They tend to mirror the standard and optional equipment found on the 328i and 340i sedans. A Driver Assistance package includes a rearview camera and rear parking sensors, while the Driver Assistance Plus package adds a surround-view camera, blind spot monitor, lane departure warning, speed limit data, and an active collision mitigation system. That continues to hold true, even as it has become slightly softer and competitors have gotten much better. New for 2016 is the 330e plug-in hybrid, which pairs an electric motor and a turbocharged 4-cylinder for 25 miles on battery power alone or total range of 373 miles. Rear-wheel drive is standard on all sedan models, with available all-wheel drive. The vehicle handles well on cross country tours, and very nimble in negotiating the urban jungle freeways and side streets. And to make life easier, the 328i can be equipped with a trick rear hatch that opens hands free by gently kicking towards the tailgate while in possession of the key fob.
Front and rear fascias were also reshaped. The 320i makes 180 horsepower and the 328i makes 240 horsepower, both employing a 2. A host of driver assists are available, but they tend to be optional rather than standard. The Gran Turismo may look, simply, like a hatchback variant of the sedan and wagon, but it's actually a much different car with a longer wheelbase, extra height, and interior volume that's nearly midsize. Each consideration maximizes every square inch of storage for gear and passengers alike. The package also includes Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press the M Leather steering wheel, one of the nicest in existence, plus Sport seats and more, making it easily worth the cost of upgrading. Adaptive M Suspension: Rear damper technology and front struts with five-bolt upper anchor points adapt to your driving style and ever-changing road conditions, creating an ideal chassis, and providing you with increased handling capabilities and more dynamic driver feedback.
A 3-Series Sports Wagon is also available; all wagons come with standard all-wheel drive, and with one of two engines: the same 240-hp unit found in the 328i sedan, or the 180-horsepower 4-cylinder diesel for 328d xDrive Sports Wagon. Manual transmissions are still widely offered in the 3-Series lineup, rather than being reserved for entry-level or high-end trim levels. The 3-Series lineup—a pioneer in the luxury compact segment—is already mature with varied powertrains and body styles, ranging from sedans to wagons—even hatchbacks. Headlights and taillights now have a more distinctive signature when illuminated, air intakes are wider, and bumpers have been reshaped. The 8-speed automatic transmission is sublime, and the optional manual transmission is a joy. Even the 340i with a turbocharged 3.
If your budget allows, you should seriously consider one or the other. From an all-wheel-drive sedan to a sports wagon, Gran Turismo hatchback, plug-in hybrid and the tarmac-eating M3, there's a 3 Series for every buyer. Each delivers what the 3-Series always has—driving satisfaction both in everyday driving and on curvy mountain roads—yet with better fuel economy than in the past, with most 3-Series cars now returning more than 30 mpg on the highway if you keep it smooth and responsible. The driver and front passenger can use the console-mounted iDrive controller, and both can easily see the high-resolution central screen. It's a compact D-segment premium station wagon, a rare breed of four-wheel Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press beast these days. A 3-Series delivers balanced handling and dynamics regardless of body style or drive type, but sedans with rear-wheel drive have a slight edge.
The F30 redesign brought more back-seat space and cargo space to sedans, as well as a more sophisticated and isolated ride. The 320i makes 180 horsepower and the 328i makes 240 horsepower, both employing a 2. What we do like very much, however, is the capacitive touch pad atop the controller—a cool feature that allows you to trace out letters, for instance when specifying a destination. In all variants of the 3-Series, you get the latest version of iDrive, which uses a controller on the center console to navigate menus for non-essential functions. Sportier wheel and tire combinations may diminish the isolation you'd experience in a standard 328i with higher-profile tire, but not by much. Unfortunately it shudders when the engine restarts and thankfully can be deactivated. Comfortable for 4 adults and plenty of trunck space.
We'd only wish for a better sense of the roadway surface before you approach those limits, which is what the hydraulic steering provided. It has broad power and sounds great, too. Acceleration from any speed is is about as good as you can get without being an exotic. The 340i with the M package is just a joy to drive and provides a lot of value for the money. Frameless windows, a large hatchback, and a rear spoiler, along with the coupe-like profile, push this model in a new direction that appears as one third fastback, one third wagon, and one third crossover.
There's an available M Sport package that drops ride height for sedans by 0. A Brake Energy Regeneration system, used in some models, further reduces fuel usage by delaying aggressive alternator usage until you brake. The sedans have acceptable legroom in the second row, and it's downright impressive in the larger 3 Series Gran Turismo. Like the 360° overhead view of optional Side and Top View Cameras and the standard Rear View camera, iDrive 6. This mildly updated Touring has been endowed with some of the same undercarriage tweaks as the similarly restyled sedan. The highly tuned precissioned engine delivered a torque that surpass all expectations.
With over 40 years of history, this compact sports sedan has cemented itself in the psyche of aspirational buyers. A very fast comfortable car with every electronic convince imaginable. The 3-Series can be equipped with many different trim lines and appearance packages, but try before you buy because they tend to make a greater difference inside and some combinations can be visually startling. The 240-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder gasoline engine is powerful and efficient, and will more than satisfy most drivers. That means you'll find plenty of space up front, where a wide range of adjustability enables almost anyone to find a comfortable position—this is true whether you choose the base seats or upgraded Sport seats with extending thigh bolsters and stronger side bolstering. To this end the 328i xDrive Touring is sublime, not only delivering that silky ride mentioned a moment ago, but also providing a general smoothness in operation when set to its more comfort-oriented modes. The 328i Gran Turismo uses the same 2.
With Sport, you get sharpened steering response, delayed shift points, and such, while Sport+ allows more slip from the stability control. Both are paired with Dynamic Stability Control, the nucleus of the improved chassis, to provide more agility on winding roads and tough surfaces, and more stability at higher speeds. Across its entire lineup, the 3-Series models stand out for being athletic, responsive and fun to drive, as well as more fuel-efficient than most other alternatives. Key packages include M Sport, Track Handling, Technology, and Driver Assistance or Driver Assistance Plus with a full slate of assists. The 335i Gran Turismo retains the previous-gen 6-cylinder. Be sure to use our recommended dealer.