Video test – Restyled BMW 3 Series sedan (2023): expensive facelift!
Short
Redesigned front face
New tools
The mechanics are unchanged
From €44,000
You may have seen a video test of the redesigned 3 Series Touring version by our distinguished journalist Stéphane Schlesinger. Perhaps you have even read his article and appreciated his judgment. Today we are interested in the sedan, not the wagon version. Like its sibling, the 3 Series, codenamed G20, gets a bit of a facelift to once again appeal to dynamic young drivers, off-roaders and drivers of all kinds. True, the lack of a tailgate makes it less practical, but you save 2,200 euros on the purchase. And it must be admitted that the three-volume set is not lacking in charm…
On the outside, the changes mainly concern the more angular, front optics grille, which abandons the hook at the bottom and automatically presents a very light signature, as well as the shields, which now have very clear bends.
Changes are noticeable inside. Completed, the digital meter was inserted into the panel and separated from the central display. To honor the current trend at BMW, the 3 Series now offers a large curved digital panel around the driver, consisting of 30 cm diagonal instruments and a multimedia/GPS system measuring more than 25 by 35 cm.
A screen that complicates ergonomics…
Since the air-conditioning console is completely gone, the brand took the opportunity to redesign the central air vents and clean up the buttons. Not very practical, you will agree. To control the air flow, it is now necessary to go through the central screen, voice command or, so as not to confuse the regulars of the model too much, the iDrive wheel, which is always located on the center console. That is, the multimedia system responds to touch and thinks quickly. In addition, the menus seem relatively intuitive.
Another important modification: the large lever of the car box. replaced by a small tilt button which is pleasant to operate. The quality of the materials, as well as the assembly, are exemplary, the 3 series is always more elegant and rich than the last Mercedes C-Class.
Following the trend at BMW, the 3 Series replaces the previous model’s two separate screens (bottom right) with a large curved digital panel. The multimedia system gains when passing 10 cm diagonally.
And the trunk in all this? After all, we should draw the line under the loading volume, not because we choose a sedan. Undoubtedly, the maximum volume is lower than the station wagon, which allows you to load up to the ceiling. And a priori, 480 dm3 may seem very fair for a family sedan.
However, after the disappearance of “large volume” generals such as the VW Passat, Renault Talisman and Mazda 6, above all premium sedans remain compact formats such as the Audi A4 and the Mercedes C-Class. In fact, only the Skoda Octavia in this segment offers more volume in addition to a very practical tailgate. But the situation is not the same…
On the other hand, the Series 3 does not forget practical aspects, especially with the lower limit of trunk and bench files, which consist of three parts that fold down thanks to small triggers.
Cargo volume is average for the category. Two triggers allow the three-part seatbacks to be folded down from the trunk. Then there is a small inclined step, but you can push the boxes without much effort.
Another advantage of the 3 Series: its rear seats. With a length of 4.71 m (the size of a 1990s 5 series…), the German family car offers plenty of legroom. Side-seat passengers will also appreciate the respectable headroom, well-supportive hollow seat backs and reclining seats that provide ideal thigh support. Better yet, they’ll find a separate air conditioner control and two USB C ports. Unfortunately, the central location is still unpleasant due to the hard file and difficult service tunnel.
Nothing new under the hood…
Technically, the 3rd series is not developing. The heat range consists of 318i (156 hp), petrol 320i (184 hp) and M340i (374 hp), plug-in hybrid 320e (204 hp) and 330e (292 hp) and a wide range of engines. A range of diesel engines, including the 316d (122 hp), 318d (150 hp), 320d (190 hp), 330d (286 hp) and the M340d (340 hp).
On the transmission side, the classic thermal models require transmission to the rear wheels when developing less than 180 hp sDrive, except for the 320d, which leaves the integral, gimbal count option above. On the plug-in hybrid side, the 320e also offers two transmissions, while the 330e employs four-wheel drive.
For this first test, we focused on the 320d sDrive…
