2016 BMW 3 Series Road Test and Review

2016-BMW-340i-xDrive-Sedan-Side-Profile-07 ・ Photo by Benjamin Hunting

It's tough to the gold standard of any particular automotive segment, because if you make even the slightest of mistakes you're going to hear about it from all sides. Such was the case with the previous-generation BMW 3 Series, an entry-level luxury car that had the gall to intimate that maybe its loyal buyers were more interested in comfy cruising than white-knuckle lap times. BMW was, of course, absolutely right: sales of the somewhat softer 3 Series continued to dominate rivals like the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Cadillac ATS, and Lexus IS when it was introduced in 2012. Still, for a vocal minority of long-time BMW fans the idea of a 3 Series that was excellent in all respects, but not 'fantastic' on a road course was tantamount to treason, and so for 2016 the brain trust in Bavaria present a fresh take on the sedan (and wagon's) successful template. With a new range-topping engine and a bevy of changes made to the car's suspension package, the automaker has made a compelling case reconnecting with the wary faithful without having forgotten what's most important to the vast majority of 3 Series customers in the process.

340i Steps in as New 3 Series Hero

The badge game continues to shift at BMW as its marketing mavens perform their intricate alphanumeric dance yet again in anointing the 2016 BMW 340i as the replacement for the now-departed 335i at the apex of the model's order sheet. Don't try to link the script on the trunk lid with any of the 340i's pertinent details - it's mumbo-jumbo at this point - but that doesn't imply that the new name doesn't bring with it a pleasing surprise under the hood. A fresh 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder mill is standard with the 340i, and while it might share its displacement with the defunct 335i's engine the similarities end there. Power is up slightly to 320 horses and 330 lb-ft of torque, but more pertinent is the fact that all of that twist is on hand at a very low 1,380 rpm. This means that the 340i's throttle is remarkably responsive regardless of what gear you happen to be traveling in, shooting the sedan forward with zero hesitation and facilitating a 0-60-mph run of 4.6 seconds. This off-the-line performance is most easily accessible with the BMW's eight-cylinder automatic transmission handling the gear shifting duties, but should you prefer a higher level of engagement then a six-speed manual is available at no extra charge. Fuel mileage for the turbo six maxes out at 22-mpg city and 33-mpg highway; I saw closer to 22-mpg in combined driving with my all-wheel drive tester.

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Chassis Changes Elevate Ride and Handling

The 2016 BMW 3 Series didn't need a dramatic makeover to please sport sedan fans seeking a sharper ride - rather, it was more of a question of light and shade when the automaker's engineering team set about adjusting the car's chassis dynamics. This is evidenced by both the transparency of the 3 Series' improvements when not calling upon 9/10ths of its handling acumen as well as by the short list of changes that have achieved such an impressive result. Upgraded shocks at each corner join a revised front suspension geometry that makes use of stiffer components all around, and if you add the Track Handling package to the mix then you also get goodies such as an adaptive suspension, variable rate steering, and better brakes (with much of this gear bearing the M logo). It's not that the BMW 3 Series got "soft" in its third decade, but rather that the rest of the entry-level luxury pack took a distinct turn for the better when asked to parse snake-like ribbons of road. With the exception of the C-Class, which Mercedes-Benz consciously took in the other direction to align its attitude more closely with the S-Class, most, if not all of the compact four-doors vying for premium supremacy are enjoyable to drive in anger. It thus fell to BMW to push the 3 Series farther down the rabbit hole and regain some of the separation it had once enjoyed from Audi and Lexus (not to mention the troublesomely competent ATS). This philosophy is best reflected in the renewed confidence with which the 2016 BMW 3 Series tackles roads that would leave SUVs gasping. In the 340i, I was shocked to read what speeds I was actually traveling via the car's head-up display as I rocketed through the hilly countryside that I use as a reliable indicator of any automobile's athleticism. Perhaps most improved is the sedan's steering, which is now more willing to engage in a dialogue rather than a pantomime of what the front wheels are up to - an enhancement made possible by the new electrical assist design that is standard across the board with the 3 Series. In standard driving (particularly with 'Comfort' mode engaged rather than 'Sport' or 'Sport+'), the BMW has lost none of its insulated poise, but should you choose to shake off the cloak of civility from time to time your efforts will be well rewarded.

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Gentle Facial Scrub Highlights Styling Tweaks

Not all of the updates made to the 2016 BMW 3 Series are purely mechanical in nature. Sharp eyes will notice the resculpting of the sedan and wagon's front fascia, which culminates in an artful arrangement of air ducts and LED headlights and running lights. Out back the tail lights have also been reconfigured, but not to the degree where they will be noticed by anyone who wasn't already a fan of the car. Think of it as a 3 Series that spent a few weeks honing its sinew with high-reps at the gym and you'll get the general idea. Inside the changes are even more subtle - so much so that it's a challenge to single out any details as particularly noteworthy. The car's cabin is a comfortable and pleasant space to spend time, and while its might not be as visually engaging as that offered by some of its peers, it is well-proportioned and avoids overloading your line of sight with gadgets, screens, and gizmos.

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Turbocharged Four-Cylinders Maintain Status Quo

There are three other members of the BMW 3 Series drivetrain family - all of them four-cylinder turbos - and for 2016, they remain unchanged compared to the previous model year. The base 320i features a 2.0-liter unit that's good for 180 horsepower and 200 lb-ft of torque (along with 24-mpg city and 36-mpg highway), while the next-step-up 328i cranks the boost on the same engine for a heartier 240 horses and 255 lb-ft of torque without losing much in the efficiency department. The 328d presents turbodiesel efficiency from its 2.0-liter motor (36-mpg in combined driving), along with the expected level of turbodiesel torque (280 lb-ft) to go with its 180 horsepower. When found in sedan form, you can choose between a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic with each of the gas engines, with the turbodiesel making the autobox standard. While the 320i is a largely tepid ride even at low speeds, the 328i offers enough gumption for 2016 to ensure a suitably strong impression when compared against other premium rides. The 328d is a good all-arounder, but despite its mammoth torque, it delivers more of an SUV-like experience in a straight line with the go-pedal matted.

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XDrive All-Wheel Drive Is No Impediment to Fun

All-wheel-drive has become the opiate of the luxury masses thanks to the marketing efforts of the usual German suspects, which means BMW will gladly equip your 3 Series sedan with its traction-adding xDrive system for a mere $2,000 regardless of which model you've ordered. In wagon from, BMW forces the issue: it's standard with the extended-roof body style. I live in a climate where winter is most accurately described as horrendous, and after sampling both 340i xDrive and 328i xDrive versions of the 3 Series in white-out conditions I came away with a renewed respect for the brand's all-wheel-drive design. Turn off all of the nannies - yes, it's possible with the 2016 3 Series - and you'll enjoy a car that is just as happy to slide the tail through a corner as it is to claw its way through the apex, thanks to the ability of xDrive to send as much as 100 percent of engine output to the rear axles. Keep stability control on and the same system will haul you through accumulated snow banks and slush with calculated four-wheel choreography. On dry pavement xDrive is also almost entirely transparent, which means you won't be cursing understeer when driving the car near its limit.

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3 Series Wagon Offers More Practicality, but Less Power

Remember earlier when I mentioned that the 2016 BMW 3 Series wagon (or "Touring" as it is officially known) could only be had in AWD form? That's not the sole restriction placed on the most practical version of the vehicle: it's also restricted to either 328i or 328d drivetrains, which means four-cylinders are as good as it gets for family-minded buyers. Even more disappointing is the lack of a manual transmission option with the 3 Series wagon, especially given that it's offered across the breadth of the sedan line-up. It's a weird decision given that the wagon remains eligible for the Track Handling package, but if you were to draw a Venn diagram of manual transmission and wagon take-rates in the United States, you could probably fit the Grand Canyon in between these two spheres. Somewhat softening the non-enthusiast stance of the wagon is its additional cargo space, which with the rear seat folded forward comes close to matching that of the larger BMW X3 crossover. Fill the wagon with passengers instead of cargo and you'll be equally pleased, as the car offers an adult-friendly second row that makes it an excellent tourer (a characteristic that is shared with the 3 Series sedan).

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Luxuries Abound (if Your Wallet Can Handle it)

The 2016 BMW 340i comes with a respectable level of standard gear, including an LED lighting package, sport seats, leather-like upholstery, and a fully-featured iDrive infotainment system, but as with all BMWs, there are numerous tweaks and additions that can be made via the options list. In fact, in some cases, it almost makes sense to skip the low-end 320i and its $34k starting point and go right to the 328i or the 340i if you intended to customize the car to any degree. It's easy enough to add extra gear such as the (previously mentioned) head-up display, heated front and rear seats, moonroof, and active safety equipment to the point where you've eaten up the gap between the base model and its $49,000 340i sibling. Of course, you can get a bit crazy with the 340i too, at which point the 3 Series starts to butt up against larger but not necessarily more comfortable luxury options.

The Most Important Weapon in BMW's Arsenal

The 2016 BMW 3 Series is counted on to make up 25 percent of the brand's global sales, in essence following in the footsteps of its predecessor in serving as the automaker's de facto flagship. This shouldn't be hard for the 3 Series - remember, much of BMW's portfolio consists of niche-within-niche vehicles that see very low volume - but there's no question that with each passing year it does become more difficult for the car to stand above the rest of the compact luxury fray. 2016's revisions couldn't have come at a better time because for many, the 3 Series doesn't just represent the starting point of their journey through the BMW ranks, it also serves as their anchor. The wide demographic that the 3 Series attracts explains why the car has grown both in size and mission over the past decade, and why the decision was made to split coupe sales into its own distinct (4 Series) product line in an effort to further consolidate customer interest in the four-door variety.

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2016 BMW 3 Series Pros / Cons

Pros: •    340i is extremely quick •    328i is no slouch, either •    Turbodiesel model offers respectable fuel efficiency •    Comfortable, roomy cabin •    Improved handling for 2016 •    Affordable, if you can keep away from the options sheet •    Available all-wheel-drive Cons: •    If options beckon, be prepared to open your wallet wide •    No manual transmission for 3 Series wagons •    Six-cylinder fuel mileage easily skewed by a heavy foot •    Plus-size chassis has dulled some of the 3 Series' dynamic feel over the years

Photo by Benjamin Hunting