By Miles Downard
What is it?
Plainly, this is BMWâs bread and butter. To put that into numbers; one in every four BMWâs sold is a 3 series and this particular one, the 320d, is the entry level one with the entry level diesel powerplant. Only that doesnât do this car any justice because it’s far more than the sum of those parts.
On the outside
Not a lot has changed in this facelift evolution of the F30, dubbed the F31. New aprons front and rear, with revised air intakes âaccentuate the feeling of widthâ according to BMW. There are also some subtle changes to the headlights. Not sure I quite pick those up (perhaps parked side-by-side would make it more obvious) but one way or another it’s a smart looking machine. Subtle, refined, and unmistakably BMW. New wheel designs round off the package.
On the inside
There are a few new materials floating around the 3 seriesâ interior, including nice bits of chrome. A few ergonomic changes complete the interior evolution, but BMW has gone a step further in adding new equipment options for added âpersonalisationâ.
This is perhaps where things fall apart for BMW, although it goes for all the other premium brands as well. Personalisation on a 3 Series involves an endless array of combinations, packages and tick boxes all of which can result in a near doubling of the price tag if you go all out. The supposedly entry level BMW 320d I had the pleasure of driving for a week was valued at near R750 000. Yes, thatâs seven hundred and fifty thousand Rand. It may have had a stunning red leather interior, all kinds of internet connectivity, access to BMWâs live telephonic help desk and every manner of driver assistance to back up the price tag. But I just feel itâs all got a bit silly.
Behind the wheel
Letâs put aside all of the gumpf and get down to what any BMW is really about, most especially the 3. The company will tell you that this is where it made the biggest advances with the car, which is remarkable considering the F30 was the best car in class with which to tackle a windy bit of tarmac.
The changes arenât so much directed at driver feedback which, thanks to numb electric steering assistance, is the biggest downside to the 3. The refinements instead come in the form of suppleness. Even with a fairly large set of rims and pretty low profile run flat tyres the 320d glides along brilliantly. Donât think that the 3 Series can no longer tackle a corner though, the F31 feels lighter and more nimble that before, perhaps even better balanced on the limit and beyond.
Under the bonnet lies a 2.0 litre turbo diesel unit that produces 140kW and 400 torques, while sipping fuel at snail’s pace. Thatâs a decent amount of grunt, something that shows once youâre up and running. Thereâs an 8 speed auto âbox sending power to the rear wheels. Itâs smooth as silk and changes gear as fast as youâd like. My only gripe is that thereâs too much delay at pull off before power is delivered in accordance with your right foot. It makes drifty stuff, that is imperative in any BMW that Iâm driving, a bit of a challenge. But that probably isnât a concern for most and is solved by choosing the petrol powered unit instead.
Pricing
As previously mentioned, the BMW 320d I was driving hit the price sheet at near R750,000. But the base price is a smidge over R490,000 which is far more palatable. In line with competitors too.
Verdict
This is still the benchmark premium sedan in my books. Mercedes is a very close second with the C Class, and in fact sell more of them than BMW do 3âs. But if itâs a precision drivers tool that youâre after, the Merc doesnât quite deliver the scalpel-like performance of the 3.
Price: R493 500
Engine: 1995cc four cylinder turbocharged diesel
Power: 140 kW
Torque: 400 Nm
Acceleration (0-100km/h): 7.2
Top speed (km/h): 230
Consumption (l/100km): 4.0 (claimed)
Service: 5yr/100 000km maintenance plan
