The updated 2023 BMW 3 Series sedan and wagon range is set to go on sale locally from October with a number of changes inside and out, matched by price hikes of up to $10,100.
The entry-level 320i sedan now costs $5400 more than the 2022 model at $78,900 before on-road costs, which is exactly the same price as its closest rival, the Mercedes-Benz C200.
The volume-selling BMW 330i sedan and Touring are up by $10,100 over the 2022 model, whereas the 330e plug-in hybrid (PHEV) is up $7100.
The range-topping (M3 aside) BMW M340i xDrive model is a different matter: previously BMW offered the M340i xDrive Pure and the better-equipped M340i xDrive, whereas now it just offers the one variant.
At $104,900 before on-road costs, the latest M340i xDrive is $1300 more than the old Pure grade, and $8700 cheaper than the full MY22 M340i xDrive.
On the outside of the updated BMW 3 Series there’s a restyled front apron and new intakes, as well as different LED headlights and a tweaked kidney-shaped front grille. There are new exhaust pipes too.
Inside is a standard BMW Curved Display, comprising a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system in a single housing, running the latest BMW Operating System 8 software with a greater suit of voice commands.
BMW has also fitted a new-look gear selector, and all grades bar the base 320i get a seat upgrade.
MORE: BMW 3 Series prices increased by up to $10,000 with update
Pricing
- 2023 BMW 320i: $78,900
- 2023 BMW 330i: $93,400
- 2023 BMW 330i Touring: $94,400
- 2023 BMW 330e: $97,400
- 2023 M340i xDrive: $104,990
All prices are before on-road costs.
Drivetrains
The BMW 320i is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 135kW of power and 300Nm of torque.
The 330i also uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, albeit with 190kW and 400Nm.
The 330e uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to an electric motor for a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) system with a total system output of 215kW and 420Nm.
The M340i xDrive uses a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine producing 285kW and 500Nm. It’s all-wheel drive, unlike the rest of the range which are rear-wheel drive.
An eight-speed ZF torque-converter automatic transmission is standard across the range.
Efficiency
The BMW 320i uses 6.3L/100km on the combined cycle, while the 330i sedan and wagon use 6.4L/100km and 7.0L/100km, respectively.
The BMW 330e uses 2.1L/100km and offers a 57km range claim, while the M340i xDrive uses 7.7L/100km.
The whole BMW 3 Series range requires 95 RON unleaded fuel, apart from the M340i xDrive which requires 98 RON.
Dimensions
BMW hasn’t detailed exterior and interior dimensions for the updated 3 Series as of yet, but it’s naturally expected to be about the same as the pre-update model.
The pre-update BMW 320i, 330i sedan, and 330e measure 4709mm long, 1827mm wide and 1435mm tall.
The pre-update 330i wagon is slightly taller at 1440mm, whereas the M340i xDrive is longer at 4713mm long and taller at 1440mm. The range has a 2851mm wheelbase.
With the rear seats up, total luggage capacity in the pre-update 3 Series is 480L in all 3 Series sedan models except the 330e, which has a boot capacity of 375L.
With the seats up on the pre-update 330i wagon there’s a total luggage capacity of 500L, expanding to 1510L with the second row folded.
Servicing and Warranty
The 2023 BMW 3 Series range is covered by a three-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty with three years of roadside assist.
BMW offers a five-year/80,000km Service Inclusive Basic warranty package priced at $1800.
Safety
The pre-update BMW 3 Series was crash tested by ANCAP in 2019 and received a five-star safety rating. This rating doesn’t apply to the M340i xDrive, which remains unrated by ANCAP and Euro NCAP.
Standard safety features across the 3 Series range includes:
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection
- Lane-departure warning
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Driver attention monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Adaptive cruise control
- Driving Assistant
- Semi-autonomous parking assist
- Reversing camera
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Eight airbags
The 330i and above get Parking Assistant Plus which includes a park view, panorama view and Remote 3D view functions.
Driving Assistant Professional, which includes Front cross-traffic alert and lane centring assist, is reserved exclusively for the M340i xDrive.
Standard Equipment
The 2023 BMW 320i comes standard with the following features:
- 18-inch M alloy wheels
- M Sport package
- LED headlights
- High-Beam Assistant
- 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system (NEW)
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster (NEW)
- Head-up display
- DAB+ digital radio
- Satellite navigation
- HiFi loudspeaker system
- Connected Package Professional
- Wireless charging tray
- Keyless entry with push-button start
- BMW Digital Key (NEW)
- Sport seats
- Alcantara/Sensatec upholstery
- Electric seat adjustment
- Ambient interior lighting
- Galvanic embellishers
The 330i adds the following:
- 19-inch M alloy wheels
- Blue M Sport brakes
- Adaptive M suspension
- Electric tailgate (NEW)
- Leather upholstery
- M Sport seats (NEW)
- Front lumbar support (NEW)
- Sensatec instrument panel (NEW)
The 330e adds:
- Mode 2 charging cable
- Mode 3 charging cable
- Acoustic protection for pedestrians
The M340i xDrive adds:
- 19-inch alloy wheels with sport tyres
- Tyre repair kit
- Electric glass roof
- Adaptive LED headlights
- Harmon/Kardon premium surround sound system
- Heated front seats
Optional Equipment
The Visibility package ($4800 on non-M sedan models and $5400 on the 330i Touring) adds the following:
- Metallic paint
- Sunroof
- Panoramic sunroof (330i Touring only)
- Adaptive LED headlights
The Comfort package ($3100 on 330i and 330e models, and $4000 on 320i) adds:
- Electric tailgate (320i only)
- Driver lumbar support (320i only)
- Heated front seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Harman/Kardon surround sound system
The Executive package ($2400 for 320i, $1500 for 330i, $1000 for 330e, and $2000 for M340i xDrive) adds:
- Remote engine start (not available on 330e)
- Heated steering wheel (M340i xDrive only)
- Tyre pressure monitoring
- Acoustic glazing
- Drive Recorder
- Parking Assistant Plus (320i only)
The M Sport Pro package ($4000 for 320i; $2800 for 330i, 330e, and M340i xDrive; and $2400 for 330i Touring) adds:
- M Sport brakes, blue or red (320i only)
- M Lights Shadowline
- M seat belts
- Black M rear spoiler
- M high-gloss Shadowline with extended contents
The M Technology package ($800 for M340i xDrive) adds:
- Upgraded powertrain cooling system
- 18-inch brake rotors
The following are some standalone optional extras:
- M high-gloss Shadowline with extended contents: $500
- Carbon Fibre M interior trim finishers: $1200
There are also a range of upholstery, interior trim and alloy wheels that can be optioned too.
Colours
The 2023 BMW 3 Series range is available in the following exterior paint colours
- Alpine White
- Black Sapphire metallic
- Melbourne Red metallic
- Mineral White metallic
- M Portimao Blue metallic
- M Brooklyn Grey metallic (NEW)
- Skyscraper Grey metallic (NEW)
- Dravit Grey BMW Individual metallic
- Tanzanite Blue BMW Individual metallic
Metallic paint costs an additional $2000, while BMW Individual metallic paints cost an additional $3850 unless they’re bought in combination with the Visibility package, making them an additional $1850.
MORE: Everything BMW 3 Series
