The age of the mid-size diesel sedan is ending, but our recent encounter with the BMW 320d had us asking why this is the case!
The 3 Series is an icon within the global automotive market; however, the BMW brand is slowly moving away from its mid-size sedan and, indeed, away from diesel-powered products in general. Therefore, our recent stint behind the wheel of the updated 320d was bittersweet, revealing the benefits of not only the sedan as a vehicle type but also the diesel engine as an efficient means of propulsion.
Styling
The updated 3 Series Sedan features high-gloss air intakes, reshaped LED headlights, and a new mesh-design kidney grille. At the rear, the is a new apron as well as redesigned LED taillamps and brake lights! Our press unit was also finished in one of the new exterior colours; this one is called M Brooklyn Grey metallic. Overall, the changes are minimal, but they didn’t need to change too much as the 3 Series is a beautiful car with balanced proportions and is, to this writer’s eyes, a fantastic interpretation of a modern luxury sedan.
Interior and space
The interior now features a curved display, combining a 12.3-inch digitised cluster and a 14.9-inch central screen into a single, high-resolution digital unit. There is also an updated gear lever, iDrive controller and drive mode control buttons. Models now include touch and voice-controlled three-zone automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, an extended storage package, Park Distance Control (PDC) with front and rear sensors, and the BMW Live Cockpit Plus with BMW Maps navigation system.
The general fit and finish inside the 320d is excellent, with all tangible surfaces feeling of a high quality and being well put together. Thankfully, the brand moved its emphasis away from gesture control, and now voice and touch controls take preference. The larger screens mean fewer buttons, but with the latest iDrive software, the media and vehicle settings are a pleasure to use, ranking this as one of the best systems in the business from a user experience and resolution perspective.
When looking at practicality, the 320d offers an impressive 480-litres of boot space, reasonable rear occupant space and a braked towing capacity of 1 600kg, making it among the most practical products in its segment.
Performance and driving impression
The 320d is powered by a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine that produces 140kW and 400Nm of torque, which is sent to the rear wheels via an 8-speed automatic gearbox. The car weighs in at 1 595kg and will get from 0-100km/h in a claimed 7.0 seconds and go on to a top speed of 235 km/h. Since this is the last hurrah for the diesel-powered 3 Series, it’s good to see the humble four-cylinder offering such impressive performance figures, especially when we look at the claimed fuel consumption, but more about that later.
The 3 Series has always been a benchmark for driver engagement within its segment, with the anomaly being the F-generation, which was quickly remedied by the current G-generation, which is fantastic to drive! While you’re aware that this is a diesel-powered economy machine, the punchy power delivery and impressively smooth ZF-sourced gearbox combined with a beautifully balanced chassis and a well-calibrated electronic power steering system, make this a joy to drive. The various driving modes mean that there’s a setting for any driving scenario; however, after some fettling, we found the default setting to be the best of the bunch, offering efficiency, comfort and brisk performance.
Safety
The 3-Series range was crash-tested in 2019 by Euro NCAP. It achieved a 5-Star rating with 97% for adult occupant safety, 87% for child occupant safety, 87% for pedestrian safety and 76% for its safety assistance systems.
Fuel consumption
BMW claims that the 320d will consume diesel at a rate of 5.0 L/100km; however, we achieved a figure of 6.0 L/100km with very little effort and on driving cycle primarily
Pricing
A 320d, without any additional specification, is priced at R 985 768; however, this price can inflate dramatically if you tick too many options; however, it remains cheaper than the Lexus IS, which is admittedly better specified, and the locally-produced Merdeced-Benz C220d. The 3-Series has a 5-year/100 000km maintenance plan, the same as key rivals.
Verdict
It was sad to hand the keys to this 320d back to the press fleet manager as it symbolises the end of an era, where hybrid and electric SUVs are replacing the diesel sedan. Our week with the product leads us to believe that we will come to miss these oil burners as they fade into legislation-induced obscurity. For those interested, this is now the time to grab one of the last of the breed, a product sure to provide many years of efficient service.
Keyword: BMW 320d M Sport (2023) Review