The current seventh generation BMW 3-series has been around since the start of 2019, but if you have plans to buy one,
chances are you haven't bought it yet. Half of the Dutch buyers go for the Touring, which wasn't available. Until now.
From the outside, the 3-series Touring still is recognizable as a 3-series Touring. That's because it has the same lines as the saloon, only with a...
roofline which extends to the back and with a angled rear window. There's one exception to that recognizable design, and that's this.
Previously, all BMW Tourings had the famous 'Hofmeister Kink' over here. BMW still calls this the Hofmeister Kink, but I've spoken to enthusiasts...
who think this is a shocking change. The famous angle has gone, and it's been replaced by a flowing line.
Let's move on to the party piece of the Touring; the stuff that goes behind the bootlid. For starters, you can open the window seperately.
Typically BMW Touring, and that's very handy if you don't have the patience to wait for an electrical bootlid, which is standard.
Then, here we've got a boot which isn't a lot bigger than before. It's only a few litres. However, that's not the full story behind it.
The space has been divided differently. Previously, a lot of the space was hidden beneath the floor, but that's not the case anymore.
You can put your safety vests in there and the boot screen. So effectively, you gain 32 litres in directly usable space.
If you fold down the seats, which you can do in three parts, you can carry over 1.500 litres. Again, a small difference with its predecessor.
This car is eight centimetres longer by the way. What's also nice is that the opening is bigger.
The sill is lower as well. Previously, you had to carry your groceries over the sill. Now it's directly flat.
The opening has widened a lot at the upper side. These hinges might be in the way a little, but you should be able to carry bigger things.
The rolling screen then. You're able to put it like this to make loading easier. Don't forget to put it back down, because that won't happen automatically.
Let's have a seat in the back. What stood out in the 3-series saloon, is that it's extraordinarily spacious for a 3-series.
When it comes to legroom, there's nothing different. I'm able to sit behind myself without any problems. The headroom is different however.
The saloon has a sloping roofline, so in here you've gained a few centimetres.
In the front, there aren't any difference between this or the saloon. Maybe the button for the rear windscreen wiper.
That means we've got a nice and neat dashboard, typically modern BMW. A lot of flat spots. It also looks less high tech than a new Audi or Mercedes.
I don't see that as a disadvantage though. Sure, the screen is smaller and there are less of them, but BMW has thought through the controls.
The lead role of course goes to the iDrive-system which we know. I'm still going to explain it though.
It has a touchscreen which reacts really quickly, but you can also use the central controller which is nice when you're driving,
and you've got a touchpad, and you've got eight hotkeys. You can even use motion control in the 3-series now.
That way you can adjust the volume. Everything put together, you'll be able to find your way around the car very easily.
Very nice.
Finishing and materials are of a very high level, but would you expect differently in this segment?
That this car drives like every other 3-series, is one of the biggest advantages compared to the SUV's a lot of buyers will have on their shortlist.
A 3-series has such a great drive. Especially this 3-series went back to its dynamic roots, and you'll clearly notice that.
The steering is incredibly sharp, you're one with the car because of the seating position.
Car enthusiasts will really love it. Also, the sportivity won't be forced onto you like in an Alfa or something.
It's not always daring you to push it, it can even be pretty comfortable. So you don't have to throw it around, which makes it accessible...
for a bigger audience. Having said that, there are some disadvantages to that sporty personality. In Comfort Mode,
because it has adaptive dampers, it's still a sturdy car. Also, the steering is incredibly direct. Especially on the motorway.
When you're travelling at higher speeds, it can be kind of annoying that it reacts the moment you even move your wrist.
It would've been nicer if it was a tad more distant.
In this case, we've chosen a real 6-cylinder for that ultimate BMW-feeling, and you really have to try if you want a 6-cylinder.
As we know, a 330i is a 4-cylinder nowadays. If you want a 6-pot, you can still choose the 330d. The car we're driving right now.
And it's a treat. 265 horsepower, so it's the most powerful engine available in the Touring. Until the M340i comes around that is.
And it's a true party piece. A big diesel sounds incredibly cool, it reacts quickly, it has enormous amounts of torque and it goes like hell.
It's a top-of-the-range-engine, and it's very costly. This car costs, without having selected any options, €70.000 in the Netherlands.
We all know, if you start selecting options at BMW, the price will skyrocket. That's why most people will probably choose...
a 4-cylinder. Luckily, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.
The entry price is around €50.000, and you can get a 330i for that. An introduction version producing 258 horsepower,
called Introduction. When the introduction period passes, that same amount of money will only get you a 190 horsepower 320i.
So if you want a 330i, you've got to be quick. The 330i will be available from september, whilst the 320i comes in november.