BMW 320i Sport Line 2016 Review

BMW 320i Sport line

Australian Launch Review
Yarra Valley, Vic

Shawn Ticehurst, BMW Australia's Head of Product and Market Planning, says that the 330i is the volume seller in the 3 Series range. That's a situation unlikely to change with the introduction of the full selection of LCI upgrade models, but there's something sweet and appealing about the downmarket 320i nonetheless.

Priced from $61,900 – positioned near the very base of the 3 Series model hierarchy and only underpinned by the three-cylinder 318i – the 320i is priced above the Luxury Car Tax threshold. But it avoids the tax due to its sub-7.0L/100km fuel consumption, which earns it a 'green car' dispensation from the tax.

The drive program for the 'low-spec' 3 Series (including the diesel, four-cylinder 320d) ran east and north from BMW's corporate headquarters in the Melbourne suburb of Mulgrave to the township of Coldstream in the wine-growing Yarra Valley region. Most of the roads were coarse-chip bitumen, usually tackled at the open-road speed limit. Despite getting a good work out, the petrol-engined 320i posted a commendable fuel consumption figure of 8.6L/100km. The 320d along for the ride fared even better, at 6.2L/100km.

The 320i rode on 18-inch wheels and felt all the better for it, in terms of ride comfort. Compliant initially, there was, nonetheless, an underlying firmness that went hand in hand with the car's general driveability. There was less road noise in the 320i, and the steering was generally lighter, without losing anything in the way of feel. Even in ECO Pro or Comfort modes, the steering feels less anemic than it did in a pre-LCI 328i tested last year.

Despite getting much the same tweaks as the 320i, the 320d was heavier in the steering – even in Comfort mode – and was subject to more road noise, plus sharper response to bumps. This was likely due to the different wheel/tyre combination (19-inch alloys) on the diesel. Both cars handled and steered as one would want from a BMW 3 Series, with prompt steering response and taking a tidy line through corners.

Automatically adaptive dampers are now standard across the 3 Series range. They don't quite knock all the rough edges off the ride in the 320d, but do make some difference in the 320i.

Both cars performed admirably. The 320i is willing to rev, and sounds better than pre-LCI models tested in the past. We're informed by BMW Product Communications Manager Simon Chiarelli that's not just imagination or fading memory; the 320i's engine for the LCI upgrade has been retuned and is sweeter to the ear.

While this review pertains to the 320i, it has to be admitted that it's hard to look past the 320d for immediate response and an almighty surge of performance, thanks to its amazing 400Nm output. Developing power of 140kW ensures that the torque is spun up quickly at the drive wheels.

The packaging for both cars is largely as for the 330i that took part in our mid-size prestige sedan comparo we conducted late last year. Unlike the 330i tested in the comparo, however, the 320i and 320d came with standard seats, which frankly were more to my liking. They provide a better than average measure of support in corners and under brakes, but never feel anything less than comfortable wrapping around you.

Options fitted to the 320i on test totalled over $10,000 worth, lifting the nominal purchase price from $61,900 to $72,021, which is still free of Luxury Car Tax. The big-ticket items were the glass sunroof ($2245), Dakota leather upholstery ($2308) and the Innovations Package ($2900). Features bundled up in the Innovations Package comprise Active Cruise Control, Parking Assistant, Navigation System Professional and Convenience Telephony with extended smartphone connectivity.

Some of the virtues of the Innovations Package include a bigger infotainment screen, Stop&Go function and the facility to pair multiple Bluetooth devices. On the debit side, the standard car already comes with a basic satnav system and cruise control. Parking the standard 320i is made pretty simple with ultrasonic sensors front and rear with acoustic guidance and a reversing camera. A prospective buyer may find it hard to justify nearly three grand for that option... but they're already spending over $60,000 on a car anyway.

As we found in the medium prestige sedan comparo, the 3 Series remains the front runner (or at worst runner-up) for spaciousness in the rear. It's a practical car for the family and still a resoundingly good drive, but if ever there was an argument for not getting carried away with the options list come purchase time, it's the comfort levels in the 3 Series.

By all means go nuts for the piano gloss or aluminium trim, the Dakota leather and the sunroof (if you're that way inclined), but do consider carefully before specifying '+1' wheels with run-flat tyres. On Australian country roads an 18-inch wheel seems to be the ideal choice for the 3 Series.

2016 BMW 320i Sport Line pricing and specifications:
Price: $72,021 (as tested, plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder
Output: 135kW/270Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 5.8L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 134g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2012)

2016 BMW 320d M Sport pricing and specifications:
Price: $72,468 (as tested, plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder
Output: 140kW/400Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 4.4L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 116g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2012)

What we liked:
>> Sporty power delivery
>> Commendable ride/handling balance
>> Comfy seats

Not so much:
>> Styling has not kept pace with the competition
>> Options can be a trap
>> Performance lacking after the 320d

Also consider:
>> Audi A4 Ambition (from $59,900 plus ORCs)
>> Jaguar XE 20t Prestige (from $60,400 plus ORCs)
>> Mercedes-Benz C 200 (from $60,900 plus ORCs)