It’s a week since I returned from the international launch and media first drive of the new BMW 3 Series and I thought that this was an opportune time to judge the initial impressions of the car.
This car has a big job to do. With recent updates from the immediate competitors – Audi A4 and Mercedes Benz C Class – the compact executive market place has never been so crowded. It’s also never offered such a wide and diverse range of models, variants and specifications to enable discerning buyers to select the car that perfectly, and without compromise, fits their lifestyle. To highlight this, the new BMW 3 Series Saloon and Touring is available with a choice of 11 engines, six in the Saloon and five in the Touring, and in a total of 25 different models.
On the launch, the journalists had the opportunity of driving the new 330d with its all-new 3.0-litre diesel engine. This new engine develops 245hp and 520Nm of torque. Impressive numbers and to put it into context, it’s not that many years ago that BMW’s famous M cars were delivering similar horsepower output and far less torque, and this engine is a diesel! Alongside it was the 335i, powered by the twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre engine that has the accolade of winning the coveted International Engine of the Year for the last two years in a row.
So, what’s the reaction? I guess that it is best summed up as ‘the best just got better’. But those are my words. Car magazine said; “The A4 is the new kid on the block but it still can’t get close to the 3-series dynamically. Which leaves the Merc C-class to fight its corner. The BMW’s new tech gives it an advantage, it’s a lot more interesting to look at inside (despite the limited cockpit changes), and it’s quicker, cheaper, greener and more economical than a C320 CDI. Case closed." See the link here - http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Drives/Search-Results/First-drives/BMW-330d-facelift-CAR-review/
Autocar were equally positive - "In 330d guise, it feels invincible." See the link here - http://www.autocar.co.uk/CarReviews/FirstDrives/BMW-3-Series-330d-SE/234767/
And finally The Car Enthusiast, one of the web sites that we know industry commentators read and respect, said; “Fans of the current 3 Series will relish the new car's updates. They know which side their bread is buttered on”. See the link here - http://www.carenthusiast.com/roadtests.html?mode=article&id=2911.
So, successful then? Absolutely, and I see no reason why the new car won’t continue the sales success that all previous 3 Series models have enjoyed. With over 12 million 3 Series sold since launch in 1977 and approximately 45 per cent of all BMW’s sold in the UK wearing a 3 Series badge, this new car has a big shoes to fill.
