BMW has introduced an all-new 3-Series sedan for 2012. The E90 3-Series coupe and convertible models, which just received the refresher in 2011, will continue as-is until moving into sixth-generation F30 form in 2013. The 2012 BMW 3-Series sedan features more room, less weight, and new engines.
The 328i and BMW 335i numerical nomenclature will be retained, but will make less sense with the new 328i engine. In addition, the BMW ActiveHybrid 3 will join the roster and complete the line of hybrid sedans for BMW.
The new 2012 3 Series sedan, on sale since February, is the sixth generation 3 Series. Other models of the 3, such as the coupe and convertible, are not getting the makeover immediately. The four-door sedan available as the smaller-engine BMW 328i and bigger-engine BMW 335i has significant changes.
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| 2012 New BMW 3 Series Sedan |
Here is some data about 2012 New BMW 3 Series Sedan :
Size
It's a little bigger, which opens up more space, mainly in back. More generous knee room there now. It remains far smaller than the 5 Series midsize (about a foot shorter, for instance) and is $10,000 to $12,000 less than the 5 at the entry level.
Looks
The extra size lets BMW drape the sheet metal a bit more gracefully, so it manages to look both sleeker and more muscular.
Drivetrain
The base model 328i now has a 2-liter turbocharged four cylinder in place of last year's 3-liter, non-turbo six. Same power rating — 240 horsepower — but the four is coarser in its delivery. It's especially unpleasant at low speed and in stop-and-go traffic.
It's a sweetheart under hard spurs on the open road, though.
The uplevel 335i sedan carries over the same turbocharged, 300-hp six-cylinder. It was not tested this time, but the same engine has been delightful in other BMWs Test Drive has sampled.
Both engines come with BMW's automatic start-stop feature. At long pauses, such as red lights, the engine will stop running to save fuel and cut pollution. It restarts instantly when the driver pushes on the clutch pedal on a manual-shift model or relaxes pressure on the brake pedal in an automatic. But there was lots of shaking and shimmying when it did its business in the 328i manual-transmission test car. Not refined enough for a BMW. You can cancel the start-stop feature via a button near the ignition switch.
BMW has an evil genius for options so the 3 gets pricey in a hurry. While the base 328i is a tempting $36,000, you must layer on several packages, none cheap, to get the blend of features you probably prefer. Figure $45,000 to $55,000 for a 3 you want.
Satisfying attributes of the new 3 include what you might expect on a BMW.
•Steering is nicely balanced, able to point the car straight ahead without lots of small corrections that some vehicles demand, and quite responsive when you turn the wheel. Makes it easy to accurately place the car in a tight corner, staying in your lane without panic.
•Brakes have a reassuring feel, neither spongy nor artificially boosted.
•Cornering ability is more than adequate, able to keep you on the road and out of the ditch when, oh, say, you hit an unfamiliar corner that's much tighter than expected while going pretty fast. The kind where, just for example, the back end begins to slide and the tires howl. Just for example.
•A "sport" setting on a console switch makes the throttle more responsive, among other tweaks. It was very useful in stop-lurch traffic because it eased the task of moving off smoothly while engaging the clutch.
•Seats are quite comfortable, though the back bench is low, forcing long-legged riders to jackknife their legs.
•Evolved iDrive infotainment control knob on the console seems now to let you do what you want pretty easily and without digging through daunting layers of menus and options.
•Trunk lid springs wide open when you hit the latch. Small thing, but greatly appreciated when your hands are full.
It's tough to point to a couple of attributes and say, "Yeah, that's justifies a $50,000 real-world price for a compact sedan." Rather, the new 3 Series is a car that gets under your skin. A car that, having driven it awhile, leaves you quite dissatisfied with a lot of other cars.
New 2012 BMW 3 Series specifications
•What?
Sixth generation of BMW's best seller. Rear-drive, four-door, five-passenger compact sedan, available with four- or six-cylinder engine.
•When?
On sale last month.
•Where?
Made in Germany.
•How much?
328i price is starts at $35,795 with $895 shipping; 335i, $43,295.
•What makes it go?
328i has 2-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder rated 240 horsepower at 5,000 rpm, 255 pounds-feet of torque at 1,250 rpm. 335i has 3-liter inline six rated 300 hp at 5,800, 300 lbs.-ft. at 1,200. Six-speed manual standard, eight-speed automatic optional.
•How big?
Slightly bigger than predecessor, but considerably smaller than BMW 5 Series midsize. The 3 Series sedan is 182.5 inches long 71.3 in. wide, 56.3 in. tall on 110.6-in. wheelbase. Weighs 3,406 to 3,594 lbs. Rated to carry 904 lbs. of people, cargo, accessories. Trunk: 17 cu. ft. Turning circle diameter: 37.1 ft.
•How thirsty?
328i rated 23 miles per gallon in city, 34 highway, 27 combined with manual; 24/36/28 with automatic. 335i rated 20/30/23 with manual, 23/33/26 with automatic. Trip computer in 328i manual transmission test car showed 21.9 mpg (4.57 gallons per 100 miles) in suburban driving. Burns premium, holds 15.8 gal.
•Overall:
Four-cylinder disappoints; rest of the car delights.
New 2012 BMW 3 Series on Video :
