BMW

BMW 3 SERIES TOURING 320i M Sport 5dr Step Auto [Pro Pack]

Fuel

FuelPetrol

Transmission

TransmissionAutomatic

Acceleration

0 - 62 mph7.5s

WLTP - CO2 (g/km)

WLTP - CO2152 g/km

The improved version of the seventh generation BMW's 3 Series Touring holds no great surprises to those who understand the narrative of this model. It's not the most accomplished load lugger in its class but it's the best drive and offers the most efficiency. That'll be enough to clinch the deal for most who just hanker after a 3 Series with a bit more versatility. In this enhanced form, it's smarter and gets a much more sophisticated cabin. Plus the diesels now feature 48V mild hybrid tech and there's a big step forward in media connectivity. All the things you'd expect from a facelift really.

TOUR OPERATOR

The seventh generation version of BMW's 3 Series Touring gets some useful updates. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Review

The improved version of the seventh generation BMW's 3 Series Touring holds no great surprises to those who understand the narrative of this model. It's not the most accomplished load lugger in its class but it's the best drive and offers the most efficiency. That'll be enough to clinch the deal for most who just hanker after a 3 Series with a bit more versatility. In this enhanced form, it's smarter and gets a much more sophisticated cabin. Plus the diesels now feature 48V mild hybrid tech and there's a big step forward in media connectivity. All the things you'd expect from a facelift really.

Background

Conventional wisdom dictates that estate cars are designed for people who can't fit all the paraphernalia of modern life inside a conventional saloon or hatchback model. You'd certainly imagine that an estate would require a lot more space than the saloon on which it is based in order to justify its own existence but, particularly in the compact executive sector where BMW's 3 Series Touring competes, it isn't always that straightforward. It might be a surprise for some people to learn that many mid-sized executive estate cars are only fractionally roomier than their saloon equivalents - and some even have less space out back. Estate buyers in this sector are typically also asked to pay around £2,000 more for the privilege over the cost of the alternative saloon. That's extra money for extra space. How much extra space in this case? With the rear seats in place, just 20-litres over the saloon. You don't, in other words, buy this car for its luggage cramming talents. You buy it because you want the capability in hand and also because it's a little more 'lifestyle' and a little less 'field sales' than the standard 3 Series saloon.

Driving Experience

The well-versed themes of the 3 Series are present and correct in this improved version of the sixth generation Touring model. BMW has refined its engine selection as part of this facelift: the previous entry-level 318i (petrol) and 318d (diesel) units are no longer listed. So the range begins with the 184hp 320i petrol model or the 190hp 320d diesel, the latter gaining 48V mild hybrid tech. Eight-speed Steptronic auto transmission is now standard on all versions as before but is now upgraded to 'Sport' status which means that there's a gearshiftpaddle-activated 'Sprint' function for quick overtraking. If you can spend more with a mainstream powerplant, then the four cylinder 330e Plug-in variant with 292hp offers a tempting combination of speed and frugality. Across the line-up, rear wheel drive is still this 3 Series model's calling card of course; for mainstream models, xDrive 4WD is only now available (optionally) on the 330e. You have to have it on top M340i (374hp 48V petrol) and M340d (340hp 48V diesel) variants. The road-burning M3 Competition Touring tops the range, with its 510hp 3.0-litre twin turbo six cylinder engine and xDrive system. Otherwise, much is familiar here. All 3 Series Touring models get the front engine, rear wheel drive formula with near perfect 50:50 weight distribution that has defined the 3 Series to date: this seventh generation model doesn't deviate too far from that script. Still notable are the standard 'lift-related' dampers. These clever shock absorbers incorporate structures that provide extra damping at the extremes of wheel travel, allowing quite a firm sporting set-up to be adopted, but also one able to deliver a fluent ride over tarmac imperfections. Thanks to that, this car's able to combine a set-up for Silverstone with something that works equally well on the North Circular.

Design and Build

It won't surprise you to learn that from the front bumper to the B-pillar, the 3 Series Touring is identical to the saloon model. Compared to the old pre-2018 'F30'-series Touring model, this seventh generation 'G20'-series version grew by 76mm to 4,709mm in length, by 16mm to 1,827mm in width and by 11mm to 1,440mm in height. So it's usefully more spacious - and with the facelift updates, the revised model is slightly better looking too. If you know this MK7 model, you'll notice the updated front end, which offers slimmer LED headlights, a resculpted grille and gloss black brake cooling vents. M Sport variants get a distinctive hexagonal lower air intake too. There are reshaped bumpers at the rear and colour-coded trim elements, plus M Sport models feature a chunky diffuser. The major changes though, have taken place inside, where this improved 3 Series Touring gets the new-look curved instrument panel that we first saw on the iX luxury EV. this incorporates a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 14.9-inch infotainment screen with the brand's latest eighth generation iDrive interface. This all allows for a big step forward in media functionality, with things like real-time mapping, a parking space locator and wireless smartphone-mirroring. Other cabin updates include slimmer air vents, a redesigned gear shifter, standardised gear shift paddles and new touch-sensitive buttons for the centre console. Otherwise, things are much as before. As a Touring customer, you'll want to know about the boot, accessed via a standard powered tailgate. It's 500-litres inside (20-litres bigger than the boot of a 3 Series saloon model). The capacity falls a bit (to 410-litres) with the 330e PHEV Touring variant, due to the battery placement beneath the floor. Fold the seats flat and there's a maximum capacity of 1,500-litres (1,420-litres with the 330e).

Market and Model

The 3 Series Touring range mainly occupies the £42,000 to £60,000 bracket and comes in two trim levels: 'Sport' and 'M Sport'. All models now include the 'BMW Live Cockpit Plus' screen set-up, which includes cloud-based BMW Maps, over-the-air updates and an improved version of the brand's 'Intelligent Personal Assistant' voice control system. The company's 'Parking assistant' is now standard, steering you automatically into spaces. And yoiu can upgrade it with Park View, Panorama View and 3D View functions. M Sport customers are being offered a choice of exterior upgrades, including a carbonfibre rear diffuser, a large rear spoiler for the saloon and individual wheel designs of up to 20-inches in size. As for safety, well as before, an optional across the range is the brand's 'Driving Assistant Professional' pack, which includes Active Cruise Control with a Stop&Go function. There's also a 'Steering and Lane Control Assistant', which helps the driver maintain their position on motorways where the lane narrows. The 'Active Navigation' function detects when a lane change for a motorway exit is required and prepares to steer the car into that lane. The system also comprises a 'Lane Keeping Assistant' with active side collision protection and an 'Evasion Assistant'.

Cost of Ownership

Although the upfront price might be a bit of a hurdle for some, the 3 Series Touring looks as if it will prove a fairly cost-effective car to own. They're no longer the cast iron financial prospect they used to be - the laws of supply and demand have seen to that - but if residuals have softened a bit, then the improved efficiency of the latest cars make up for it. The addition of mild hybrid 48V tech for the diesels has usefully improved efficiency. the 320d diesel many will want now manages up to 58.9mpg on the combined cycle and up to 127g/km of CO2, readings which are difficult to better in this class. The M340d, which also gets the 48V technology, manages up to 48.7mpg and up to 153g/km. Otherwise, things are much as before. The 320i petrol variant manages up to 44.1mpg and up to 145g/km of CO2. For the 330i petrol model, the combined cycle figure is up to 43.5mpg and the CO2 reading is up to 148g/km. If you want to do better, you can ask about the 330e petrol/electric Plug-in hybrid which can deliver up to 217mpg on the combined cycle and a CO2 return of as little as 30g/km.. What else? Well the Steptronic automatic transmission features a coasting mode so that when the driver lifts off the throttle at higher speeds, for example on a gentle downhill grade on the motorway, the engine is automatically decoupled from the powertrain. It then simply ticks over in neutral, which saves fuel and ensures there is no unwanted engine braking at high speed. An additional fuel-saving feature, which also improves driving comfort, is the Proactive Driving Assistant, which uses information from the navigation system to "anticipate" upcoming roundabouts, corners and junctions and select exactly the right time to change gear.

Summary

This 3 Series station wagon has long been one of the quiet achievers in BMW's model range. There's a reason for that. Look behind the low-key styling and you find a car that does so much so well. This improved model has become quite expensive, but thanks to the updated hi-tech cabin, at least you now feel you're getting a very complete benchmark-standard product for that not-inconsiderable outlay. You might rarely use the added dynamic dimension it has over its rivals, but it'll always be good to know you have it. True, this car still isn't vastly practical, but the changes BMW made to the cargo area when this 'G20'-series model was first launched have had more of a real word impact than the stats suggest. And pragmatic estate buyers will appreciate the fact that this car is the most efficient choice you can make in the premium part of the mid-sized estate sector. A lot to like them, which is just as well given the premium prices being asked. Still, if you're shopping in this sector, we think you'll find this contender even more difficult to ignore.

  • Rear wiper
  • Heated washer jets
  • Sun protection glass
  • Acoustic glazing
  • Rain sensor with automatic headlight activation
  • Electric windows - front and rear, with open/close fingertip control, anti-trap facility and comfort closing

  • Electromechanical parking brake including automatic hold function and automatic release of the parking brake when pulling away
  • Dynamic stability control + (DSC+) - Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with brake assist and cornering brake control + Automatic Stability Control (ASC)
  • Electronic differential lock control (EDLC)
  • Dynamic brake control
  • Dynamic Traction Control - DTC
  • Ventilated front and rear disc brakes

  • Front and rear velour floor mats

  • Adaptive M suspension
  • Double joint spring strut front axle

  • Preparation for driver assistance
  • Cruise control with brake function + speed limiter
  • Attentiveness assist
  • Variable sport steering
  • Active guard plus

  • Automatic Start/stop button
  • Driving experience switch

  • Shifting point display
  • BMW iDrive
  • Live cockpit plus with Navigation + 12.3" instrument display + 14.9" display, Intelligent voice assist, 2 USB, 4G LTE connect
  • Oil sensor for level and grade
  • ConnectedDrive Services
  • Condition based service
  • BMW Teleservices
  • Smartphone integration

  • Interior rear view electrochromatic mirror with automatic anti dazzle function

  • Fuel tank breather system

  • DAB tuner

  • Model designation on right side of tailgate
  • Door sill strips
  • Front and rear bumper system with replaceable deformation elements
  • BMW M Individual high gloss shadow line with extended contents
  • Visible exhaust tailpipe finisher
  • Matt black window recess cover
  • Matt black B-pillar finsher
  • BMW emblem, engine compartment lid and tailgate
  • Fuel filler flap - right rear in body colour
  • Rear side wing doors
  • Illuminated bow type door handles in body colour drivers side with door lock
  • Side frame decorative moulding black matt
  • Front apron plastic in body colour
  • One piece front bumper cover including towing eye cover in body colour
  • Licence plate panel integrated into front bumper and tailgate
  • BMW individual lights shadow line
  • Body colour roof fin

  • 3rd brake light
  • LED turn indicator
  • Automatic headlight beam throw control with load dependent regulating reaction, dynamic compensation of braking dive and acceleration squat
  • Follow me home headlight function
  • Welcome lights in interior and door handle area
  • LED daytime running lights
  • LED rear lights
  • Reversing lights

  • 3 zone automatic air conditioning

  • Lashing eyelets in luggage compartment
  • 12V power socket in front storage compartment
  • Armrest integrated in front and rear door trim + front centre console armrest
  • Height adjustable mechanically and infinitely variable steering column
  • 2 front cupholder in centre console with clamping elements and matt black inlay
  • Anthracite headlining
  • Toolkit located in luggage compartment
  • M Sport multifunction leather steering wheel
  • Folding rear centre armrest with 2 cupholders
  • BMW ID
  • Illuminated glove compartment

  • LED ambient lighting with welcome carpet light
  • Make-up mirror lights
  • Front and rear footwell lighting
  • Front and rear reading lights
  • Illuminated luggage compartment
  • Illuminated armrest storage compartment
  • Front and rear door exit lighting (left / right)

  • Parking assistant pack - 3 Series
  • Connected pack professional - 3 Series Saloon/Touring
  • M sport exterior styling pack - 3 Series Saloon/Touring
  • Interior and exterior mirror pack - 3 Series Touring/Saloon
  • M Aerodynamics package - 3 Series Saloon/Touring
  • Visibility pack with High beam assistant - 3 Series Saloon/Touring
  • Storage compartment pack - 3 Series Saloon/Touring

  • Head airbags in 1st and 2nd row, head protection at side, curtain airbags open from headliner above 1st and 2nd row
  • Driver and passenger side airbags, body protection at side and airbags deploy from seat backrests
  • Driver and front passenger with seat occupancy detection for driver's and passenger side
  • Tyre pressure monitoring with three level warning strategy
  • Plastic fuel tank
  • Crash sensor activating of airbags,Unlocking doors,hazard warning lights,fuel cut off,interior lighting+activation of safety battery terminal clamp
  • 3x3 point rear seatbelts
  • Child locks on rear doors
  • Warning triangle and first aid kit
  • Side impact protection
  • M sport seatbelt
  • BMW emergency call

  • 40:20:40 split folding rear seat with loading system
  • 3 seat bench in 2nd row
  • Heated front seats
  • Front and rear headrests
  • Front sports seats
  • Standard seat for driver and passenger with manual adjustment
  • Single front passenger seat
  • Driver backrest width adjustment

  • Closing system with central locking
  • Electronic vehicle immobiliser
  • Centre lock switch
  • Alarm system

  • Sport automatic transmission with steering-wheel mounted gearshift paddles and launch control

  • Sunvisors with vanity mirrors and ticket pocket

  • Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6
  • HC+NOx: N
  • Particles: N
  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 161
  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 152

  • Engine Code: B48B20M1
  • Cylinders: 4
  • Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE
  • Number of Valves: 16
  • Camshaft: DOHC
  • Fuel Delivery: TURBO INJECTION
  • Catalytic Convertor: True
  • Engine Layout: NORTH SOUTH
  • Compression Ratio: 11.0:1
  • Transmission: SEMI-AUTO
  • Gears: 8 SPEED
  • Cylinders - Bore (mm): 82
  • Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 94.6
  • CC: 1998

  • EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: False
  • WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 42.2
  • WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 39.8
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 6.7
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 7.1

  • Generation Mark: 7
  • Timing Belt Interval Mileage: N
  • Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months: N
  • Badge Power: 184
  • Badge Engine CC: 2.0
  • Vehicle Homologation Class: M1
  • Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: False
  • Special Edition: False
  • Special Order: False
  • Based On ID: N
  • Coin Series: M Sport [Pro Pack]
  • Coin Description: i

  • Engine Power - BHP: 184
  • Engine Power - PS: True
  • 0 to 60 mph (secs): False
  • 0 to 62 mph (secs): 7.5
  • Top Speed: 143
  • Engine Power - KW: 135
  • Engine Power - RPM: 5000
  • Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 221
  • Engine Torque - NM: 300
  • Engine Torque - RPM: 1350
  • Engine Torque - MKG: 30.6

  • Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP
  • RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

  • Alloys?: True
  • Space Saver?: False
  • Wheel Style: DOUBLE SPOKE STYLE 791M
  • Tyre Size Rear: 255/35 R19
  • Tyre Size Spare: RUN FLAT TYRES
  • Wheel Type: 19" ALLOY
  • Tyre Size Front: 225/40 R19

  • Width (including mirrors): 2068
  • Height: 1440
  • Height (including roof rails): N
  • Length: 4713
  • Width: 1827
  • Wheelbase: 2851

  • Minimum Kerbweight: 1585
  • Gross Vehicle Weight: 2180
  • Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 59
  • Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 500
  • No. of Seats: 5
  • Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 1600
  • Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750
  • Max. Loading Weight: 595
  • Max. Roof Load: 75
  • Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1510
  • Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 11.4

  • M Sport brakes with blue calipers: £0
  • M Sport brake in red calipers: Included

  • Aluminium mesheffect interior trim: £0
  • Sensatec instrument panel: £500
  • Individual piano black interior trim: £500
  • Aluminium rhombicle anthracite interior trim: Included

  • Stereo speaker system with 6 loudspeakers: Included
  • Harman/Kardon surround sound system: £820
  • Wireless charging tray: £180

  • Aluminium exterior trim: £0
  • BMW special paintwork: £1,100
  • High gloss shadow line roof rails: Included
  • Metallic paint: £695
  • Aluminium roof rails: £0
  • Solid paint: Included
  • Panoramic glass sunroof: £1,190
  • High gloss shadow line exterior trim: Included

  • Heating steering wheel: £270
  • Sensatec alcantara upholstery: Included
  • Vernasca leather upholstery: £1,300

  • Comfort pack with Heated steering wheel - 3 Series Touring: £980
  • Comfort plus pack with Heated steering wheel - 3 Series Touring: £2,030

  • Metallic - Black sapphire: £695
  • Metallic - Skyscraper grey: £695
  • Metallic - Brooklyn grey: £695
  • Metallic - Portimao blue: £695
  • Metallic - Mineral white: £695
  • Metallic - Melbourne red: £695

  • Solid - Alpine white: £0

  • BMW special paint - Dravit grey: £1,100
  • BMW special paint - Tanzanite blue: £1,100

  • Driver seat lumbar adjustment: £195

  • Fully electric towbar: £1,000

  • Vernasca leather - Black with grey stitching: £1,300
  • Vernasca leather - Mocha with night blue stitching: £1,300
  • Vernasca leather - Cognac with mokka stitching: £1,300
  • Vernasca leather - Tacora red with black stitching: £1,300
  • Vernasca leather - Black with blue contrast stitching: £1,300
  • Sensatec alcantara - Black with blue stitching: £0
  • Vernasca leather - Oyster with black stitching: £1,300

  • 19" M double spoke bicolour jet black light alloy wheels - Style 791M with mixed tyres and run flat tyres: Included
  • 19" M double spoke jet black light alloy wheels - Style 791M with mixed tyres and run flat tyres: £300

Whilst every effort is made to verify and ensure the accuracy of the data, the information should only be used as a guide and no purchasing decision should be made without verification of the data from either the manufacturer or franchised dealer. Our offers may be on a different model year to that represented by this data and so specification may differ accordingly.

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