BMW 3 Series Saloon (2024 - ) review

The 3 Series has long been a popular choice for company drivers, BMW’s knack of delivering tax-friendly emissions figures popular among those for whom monthly Benefit In Kind costs are a key buying decision. If that’s you the plug-in hybrid 330e will score for its low CO2 figure, the tax benefits likely compensating for its higher list price, though the fleet favourite 320d diesel remains in place. There’s no electric 3 Series yet, though the i4 arguably fulfils that role if you want a purely battery-powered BMW of this type. If you’re buying privately don’t discount the six-cylinder M340d diesel or M340i petrol M Performance versions either – big engines may not be fashionable but our experiences with the closely related M440i suggest even the powerful petrol engine can deliver efficiency as impressive as its performance.

BMW’s position on popular reliability rankings doesn’t look as impressive as its premium reputation suggests it should be. The engines and technology in this updated 3 Series are at least well proven by now and shared with various other vehicles in the range, and there are various care packages and upgraded warranties available for extra peace of mind if you need it.

BMW is pushing ahead assertively with ‘labour saving’ automation through its various driver assistance systems and the updated 3 Series includes many as standard. And some, like automated high-beam assistance, you can retrospectively ‘download’ as cost options via the Connected Drive system. As standard the car will brake itself if you don’t respond to pedestrians, cyclists or other obstacles in your path and lane keeping and parking sensors are all standard. Upgrade to Driving Assistant Professional for the full deal, up to and including semi-autonomous driving that will even ‘prepare’ to steer the car into the inside lane if the nav knows you’re coming off at the next junction.

The 3 Series provides comfortable, cosseting and unashamedly premium accommodation for those up front and in the outer two rear seats. Bad luck if you’re the fifth passenger, though, because the centre position on the rear bench is lumpy and has limited leg- and headroom. In short, and keeping with tradition, a 3 Series gives its best to the driver, with a low-slung and sporty seating position and sense everything is geared to your benefit. Everything except ride comfort, that is. Sure, the 3 Series has always sold on sportiness but the suspension on the M Sport version is unnecessarily stiff even on the relatively small 18-inch wheels we tested it with and, while you may still be grinning, your passengers will be grimacing. They’ll thank you if you pay extra for the adaptive dampers and choose the comfort mode as your default, as we did with the M340i we also tested. It’s still pretty firm, though, and if you rack up a lot of miles you might find more peace in a Mercedes C-Class.

Beyond the usual aesthetic tweaks of a new grille, resculpted bumpers and slimmer headlights the main change for this mid-life update is BMW’s latest twin-screen instrument display. First seen on the iX electric SUV and now rolling out across the rest of the range, it uses a paired digital instrument panel and central infotainment screen powered by one of the slickest operating systems in the business. You can set it up with configurable tiles so your favourite functions are never more than a swipe away, deeper-dive interaction available via phone-style widgets. The connected operating system powering it is just as good, with real-time route-planning based on traffic conditions and cloud data among its many tricks. The simplified range structure of just Sport and M Sport trims meanwhile bundles extras into easily understandable packages, the option to upgrade your 3 Series limited only by your spending power.

Back in the day the entry level 320d gave you premium BMW posing power with rather more everyday performance in a tax-friendly bundle company car drivers loved. But even this ‘base’ model now has pace that more than lives up to the looks, refinement such you barely even notice you’re in a diesel once up and running. All 3 Series models now get a slick-shifting eight-speed automatic with various modes and paddles behind the wheel if you want to take control yourself, this working perfectly with whichever engine you choose. We also tried the 330e hybrid (available in rear- or all-wheel drive versions) and were especially impressed with the slick ‘handover’ from electric to petrol power, and the additional refinement. In terms of both tax and on the road performance it’s one you can buy with heart and head in full accord. If you can stretch to it the M340i xDrive meanwhile offers a taste of M3-style performance in a more affordable and under-the-radar package. A guilty pleasure in this day and age, perhaps. But one we very much enjoyed.