It’s still fresh on the market, but a lot has already been said about the new BMW 3 Series – all of it positive, as far as I can tell. And quite rightly so.
Story by James Siddall
I went on the launch of the car with BMW SA in Gauteng recently, where it excelled in both urban and open road use, while on Zwartkops Raceway it performed, like, well a BMW, which is to say outstandingly.
Right now the three-model range includes the 320d, the 328i and the 335i. The 320d uses a low-emissions, BMW TwinPower Turbo, four-cylinder motor making 135kW and 380Nm of torque. The lusty 335i packs a twin-turbo, in-line six, 3.0-litre motor that not only sounds glorious, but makes 225kW and 400Nm.
The biggest surprise is the new 328i. Despite its badging, it actually uses a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, BMW TwinPower motor. And while it doesn’t sound as sonorous as a six-cylinder, it makes 180kW – and 350Nm from just 1 250rpm. Average fuel consumption is pegged at a parsimonious 6.4 litres per 100km.
Prices range from R390 500 to R557 200, with three trim levels available, and an even more affordable 320i in the pipeline, while the automatic versions come with a cutting-edge, eight-speed gearbox.
Forsdicks Pinetown held a well-attended customer day recently to introduce the car. Customers seemed to concur that the new 3 represents a vast leap over the previous car – which itself was a brilliant piece of work – and comments were positive. As one customer remarked, “This really is Bavarian engineering as its finest and just when I thought the 3 Series couldn’t be improved on!”
But of all that’s been said about the 3 Series, I think Nicole Blignaut, Customer Relationship Manager at Forsdicks Pinetown, put it best. “The launch of the new BMW 3 Series signifies the 6th generation of one of the world’s top iconic sports sedans and, after test driving this vehicle at Gerotek, I am very excited about its entrance into our market. The ride is much more comfortable, with upgraded suspension and new run-flat tyres. I-drive, Stop/Start function, Bluetooth and USB are all standard features. The new 3 Series is definitely setting the benchmark among its competitors and we look forward to delivering our first vehicles.” *
Visit Forsdicks Pinetown at 141 Old Main Road, call 031 702 0271 or visit www.forsdickspinetown.co.za
