Finally! Arguably the biggest and most important reveal at this years’ Paris Motor Show has been unveiled. It is of course BMW's all-new 3 Series.
The seventh-generation 3 Series is much larger than its predecessor, measuring 76mm longer, 16mm wider and boasting a wheelbase that's 41mm longer, yet up to 55kgs lighter depending on the model thanks to the new stiffer platform it rides on. Interestingly enough, the new G20 3 Series roughly the size of the E39 5 Series, such has been the 3 Series’ growth in recent years.
It’s also unfair to label this a shrunken 5 Series, as there is far more to this car than just a resized 5er. For starters, it gets a more defined and purposeful front end, with full-LED headlights as standard and BMW's new one-piece kidney grill, while the most distinctive feature at the rear are the new longer and flatter taillights. It’s an evolutionary design no doubt, but still distinctively BMW.
The cabin is one area that has really come under the knife, with it taking styling ques from the X5 and X3. It is still a familiar place to BMW owners, but now features fewer buttons than the F30, despite being the most technologically advanced 3 Series ever. The standard layout combines a 5.7-inch digital instrument screen and 8.8-inch infotainment display, and runs on BMW Operating System 7.0, while integrating the new BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant - the Bavarian automakers answer to Mercedes-Benz's MBUX system. As an option, there's an upgrade to a 12.3-inch instrument display and 10.25-inch infotainment screen.
While there will be a handful of new engines coming through, with 4 cylinder engines featuring in the 140kw 320d, 135kw 320i, and 190kw 330i. Inline-sixes feature in the 195kw 330d and the M340i. Speaking of the M340i, its turbocharged 3.0-litre motor will produce an impressive 295kw and 500nm, and depending on the market, will be available as either rear-wheel drive or xDrive. BMW M Performance quote a 0-100kph time of just 4.3 seconds for the compact sedan, which quite frankly is amazing.
The M Sport suspension will be tuned for more spirited driving, as usual, with a new Adaptive M suspension being offered as an upgrade. This system adapts the vehicle's dynamics to the driving style or specific request of the driver. Expect the latest tech too, with the new 3 featuring an improved Head up Display, Gesture Control, a semi-autonomous Driving Assistant package, Connected Navigation, a Reversing Assistant with 50 metres of steering memory and BMW’s Digital Key.
BMW have also released pics of their line-up of M Performance parts, as you can see in the attached images. As before this includes new wheel designs, an upgraded braking system, an M Performance exhaust made from titanium and carbon fibre, loads of splitters, spoilers and diffusers for the exterior, and a handful of sporty enhancements for the interior, including an M Performance steering wheel, carbon fibre shift paddles and a carbon fibre interior trim. BMW has also created an M Performance drive analyser that records driving data from the onboard computers and relaying the info to a smartphone app.
BMW South Africa is set to launch the G20 3 Series locally in March 2019, with local specification and pricing set to be released closer to its local introduction.
Also worth a look: the BMW Glc and the BMW M3.
FAQ
Q: What does the BMW 3 Series cost in South Africa?
The BMW 3 Series starts from around R620,000 for the base 320i, with the 320d diesel coming in at roughly R680,000, the 330i at about R750,000, and the range-topping M340i xDrive pushing close to R950,000 depending on options.
Q: Is the BMW 3 Series worth buying?
Absolutely, the 3 Series remains the benchmark for executive sedans, offering the perfect blend of driving dynamics, luxury, and practicality that justifies its premium pricing in the South African market.
Q: What engine options are available in the BMW 3 Series?
You get four-cylinder engines in the 135kW 320i, 140kW 320d, and 190kW 330i, plus inline-six power in the 195kW 330d diesel and the stonking 295kW M340i with its 500Nm of torque.
Q: How much bigger is the new BMW 3 Series compared to the old one?
The G20 generation is substantially larger, measuring 76mm longer, 16mm wider, and with a 41mm longer wheelbase than its predecessor, yet it's up to 55kg lighter thanks to the new platform.
Q: Does the BMW 3 Series come with all-wheel drive in South Africa?
Yes, BMW's xDrive all-wheel drive system is available on select models including the M340i, giving you extra traction for those Cape Town mountain passes and Gauteng thunderstorms.
Should You Buy It?
The best executive sedan under R800,000 in South Africa is absolutely the BMW 3 Series 330i at around R750,000. This seventh-generation model delivers everything you want from a premium German sedan, bigger dimensions, lighter weight, cutting-edge tech, and that unmistakable BMW driving feel that makes every commute feel like a weekend drive. If you can stretch to R950,000, the M340i with its 295kW straight-six is pure automotive poetry. Yes, you should definitely buy it, this 3 Series proves BMW still knows exactly how to build the ultimate driving machine.
