This sixth generation BMW 3 Series was introduced in 2015 as a facelift with four new model variants including the all-new BMW 318i, the BMW 320i, the BMW 320d and the all-new BMW 330i. This was just before BMW Malaysia got the green light to bring in the BMW 330e plug-in hybrid at an almost tax free price that led to it being a best seller and the rest of the petrol and also this diesel engine lineup being put into retirement.
Today, first owners of this entertaining BMW is feeling the residual bite and prices favor the used car market. Let us explain further.
Greater presence
The striking presence of this BMW 3 Series on the road is still till today sportier then all and more elegant than ever. The sporty sedan upholds the design tradition of the BMW brand with distinctively sculpted long bonnet, short front and rear overhangs, long wheelbase and set-back passenger compartment. Each harmoniously integrated to create the extremely dynamic proportions that are as much a hallmark of BMW as ideal 50:50 weight distribution.
The sporty-elegant exterior of the 2015 BMW 3 Series begins with newly redesigned headlights which dominates the front to provide an even more vivid visual representation of the car’s dynamic flair. The shape of the LED daytime running lights on each side meanwhile further highlight the hallmark BMW twin headlight arrangement and create a stylistic link between the headlight units and the BMW kidney grille. Below the headlights sit the LED fog lights, a standard feature for the new BMW 320i M Sport, BMW 320d M Sport and BMW 330i M Sport variants.
The rear of this BMW 3 Series is just as eye-catching. The rear lights are also full-LED units, arranged in distinctive BMW “L” shape and is now more heavily curved. The two LED indicators form a horizontal band of light across both sections of the rear lights and provide extremely even and consistent light.
The sporting appearance of this BMW 3 Series is further complemented by twin tailpipes measuring 70 millimetres in diameter for the new BMW 320i, BMW 320d and BMW 330i while the new BMW 318i receives a larger single tailpipe with a diameter of 75 millimetres. The BMW 3 Series also arrived with a new range of wheels: the BMW 318i Luxury Line with 17” light alloy Multi-spoke wheels, the BMW 320i Sport Line with 17” light alloy Multi-spoke V wheels, the BMW 320i M Sport and BMW 320 diesel M Sport with 18” M light alloy Star-spoke wheels, and 18” M light alloy Double-spoke wheels for the BMW 330i M Sport.
Efficiency
This BMW 318i was the first BMW 3 Series model variant to be introduced with the Engine of the Year 2015 award winning 3-cylinder petrol engine and its asking price was RM208,800. The innovative BMW TwinPower Turbo 1.5-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine, which shares the same DNA as the multi-award-winning BMW TwinPower Turbo inline 6-cylinder petrol engine delivered a maximum output of 136hp, torque of 220Nm and accelerated from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.9 seconds. The combined fuel consumption of the all-new BMW 318i stands from 5.1 litres per 100 km with C02 emissions of 119 g/km.
The arrival of this BMW 3 Series also marked the world premiere of the new 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine, equipped in both the new BMW 320i which provided maximum driving pleasure thanks to agile power delivery and outstanding responsiveness at low engine speeds, all while being exceptionally fuel efficient and low in emissions. Its new selling price was RM238,800.
This engine is part of the BMW EfficientDynamics range and generates in the BMW 320i, an output of 184 hp, torque of 290 Nm and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds while in the BMW 330i; an output of 252 hp at a maximum torque of 350 Nm and an acceleration speed of 5.8 seconds from a standstill to 100 km/h. This powerful and especially lightweight all-aluminium engine not only provides excellent performance and exemplary BMW refinement, but also exemplary fuel efficiency. The average fuel consumption reading of the BMW 320i and BMW 330i was at 5.58 litres per 100 km and at 6.1 litres per 100 km respectively. C02 emissions level meanwhile is at 128 g/km from the BMW 320i and 143 g/km from the BMW 330i.
Then came the BMW 320 diesel which was priced new at RM268,800 and it featured the latest 4-cylinder diesel engine which delivered maximum driving pleasure at an output of 190hp and maximum torque of 400Nm. It also boasted impressive acceleration power of 7.2 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h and had a fuel consumption reading of 4.0 litres per 100 km while C02 emissions stand at 106 g/km.
In addition to the new, fuel-efficient and powerful engines were the familiar Automatic Start/Stop function and Brake Energy Regeneration to ensure that the new BMW 3 Series not only delivered typical BMW sporty performance but also benchmark fuel consumption and emissions. Further fuel-saving measures included the ECO PRO mode, selectable using the Driving Experience Control switch. It also came with an eight-speed Steptronic transmission.
Interior ergonomics
The interior of this BMW 3 Series faithfully provided optimum access to all the important functions.
The outstanding ergonomics of this BMW 3 Series included the BMW ConnectedDrive. BMW had been setting the standard for connectivity between human, car and the outside world for many years.
The latest-generation Navigation System Professional in this BMW 320d and the all-new BMW 330i M Sport boasted quicker start-up, even faster route calculation along with more realistic 3D visualisation in urban areas.
So, now after 5 years on the road how much would a 320 diesel sell for? Well, prices have taken a little dip since BMW Malaysia stopped selling diesel powered vehicles in Malaysia and this put a strain on current owners. Still, there is a continued strong following for diesel ownership, especially with this BMW 3 Series. First owners would have enjoyed the warranty that came with their purchase but now in the second hand used car market, new buyers will feel the pinch of repair bills and replacement parts, not that is beyond financial reach, but the wear and tear items will pile up with mileage and most diesel car owners do take in high milage as fuel consumption is low while power delivery is impressive.
Online used car classifieds are showing prices between RM90,000 to RM130,000 (make sure you have your price haggling cap on as you can easily shave RM10-12k down) depending on year and mileage. This means the car has depreciated to about half its original new selling price.
Be smart about it and get a car that is still under BMW factory warranty, pay a little more and have a piece of mind that you can drive it into a BMW dealership and get as many worn parts replaced before the warranty ends in a few months.
