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BMW-3SERIES
BMW-X3,
Z4,
CONCEPT X 6 ACTIVE HYBRIDS,
M5,
1SERIES,
X5,
E9,
X6,
Z8,
5SERIES,
M1,
M6,
Z3,
7SERIES,
760,
600,
328,
507,
3200CS,
750,
745i E23,
6SERIES,
X5,
Z1,
BS6,
Mini E,
3 SERIES,
321,
327,
6SERIES,
503,
NEW CLASS,
8 SERIES,
COMPACT,
2002tii,
700,315,
Isetta,
326,
325,
340,
501,
NEW SIX,
Hydrogen 7,
3/20,
M ROADSTER,
3 SERIES,
V7,
F3,
M COUPE,
F07,
X3 3.0i SAV,
525,
X5 4.4i SAV,
X5 3.0i SAV,
X5 4.8is SAV
FIRST THOUGHTS: When the new 3 Series was launched, the line-up comprised three
models, 335i, 328i and 320d, and the 320d at $60,900, the cheapest of the new range. Now with
the addition of the 318d and 320i, the range is more complete and with a starting price of just
$56,400 for the 318d, it neatly dissects its German entry level competitors. With the Audi A4
2.0L TDi priced at $56,200, and the Mercedes C200 at $58,600, the 3 Series is bang on in terms
of pricing.
Description
Don't let the price point fool you into thinking that the new entrants are old school technology.
That's definitely not the case, with both engines being the latest from the German marque. And
both engines are matched to BMW's new eight- speed automatic transmission, and also feature
stop/start and a host of engineering improvements designed to reduce fuel consumption and
emissions.
The 320i features the new 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, confusingly named TwinPower.
That's because the 2 litre all-alloy engine features a single turbocharger, not two as the
TwinPower name might suggest. It's the name used for the whole range of new engines which
are all turbocharged and TwinPower refers in part to the twin scroll impellor inside the single
turbo unit.
The new engine provides an extra 20kW of power and 70Nm of engine torque compared to its
predecessor, and fuel consumption has reduced 21 percent, and it's now down to 6L/100km.
Emissions have been reduced down to 141g/km of CO2, and with the reduction in fuel
consumption, the new 320i is a formidable player in terms of fuel efficiency and emissions with
a clear points advantage over the equivalent 2.0-litre Audi A4 2.0TFSI and Mercedes C200
BlueEfficiency.
A raft of design changes and improvements have been made to the new 2-litre engine that you
will never see, all aimed at improving the engines efficiency. High tech engineering , like offset
grinds to the crankshaft, and offsets to the piston pins and more precise liquid iron bonding to
the engine's cylinder bores, doesn't send the pulse rising as quickly as does a set of alloy wheels
or a trendy set of trim combos, but they do deliver savings at the fuel pump.
The new 318d, like the more powerful 320d, is based on the previous engine and attention to
detail to the engine's internals and the latest generation common rail fuel injection set-up sees the
318d (and the 320d) return a miserly 4.5L/100km and emit just 118g/km of CO2.
Drive Impression
We went for a drive out from BMW's headquarters into the Yarra Valley recently to sample both
the petrol and diesel engines in the new 3-Series. Both feature BMW's fuel saving auto start/stop
function and heading out from Mulgrave in outer Melbourne, the system kicked into operation
shutting down the engine, as we waited our turn at traffic lights within the first hundred or so
metres of the drive. Personally, in a premium car like the 3 Series I'm not too sure if the system
adds much to the overall driving experience. Both engines fired up rapidly enough but I think
larger multi cylinder engines like a V6 that use start/stop are smoother, faster and less intrusive,
but at least you can turn the control off if it becomes too annoying.
But apart from my minor gripe about stop/start, both the new engines perform admirably out on
the open road, helped along by BMW's excellent new 8-speed automatic transmission. The new
3-Series always feels as though it's travelling in the right gear for the conditions and unlike some
other transmissions that seem to become confused and unsure as to what gear it needs, the BMW,
on the other hand always seemed to be one step ahead of the game.
The 135kW 320i engine with 270Nm of torque, is the perfect fit for the 3 Series. It performs
more like a diesel, delivering maximum power at just 5000rpm, and all its engine torque from
just 1250rpm through to 4500rpm. So you don't have to give the engine a big rev for best results,
just use the torque available from low revs.
The diesel with320Nm of engine torque at its disposal builds upon the petrol engine's traits and
at least on our first drive, it's hard to pick a winner between the two. If fuel consumption is your
primary driver, then the diesel is likely to deliver the most consistent fuel consumption result
over varied driving conditions, a lead foot in the 320i could see the fuel consumption figure go
north of its claimed figure 6L/100km quickly.
The chassis dynamics of the new 3-Series are obviously more than capable to handle both
engines power and torque characteristics, and given the top of the range 335i's 225kW of power,
that was never going to be in doubt with these two. BMW's 50/50 weight distribution and
suspension tune deliver one of the most sporty and yet refined (at least on the wheel and tyre
package we drove) performances in this class.
Verdict
Having driven a lot of medium sized Euro sedans over the years with small underpowered
engines has made me sceptical, but with these two, there was never a feeling that either engine
lacked the necessary grunt to get the job done. Entry level pricing doesn't mean that you have to
sacrifice anything in the engine department any longer.
Specifications
Category
Year
Body Type
Pluses
Minuses
BMW 318d
Medium
2012
Coupe
BMW 320i
Medium
2012
Coupe
Fuel efficient,
Fuel efficient,
emission friendly,
emission friendly,
Engine start/stop.
Engine start/stop.
Country of
Manufacture
Germany
Germany
Prices
$56,400
$57,600
Engine size
2 Litre in-line TwinPower L
Fuel
Diesel
Engine aspiration Turbo charged
Claimed max
105 kW @ 400 rpm
power (kW)
Claimed max
320 Nm @ 1750-2500 rpm
torque (Nm)
Transmission
8-speed automatic
Fuel
consumption
4.5 L/100km
(best)
WEB ADDRESS:
http://www.wheel-size.com/size/bmw/3-series/2015/
http://www.mynrma.com.au/motoring-services/reviews/reviewresults.htm
http://www.bmw.in/in/en/newvehicles/3series/sedan/2011/showroom/design/index.html
Bolt pattern
7.5Jx17 ET37
5x120
THD
CB
M12 x 1.5
72.6
182hp
Tire
Rim
Bolt
pattern
THD
CB
225/50 R17
7.5Jx17 ET37
5x120
225/45 R18
8Jx18 ET34
5x120
243hp
Rim
Bolt
pattern
THD
CB
225/50 R17
8Jx17 ET34
5x120
225/45 R18
8Jx18 ET34
5x120
Tire
Bolt
pattern
Rim
THD
CB
5x120
304hp
Tire
Bolt
pattern
Rim
THD
CB
225/50 R17
8Jx17 ET34
5x120
225/45 R18
8Jx18 ET34
5x120
8Jx18 ET34
5x120
340hp
Bolt pattern
5x120
THD
CB
M12 x 1.5
72.6