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BMW has revealed a second mid-life update for its iconic 3 Series sedan, with sharper prices, more range for plug-in hybrid models, new technology and extra grunt for M models.
The Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class rival was last updated in 2022 with a revised design and curved in-cabin screen. This latest 'Life Cycle Impulse' (LCI) is a smaller model year update with vehicles beginning production in July.
Prices kick off at $89,900 (before on-road costs) for the 330i sedan - a reduction of almost $5000 - compared to the outgoing model. The 330i wagon costs an extra $3000 or about $6000 less than the older model.
The 330i even ges more standard kit than the outgoing version. Buyers can expect a sunroof, heated front seats and steering wheel as standard as well as the M Shadowline styling package.
It's not all good news as you'll need $114,900 to step up to the potent M340i, which is more than $8000 more expensive than before.
Outside there are no changes to sheet metal, instead the ‘G20’ 3 Series is only offered in new paint colours and with different alloy wheel designs.
Inside, the brand’s 'Operating System 8.5' features on the 14.9-inch curved screen. Controls for the ventilation and climate setting have been optimised with a slicker interface aping the latest OS9 found in the iX2 and iX2 small SUVs.
There are also redesigned steering wheels in all grades. They appear to be just as chunky as before but with a less round shape. M Sport models get a discrete 12 o’clock marker and Audi-esque flattened bottom design.
Powertrains stay much the same. Australia only receives the 330i (190kW/400Nm) and straight-six M340i (285kW/500Nm) xDrive, with base 320i and 330e plug-in hybrid currently off-menu.
The 330e has been upgraded quite drastically, its lithium-ion battery pack now 19.5kWh compared to 12kWh, nearly doubling electric-only range.
The brand quotes between 85-101km driving range for the 330e, depending on conditions. The previous car was rated at 57km in NEDC figures. It now supports faster 11kW AC charging, too.
To enhance the chassis, BMW has implemented stiffer mountings for the rear dampers, tweaked spring and damper settings – promising greater compliance and athleticism – and made the steering lighter in Comfort mode.
Finally, the flagship M3 and M4 Competition variants get power bumps for their ‘S58’ 3.0-litre twin–turbo inline six powertrain.
The engine control unit has been tweaked to extract an extra 15kW, upping outputs to 390kW. Torque, remaining the same at 650Nm, is now available across an even broader spread – from 2750 and 5730 rpm.
Though 0-100km/h times are unchanged (3.5 seconds for the M3 Competition xDrive sedan), the all-wheel drive M3 competition is now half a second faster to 200km/h. Rear-drive models continue with no power changes and a six-speed manual is offered on the base M3 as well.
An electric 3 Series successor on the 'Neue Klasse' dedicated EV platform is not expected until 2027, hence this little revision to keep the current sedan and wagon nice and fresh in the market.
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