BMW 3 Series

One of BMW’s staple model ranges, the new BMW 3 Series, upgraded for the year 2025 and launched in Malaysia.

A seventh-generation build (G20), the sporty four-door sedan underpins an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) powertrain.

Locally assembled (CKD – Kedah), available via BMW Malaysia are four variants (320i Sport, 330i M Sport, 330Li M Sport, M340i xDrive M Sport Pro).

Priced (OTR, w/o insurance) respectively at MYR 265,800, MYR 313,800, MYR 320,800 and MYR 388,800, covered is a standard BMW vehicle warranty (two years).

Optional (MYR 26,400) is the BMW Service Inclusive (BSI – extended warranty: five years, unlimited-mileage – service package: five years, 100,000 KM).

Exterior colours (Fire Red, Alpine White, Arctic Race Blue Metallic, Black Sapphire Metallic, M Brooklyn Grey Metallic, M Carbon Black Metallic). Interior colours (Black, Black-Mocha, Black-Cognac, Black-Tacora Red).

The new 3 Series has a slim, modern and clean-cut dashboard design, linked to a low-rising centre console (rotary gear/drive mode selector, wireless charger).

Soft-/hard-touched (dash, steering wheel, centre console, doors), it sees leather (‘Sensatec’/’Vernasca’ Luxury Instrument Panel: 330i M Sport, M340i xDrive M Sport Pro/330Li M Sport – Alcantara M Performance Centre Armrest: M340i xDrive M Sport Pro) upholstery.

Single-tone (Black: 320i Sport, 330i M Sport, M340i xDrive M Sport Pro) and dual-tone (Black-Mocha: 330i M Sport, 330Li M Sport – Black-Cognac: 330Li M Sport – Black-Tacora Red: M340i xDrive M Sport Pro) colour schemes.

Contrast trims (Matte ‘Dark Graphite’: 320i Sport – Aluminium ‘Rhombicle’ Anthracite M: 330i M Sport, 330Li M Sport, M340i xDrive M Sport Pro) and add-ons (‘Galvanic’ bezels: 330i M Sport, 330Li M Sport, M340i xDrive M Sport Pro – ‘CraftedClarity’ glass: 330Li M Sport).

Filling-up the spaces are the BMW Curved Display (single-piece – instrument cluster, infotainment), air-conditioning vents (geometrical) and an ambient light system (‘Cascade’ ambient light bar).

Inclusively, the layout is minimalistic and airy, with accessibilities ergonomically arranged (driver-centric, passenger-oriented).

One half of the BMW Curved Display, installed is a 12.3-Inch LCD fully digital driver display (instrument cluster), with a BMW Heads-Up Display (HUD).

The system runs on BMW Operating System 8.5 (BMW OS 8.5 – QuickSelect) and supports the BMW Live Cockpit Professional (BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant: voice recognition, command, gesture – Augmented Reality View: BMW HUD) and My BMW smartphone app (remote access).

Comfortably plush, the interior sees leather (‘Sensatec’/’Vernasca’ – 320i Sport, 330i M Sport, M340i xDrive M Sport Pro/330Li M Sport) upholstery (perforated) in a single-tone (Black: 320i Sport, 330i M Sport, M340i xDrive M Sport Pro – Mocha: 330i M Sport, 330Li M Sport – Cognac: 330Li M Sport – Tacora Red: M340i xDrive M Sport Pro) colour scheme.

The front gets electric-powered (driver-passenger-multi-way-adjust, driver-memory) Sport/Comfort (320i Sport, 330i M Sport, M340i xDrive M Sport Pro/330Li M Sport) seats. The rear gets a manual-operated (40:20:40 split-fold) bolstered bench.

Included are armrests (front – centre console, rear – centre seat fold-out), headrests (front, rear), M Seatbelts (M340i xDrive M Sport Pro), an M headliner (Anthracite – 330i M Sport, 330Li M Sport, M340i xDrive M Sport Pro) and a panoramic/front-section glass roof (electric: tilt, slide – 330Li M Sport/330i M Sport, M340i xDrive M Sport Pro).

The five-seater sedan offers generous cabin space, providing ample interior mobility for the occupants (front, rear). 

Sufficient head, shoulder and leg rooms.

Fitted are Sport (320i Sport – two-spoke-flat-bottom) and M Sport (330i M Sport, 330Li M Sport, M340i xDrive M Sport Pro – three-spoke-flat-bottom) steering wheels, wrapped in leather (Black) with contrast trims (‘Dark Graphite’: 320i Sport – Aluminium: 330i M Sport, 330Li M Sport, M340i xDrive M Sport Pro) and M emblem (bottom spoke – 330i M Sport, 330Li M Sport, M340i xDrive M Sport Pro).

Features are multi-function (media, Bluetooth, voice recognition, vehicle settings) and column adjustments (tilt, telescopic). 

Drive is aided by an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system.

Practical storage areas. E.g., Storage Compartment Package (side door/seat back/armrest pockets, partitioned/caverned/under-stowage centre console spaces, glovebox).

Provided are four cup holders (two – front, rear) and four bottle holders (one – side doors).

Equipped are four USB ports (two – front, rear), one 12 V socket (front) and one wireless charger (centre console).

Weighing in at 1,590 KG (320i Sport, 330i M Sport), 1,685 KG (330Li M Sport) and 1,800 KG (M340i xDrive M Sport Pro), the new 3 Series measures at 4,709 MM (320i Sport, 330i M Sport), 4,823 MM (330Li M Sport) and 4,714 MM (M340i xDrive M Sport Pro) long, 1,827 MM wide, 1,435 MM (320i Sport, 330i M Sport), 1,441 MM (330Li M Sport) and 1,440 MM (M340i xDrive M Sport Pro) tall, and with a wheelbase spanning 2,851 MM (320i Sport, 330i M Sport, M340i xDrive M Sport Pro) and 2,961 MM (330Li M Sport).

Sportily aerodynamic, its exterior parades a borderline-prowling-like stance, emphasised by sharply and cleanly cut contours.

The front-end sees a formed bonnet (BMW emblem), angular quarter panels, the BMW kidney grille (vertical bars/honeycomb – 320i Sport, 330i M Sport, 330Li M Sport/M340i xDrive M Sport Pro) and a sculpted bumper (air intakes: central, corner).

Accentuations, Satin Aluminium Exterior Line (320i Sport), Sport Package (320i Sport), M Sport Package (330i M Sport, 330Li M Sport), M High-Gloss Shadowline Package with extended contents (330i M Sport, 330Li M Sport, M340i xDrive M Sport Pro), M Sport Pro (M340i xDrive M Sport Pro), M Aerodynamic Package (M340i xDrive M Sport Pro) and M Lights Shadowline Package (M340i xDrive M Sport Pro).

Athletically tapered, it continues the solidly planted profile, emphasised by angularly smooth and sharply rounded surfaces.

The rear-end sees a mildly dipped roofline (shark fin antenna), an upright tailgate (moulded boot-lid, BMW emblem) and a sculpted bumper (diffuser: rounded/trapezoidal exhausts – 320i Sport, 330i M Sport/330Li M Sport, M340i xDrive M Sport Pro).

Accentuations, Satin Aluminium Exterior Line (320i Sport), Sport Package (320i Sport), M Sport Package (330i M Sport, 330Li M Sport), M High-Gloss Shadowline Package with extended contents (330i M Sport, 330Li M Sport, M340i xDrive M Sport Pro), M Rear Spoiler (330i M Sport, M340i xDrive M Sport Pro), M Sport Pro (M340i xDrive M Sport Pro), M Aerodynamic Package (M340i xDrive M Sport Pro) and M Lights Shadowline Package (M340i xDrive M Sport Pro).

Sleek and sharp, the darkened (M Lights Shadowline Package – M340i xDrive M Sport Pro) headlamps are housed inward-tilted with pointed edges. Installed are LED/adaptive LED (320i Sport, 330i M Sport, 330Li M Sport/M340i xDrive M Sport Pro) units.

Features are automatic On/Off, Daytime Running Lights (DRL – LED), High-Beam Assistant (HBA), cornering/welcome lights and sequential turn signals (LED).

Slim and protruding, the darkened (M Lights Shadowline Package – M340i xDrive M Sport Pro) tail lamps are housed rectangularly warped and wrapped around with pointed edges. Installed are full LED units.

Features are automatic On/Off, welcome lights and sequential turn signals (LED). 

The side mirrors (dual-tone: Black-body-colour/Black – 320i Sport, 330i M Sport, 330Li M Sport/M340i xDrive M Sport Pro) are electric-powered (auto-fold, adjust) with the Exterior Mirror package (automatic anti-dazzle, automatic dipping), blind-spot indicators (Blind Spot Monitor – BSM) and turn signals (LED).

Fitted are ventilated (front, rear) disc brakes. Variant-specific are M Sport brakes with coloured callipers (High Gloss Blue: 330i M Sport – High Gloss Red: M340i xDrive M Sport Pro).

Aiding the setup is an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold system.

Mounted are variant-specific sets of wheels.

Variant 320i Sport cruises on a set of 18-Inch V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour (Black-Silver) light-alloy rims, wrapped in 225/45 R18 (front, rear) Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 run flat tyres.

Variant 330i M Sport rides on a set of 19-Inch Double-spoke Style 995 M Bicolour (Black-Silver) M light-alloy rims, wrapped in 225/40 R19 (front, rear) Pirelli P Zero run flat tyres.

Variant 330Li M Sport rolls on a set of 18-Inch Double-spoke Style 848 M Bicolour (Black-Silver) M light-alloy rims, wrapped in 225/45 R18 (front) and 225/40 R18 (rear) Michelin Pilot Sport 4 ZP run flat tyres.

Variant M340i xDrive M Sport Pro sports a set of 19-Inch Double-Star-Spoke Style 792 M Bicolour (Jet Black-Silver) M light-alloy rims, wrapped in 225/40 R19 (front) and 255/35 R19 (rear) Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 run flat tyres.

The new 3 Series features the following sets of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

Under Driving Assistant, grouped are Active Cruise Control with Stop/Go, Lane Departure Warning with Lane Return, Lane Change Warning, Front Collision Warning with Brake Intervention, Rear Crossing Traffic Warning, Rear Collision Prevention and Speed Limit Info.

Under Parking Assistant Plus, grouped are Park Assist, Active Park Distance Control, Reversing Assistant, Lateral Parking Aid and Surround View Camera (remote 3D view – 360-degree).

Other systems. Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist (BA), Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), Hill-Start Assist (HSA) and High-Beam Assistant (HBA).

Passive safety includes six airbags (driver-passenger, front sides, front-rear curtains), seat belts (anchors, pretensioners, reminders), ISOFIX (two – outer-rear-seat), adaptive headlamps, High-Beam Assistant (HBA), parking sensors (six – front, rear), parking cameras (reverse, 360-degree), automatic anti-dazzle rear-view mirrors (interior/exterior), side mirrors (automatic dipping, BSM), Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), door ajar warning, automatic-door locks (speed-sensing, central-locking), automatic wipers (rain-sensing, intermittent), run flat tyres and anti-theft system (security alarm, immobiliser).

Four drive modes at the driver’s disposal (COMFORT, SPORT, ECO PRO, INDIVIDUAL). 

Completing the BMW Curved Display, installed is a 14.9-Inch touchscreen central display (infotainment). 

The system runs on BMW Operating System 8.5 (BMW OS 8.5 – QuickSelect) and supports the BMW Live Cockpit Professional (BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant – voice recognition, command, gesture), BMW Connected Package Professional (Apple CarPlay, Android Auto), BMW ConnectedDrive Services (intelligent emergency call, teleservices), My BMW smartphone app (remote access), Bluetooth and navigation.

Variant-specific, the entertainment is channelled via a stereo speaker system (100 W, six speakers – 320i Sport), a HiFi loudspeaker system (105 W, 10 speakers – 330i M Sport) and a Harman Kardan surround sound system (464 W, 16 speakers – 330Li M Sport, M340i xDrive M Sport Pro).

The new 3 Series harbours variant-specific Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) powertrain setups.

First setup (320i Sport, 330i M Sport, 330Li M Sport) nestles a 2.0-Litre, in-line four-cylinder 16-valve, direct-fuel injection turbocharged DOHC petrol engine (B48), producing 181 HP/135 KW – 300 NM (320i Sport) and 254 HP/190 KW – 400 NM (330i M Sport, 330Li M Sport).

Second setup (M340i xDrive M Sport Pro) cocoons a 3.0-Litre, in-line six-cylinder 32-valve, direct-fuel injection turbocharged DOHC petrol engine (B58), producing 382 HP/285 KW – 500 NM.

Mated to the setups is an eight-speed Steptronic Sport automatic transmission.

Power is transmitted to the rear (320i Sport, 330i M Sport, 330Li M Sport) and all four (M340i xDrive M Sport Pro) wheels, via a Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) system and an All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system.

Incorporated is a Variable Sport Steering system (330i M Sport, M340i xDrive M Sport Pro) and an M Sport differential setup (M340i xDrive M Sport Pro).

Acceleration from 0 to 100 KM/H is done in 7.4 seconds (320i Sport), 5.8 seconds (330i M Sport), 6.2 seconds (330Li M Sport) and 4.4 seconds (M340i xDrive M Sport Pro). 

Top speed is electronically capped at 235 KM/H (320i Sport) and 250 KM/H (330i M Sport, 330Li M Sport, M340i xDrive M Sport Pro).

The fuel tank capacity is 59-Litres, and the fuel consumption is rated at 7.2 – 6.4 L/100 KM (320i Sport), 7.4 – 6.6 L/100 KM (330i M Sport), 6.4 L/100 KM (330Li M Sport) and 7.7 L/100 KM (M340i xDrive M Sport Pro).

The new 3 Series features these conveniences.

E.g., Comfort Access system (keyless entry, electric-tailgate, engine Start/Stop button), adaptive headlamps, High-Beam Assistant (HBA), parking sensors (six – front, rear), parking cameras (reverse, 360-degree), automatic anti-dazzle rear-view mirrors (interior/exterior), side mirrors (automatic dipping, BSM), Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), door ajar warning, automatic headlamps (On/Off), automatic-door locks (speed-sensing, central-locking), automatic wipers (rain-sensing, intermittent), triple-zone automatic climate control (rear-vents, rear controls), steering wheel (multi-function, column adjustments, EPS), electric-powered (driver-passenger-multi-way-adjust, driver-memory) Sport/Comfort (320i Sport, 330i M Sport, M340i xDrive M Sport Pro/330Li M Sport) seats, armrests (front – centre console, rear – centre seat fold-out), headrests (front, rear), panoramic/front-section glass roof (electric: tilt, slide – 330Li M Sport/330i M Sport, M340i xDrive M Sport Pro), BMW Live Cockpit Professional (BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant: voice recognition, command, gesture – My BMW smartphone app: remote access), wireless charger, interior lighting (LED – reading, floor, welcome, ambient, boot), run flat tyres and an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold system.

Installed is a triple-zone automatic climate control (rear-vents, rear-controls) system.

Propping-up the chassis are double wishbones (front) and multi-link (rear), featuring Comfort suspension (320i Sport, 330Li M Sport) and Adaptive M suspension (330Li M Sport, M340i xDrive M Sport Pro) setups.

Included is a Variable Sport Steering system (330i M Sport, M340i xDrive M Sport Pro) and an M Sport differential setup (M340i xDrive M Sport Pro).

Overall, it is solid and comfortable with a luxurious ride quality, refined and agile handling with smooth power delivery.

Good sound insulation, with all the NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) aspects of the build accounted for. 

The cabin can suppress wind, road and tyre noises well, making them barely noticeable at all speeds.

The new BMW 3 Series is in a class of its own. Enveloped by a sportily luxurious appeal, it commands a sharper presence that has been paired to a thrillingly dynamic driving experience.

A striking exterior, it is well designed with the harmonious proportions, powerful contours and emphasis on the aggressive body sculpture. 

Quality of the equipment and materials installed inside and outside of the car impresses with the upscale, mature design and restrained detailing.

Ultimately, the new 3 Series is more than just a strong character, it is a great vehicle that offers a sporty outlook, sporty performance, practicality and comfort all in one.