Is the 2019 BMW 3 Series top of the class?

Every new BMW carries a huge weight of expectation but few cars are weighed down quite so heavily as a new BMW 3 Series. When BMW update their best seller they always come up trumps. However, we still need to find out how good this version is against its main rivals such as the Mercedes Benz E Class and the Audi A4 and whether it will come straight in at the top of the class. Well, it’s in this article that we aim to find out.

The latest incarnation of the 3 Series is lighter and bigger than the one before. It gets a new suspension setup and is packed with new technology inside. The 3 Series is BMW’s longest running model so it would have been risky to stray too far from their winning formula. This means the long running theme of a well packaged sporty rear wheel drive saloon remains front and centre of its ethos.

The first thing that we need to know is how well the 3 Series drives. Simply put the answer is, very well indeed. Until now the Jaguar XE was the far purer choice for keen drivers in this class but the new 3 Series is every bit as good if not even better. The steering is truly exceptional and is arguably the best that BMW has delivered since electric power steering became the norm in their cars. The steering is quick and can take some time getting used to but once you dial into it you’ll begin to appreciate that this is a beautifully sensitive steering setup. Body control is excellent too whereas in a C Class it tends to lean more in the bends and generally take a bit more time to settle in quick changes of direction. However, in the 3 Series it actually has incredible agility so it corners flatter and happily zips from left to right very easily.

It’s not all about handling though in this class of car as there are other things to consider such as the engines. The 320d is expected to count for the vast majority of sales in the UK while the 320d gets a 2.0 litre 4-cylinder diesel engine that produces 187 break horse power (bhp) and is just the ticket if you want the best balance between performance and economy. If you want a diesel engine but with a bit more power then it’s worth bearing in mind that there’s a 6-cylinder 330d to come later down the line. If you’re after petrol power then you’ll need to look at the 254 bhp 2.0 litre engine of the 330i and if performance is more of a concern than economy then it’s certainly worth considering. There’s also a range topping M340i with a mighty 369 bhp 3.0 litre straight-six. This unit is seriously rapid and almost as fast as the previous generation M3 and makes a great sound too. You get a six speed manual or an eight speed automatic gearbox but we think that the auto is going to be the bigger seller simply because it’s incredibly responsive and razor sharp with its shifts.

As for the ride it’s a bit of a mixed bag with the 3 Series. If you prefer a cars that are both soft and wafty then then 3 Series probably isn’t the car for you. However, if you prefer a car that’s firmer and gives you more control then there’s a lot to like about the ride in the 3 Series. The best riding versions we tried have been those on the standard suspension with 18-inch wheels and sits just on the right side of comfort. It’s worth bearing in mind that a Mercedes Benz C Class has a much more forgiving and relaxing ride while an Audi A4 on optional adaptive suspension is even better still. M3 models get stiffer passive suspension as standard though while it’s better controlled the impact over sharp imperfections are even more pronounced. There is the option to delete M Sport suspension and even add pricey adaptive dampers if you’d prefer.

In terms of refinement the 3 Series has a very quiet interior. The 320d is a hushed engine that doesn’t sound gruff and any wind noise is well contained. The road noise is slightly more noticeable than you’d get in an Audi A4 and the suspension noise is more pronounced in the 3 Series.

The interior within the 3 Series is very hard to fool so everything from the driving position and visibility to the infotainment system is amongst the very best of what you’d find in the class. It looks great in here too as the materials have a real good quality look to them all over the dash. The only thing we can fault is the fact that the Audi A4 just feels slightly more premium. However, we’d have to say that quality throughout the 3 Series is absolutely excellent. The driving position is very good and there’s plenty of adjustment in both the seat and steering wheel too. However, the pedals are offset quite a bit to the right which is a little annoying but is equally as noticeable in an A4 or C Class. As for visibility there’s absolutely no problem out of the front. However, saloons typically aren’t very good to see out the back off and the 3 Series is no exception to this. The good thing with the 3 Series is that you get both front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera and parking assistance, which will actually find you a parking space and steers you into it, all as standard. You get an 8.8 inch touchscreen infotainment system and if you opt for the M Sport model then you get an even bigger 10.3 inch screen. Regardless of the size of screen the infotainment system itself is absolutely packed with features. With regards to space you get slightly more legroom than you get in both the C Class and A4 while the headroom is very generous and you get a nice wide interior as well. When you step in the rear you’ll find it very impressive especially when compared to its rivals. The headroom is very similar to what you get in an A4 but the legroom is a little more generous. When you compare it to a C Class overall then there’s a lot more space in the back of the 3 Series. Although the rear is better than both the A4 and Class it’s worth bearing in mind that there are cheaper rivals out there like the Skoda Superb and Volkswagen Passat that do offer much more space. So, if space it your absolute priority then these other cars might be worth considering. Moving over to the boot and in terms of size it’s very similar in what you get in and Audi A4 but it’s slightly bigger than the Mercedes C Class. The boot in this car has a more squared off and practical shape than the Mercedes while the 40/20/40 split folding rear seats come as standard. When folded down you’ll find that the floor is pretty flat all the way through and there aren’t any awkward lumps or bumps so you can easily slide your luggage in.

For company car drivers the 3 Series 320d has impressively low Co2 emissions so it’s actually in a lower benefiting kind tax bracket than all of its key rivals. It should also return impressive fuel economy. As for the trims, the SE gets tri-zone climate control, cruise control and heated seats. It’s an impressive kit list for an entry-level trim though our favourite is the Sport trim which gets you a slightly racier look and leather interior. We think most car buyers will opt for the M Sport models. However, the M Sport trim is a trim that’s difficult to recommend objectively because you get slightly sportier looks but not much else for a fair bit more money.

The new BMW 3 Series is outstanding to drive, has a brilliant interior with a superb infotainment system and if you pick a 320d then it should prove relatively cheap to run too. It really is a car that comes straight into the top of the class and moves the standard onto even greater heights. If you want to take a look at some of our used BMW 3 Series cars for sale then feel free to head to the DesperateSeller.co.uk website now.