BMW 3 Series: Variants Explained

Set your eyes on the entry-level BMW sedan but confused which variant to go for? Read on to know which one’s right for you

If you’re in the market for a luxury sedan around Rs 50 lakh, it’s highly likely that you will be drawn to the BMW 3 Series. It promises to combine a premium experience with driving pleasure. With two engine options among four variants, it can be a challenge to pick one that’s best suited for your needs. Let’s see which variant fits the bill for you:

All prices, ex-showroom

BMW is offering the India-spec 3 Series with the following engines:

In case you’re wondering which engine to go for, we suggest you pick the petrol-powered sedan if you like the power and exhaust sound of a petrol car. Also, being a typical enthusiast favourite, you will be compelled to press the accelerator pedal right till the end. However, those who prefer a torquey, punchy and efficient performance, can opt for the diesel engine which does the job fairly well.

Sport

Price: Rs 41.70 lakh (petrol), Rs 42.10 lakh (diesel)

Powertrain: 330i, 320d

Colours: Alpine White, Black Sapphire and Mediterranean Blue

Exterior:

• Auto-LED headlamps

• LED fog lamps

• Gloss black signature kidney grille

• 17-inch V-Spoke alloy wheels

Interior:

• Front armrest with storage

• Velour floor mats

• Leather-wrapped steering wheel

• Sunroof

• Black High-Gloss with highlight trim finisher in Pearl Chrome

• Leatherette Canberra Beige with black upholstery or Leatherette Black with black upholstery

Comfort and Convenience:

• Auto-dimming IRVM (inside rearview mirror)

• Auto-headlamps

• Heated ORVMs with power-folding and power-adjustable function

• Rain sensors

• Cruise control with braking function

• 3-zone climate control with rear AC vents and control

• Through loading system

• Analogue 5.7-inch instrument cluster

Infotainment:

• 8.8-inch touchscreen system with radio and MP3 player

• 205W, 10-speaker sound system

Safety:

• Six airbags

• ABS with Brake Assist

• Attentiveness Assistant

• Corner Braking Control (CBC)

• Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) including Dynamic Traction Control (DTC)

• ISOFIX child seat anchorages

• Tyre pressure monitor

• Run-flat tyres

Verdict: The Sport variant is the only one that is offered with both petrol and diesel engines. Despite being the base variant, it is fairly well-equipped and comes with 3-zone climate control, a 10-speaker sound system, and a bunch of safety features. While the 3 Series, with its proper luxury car experience, will feel like a proper upgrade for someone switching from a C-segment sedan, for those who already own a Skoda Octavia or the likes, it might not push them to go ahead with the BMW. However, if you prefer more tech in your car, the base-spec Sport variant should be skipped as it misses out on the larger touchscreen system with Apple CarPlay, fully digital instrument cluster and navigation functions.

Also Read: BMW 3 Series Sedan vs BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo: How Do Their Specs Compare?

Luxury Line

Price: Rs 47.50 lakh

Powertrain: 320d

Colours: Alpine White, Black Sapphire and Mediterranean Blue

Exterior:

• Vertical chrome slats in the signature kidney grille

• 17-inch double-spoke alloy wheels

Interior:

• Window recess cover and finisher for window frame front and rear in chrome High-Gloss

• Ambient lighting with welcome light

• Door sill guards with aluminium finish

• Instrument panel finished in black

• Leatherette Canberra Beige with Black upholstery or Leatherette Mocha with Black upholstery

• Fine-wood trim Ash Grey-Brown High-Gloss

Comfort and Convenience:

• Fully digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster

Infotainment:

• 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay

• Navigation function with 3D maps

• Voice controls

• iDrive Touch with handwriting recognition with direct access buttons

• 20GB hard drive for maps and audio files

Safety:

• Parking assist with lateral parking and reverse assist

Verdict: The Luxury Line variant costs Rs 5.40 lakh more than the entry-spec Sport diesel variant for a few additional features such as a bigger touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, a fully digital instrument cluster, and ambient lighting. BMW offers the 3 Series in two diesel variants: 320d Sport and 320d Luxury Line, with the latter being the fully equipped variant.

M Sport

Price: Rs 48.50 lakh

Powertrain: 330i

Colours: Alpine White, Black Sapphire, Mineral Grey, Portimao Blue

Exterior:

• M aerodynamics package with front apron, side sills and rear apron in body colour with diffuser insert in Dark Shadow Metallic

• M designation on front side panel, left and right

• BMW kidney frame in chrome High-Gloss

• M-specific door sill guards

• BMW Individual High-Gloss Shadow Line

• 18-inch M alloy wheels

Interior:

• M leather steering wheel

• Aluminium Tetragon trim with highlight in Pearl Chrome

• Leatherette Canberra Beige with black upholstery, Leatherette Mocha with black upholstery, or Leatherette Cognac with black upholstery

Comfort and Convenience:

• Instrument cluster with M-specific display

• BMW Individual headliner anthracite

• Sports seats for front and rear passengers

Infotainment:

• Gesture control

Verdict: In typical BMW style, the 3 Series is also offered in the M Sport variants which get cosmetic enhancements including M-specific steering wheel and alloy wheels. It is sure to keep BMW fans glued to the driver seat thanks to its levelled-up experience.

Read More on : BMW 3 Series Automatic