with the right feel on the pedal. The 3-Series gets some smart tech like automatic braking as well which I only realised while backing up at the fuel pump as the attendant stood right behind me, asking me to back up further, the BMW applied the brakes on its own. Other interesting bits including coasting function in Eco Pro mode between 15 to 160 km/hr to reduce fuel consumption, active cruise control system which takes data from the navigation system to plan gear shifts and a stop-start system that’s not turning the car on and off at every halt because the navigation and driving assistance systems can judge if the vehicle is indeed coming to a halt or is being driven in stop-go traffic!