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

2019 BMW 3-Series Review

Car Tested: 2019 BMW 330i; Road Test No. 1125; Test Location: Mumbai

Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 50,16,111/- (320d Sport), Rs. 50,75,320/- (320d Luxury Line), Rs. 56,99,350/- (330i M-Sport)

BMW has updated its legendary 3-Series with new features while still retaining its amazing ride and handling dynamics

Few cars are as multifaceted as the BMW 3-Series. From being a proper premium sedan to being a driver’s delight, the 3-Series has always stood out as an exceptional sporting saloon. It pioneered a segment and mastered it with every new generation. The 7th generation model comes at a time when the competition is fierce and the automotive scene is shifting towards green power and higher dependence on technology. The competition is not only from other compact sedans like the Mercedes-Benz C-Class but also from a range of big and small SUVs at a similar price point. In a day and age when all brands are softening their products to favour fuel-economy and tech-savviness, BMW is making bold claims of the 3-Series’ dynamic prowess. Does the 3-Series have what it takes to stand out from the diverse crowd and more importantly can the new model redefine the sports-sedan segment once again? We hit the road to find out.

Motor Quest: The 3-Series name is a little over 40 years old and in the last 6 generations, it has been a massive success story. Over 15 million units have been sold and the model currently accounts for 30% of all BMW sales. This bread and butter model started its life as a 2-door in 1975 but a 4-door sedan version followed by an estate, coupe, and convertible body types were added soon after. It invented the segment of compact sedans aimed at the driver. The concept became so popular, it prompted other brands to join the race. The 3-Series stood its ground and perfected the formula with every generation. It has impressed several critics and has won many awards till date. The 3-Series came to India in 2007. The sedan enjoys a decent fan following in our country with many people looking at it as an entry-point into the BMW range. The 7th generation model comes here soon after its global launch. Codenamed as G20, the new sedan is based on a brand new platform and promises to be bigger, more efficient, more luxurious, more advanced and all this without compromising on the driving thrills one associates with the 3-Series.

Exteriors – The new 3-Series looks like a compact sedan it ought to. The long bonnet and stubby rear result in a well-proportioned design. The headlights have a kink in them at the centre which merges in the bumper. This divides the headlight piece into two, giving it a distinct appearance. The headlights seem to be inspired from the E46 3-Series. The sculpted bumpers and the creases on the bonnet make the front look quite imposing. The typical low-slung profile makes the 3-Series quite sporty.

The 3-Series looks even more sharper and sportier in its latest avatar

The side has a sharp crease in the bottom and a prominent line in the lower half. Both the elements play well with reflections, aiding to the athletic look of the 3-Series. The sedan comes with Sport, Luxury and M-Sport trim options, each with their own individual design features. The Sport Line is relatively basic, the Luxury Line adds more chrome and an elegant set of 17-inch alloys while the M-Sport adopts a racier approach with sharper bumpers and more attractive 18-inch wheels. The rear is minimalistic in comparison but the squarish taillights with angular L-shaped LEDs definitely look the part. In conclusion, we think the 3-Series is one of the better-looking sedans in the market today.

Interiors – The interiors of the 3-Series are reminiscent to the Z4 we tested recently and a lot of newer BMWs like the X5 and X7. The iDrive infotainment system takes the centre stage with either an 8.8-inch screen or, with the optional BMW Live Cockpit Plus, a 10.25-inch infotainment system. The infotainment screen can be operated via touch, gesture or with the iDrive controller. The infotainment system, needless to say, is superb in its operation. The screen has a fantastic resolution and is responsive to operate. There is also a 5.7-inch all-digital instrument cluster with equally compelling graphics. BMW says that the instrument cluster and the infotainment system are designed to put the driver at ease. Not only do they get customisable graphics and legible fonts but also, the infotainment screen is angled towards the driver, making the operation easier.

One can control various features of this BMW using voice commands and gestures

The new 3-Series also features ‘BMW Virtual Assistant’ for the first time. This feature enables to ‘talk’ to the car. Saying ‘Hey BMW’, the assistant comes to life and you can give voice commands. This system puts the driver at ease and helps him/her concentrate on driving, according to BMW. The system learns your habits and accordingly gives preferences and remembers your preferred climate preference. You can also ask the status of your car to the Virtual Assistant. It is an intuitive system and does help the driver concentrate on driving.

The layout is very user-friendly. Buttons are minimal but the necessary ones like those for the climate control are all there. We like how BMW has integrated the temperature display in a small area between the vents. It is a nifty touch. Quality is faultless and soft-touch materials adorn a good portion of the cabin. We also love the aluminium finish in the M-Sport version.

While the front seats are extremely snug, the rear seats are best suited for two passengers to sit comfortably

The front seats are superbly supportive and comfortable. BMW offers high-quality leather that also adds to the comfort quotient. Space is ample but the seating is a little low. Getting in and out is not very easy, thanks to the low-profile. This is particularly felt at the rear. But once inside, you’ll be pleased with how well BMW has carved the space despite the compact footprint. There is good headroom and legroom. BMW has added an extra 11-millimetres between the front and the rear seats allowing more leg space. Shoulder room is sufficient but three people may not be very comfortable. Space is not in the same league as the Skoda Superb or Honda Accord but that is only expected. We will still say that it is a big improvement over the last generation.

There are sufficient features to justify the premium tag. Standard equipment includes two-zone climate control, ambient lighting, electric front seat adjustment, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto compatibility, sunroof as a part of the standard equipment. BMW is also offering a variety of interior trim and upholstery options.

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!

Safety – The 3-Series gets 6 airbags and other electronic aid to keep you out of the harm’s way. The new platform and solid build ensure your safety in case of an accident. Moreover, you get radar assisted safety features like auto cruise control and auto braking which minimize or entirely prevent a collision with another car or a pedestrian. While BMW is not the first brand to equip their car with this feature in India (Volvo being first), the 3-Series is the first car in the segment to get these features.

Verdict – It is genuinely hard to fault the 3-Series in key areas and it is too good to complain in the secondary. It is rare to find a car so complete and so accomplished. When we started, we had great expectations, but the new 3-Series surpassed those too! It is grown up in areas like technology, space, comfort, efficiency and yet it feels every bit a driver’s car it ought to. We particularly loved the performance and were amazed by the driving dynamics. Normally, with every successive generation, we see a car getting softer and milder. We find solace in the fact that the new 3-Series does not follow that trend. BMW has ticked all the boxes and then some more. It is a car that once again sets the benchmark high for others to follow. The new model is expected to be priced in the range of Rs. 45-50 lakhs. For the price, there are few cars that can claim to match BMW’s depth of abilities. It is a big thumbs-up from our side!

What’s Cool

* Sporty yet elegant design
* Feature-loaded interiors with a lot of equipment and tech
* Refined petrol engine with linear performance
* Impressive driving dynamics and steering feedback
* Comes with the latest safety features

What’s Not So Cool

* Low profile makes ingress and egress bit difficult
* Stiff ride quality

Alternatives: – Audi A4, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Jaguar XE

2019 BMW 3-Series Specifications

* Engine: 1998cc, 4-Cylinder, Petrol
* Power: 258 HP @ 5000 RPM
* Torque: 400 Nm @ 1550-4400 RPM
* 0-100 km/hr: 5.8 seconds
* Top Speed: 250 km/hr
* Transmission: 8-speed AT
* Fuel Consumption: 9-12 km/l
* Fuel Type: Petrol
* Tyre Size: 225/45/18 (Front) 255/40/18 (Rear)
* Suspension: McPherson Struts (Front), Multi-Link (Rear)
* Brakes: Disc (Front & Rear)
* Safety: 6 Airbags, ABS with EBD, DSC

2019 BMW 3-Series Dimensions

* Overall length x width x height: 4709 mm X 1827 mm X 1442 mm
* Wheelbase: 2851 mm
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 60-litres
* Kerb Weight: 1625 kgs

Further Reading –

2018 BMW 330i M-Sport Review
2017 BMW 3-Series GT Facelift Review
2016 BMW M3 Review
2016 BMW 3-Series Facelift Review

Testers’ Note:

[wp-review id=”240619″]