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Time flies when you are having fun, or when you’ve created a class leading icon and working hard to keep up with the demand.

Can you believe that it has been forty years since BMW created the first 3-series? Back in 1975 it all began with the 2 door E21. Six generations later, each version of the 3-Series has been designed to be better than its predecessor, with a greater emphasis placed on sporting dynamics with each reincarnation. The current sixth version of the 3-Series has just been facelifted; features include technical and aesthetic upgrades that enhance an already winning formula that was originally launched in 2011.

New engines, upgraded interiors, redesigned front and rear bumpers and more dynamic front and rear light clusters make the 2015 BMW 3-Series look and feel more aggressive, agile and impressive to drive.

The six engines, four petrol and two diesel are all new, bar the 330d, which has been carried over. The 318i replaces the 316i. This entry-level model features a fantastic 1.5l 3-cylinder twin turbo charged engine, making it good for 100kW; hitting 0-to-100km/h in 8.9 seconds. The mainstay 320i that also happens to be the best selling model in the range now offers 10% improvement in its fuel economy. A more powerful 330i replaces the 328i and the 340i replaces the 335i. The diesel model line-up begins with the new 320d which is 9% less eager to consume fuel and tops out with the powerful 330d. All models are more powerful and frugal to run – making these new engines arguably the best of the best- with some being the benchmark within their class. Following the launch; in 2016 there’s a plug-hybrid 330e planned for the 1^st quarter.

From the outside the 3-Series looks more potent: its headlights have been tweaked to carry the (LED) day light running light detail into the kidney grill – the effect is striking; the rear tail light features bold swooping lines that enhance the car’s sporting prowess. A keen eye will notice changes to both front and rear bumpers, although minor tweaks have made the 3-Series appear wider – giving it an increased road dominance.

So it looks better than ever. But how does it drive? I can’t say that I drove all the variants but I did get to experience two models, albeit for a brief 180km drive each: the 320d, which is the second best seller in the range and the 340i, which is a the pseudo flagship model after the menacing M car, the M3.

The 320d is quiet, refined and frugal. It’s the 3-Series that we all need. Dynamically it’s like the rest of the range – polished. It serves up a slab of torque/power that shoves you back into your chair. Hitting the 0 to 100 mark in 7.2 seconds – all while sipping a meagre 4.0l per 100km. Pretty good, isn’t it? It is, but while I drove it my reading was 6.6l per 100km, which is still impressive considering the fact that we weren’t driving like Miss Daisy. The 320d was fitted with a seamless 8-speed gearbox but can also be ordered with a 6-speed manual. The automatic makes effortless gear changes that bring out the best in the car’s engine. The 320d is possibly the best 3-series within the range – it is all the car that you would ever need. 

The 340i is fast. It is everything that the 320d is and more. For the majority of the 3-Series’s 40 year lifespan the car has been defined by a selection of sweet revving 6 cylinder engines. The 340i plays homage to the six cylinder legacy – it is a 3.0l twin turbo unit that churns out a handsome 240kW / 450Nm – for non-petrol heads: let’s just say overtaking is going to be done quickly, very quickly. Best of all – this new engine is 10% more frugal than the 335i it replaces.

The 3-Series is the benchmark car within its class. With the arrival of many other rivals from Germany, Britain and Japan the gap between the leader and runner up is marginal. Have these tweaks kept the 3-Series in the lead? Let’s just say the 3-Series is the ultimate driver’s car in its class. One problem, if you consider being overly popular a problem - the 3-Series is the common choice of many which in my opinion takes away from part of the 3-Series prestige. 

The new 3-Series is now available and retails from R409 000 for the standard entry level 318i and R656 000 for the 340i.

http://www.bmw.co.za/