There’s good news if you like the looks of the BMW i3 saloon but don’t want an EV – there are petrol versions now too.
This is the eighth generation of the BMW 3 Series, and it’s the first one to offer a dedicated electric line – the BMW i3 saloon. But there are still petrol engines on offer, and now BMW has revealed more details on these combustion 3 Series models.
New BMW 3 Series prices and trim levels
Prices for the BMW 320 – the standard petrol model – start at £44,975, which is about £3,000 less than the cheapest i3.
Standard equipment includes powered and heated front seats, keyless entry, a reversing camera and a panoramic glass roof. Then there’s the M Sport trim, which adds sportier styling, ambient lighting, blue brake calipers and upholstery trimmed in vegan leather and suede. M Sport Pro is the top model, and is marked out by red brakes, sports seats, black mirror caps, upgraded headlights and an illuminated grille.
M Sport costs £46,475 and M Sport Pro is £48,975. Metallic paint is an extra £875, while there’s a Technology Plus pack that adds a head-up display, upgraded climate control and a premium sound system for £2,000.
It’s a jump of nearly £22,000 to the high-performance M350 xDrive model – and this isn’t even the fastest or most expensive version, because there’s a new M3 on the way as well.
Engines
Favourable company car tax rates means that a high proportion of new 3 Series cars sold will be the electric i3. If electric doesn’t work for you, you can choose from two petrol engines.
The standard option is the 320. This is a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine with 211hp, and power goes to the rear wheels. With a 0-62mph time of 7.4 seconds, this engine should be fast enough for the majority of petrol buyers.
But more exciting is the range-topping M350 xDrive version. Taking over from the M340i, the new version gets a 69hp power boost. Total power now stands at 443hp from the straight-six 3.0-litre engine. With four-wheel drive and so much power, the M350 is the fastest model in the range for now, hitting 0-62mph in just 4.1 seconds.
Both engines feature mild-hybrid assistance, although fuel economy figures of 37.7mpg (320) and 34.5mpg (M350) are reasonable if not fantastic.
Styling and interior
You’ll spot the M350 by its four visible exhausts and its yellow daytime running lights, but otherwise the new petrol 3 Series models look identical to the electric ones. The 3 Series exhibits BMW’s ‘Neue Klasse’ styling, which is a lot cleaner than some recent models from the German brand.
Inside, the dashboard architecture is broadly the same as the iX3 SUV. Your eyes are drawn to the trapezoidal infotainment screen that runs BMW’s latest software, and then you spot the Panoramic iDrive display that spans the base of the windscreen.
The boot on the petrol car measures 450 litres, compared to 420 for the i3 (which also has a 31-litre frunk, if you’re being pedantic). That’s 30 litres down on the outgoing 3 Series, but should still be plenty for most use cases. A Touring estate model is on the cards for 2027.
Buy a brilliant BMW 3 Series for a bargain
If you can’t make the new 3 Series work for you, you’ll find plenty of used BMW 3 Series cars for sale at Motorpoint, all with warranty cover included and the best prices. Read our BMW 3 Series review for more information on this great car.
