New 3 series LCI

[Billy]

So the new 3 series LCI has just been released:
http://www.bmwblog.com/2015/05/07/2015-bmw-3-series-facelift-world-premiere/
http://www.bmwblog.com/2015/05/07/photo-comparison-f30-3-series-sedan-vs-facelift/

330i replaces the 328i and 340i replaces the 335i. The the other 4 cylinders also receive new engines.

Before the release I read a lot of talk of more powerful engines based on the B family with 10%+ more power. The press release however seems to indicate the same power as the previous engines... Anyone know what's going on?

What are everyone's thoughts on the refresh?

 

[Angie4m]

I think you'd be best reading a UK site. To be honest looks good but some of the offerings sound hideous! If people think a 4 pot E89 is bad the F30 is getting 3 cylinder 1.5 engines. So now we've gone from the 330 being a 6 cylinder to a 4 cylinder 2.0l job which is mental with the 3.0l now the 340. It makes no sense at all other than to appeal to people who think they are buying a bigger engines car.

They seem to be sacrificing performance for emissions and VED rates which is a shame but then they are aiming the 3 series at families and business users so undoubtedly they will all sell very well and I can't wait to hear the complaints re the engine note or lack of and mpg figures maybe not being what they claim to be.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/2015-bmw-3-series-facelift-revealed-exclusive-studio-pictures

 

[TitanTim]

I like it especially the Touring which is on my maybe next list in XDrive form. You definitely need one in M Sport Trim if only to to have the steering wheel which is lovely compared to standard. Engine wise dare I say it I would go diesel over the 4 pot petrols which I'm not a fan of after owning the Zed with the N20 engine.

Tim.

 

[Angie4m]

I like it especially the Touring which is on my maybe next list in XDrive form. You definitely need one in M Sport Trim if only to to have the steering wheel which is lovely compared to standard. Engine wise dare I say it I would go diesel over the 4 pot petrols which I'm not a fan of after owning the Zed with the N20 engine.

Tim.

These new ones use the B38 which is the 3 cylinder and the B48 which is the 4 cylinder engines in petrol guise and the B47 for the diesel options.

I have to say Tim if you did change to a 3 series touring with the little millage you do the diesel wouldn't be a wise choice not only is it more expensive to buy, run, service, insure and if kept more than 3 years is subject to extra emissions checks not to mention that Diesels are in the firing line for a hike in VED due to the UK now missing EU targets on pollution figures put down to the amount of diesel vehicles on the road. But if you don't run them for long journeys your probably going to find issues with the DPF. Yes it is a consumable however short journeys can cause it to fail very soon in comparison to a car doing 20k a year.

 

[Billy]

I'm just very surprised that the B48s seem to be putting out the same power as the N20s (except the 30i which gets an extra 10 ponies or so). People were suggesting increases of 10% prior to the release

 

[TitanTim]

I like it especially the Touring which is on my maybe next list in XDrive form. You definitely need one in M Sport Trim if only to to have the steering wheel which is lovely compared to standard. Engine wise dare I say it I would go diesel over the 4 pot petrols which I'm not a fan of after owning the Zed with the N20 engine.

Tim.

These new ones use the B38 which is the 3 cylinder and the B48 which is the 4 cylinder engines in petrol guise and the B47 for the diesel options.

I have to say Tim if you did change to a 3 series touring with the little millage you do the diesel wouldn't be a wise choice not only is it more expensive to buy, run, service, insure and if kept more than 3 years is subject to extra emissions checks not to mention that Diesels are in the firing line for a hike in VED due to the UK now missing EU targets on pollution figures put down to the amount of diesel vehicles on the road. But if you don't run them for long journeys your probably going to find issues with the DPF. Yes it is a consumable however short journeys can cause it to fail very soon in comparison to a car doing 20k a year.

Your perfectly right Angie, a diesel wouldn't be the wisest of choice for me personally, however the last two 1 Series I had were diesels and dare I say it actually liked them quite alot, just liked the low down torque on them and always think BMW do a good diesel engine excepting the N47 timing chain probs . I did have the DPF go on the first 1er but BMW replaced it without quibble, it was fine on the second 1er and had no problems. Of course its different going from the M135i to a diesel so will have to think about that carefully as I'm loving the engine but not the 18mpg

Tim.