The current G20 generation BMW 3 Series has been around since 2019 and it will soon be stepping down to allow the Neue Klasse G50 3 Series to take over the reins. Along with several other new models, it will usher in a new age for BMW, just like the original 'Neue' Klasse models did in the 1960s.With any sweeping change, there will be those who will hark back to the 'good old days', which happen to be taking place right now. But before we get all meta about time and what it means, there may well be good reason to get behind the wheel of the current 3 Series before it becomes yet another old Beemer.The G50 3 SeriesBMWBMW has yet to open the G50 3 Series configurator for US buyers, but it is already available in Germany, and this has allowed us to get some insight into what these new models offer. Highlights include a 437-hp M350 inline-six variant, 48-volt mild-hybrid power on all gas models, and no diesel option at all, not that we were ever likely to get that powerplant here.The all-electric version of the 3 Series will be called the i3, forcing current owners of the quirky original i3 city car to explain the difference to their friends. There will also be a plug-in hybrid at some point in the future.Tech, efficiency and safety should all be a step up over the current models, but let us explain why it is still a good idea to buy the current generation cars, the 330i models in particular.Performance: G20 vs G50BMWUS variants will skip the base 318 and 320 offerings and start with the 330 and 330 xDrive models, just as they do with the current generation. And this is where the decision between old and new gets interesting.Both the G20 and G50 330i are fitted with the same 255-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo engine. Torque outputs are identical at 295 lb-ft, and yes, even the older model still has 48-volt mild hybrid tech. With the new car's curb weight increasing by around 200 lbs, it is unlikely to match the old model's acceleration times.The G20 330i has a claimed 5.6-second 0-60 mph time, dropping to 5.4-seconds when specified with xDrive all-wheel drive (AWD). The G50 is going to be a few tenths slower, with both the RWD and xDrive models quoted at 5.9-seconds, and fuel economy figures may also be slightly worse in real-world driving.This may not apply to all new G50 models, as the range-topping M350 xDrive is more powerful and quicker than the M340i xDrive it will be replacing.Pricing: G20 vs G50BMWThe G20 330i sedan has a starting MSRP of $48,000 before taxes. The M Sport pack which adds 19-inch wheels, sport suspension and a more aggressive body kit adds $2,550 to that total. The Premium Package is a good deal, as it adds a Head-up Display, Park Distance Control, Driving Assistant and a few other useful features for just $1,950. Let's throw in xDrive for $2,000, and the grand total is $55,850 before taxes and destination charges.The G50 BMW 330i is expected to start at around $49,900 before taxes ($51,900 for the xDrive model), and while it will come with some tech you won't find in the older car, the optional extras are likely to cost more, too. The best kit will also be drip-fed over time to buyers to keep them interested, while the G20 is a fully developed model available with all the options this range has to offer.So, while the price difference between the two looks to be no more than a few thousand dollars on paper, there are likely to be some lucrative lease deals and dealers eager to get rid of existing stock before the new models arrive in early 2027.That said, the G50 M350 xDrive should retail for $65,900 before taxes, which is a $1,600 price hike over the outgoing M340i xDrive, but in this case you are getting more for your money. And not just the reworked interior and exterior, but also 437-hp versus 386-hp, and a 0-60 mph time of 3.9 seconds compared to 4.1.Reliability: G20 vs G50BMWHaving assessed countless reliability and quality surveys over the years, it becomes quite clear that long-running models on well-developed platforms are the ones that perform best in terms of durability.The G20 3 Series has undergone several updates and refinements over the years, and is one of the most reliable compact luxury sedans on the road. Moving to a radically new model will inevitably unearth some teething issues that early adopters will have to deal with. Yes, the gas-powered models use an updated version of the existing CLAR architecture, and the 330i's powertrain will be largely unchanged, but modern cars tend to suffer far more from infotainment and electronic glitches than mechanical ones, and the G50 is debuting some very cutting-edge tech.We aren't for one moment suggesting that the G50 will be an unreliable model, but we know for a fact that the current G20 has had the development time and owner input to be a solid and fuss-free choice.BMW vs BMWModelG20 BMW 330iG50 BMW 330iEngine2.0-liter turbo inline four + mild hybrid2.0-liter turbo inline four + mild hybridPower255 hp255 hpTorque295 lb-ft295 lb-ft0-60 mph5.6 sec (RWD)5.4 sec (xDrive)5.9 sec (RWD and xDrive)Base MSRP (excl taxes)$48,000 (RWD)$50,000 (xDrive)$49,900 (RWD)$51,900 (xDrive)Of course, the allure of a fresh new model with some very interesting in-car tech can be hard to ignore, and the new 3 Series should remain a top seller for the marque, but if you are after a proven class-leader in the compact luxury sedan segment, then the G20 BMW 330i may well be the savvy choice at a lower base price. Or save up a bit more and get the G50 M350. This may well be the last chance we get to experience that iconic B58 inline-six engine.
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