Pros: The 3 Series lineup of cars from BMW offers luxury, performance and sophistication in a tried-and-true package that’s attainable.
Cons: While there are plenty of choices in the 3 Series family tree, we’re limited in North America in terms of what combinations of engine and transmission we can have.
2015 BMW 3 Series Price and Fuel Economy: As mentioned above, there are plenty of choices here in North America, twelve actually. RWD, AWD, hybrid three body styles (including a body style referred to as the Gran Turismo), gas or diesel; there are many way to get yourself in a 3 Series:
Sedan:
- 2015 BMW 320i $35,990
- 2015 BMW 320i xDrive $39,990
- 2015 BMW 328i $42,300
- 2015 BMW 328i xDrive $46,500
- 2015 BMW 335i $51,400
- 2015 BMW 335i xDrive $54,000
- 2015 BMW ActiveHybrid3 $58,300
- 2015 BMW 328d xDrive $48,000
Gran Turismo:
- 2015 BMW 328i xDrive GT $48,990
- 2015 BMW 335i xDrive GT $56,990
Wagon:
- 2015 BMW 328i xDrive Touring $47,850
- 2015 BMW 328d xDrive Touring $49,350
With a multitude of engine and drivetrain combinations, fuel economy ranges between 5.5L/100km and 10L/100km.
Powertrain: Across the three body styles, there are four engines available (one of which delivers two different outputs). The 320i and 328i feature a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder. In the 320i performance numbers are 181 horsepower and 200 lb-ft of torque. In the 328i, those numbers change to 241 horsepower and 255 lb-ft of torque, all from the same engine.
Move to the 335i and you’ll find a 3.0L inline 6-cylinder TwinScroll turbocharged mill that produces an even (and juicy) 300 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque.
The diesel 328d is equipped with a 2.0L inline 4-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that produces 181 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque.
Then there is the ActiveHybrid3 that features the 3.0L inline 6-cylinder coupled with an electric motor that adds an extra 35 horsepower to the mix bringing final performance numbers up to 335 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque.
Transmission choices reside in a 6-speed manual transmission (not available on all models) and an 8-speed automatic with sport shift capability. And power is sent to the rear wheels unless an xDrive is selected, which means you get BMW’s all-wheel drive.
Changes and Improvements: No major changes or improvements have been made to the BMW 3 Series lineup.
Cargo Capacity: Seating across the board is for 5. Obviously, the Gran Turismo body style offers up the most cargo space at 521 litres, with the Touring version close behind it at 480 litres. Move to the sedan and you’re looking at 368 litres, and the ActiveHybrid3 offers up only 283 litres of trunk space.
Safety: The 2015 BMW 3 Series lineup is equipped with all manner of safety equipment and airbags, as well as BMW Head-Up display, available lane departure and lane change warning systems, along with adaptive headlights.
Comparing the 2015 BMW 3 Series: Audi A4, Volvo S60, Cadillac ATS, Acura TLX, Infiniti Q50