BMW M3

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,

3 SERIES GRAND TURISMO,

M5 E28,
333i E30,
325is E30,
X1,
530 MLE,
550,
320i,
530,
325,
330,
550i,
745,
645,
535,
650,
545,
2002,
528,
1600,
135,
2002ti,
128,
H2R,
320,

M COUPE,
F07,
X3 3.0i SAV,
525,
X5 4.4i SAV,
X5 3.0i SAV,
X5 4.8is SAV

BMW 3SERIES MODEL2015 (320i182hp)

TIRE -225/50 R17
RIM-7.5j x17ET37
BOLT PATERN-5x120
THD-M12x1.5
CB-72.6
ENGINE TYPE:14
FUEL:PETROL

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,

latest engine technology

matched to a new eight-speed
automatic.

latest engine technology

matched to a new eight-speed
automatic.

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)

in-line TwinPower direct injection, 2 L

ULP
Turbo charged
135 kW @ 5000 rpm
270 Nm @ 1250-4500 rpm
8-speed automatic
6.0 L/100km

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

BMW 3-series 2015, 320i 182hp

Tire
Rim
225/50 R17

Bolt pattern

7.5Jx17 ET37

BMW 3-series 2015, 328d

5x120

THD

CB

M12 x 1.5

72.6

182hp

Tire

Rim

Bolt
pattern

THD

CB

225/50 R17

7.5Jx17 ET37

5x120

M12 x 1.5 72.6

225/45 R18

8Jx18 ET34

5x120

M12 x 1.5 72.6

225/45 R18 / 255/40 R18 8Jx18 ET34 / 8.5Jx18 ET47 5x120

M12 x 1.5 72.6

225/40 R19 / 255/35 R19 8Jx19 ET36 / 8.5Jx19 ET47 5x120

M12 x 1.5 72.6

BMW 3-series 2015, 328i

Tire

243hp

Rim

Bolt
pattern

THD

CB

225/50 R17

8Jx17 ET34

5x120

M12 x 1.5 72.6

225/45 R18

8Jx18 ET34

5x120

M12 x 1.5 72.6

225/45 R18 / 255/40 R18 8Jx18 ET34 / 8.5Jx18 ET47 5x120

M12 x 1.5 72.6

Tire

Bolt
pattern

Rim

225/40 R19 / 255/35 R19 8Jx19 ET30 / 9Jx19 ET42

THD

CB

5x120

M12 x 1.5 72.6

225/40 R19 / 255/35 R19 8Jx19 ET36 / 8.5Jx19 ET47 5x120

M12 x 1.5 72.6

BMW 3-series 2015, 335i

304hp

Tire

Bolt
pattern

Rim

THD

CB

225/50 R17

8Jx17 ET34

5x120

M12 x 1.5 72.6

225/45 R18

8Jx18 ET34

5x120

M12 x 1.5 72.6

225/45 R18 / 255/40 R18 8Jx18 ET34 / 8.5Jx18 ET47 5x120

M12 x 1.5 72.6

225/40 R19 / 255/35 R19 8Jx19 ET30 / 9Jx19 ET42

M12 x 1.5 72.6

BMW 3-series 2015, ActiveHybrid 3

Tire
Rim
225/45 R18

8Jx18 ET34

5x120

340hp

Bolt pattern
5x120

THD

CB

M12 x 1.5

72.6