When it comes to buying a BMW, you really can’t go wrong. Renowned for their impeccable engineering, agile handling and of course, their sleek sex appeal, the BMW family is comprised of truly spectacular models, including the X models and the M models. However, perhaps no other model line-up or series personifies the true beauty of BMW than the BMW 3 Series. Offering a reasonable entry point, high-quality interiors, stunning exteriors and enviable performance across the three model lineup that’s comprised of the Sedan, the Sports Wagon, and the Gran Turismo hatchback, the BMW 3 Series is truly the best place to start shopping for auto luxury.
The BMW 3 Series: Perfectly Tailored Performance
Any car can get you from Point A to Point B, but the BMW 3 Series takes it to the next level by tailoring their engines to a selection of five well-tuned and powerful options. There is the 320i engine, which is a TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder inline that gets 180 horsepower and 200-pound-feet of torque, in addition to outstanding fuel economy output. There is also the 30i engine that gets 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, for those who want just a little more power behind the wheel. The 330e couples a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with a lithium-ion electric motor to generate 248 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. Choose the 330e and you’ll be going 0-60 in under a mere six seconds. The 340i is the true powerhouse of engine options, thanks to its all-aluminum inline six-cylinder that gets up to 320 horses pounding under the hood and 330 pound-feet of torque. The 340i flies from 0-60 in just 4.6 seconds, so you’ll never worry about being left in the dust. Finally, BMW offers the 328d engine, which is a 2.0-liter TwinPower Turbo Diesel four-cylinder. Coupled with eight-speed automatic transmission, the 328d gets up to 180 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. No matter which body style you choose, there is an engine option powerful enough to get you anywhere you need to be in true speed and style.
Of course, speed and torque typically aren’t the only two factors to take into performance consideration – there is also the question of fuel economy. After all, who wants to be driving quickly yet having to continuously stop to refuel? For those who are looking for the most economical fuel sipper in the 3 Series line up, the BMW 320i is your best bet – you’ll get up to 24 miles per gallon in the city and 35 miles per gallon on the highway. Of course, if you’re really looking to maximize your fuel output and you do a substantial amount of highway driving, it’s tough to beat the 328d and it’s 31 mpg in the city and extremely impressive 43 mpg on the highway. While the choice is yours when it comes to the most suitable engine option for your BMW 3 series, you can rest assured that there’s an engine in the lineup that will meet your need for speed and match it with phenomenal fuel economy.
The BMW 3 Series: Simply Beautiful Interiors
Sure, the engineering of the world-renowned German car is impressive in its own right, but couple it with truly luxurious interior amenities and you have a car that is, in a word, stunning.
The BMW 3 Series is not simply comprised of three unique models (the sedan, the Sports Wagon, and the Gran Turismo), but it’s also made up of several unique trim types. For those that opt for the BMW 3 series sedan, trim types include the base model BMW 320i and also include the 328d, the 330i, the 330e and the 340i. The base model 320i is certainly a well-equipped choice, coming standard with faux-leather seats, a nine-speaker audio system, HD radio, a USB port, Bluetooth connectivity, BMW’s iDrive infotainment system, a 6.5-inch display screen, a push-button start and dual-zone automatic climate control. The starting MSRP for the BMW 320i sedan is $34,900, which is certainly reasonable for a luxury-level sedan.
If you decide to go straight for the top-of-the-line 340i trim, you’ll be driving in style with keyless entry and ignition, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, keyless entry and ignition, a sunroof, heated front seats, an 8.5-inch display screen, a head-up display system, a navigation system and includes BMW’s Remote Services, which allows drivers to find their car in a parking lot or lock/unlock their doors simply from their smartphone. The starting price for the 340i sedan is $48,950 – although that price may rise as you explore the various package options that can be added to the vehicle, such as the Executive Package, which upgrades the leather upholstery and installs side- and top-view parking cameras, or the Track Handling package, which adds advanced handling and steering abilities. Of course, there is also the ever-important Driving Assistance Plus package, which loads the BMW 3 series up with a slew of advanced safety technology such as forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking – although you’ll have to add additional parking sensors and navigation to the original $1,700 price of the package.
In addition to the various top-quality features available on the 3 Series, you’ll also find that the 3 Series offers all passengers a comfortable, relaxing ride in a cabin that is spacious and well-designed. The cargo space is ample across the models, with the 3 series sedan offering 13 cubic feet of cargo space, the Gran Turismo offering 24.6 cubic feet of cargo space and finally, the Sports Wagon offering 27.5 feet of cubic feet. No matter which 3 Series model or trim you decide to make yours, you’ll never have to worry about running out room for either your passengers or your belongings in your ultra-luxe ride.
The BMW 3 Series: Stylish Yet Safe
While you may be thinking that the powerful performance and the handsome interior design coupled with your choice of high-quality trim is what makes the BMW 3 Series an ideal car, it’s actually the fact that you can get all of that in one of the most well-styled cars on the market today without sacrificing safety. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has given the BMW 3 Series a perfect five-out-of-five overall rating, so you’ll never have to worry that you’ve compromised safety in the pursuit of a perfectly designed and perfectly equipped luxury model car. And if you need a little more proof that the BMW 3 Series is one of the safest cars on the market, look no further than the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which named the 2017 3 Series a Top Safety Pick Plus, one of the highest accolades awarded by the IIHS.
The BMW 3 Series: Make it Yours Today
There are very few cars on the market that can match the BMW 3 series in terms of sheer power, beauty, safety, and affordability. If you’re looking to upgrade your ride and are considering branching into the BMW family, start your search with the iconic BMW 3 Series and see for yourself why the BMW 3 Series has been leading the luxury car class for over forty years.
