New G20 3 Series my review
Discussion
Not mine, but I’ve just returned one after 8 and half days’ loan. So I thought my opinion might be of benefit to anyone considering a purchase.
It’s a 320d X Drive, a 19 plate and with 4910 miles on the clock when I took it out.
I did 690 miles of the sort of driving routes I’ve been taking my E46 M3 of late. So a lot of miles into and around city (15 miles each way) plus two specific (100 plus round trips) fun drives over mountain b roads.
Re: fuel efficiency, I used 83.5 liters of diesel (18.25) gallons. That’s 8.3 miles per liter or 38 mpg.
It’s a subjective point, I guess, but I prefer the looks over the last generation and probably the E9X too.
Although it’s the longest BMW I’ve driven, some ten inches more than my E46 M3 I found it easy to judge when parking. In fact on narrow city side streets with bad parking I noticed its two extra inches of width (i.e. over the E46 M3) more , although still not a problem. So I’d say no great shakes re: the increase in size.
The seats were comfortable, I felt I could get low and from my position still view all instrument panels clearly.
Compared to the old cars, there remains the lack of steering feel but still more feedback than the F30 generation, so a little more connection with the road .
It handled the twisty roads very well with a lot of front end grip and a I could position the car where I wanted to. Probably my best non M experience in terms of grip and poise; not as much feedback as even a non M E46 generation. But overall a big step forward in fun over the latter generations of non M BMWs.
Gearbox was a ZF 8 Speed. I’ve recently daily driven an X1 (44k miles in 2 years) and this box felt a lot sharper. And for the first time I felt happy with the responsiveness of shifter and paddles when using manual mode. Much closer to my 335i DCT than other ZF equipped cars I’ve used, so maybe some updates there.
The engine code on the build sheet is B47. So it’s the the same engine as my X1 and yet it felt sharper in responsiveness.
I also felt the X Drive to be less present, by that I mean it felt less like a 4 wheel drive than my X1 did. Maybe it’s lesser weight or maybe the power is being sent less times to the front wheels.
The tech was great, with a snazzy but clear instrument panel and wide screen sat nav complimented by a nice feel to the iDrive controller.
HUD worked really well, although was obscured / distorted when I wore my polarized sunglasses (UV filter). Surround view and front and reverse cameras made parking etc. very easy. Harmon Kardon would be an option I’d now consider as sound was great. I had less vibration from the sunroof that on previous 3 series. No mention in the options of adaptive dampers but I could move into a sport mode which freed up throttle response added some weight to steering and hunkered car down a little.
To end on a funny, as the car had advertising on it, I did get stopped a few times and asked for brochures.
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/2lHBB7nP.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/tIfw37ES" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/tIfw37ES.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/2hoxpCAS" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/2hoxpCAS.jpg)
It’s a 320d X Drive, a 19 plate and with 4910 miles on the clock when I took it out.
I did 690 miles of the sort of driving routes I’ve been taking my E46 M3 of late. So a lot of miles into and around city (15 miles each way) plus two specific (100 plus round trips) fun drives over mountain b roads.
Re: fuel efficiency, I used 83.5 liters of diesel (18.25) gallons. That’s 8.3 miles per liter or 38 mpg.
It’s a subjective point, I guess, but I prefer the looks over the last generation and probably the E9X too.
Although it’s the longest BMW I’ve driven, some ten inches more than my E46 M3 I found it easy to judge when parking. In fact on narrow city side streets with bad parking I noticed its two extra inches of width (i.e. over the E46 M3) more , although still not a problem. So I’d say no great shakes re: the increase in size.
The seats were comfortable, I felt I could get low and from my position still view all instrument panels clearly.
Compared to the old cars, there remains the lack of steering feel but still more feedback than the F30 generation, so a little more connection with the road .
It handled the twisty roads very well with a lot of front end grip and a I could position the car where I wanted to. Probably my best non M experience in terms of grip and poise; not as much feedback as even a non M E46 generation. But overall a big step forward in fun over the latter generations of non M BMWs.
Gearbox was a ZF 8 Speed. I’ve recently daily driven an X1 (44k miles in 2 years) and this box felt a lot sharper. And for the first time I felt happy with the responsiveness of shifter and paddles when using manual mode. Much closer to my 335i DCT than other ZF equipped cars I’ve used, so maybe some updates there.
The engine code on the build sheet is B47. So it’s the the same engine as my X1 and yet it felt sharper in responsiveness.
I also felt the X Drive to be less present, by that I mean it felt less like a 4 wheel drive than my X1 did. Maybe it’s lesser weight or maybe the power is being sent less times to the front wheels.
The tech was great, with a snazzy but clear instrument panel and wide screen sat nav complimented by a nice feel to the iDrive controller.
HUD worked really well, although was obscured / distorted when I wore my polarized sunglasses (UV filter). Surround view and front and reverse cameras made parking etc. very easy. Harmon Kardon would be an option I’d now consider as sound was great. I had less vibration from the sunroof that on previous 3 series. No mention in the options of adaptive dampers but I could move into a sport mode which freed up throttle response added some weight to steering and hunkered car down a little.
To end on a funny, as the car had advertising on it, I did get stopped a few times and asked for brochures.
Works out at about 18p / per mile which is only 9 p/per mile less than my "long term" average (albeit since May 2016) in my M3.
Not a perfect comparison, because prices vary and a lot of the M's miles weren't inner city, but I think indicative of why diesels may not be all they're cracked up to be?
To be fair to this 3 series :-
(1) 37 mpg is about what I average over 44k in the X1 doing the same types of journeying.
(2) This milage (in the review) was fast driving and urban driving, very little M/way and longest was 100 mile round trip.
Not a perfect comparison, because prices vary and a lot of the M's miles weren't inner city, but I think indicative of why diesels may not be all they're cracked up to be?
To be fair to this 3 series :-
(1) 37 mpg is about what I average over 44k in the X1 doing the same types of journeying.
(2) This milage (in the review) was fast driving and urban driving, very little M/way and longest was 100 mile round trip.
Well it sounds like you quite liked it OP!
But that economy is nothing special, although if you didn't use any Motorways it was never going to be great. I wonder if the X-Drive has an impact on economy?
I had an E46 320td for 3 years and 42K miles and it averaged nearly 10.3 miles per litre (which was handy with a 63 litre tank), then I had a 123d for 6+ years and 80K miles that averaged 10.6 miles per litre.
But that economy is nothing special, although if you didn't use any Motorways it was never going to be great. I wonder if the X-Drive has an impact on economy?
I had an E46 320td for 3 years and 42K miles and it averaged nearly 10.3 miles per litre (which was handy with a 63 litre tank), then I had a 123d for 6+ years and 80K miles that averaged 10.6 miles per litre.
gizlaroc said:
Pica-Pica said:
Indeed. Long term average is 45+mpg in a F30 335d x-drive.
Do you get around 560 miles for each tank? My mate says he gets between 430 and 470 on most of his.
I reckon on 9.5 minimum to 10 normal litres per mile. Winter saw the consumption increase slightly. I rarely travel less than 10 miles a trip in this car.
One of the options I noticed on build sheet was :-
S1AGA Highercapacity Fuel Tank
I couldn't find an answer in owner's manual as to how many liters this exact model held.
I filled it the first time by putting 53 liters in when it was fairly low, between 1/4 and reserve.
Range indicator said 554 miles.
That would suggest a 67 liter tank if based on my consumption.
S1AGA Highercapacity Fuel Tank
I couldn't find an answer in owner's manual as to how many liters this exact model held.
I filled it the first time by putting 53 liters in when it was fairly low, between 1/4 and reserve.
Range indicator said 554 miles.
That would suggest a 67 liter tank if based on my consumption.
Smuler said:
One of the options I noticed on build sheet was :-
S1AGA Highercapacity Fuel Tank
I couldn't find an answer in owner's manual as to how many liters this exact model held.
I filled it the first time by putting 53 liters in when it was fairly low, between 1/4 and reserve.
Range indicator said 554 miles.
That would suggest a 67 liter tank if based on my consumption.
I don’t believe for one minute they would have a separate moulding for another tank. This would likely be the same moulding, with two different filler necks that control the depth of fill.S1AGA Highercapacity Fuel Tank
I couldn't find an answer in owner's manual as to how many liters this exact model held.
I filled it the first time by putting 53 liters in when it was fairly low, between 1/4 and reserve.
Range indicator said 554 miles.
That would suggest a 67 liter tank if based on my consumption.
Pica-Pica said:
I get over 500 between ‘full’ tank fills. I simply fill up where Local BP or Shell are the cheapest, when the gauge is below half. However, I often return from long runs and the return run has a few cheap Shell stations (129.9p per litre yesterday). On those occasions I plan to run the tank to the low fuel (at 50 miles left) warning comes on. I usually find that takes 52 litres to fill (that leaves 5 litres spare), and I have travelled around 520 since the last fill.
I reckon on 9.5 minimum to 10 normal litres per mile. Winter saw the consumption increase slightly. I rarely travel less than 10 miles a trip in this car.
That is pretty impressive. I reckon on 9.5 minimum to 10 normal litres per mile. Winter saw the consumption increase slightly. I rarely travel less than 10 miles a trip in this car.
Do you do a lot of sub sub 5 mile journeys as well?
Mr Tidy said:
Well it sounds like you quite liked it OP!
But that economy is nothing special, although if you didn't use any Motorways it was never going to be great. I wonder if the X-Drive has an impact on economy?
I had an E46 320td for 3 years and 42K miles and it averaged nearly 10.3 miles per litre (which was handy with a 63 litre tank), then I had a 123d for 6+ years and 80K miles that averaged 10.6 miles per litre.
Just checked the BMW configurator and the X drive does have a reduction in fuel economy. But that economy is nothing special, although if you didn't use any Motorways it was never going to be great. I wonder if the X-Drive has an impact on economy?
I had an E46 320td for 3 years and 42K miles and it averaged nearly 10.3 miles per litre (which was handy with a 63 litre tank), then I had a 123d for 6+ years and 80K miles that averaged 10.6 miles per litre.
Smuler said:
Just checked the BMW configurator and the X drive does have a reduction in fuel economy.
Quite a big impact compared to some models. My old mans next door neighbour went from an F31 320d ED to an F31 320d xDrive and he said he want from 54mpg average with seeing high 60's on a run to 42mpg and seeing 50 odd on a run.
Although he mainly does short runs everywhere, that is why the 320d ED was so impressive.
I use our F11 520d for going back and forth to London the last couple of tank fulls and no real short runs as it was half term and then my son was off school ill, and to be fair it was showing 52mpg over 1200 odd miles.
gizlaroc said:
Pica-Pica said:
I get over 500 between ‘full’ tank fills. I simply fill up where Local BP or Shell are the cheapest, when the gauge is below half. However, I often return from long runs and the return run has a few cheap Shell stations (129.9p per litre yesterday). On those occasions I plan to run the tank to the low fuel (at 50 miles left) warning comes on. I usually find that takes 52 litres to fill (that leaves 5 litres spare), and I have travelled around 520 since the last fill.
I reckon on 9.5 minimum to 10 normal litres per mile. Winter saw the consumption increase slightly. I rarely travel less than 10 miles a trip in this car.
That is pretty impressive. I reckon on 9.5 minimum to 10 normal litres per mile. Winter saw the consumption increase slightly. I rarely travel less than 10 miles a trip in this car.
Do you do a lot of sub sub 5 mile journeys as well?
I’m getting a proper mid 30’s on an F30 335D, 12/24 mile commute to and from work. Best is a 40 mpg Brum-Heathrow return. OBC is optimistic by about 3 mpg.
The manual E90 320ED I had before, did mid 40’s on the work commute. Best off that, was 63 mpg on a Brum-Newmarket return. The OBC on that vehicle, was amazingly accurate.
The manual E90 320ED I had before, did mid 40’s on the work commute. Best off that, was 63 mpg on a Brum-Newmarket return. The OBC on that vehicle, was amazingly accurate.
Edited by RUSSELLM on Wednesday 26th June 19:19
RUSSELLM said:
I’m getting a proper mid 30’s on an F30 335D, 12/24 mile commute to and from work. Best is a 40 mpg Brum-Heathrow return. OBC is optimistic by about 3 mpg.
I had an E91 335d and it was showing 36mpg and calculated was around 32/33. No matte how hard I tried that is where it would end up again if left long enough. Hence I think to average 45mpg in a awd 335d Touring is incredible. gizlaroc said:
RUSSELLM said:
I’m getting a proper mid 30’s on an F30 335D, 12/24 mile commute to and from work. Best is a 40 mpg Brum-Heathrow return. OBC is optimistic by about 3 mpg.
I had an E91 335d and it was showing 36mpg and calculated was around 32/33. No matte how hard I tried that is where it would end up again if left long enough. Hence I think to average 45mpg in a awd 335d Touring is incredible. The mpg on long runs is obviously better than the average but I've only had the odd tankful as high as 45mpg. Therefore, to average mid-40's I reckon your driving would have to include a high proportion of long runs where you're not going especially quickly - if you're using the performance of a 335d regularly and often I doubt you'd be averaging 45mpg....
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