The 3 Series has to be one of the most iconic sedans in automotive history. If not actually the most iconic of them all, and to boot, the platform from which the very concept of a sporty sedan is derived. It is ground zero, and has across its seven generations (since 1975) sold 16.8 million units. This current generation alone has sold 1.1mil – in fact, every 7th BMW sold comes from this stock. This, despite the world obsessing over SUVs. Ha. Naturally, I spent the bulk of my time with this, the BMW M340i, with performance just this side of a fully blown M3. But at R1.34 mil, it’s hardly a cheap thrill.
For 2023, it gets a new, sportier exterior and a stylish, more refined and modern cabin. Even the digital experience has been updated with OS8. BMW now has a 30% smaller catalog of options for the 3 Series, which theoretically streamlines the options pricing as well. Good. In terms of visuals, the new car gets a larger central air intake, revised front bumper with new honeycomb and apron. Also at the front, new slim headlamps with daytime running lamps that also operate as indicators.
At the rear, the bumper features a redefined sport diffuser and vertical reflectors to empathise the wide stance. Also present, a 100mm wide tailpipe on par with the previous generation’s M3. About the M car, yes it’s coming next year and yes, you will able to finally get it as a Touring ‘wagon’.
Hop aboard and you’ll encounter a modern cockpit with a 12.3″ inch curved display, less buttons and switches than before, and with new controls and redesigned gear shifter lever area and iDrive. Interestingly, the X1 it launched beside, no longer has iDrive. Radical, hey? Thanks to an electronic-sim card, BMW can perform OTA (over the air) updates and upgrades to your 3 Series. Radical, again!
The range at this point comprises a 320d, 318i, 330i and M340 model. I drove them all, but mostly remember my time in the latter vehicle. Funny that? The TwinPower M340 boasts 285kW and 500Nm, and mine had carbon fibre trim. With M Launch, it could pounce in just 4.3sec from 0-100kph, via an 8 speed Steptronic auto, noise provided by the M Sport exhaust. The xDrive AWD is rear biased, so hold on tight. Oh, and BMW will also try to sell you the M Sport Pro package which includes brakes, sportier grille, window surrounds, M seat belts and more. Or again, wait a year and buy the most potent station wagon in the land? Either or.
PRICING
BMW 318i R767 894
BMW 318i M Sport R817 894
BMW 320i R832 894
BMW 320i M Sport R882 894
BMW 320d R880 768
BMW 320d M Sport R930 768
BMW 330i M Sport R953 197
BMW M340i xDrive R1 338 207