Step aside everybody and stop trying to build midsize saloons, because the new BMW 3 series has been revealed and your efforts will undoubtedly be pointless. The 3 series has been BMW’s bestselling model for years. In 2010 it ranked as the 8th most popular new car sold in Britain, with an impressive 42,000 people buying one. Appearing in the top ten bestsellers amongst a bunch of hatchbacks and city cars, it looked slightly out of place. Testament to how good the 3 series is, its closest rivals, from Audi and Mercedes, didn’t even get a look in. So it goes almost without question that the new one will be a rather good car.
Due for release early next year the new 3 series will feature the usual bewildering array of specification and engine choice. So as to not bore you too much with an in depth pricelist, the starting price for the most basic 316d ES model will be £24,880 rising to £37,025 for the 335i Luxury. If that’s sounding too steep then consider used BMW cars. Based on the last generation the most popular engine is likely to be the 320d, managing to be both efficient, 62mpg combined, and suitably powerful with 184bhp. Depending on the model choice, this engine will cost anywhere between 28 and 30 thousand pounds. For all the speed freaks and badge snobs out there, the aforementioned 335i will be the most powerful and most expensive 3 series available until we get a new M3. Despite its misleading badge it will get BMW’s latest 3 litre straight six twin turbo engine offering a handy 306bhp and a 0-62 time of 5.5 seconds. Whatever the engine choice it will be plonked into an undoubtedly excellent chassis, if the previous generations are anything to go by, making for some entertaining B-road blasts. Every model will be offered with a baffling array of options, BMW even claiming that there are over 20,000 unique combinations of cars, engines, wheels, paint and gadgetry available. So even the niche’est of buyers can get their hands on that beige 328i with cloth seats, horrible fake wood and tiny alloys they always wanted. The final plus point to mention apart from the rather fine build quality of course is that thanks to the 3’s high demand second hand values are likely to be strong too. Not a bad bunch of credentials!
Styling wise the 3 series has moved up in world, it has always been a handsome chiselled looking brute, but now it is strikingly similar to its big brother the 5 series. The nose is low and wide, emphasised by those thin headlights, which, in my opinion are ever so slightly reminiscent of the ones seen on the latest generation of Audi’s. There is a crease which runs the length of the car, starting behind the front wheel arches, becoming more pronounced as it reaches the rear lights. Because of this crease and the wide angular rear end it flows into, its rear three quarter view is where the new 3 series most resembles the 5. This helps give the 3 presence on the road, something the old 3 series never lacked anyway. Despite the thousands which grace our roads, I still find myself looking longingly at one whenever it drives past, especially with the M sport kit on. Yet more testament I feel to how all-encompassing the 3 series is.
So to conclude then, the new 3 series may be the predictable choice. But it is effortlessly stylish, will be beautifully made, likely to be excellent to drive, have a great bunch of engines and hold its value rather well. Not to mention benefit from the brand image that comes standard with a BMW badge. So if you happen to be in the market for a new midsize saloon next February, save yourself the hassle of looking and just go buy the BMW, it is going to be good, trust me.