BMW 340i 2015 Review

BMW 3 Series has set the bar by which other mid-size prestige offerings are measured through 40 years, six generations and more than 14 million examples. Or so the Bavarian brand claims…

Blending a communicative chassis with class-leading power and efficiency, each new 3 Series has offered vanguard technology levels, while also presenting a contemporary design that manages to stave off the rigours of time. Little wonder then the 3 Series accounts for almost one-in-four of all BMW models sold.

Now, the 3 Series has been refreshed once more — the LCI (or Life Cycle Impulse) F30-series is the latest take on BMW's favourite.

BMW says the update will refresh the model first launched in 2011 with sharper styling, even more technology and a revised drivetrain line-up that includes four petrol and seven EU6-compatible turbo-diesel engines. All are members of BMW's modular, all-aluminium EfficientDynamics engine family.

The petrol units are equipped with twin-scroll turbochargers, direct-injection and variable cam and variable valve timing, while diesel models offer a mix of single and twin turbocharger arrangements (the latter on 325d and 335d variants only) and common-rail direct-injection.

This new 3 Series will also introduce a three-cylinder engine (essentially sourced from the MINI Cooper S) to the range. Joining four and six-cylinder units, the 1.5-litre 100kW/220Nm triple arrives in the 318i, ready to take-on entry-grade competitors from Audi (A4), Jaguar (XE), Lexus (IS) and Mercedes-Benz (C-Class).

BMW says the three-cylinder model's 1400kg (kerb) will curry favour from fleet buyers with a fuel consumption average of 5.1L/100km and a CO2 emissions figure of 119g/km.

The extensive engine portfolio offers outputs ranging from 85 to 240kW with fuel economy spanning 3.8 to 7.9L/100km and CO2 emissions 99 to 185g/km [Ed: for more information on the complete engine line-up for the 3 Series LCI, click here ].

A petrol-electric plug-in hybrid model, dubbed 330e, is expected to join the range from next year (2016). It will utilise a 135kW petrol engine in conjunction with an 80kW electric motor to achieve a claimed combined-cycle fuel consumption figure of just 2.1L/100km and CO2 emissions of 49g/km. It is said to offer an all-electric cruising range of 35km — perfect for travel within Europe's zero local emissions zones.

Besides the under-bonnet changes, the 3 Series has also undergone a nip and tuck about the front fascia with new wider-spaced headlights (LED units are now optional), eyebrow-style indicators, broader air inlets and a newly profiled bumper cover.

The rear bumper cover also gets a mild makeover, while standard, more heavily curved and faster acting LED brake-lights are adopted across the range.

There are also minor updates to the cabin. Many said the former 3 Series felt dated when viewed against the newer Mercedes-Benz C-Class and (brand-new) Jaguar XE, prompting BMW to modernise a number of elements throughout the interior. To this extent we note new, higher quality materials and additional garnishes aimed at elevating the 3 Series' ambience.

The centre console is all-new and includes a sliding cover over the cup-holders, while the number of ‘tailored’ upholstery and trim elements also grows.

Interestingly, the adjustable seatbelt shoulder point offered in many competitors remains missing, BMW saying the fixed point set-up is "more secure", and that the front seat's height adjustment will cover the shortfall.

There's also a number of new technology items introduced in this update. These include camera-based auto high-beam, a throttle-blipping six-speed manual transmission, 4G-based ConnectedDrive infotainment and assistance programs and a full-colour Head-Up Display.

It's obvious that small improvements are aimed at keeping the car in touch with its (newer) peers until the next (seventh) generation 3 Series arrives in a 2017-18.

BMW has also included an improved Parking Assistant program to make parallel parking even easier, faster sat-nav (with three years free updates) and a couple of uprated chassis components. These include new dual-valve dampers (similar to those found in the M 235i), 10mm lower suspension and "more precise" electrically-assisted steering.

The car retains its 50:50 front-to-rear weight distribution and also includes a new range of alloy wheels ranging in diameter from 16 to 20 inches (depending on market).

Sport, Luxury and M Sport equipment lines remain available, while there are now 16 paint colours to choose from.

For the Australian market, the eight-speed auto will be again be offered as standard. Improvements to the ZF-sourced transmission now allow multiple sequential downshifts and the ability for BMW's GPS-based Proactive Driving Assistant to anticipate roundabouts and intersections to pre-select the correct gear.

EfficientDynamics fuel-saving technology including idle-stop, regenerative braking and on-demand ancillary units are all carried over, as are the multitude of passive and active safety systems included in the previous model.

On test we sampled the flagship of the regular 3 Series line-up, the 340i. The 340i replaces the 335i with a new engine that although similar in capacity, uses BMW's new modular architecture. The idea is that all engines, from the three to the six-cylinder, comprise a half-litre-per-cylinder design (with up to 50kW per cylinder available) which is repeated to up the engine's capacity. For the three-cylinder, the capacity is 1.5 litres, for the four-cylinder 2.0-litres and so on.

The new 3.0-litre six-cylinder develops 240kW from 5500-6500rpm (up 15kW) and 450Nm from 1380-5000rpm (up 50Nm). It's more fuel efficient, using just 5.1L/100km on the NEDC combined cycle (down 0.7L) and cleaner too with CO2 emissions of 152g/km (down 17g).

The 340i sedan is also faster to 100km/h with a claimed sprint time of 5.1sec (down 0.4sec).

It's an engine with an obviously more accessible torque band, but one that is still quite happy to rev. There's a richer, deeper note to the engine too, that although distinctly ‘in-line six’ in character, is slightly more resonate than before. Enthusiasts will notice the muted tones of wastegate flutter when stepping sharply off the throttle.

There's a linearity to this engine’s power delivery that complements the 340i's weight just nicely, and is well matched to the eight-speed auto.

We sampled the steering wheel paddles and drove the car through its various modes, however, it's a capable engine/transmission combination in even its most benign setting, and seems ever-ready to requests from the throttle — great for punching out of corners on the alpine roads south of Munich.

Much like the new engine, the changes to the chassis setting seem to gift the 3 Series with a broader range of talents. The car is more responsive to steering input and sharper on corner entry without being snappy.

Rougher sections of tarmac didn't upset the ride on 18-inch rubber, and though there is a reduction in body-roll, it doesn't come at the cost of cabin comfort, nor wet-weather grip.

We found the steering has improved slightly, but noticeably. BMW says a softening of the electric system's tuning, along with stiffer mounts at the top of the strut tower, have bettered the in-corner feedback on offer without upsetting on-centre feel. It makes for a predictable, yet more relaxed conversation between the driver and the front wheels — and one we're keen to sample in more depth on rougher roads, and on a mix of rim and tyre sizes.

Unfortunately we didn't get to sample other drivetrains in the range, but expect to see the new three, four and six-cylinder models at the 3 Series LCI's local launch later this year.

Australia is also expected to receive a couple of turbo-diesel variants, the specification of which will not be confirmed for "at least another month".

There's no word yet on pricing of the new 3 Series range, though we don't expect much movement of the current line-up which starts from $53,800 (plus on-road costs). For the 340i that means a figure close to the $93,040 sticker price of the outgoing 335i.

The new 3 Series LCI models will arrive in local dealerships from October.