I currently own a F30 320D and a couple of weeks ago I road tested a G20 330i and was so impressed I’ve placed an order for an M-Sport version. A superb drive indeed!
Great and balanced review. I can’t wait to drive one. I think BMW are doing a really good job of matching or surpassing their rivals without making their changes so drastic that they upset their customer base. While the luxury/prestige segment is shrinking (which may change if there is a rate cut this year), BMW are increasing their market share of that smaller pie. This 3 series should sell very well.
Love the Luxury line too Tom - you’ve got great instincts for what is an evolutionary change of a great car as well as insight into how new modern finishes and interior trim are important in an expensive smallish sedan :)
@@chasingcars Is that not the case in all markets ? Is x-drive available (as an extra) on the two cars you mentioned as available in your video; the 330i d the 320d ?
Yeah, it’s 76mm longer but honestly it doesn’t feel that much bigger - and this new 3 Series is still 6cm shorter than an E39 5 Series, for example. It’s 23cm shorter than the current G30 5 Series.
Great First Drive. I particularly like the Blue Car that was road tested and I also like the Luxury Trim. The Interior quality Is big Improvement over the old model
It would be good to mention /briefly touch on service costs per annum to get an idea. That is an important factor when considering a car in my opinion. I fully agree with everything else you said. A BMW 318i was my first car, second hand but in great shape. I loved it and still remember it fondly. This version looks great.
Excellent video 👍 one of the biggest complaints I have with my e91 3 series Touring is the awkward boot shape. It’s 460l but it’s not nicely squared off. Thankfully they have sorted that out in newer generations.
How is the ride on the luxury line compared to the M-Sport model? I want to order more soon but can't decide. Worried that the ride might be too harsh in the city.
Love what BMW are doing with the interior, while retaining the driving fun factor. I went for a test drive of the previous 330i last year, but was put off by the bland interior. Liked the look of C300, but it didn’t drive nowhere near the E46 325i msport I used to own as a 20-something old. Ended up buying the X3 30D G01, which it reminded me of the BMW of old.
Those poor squealy bridgestones! Had a great time driving my old E36 323 down those roads you were on, that looked a little like Mt Buffalo or am I mistaken? Oh and good review by the way, very informative, the wagon might be mum's new chariot.
Haha, yes, I gave the Turanzas a workout! Spot on John - this is Mount Buffalo. Great road! I am also waiting on the Touring, which should be an excellent car.
@@chasingcarsTourings not SUVs! I don't understand, there is less usable space, worse visibility, higher fuel consumption and worse handling, why do they sell so well!
The upcoming Mercedes C class has a lot to live up to but I don’t expect that to be a huge task. I really hope they don’t make it too large as BMW has done. The outgoing F30 did not particularly have a problem with space so why make it larger? This kills the market for the 5 series
The main thing Benz can work on is returning to great interior quality - their current cabins look great, but BMW are killing them on material quality and depth of premium feel. Now, onto space. The F30 did have a problem with back seat space - which is the main thing they've changed here. While I also don't love cars getting bigger, I can honestly say the G20 doesn't feel big on the road - it really shrinks around you. And remember, the G30 5er is still 23cm longer than this car, and feels way, way bigger.
Very informative and balanced review - great job, guys. The look will always be German until they "breed" with some Italian car manufacturer like Alfa Romeo. I don't care how it looks like from the outside, but the quality of the interior and the advancement of infotainment systems make it a really interesting car to buy this year.
Is it possible for you to compare the M-Sports-brake with the "normal" brake? Is it worth the upgrade, or is the "normal" one a fine one and there would be not really an advantage in daily use with the sports-brake?
I tried both on the launch drive and found the M Sport brake to have better bite. It seems to me that the reason the M Sport brake is standard on the 330i is simply because that with that engine, the G20 is so quick point-to-point that you want to be able to wipe speed off rapidly. That said, they aren’t fully fledged M Performance or M brakes, and you do detect some fade after prolonged downhill braking.
Sadly no 340i wagons for Australia - it’ll top out as a 330i Touring, but that’s fine. This engine is great, and as it’s a four cylinder it’s really light over the front end.
6:26 My goodness, what a shot! At first glance I wasn't sure this is Portimao Blue, because there is one other blue color in the Individual section - Tanzanite Blue (also, the most expensive out of all the colors).
Personally, I would, because I like a small sedan or wagon with a bit more agility. However, if you want something bigger, more comfortable, more refined, the 530d is a fab choice.
Hasn’t been revealed yet - I’m assuming it will be given it’s global debut at Frankfurt in September with a release before Christmas in Europe, maybe early 2020 here in Australia.
Nice review, but the interior looks nothing like the pervious 3-series. All new digital instrumentation and centre console design.. So, not sure what the reviewer was going on about at 2:05 !
I like it a lot. The 330i seems to be the sweet spot it the range with a strong engine and performance at a reasonable price. I’m certainly up for a test drive. Good to see BMW have got their MOJO back again. It’s been a while...too long in fact.
Tom. How does it compare with mid size non luxury brands as bought by average working people? Have they closed at all? And if you were buying with your own hard earned, and say, at a mid worker's income, & paying off a house & educating kids & family, would you stretch to this (sans perks) or go for a mid size non lux badge non Euro rand from say Japan, Korea, UK, US, - you know what i mean? Thanks for an interesting review of a classic of BMW, the 3 Class..
This is a great question and thank you for asking. The difference remains in polish and refinement, but I’d be lying if I said that the 3 was worlds apart from, say, the new Mazda 6 Atenza. Several mainstream brands have done a phenomenal job over the last few years at making their products semi-premium. Though I do think that BMW’s investment in the new 3er is clear, I’d definitely recommend test driving the aforementioned Mazda and the Volkswagen Passat 206TSI at the very least before signing on the dotted line.
@@chasingcars .. Thank you Tom. In your reviews, I appreciate your grip of intellectual and philosophical rigor, not always displayed by your fellow auto journos (no names. :-)
@@chasingcars My girlfriend was high maintenance and it really came down to me being able to afford only one of them so here I am just cruisin on in my E90. Haha
I've been a fan of BMW since the 1970s, but sadly the new models have lost that certain something that made them unique and wonderful. They look so overdone and, dare I say, Japanese.
Thanks, Martin! 330i, no competition. A properly rounded car. Lighter and dartier and far better in the gearbox department than the Kia. Having two less cylinders honestly doesn’t hurt it against Stinger. That said, the Stinger is an excellent vehicle which should be test driven, for sure.
Over all, I think it looks all right, although I only like the dark tinted rear lights only with a lighter color, like silver. Not a big fan of the digital dials, wich you have to have when you order a navigation system (at least here in Germany). So, I'd go for a Audi or Merc in the end.
@@chasingcars Choice is a good thing.. I don't mind the chrome along the sides - my current e90 also has this - but on the rear I think they went a bit too far ;-).. on the other hand the chromeless sport front is too anonymous.. I like my nostrils 'chromey'
Why is the car sliding a bit through some of those corners?
I currently own a F30 320D and a couple of weeks ago I road tested a G20 330i and was so impressed I’ve placed an order for an M-Sport version. A superb drive indeed!
Sounds good, Peter! Glad to hear you've put an order in.
Great and balanced review. I can’t wait to drive one. I think BMW are doing a really good job of matching or surpassing their rivals without making their changes so drastic that they upset their customer base. While the luxury/prestige segment is shrinking (which may change if there is a rate cut this year), BMW are increasing their market share of that smaller pie.
This 3 series should sell very well.
Thanks for that feedback. And yep, I agree - BMW seems to have a pretty clear idea of where they want to be in the market and that is helping them.
Excellent review and the location/camerawork is on point for this class of car. Well done lads.
Thanks mate.
Love the Luxury line too Tom - you’ve got great instincts for what is an evolutionary change of a great car as well as insight into how new modern finishes and interior trim are important in an expensive smallish sedan :)
Great review Tom. Always appreciate your feedback when making a shortlist of vehicles to purchase
Cannot wait for the M340i with that wonderful straight 6 to make our shores.
Should be a lot of fun. Mind you, it’s AWD-only for Australia!
@@chasingcars Is that not the case in all markets ?
Is x-drive available (as an extra) on the two cars you mentioned as available in your video; the 330i d the 320d ?
@@chasingcars 🙁
That Mediterranean Blue is beautiful. Great review.
Good colour.
I don't like how cars keep getting bigger, this is almost a 5 series now.a 3 series should be smaller
Yeah, it’s 76mm longer but honestly it doesn’t feel that much bigger - and this new 3 Series is still 6cm shorter than an E39 5 Series, for example. It’s 23cm shorter than the current G30 5 Series.
That might be what you want, but it's not what the market wants.
Agree it seems alot of brands increase their size with new generations
But we Indians like ‘bigger’ cars. They reflect your social status. 😇
@@Kannada_First or lack of such....
Great First Drive. I particularly like the Blue Car that was road tested and I also like the Luxury Trim. The Interior quality Is big Improvement over the old model
I was really in the opposition when it came to the looks of this car at first, but I’m not gonna lie, I think it’s actually growing on me.
It would be good to mention /briefly touch on service costs per annum to get an idea. That is an important factor when considering a car in my opinion. I fully agree with everything else you said. A BMW 318i was my first car, second hand but in great shape. I loved it and still remember it fondly. This version looks great.
The scenery is so amazing.
The Victorian High Country. Very beautiful.
as like always perfect presentation
Thanks!
Excellent video 👍 one of the biggest complaints I have with my e91 3 series Touring is the awkward boot shape. It’s 460l but it’s not nicely squared off. Thankfully they have sorted that out in newer generations.
Thanks mate! Understood. Hopefully no issues if that regard with the G21.
How is the ride on the luxury line compared to the M-Sport model? I want to order more soon but can't decide. Worried that the ride might be too harsh in the city.
The ride (in Australia) is the same, because they both come with the Adaptive M Suspension - on the 330i, at least.
Love what BMW are doing with the interior, while retaining the driving fun factor. I went for a test drive of the previous 330i last year, but was put off by the bland interior. Liked the look of C300, but it didn’t drive nowhere near the E46 325i msport I used to own as a 20-something old. Ended up buying the X3 30D G01, which it reminded me of the BMW of old.
That's a great engine in your new X3.
Couldn’t agree more! 👍
Those poor squealy bridgestones! Had a great time driving my old E36 323 down those roads you were on, that looked a little like Mt Buffalo or am I mistaken? Oh and good review by the way, very informative, the wagon might be mum's new chariot.
Haha, yes, I gave the Turanzas a workout! Spot on John - this is Mount Buffalo. Great road! I am also waiting on the Touring, which should be an excellent car.
@@chasingcarsTourings not SUVs! I don't understand, there is less usable space, worse visibility, higher fuel consumption and worse handling, why do they sell so well!
What a beautiful looking car
These cars keep getting larger.
I'll just keep sticking with my e46.
My E36 is better
Embrace the past... as my grandma used to say 🤦♂️
I have e46. Still I wanna try others
E46 is great. E36 is great. E30 is great . E21 is great. They all were substance of dreams at their time
I really like the silver version.
Great review. Very informative.
Thanks Del
The upcoming Mercedes C class has a lot to live up to but I don’t expect that to be a huge task. I really hope they don’t make it too large as BMW has done. The outgoing F30 did not particularly have a problem with space so why make it larger? This kills the market for the 5 series
The main thing Benz can work on is returning to great interior quality - their current cabins look great, but BMW are killing them on material quality and depth of premium feel. Now, onto space. The F30 did have a problem with back seat space - which is the main thing they've changed here. While I also don't love cars getting bigger, I can honestly say the G20 doesn't feel big on the road - it really shrinks around you. And remember, the G30 5er is still 23cm longer than this car, and feels way, way bigger.
Very informative and balanced review - great job, guys. The look will always be German until they "breed" with some Italian car manufacturer like Alfa Romeo. I don't care how it looks like from the outside, but the quality of the interior and the advancement of infotainment systems make it a really interesting car to buy this year.
Is it possible for you to compare the M-Sports-brake with the "normal" brake? Is it worth the upgrade, or is the "normal" one a fine one and there would be not really an advantage in daily use with the sports-brake?
I tried both on the launch drive and found the M Sport brake to have better bite. It seems to me that the reason the M Sport brake is standard on the 330i is simply because that with that engine, the G20 is so quick point-to-point that you want to be able to wipe speed off rapidly. That said, they aren’t fully fledged M Performance or M brakes, and you do detect some fade after prolonged downhill braking.
Are the hockey stick features a BMW in-joke? Can see the 7er door chrome in the brake lights here.
Also hangry for the 3er wagon, 340i review please. Any word on a 340xi wagon (for winter trips to Thredbo of course)?
Sadly no 340i wagons for Australia - it’ll top out as a 330i Touring, but that’s fine. This engine is great, and as it’s a four cylinder it’s really light over the front end.
Happy there are people like me that like brightwork in their cars ie love the Luxury lines of cars as suppose to the Sport ones.
You are not alone, Chris!
The new 3 series is such a nice car, the interior is such an upgrade. What i don’t get is why BMW didn’t do it sooner
The F30 ran its course for the usual 7 years or so... they’re on pretty defined schedules.
6:26 My goodness, what a shot! At first glance I wasn't sure this is Portimao Blue, because there is one other blue color in the Individual section - Tanzanite Blue (also, the most expensive out of all the colors).
Would you choose this 330i over the 530d which has a monstrous torque of 620 Nm?
Personally, I would, because I like a small sedan or wagon with a bit more agility. However, if you want something bigger, more comfortable, more refined, the 530d is a fab choice.
Any further info on the arrival date for the touring? Cheers
Hasn’t been revealed yet - I’m assuming it will be given it’s global debut at Frankfurt in September with a release before Christmas in Europe, maybe early 2020 here in Australia.
@@chasingcars thanks. Great video, by the way. I've subscribed
Nice review, but the interior looks nothing like the pervious 3-series. All new digital instrumentation and centre console design.. So, not sure what the reviewer was going on about at 2:05 !
Its an improvement on the previous model but its still classic bmw styling.
I like it a lot. The 330i seems to be the sweet spot it the range with a strong engine and performance at a reasonable price. I’m certainly up for a test drive. Good to see BMW have got their MOJO back again. It’s been a while...too long in fact.
It sure is the sweet spot.
Usa the 340 and 330 are $13000usd price difference
Hi Tom, do you reckon you or Jake would be able to review the new Lexus UX and ES? Thanks.
please, don't. So boring to look and drive.
Tom. How does it compare with mid size non luxury brands as bought by average working people? Have they closed at all? And if you were buying with your own hard earned, and say, at a mid worker's income, & paying off a house & educating kids & family, would you stretch to this (sans perks) or go for a mid size non lux badge non Euro rand from say Japan, Korea, UK, US, - you know what i mean? Thanks for an interesting review of a classic of BMW, the 3 Class..
This is a great question and thank you for asking. The difference remains in polish and refinement, but I’d be lying if I said that the 3 was worlds apart from, say, the new Mazda 6 Atenza. Several mainstream brands have done a phenomenal job over the last few years at making their products semi-premium. Though I do think that BMW’s investment in the new 3er is clear, I’d definitely recommend test driving the aforementioned Mazda and the Volkswagen Passat 206TSI at the very least before signing on the dotted line.
@@chasingcars .. Thank you Tom. In your reviews, I appreciate your grip of intellectual and philosophical rigor, not always displayed by your fellow auto journos (no names. :-)
M sport looks waaay better particularly in that blue
Fair opinion though I am glad they offer the choice - so both you and I are happy!
Picked up mine last week and you can imagine how much attention I get from my neighbours, they fell in love with colour.
Brands aside...which one is better...new Peugeot 508 of this 3 series?
That Mount Macedon?
Yep, some of the B-roll was shot in and around Mount Macedon.
Is it better than a c class??
To drive? Yes
Nice car, will wait awhile for the price to go down and trade in my e90 335i in a few years.
Sounds like a plan. E90 335i - nice car!
@@chasingcars it's an awesome car but she is a high maintenance lady. Haha
I’m sure! But the best things in life are often high maintenance!
@@chasingcars My girlfriend was high maintenance and it really came down to me being able to afford only one of them so here I am just cruisin on in my E90. Haha
Am i the only one who thinks the lights in the back of the 3 series look familiar
I've been a fan of BMW since the 1970s, but sadly the new models have lost that certain something that made them unique and wonderful. They look so overdone and, dare I say, Japanese.
Design language is sloppy
Another great review, thank you.
Looks like a lot of fun.
Which would you choose/recommend, 330i or Stinger for less money?
Thanks, Martin! 330i, no competition. A properly rounded car. Lighter and dartier and far better in the gearbox department than the Kia. Having two less cylinders honestly doesn’t hurt it against Stinger. That said, the Stinger is an excellent vehicle which should be test driven, for sure.
WHAT ABOUT ITS PRICE?
In Australia, $67900 for the 320d and $70900 for the 330i before on road costs.
you mean 258 bhp in the 330i .
I`m with you: I prefer the Luxury Line to the M-Sport. Looks less pretentious.
👍🏽
Over all, I think it looks all right, although I only like the dark tinted rear lights only with a lighter color, like silver. Not a big fan of the digital dials, wich you have to have when you order a navigation system (at least here in Germany). So, I'd go for a Audi or Merc in the end.
What's with all that understeer?
Too much squealing and you aren't driving the car hard.
Suspension must not be that good
Brand new set of Potenzas, hadn't been worn in yet. And I was driving pretty assertively - GoPro always makes everything look slower.
@@chasingcars how fast were you going?
It's got double wishbone now right? Should be better.
Lexus IS-esque taillights !!!
I can see it, yep.
Wow the new 3 is so boring to look at I side and out. The Virtual cockpit implementation is a mess
I think I agree just on the digital driver display / virtual cockpit - Audi's system has been out for years and the BMW's doesn't really come close
cannot wait to buy this 3 years from now for half the price.
Hahaha.
More like 6 years
The silver one looks great actually!
Agreed, though both blues are pretty handsome too. Sunset Orange will also be coming to Australia, which is cool.
5:45 too much chrome on the tailgate imo...
Keep in mind this is the Luxury Line variant. The M Sport has less chrome.
@@chasingcars Choice is a good thing.. I don't mind the chrome along the sides - my current e90 also has this - but on the rear I think they went a bit too far ;-).. on the other hand the chromeless sport front is too anonymous.. I like my nostrils 'chromey'
Back end = Alfa Giuila?
Tom, it's a BMW. I shouldn't have to lift the boot up :)
i like it too
Good to hear!
Worst rear seats, no spare wheel, rock hard suspension unsuitable for seating, what revolution is BMW wanting to make
Man, you read my mind, a Jag is a tiny bit better still at handling, but now they at least can be compared as close rivals
We're on the same page, Oleg!
The jag is an amazing car...but i am 172cm tall and i cannot fit properly in the back. Jag is jag though. Amazing cat...i mean car.
this size sedan is my favourite car shape. nice review. i used to find you annoying but not anymore
Happy to hear that Damian!
mate if that car was a person it would be margo roby cause that car is sexy
Lol.
My mother told me not to trust anyone who drives a BMW
Well, we all know they don’t indicate ;)
I think the rear is starting to look like a Lexus. Also Euro Cars are too unreliable and expensive on parts
I do see hints of Lexus in the rear light assembly Hayden
what I miss the e30 design .. that were real 3er .. BMW has lost its look .. the shark look has disappeared ..
The c pillar kink is looking very generic on this.
Do you think that’s because other brands have pinched the Hoffmeister kink from BMW?
My Tesla smokes that smelly fossil carriage.
If you run out of battery charge can AAA show up with a generator to get you going again?
Your Tesla is a transport appliance...this is a car. Different ideas man.
@@wakeupandsmellthecoffeetod9582 The BMW is a kerosene lamp from last century, while the Tesla is a real car from the 21st century.
@@tropx8995 With 300 miles I've always passed gassers who needed a tow.
I don’t like the rear of it, that final point of view of the parked silver model, it looks fat chinned, frowning, angry child’s face.
Making a car review and constantly filming himself...🤨
Filmed by our videographers making commentary to tell you about the car? That's how these videos work
Thinking the same thing.
Just another 3 series.... Yawn..
My dream car ❤️ please gift me this ❤️