‘Life’s too short for boring cars.’ Which other automaker can make and live up to claims that their vehicles offer sheer driving pleasure above all else? And of all BMWs, the 3 Series is the world’s most popular, most loved and most driven (we assume, because come on!) sports sedan. It’s been around since 1975 and seven generations later, it’s still popular and available with the widest spread of engines and bodystyles. It also pioneered the small sports sedan concept and is the keeper of the undiluted essence of BMW. In India, it has over 30,000 happy customers and, in 2021, it was the highest selling BMW.
Built for excitement
Since the beginning, the 3 Series retains its essence as a rear-wheel-drive heart-rate boosting ultimate sports sedan. Slip behind the wheel of any 3 Series and you’ll notice that everything is perfectly set up for the driver. The seat, the steering wheel, and the controls are intuitively laid out so that the driver can focus on the most important thing – driving. The BMW 3 Series sports perfect 50-50 weight distribution, an innovative two-stage suspension set-up, and best-in-class aerodynamics. The steering is direct and the handling superb. It’s packed with state-of-the-art tech that makes living with it convenient, too. The reversing assistant, wireless smartphone integration, gesture control infotainment system, and a plethora of optional extras add to the experience. The M Sport package with the 330i engine is obviously the preferred option for those who buy a BMW 3 Series, as it offers best-in-class performance.
But what if you want something with the appeal, tech, quality, and power of a 3 Series with a healthy dose of comfort? For that, you have the BMW 3 Series Gran Limousine.
Perfectly balanced
The BMW 3 Series Gran Limousine – the longest and most spacious 3 Series, as well as the longest and most spacious car in its segment – offers supreme comfort in an extremely luxurious cabin. It’s a car that was developed keeping the needs of Indians in mind. The 3 Series GL has a seat for every member of the family. It’s not just 110mm longer than the standard 3 Series, it is also a great combination of comfort, luxury and driving dynamics. Its rear seat is thicker and more comfortable, and is angled to offer maximum relaxation. The large panoramic sunroof adds to the feeling of space, while bathing the cabin in ample natural light. Sit back and you’ll notice that there are a lot of premium touches in the cabin, including special contour lighting on the rear door-pads and on the back of the front seats, leather upholstery, and a generous proportion of chrome inserts. It’s so plush, you have to remind yourself that this is not a car from a segment above.
But make no mistake, the Gran Limousine is still a 3 Series when it comes to performance. It has optimised weight distribution, sporty handling, state-of-the-art tech, and the most powerful engine in its class. The longer wheelbase does not diminish its agility around corners. It earns that distinctive kidney grille it sports on its nose. So, whether you’re parked on the rear seat, or behind the wheel, you’re going to enjoy the drive. And if you prefer, you can also get the 3GL in the M Sport trim for added drama.
Accessible performance
4.4 seconds – that’s how fast the quickest car made in India, the BMW M340i, hits 100kph from standstill. This M Performance 3 Series brings back the much-loved straight-six engine in a turbocharged 3.0-litre avatar that churns out 387hp and 500Nm of torque. What’s most important is that all of this power is accessible and manageable for every day city driving, while being incredibly thrilling. Here’s where we need to mention the superb, fast, and somewhat psychic 8-speed torque-converter automatic gearbox and the intelligent xDrive all-wheel-drive system. Combine that with the sporty, but comfortable suspension and the direct steering and you have a car that does a fantastic job of making each corner exhilarating. A highlight of the M340i is that it looks like that standard 3 Series until closer inspection. But by that time, it’ll have left every other car in the dust. While the M340i does have a lot of safe understeer built into it, you can get its tail to step out – on a closed road or track – once you put it in Sport or Sport+ and floor it.
The M340i, which is priced at Rs 65.9 lakh (ex-showroom), is the most successful performance car made in India, and enthusiasts are willing to pre-book it and wait three to six months to get behind the wheel of one. Why? It gives them a taste of an M Division vehicle at about half the price. And everyone knows that BMW M sells some of the best high-performance cars in the world and is the highest-selling brand globally in its segment.
Clearly, it doesn’t matter which 3 Series you buy. As long as you get one, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for. And have a ton of fun.
