Impressions of the all new G20 3 Series

It doesn’t seem five minutes since I went on the launch drive for the then new F30 (sixth generation) 3 Series and yet here I am, freshly returned from driving the seventh generation G20.

The 3 Series is still BMW’s bread and butter, a car it has to get right. So, have they?

Looking back at my notes from the F30 drive, I see I was somewhat disappointed.  And I was not alone.  The car seemed a bit disconnected and lacking the driver dynamic we so associate with BMWs until pushed.  The MSport version was better but still not quite there on feel.

In fairness, BMW have oscillated between dynamic, feelsome 3 Series cars best aimed at the enthusiast and somewhat more placid iterations which will suit the volume buying general public.  It is a hard act to balance the competing needs, and what I see as a delight to drive others may find too nervous or edgy. And vice versa.

But I am glad to report that the mojo is back.

Hopping out of my daily drive (a fifth generation E90 320d) into the G20 330i MSport was like changing from of my favourite shirts to another. Instantly comfortable and at home, even though the dashboard has gone all digital and looks almost alien. Except, the fuel, speed, revs and temp left to right layout is still there (not present in the E90 sadly) dating back to the 1936 328. I’m not sure yet whether I like it, but I don’t dislike it.

I recently drove a 440i F33 (essentially sixth generation 3 Series with a different name) convertible and whilst that was familiar enough, it drove like the rest of the F3x range, only perhaps more so being a convertible. Remote and wafty.

The G20, however, felt much more like my E90 and E46 318i before it. There is a nice weight to the steering and a direct response from the car with instant feedback on what was going on at ground level.  I felt I could place the car accurately and securely.

The ride was a revelation after complaints that the E90 and F30 were too jiggerly and harsh over broken surfaces.  It was altogether smoother than either of those models but not soft or jouncy over bigger bumps.  In Comfort mode the body control did seem a little lacking over just one section of unmade road with some sections partially washed away, but in Sport mode it was fine without being too rough.  Corrugations along the dirt road section of the route were not only smooth but quiet.  Impressive.

But don’t think this was a corner carving drive with tyres screeching, it was rather more sedate than that. So what it is like as one approaches the limit I can’t say. But the point is it felt like fun at safe and moderate speeds, and that is probably more important.

Although, it did not feel as quick as it clearly is.  The stats show it gives my E46 M3 a run for its money in a straight line, but it did not feel that quick even though the speedo begged to differ. We opened  the (optional) sun roof for more aural feedback but there wasn’t any really. I would have loved a loud button, even if it was only louder inside.  There’s a beautiful engine note in there trying to get out I’m sure. But I may not want the loud button pressed all the time – on the freeway for example when a bit of peace and quiet on a long trip is preferred.

So, it drives well, and looks good in my book. There are a few touches which make me scratch my head – the crease where a “air blade” vent should be just behind the front wheel but isn’t.  The extra trim to repeat the Hofmeister kink immediately behind the rear door. Not sure I would want to clean the fake air intake grilles around the front, but they look nice when someone else cleans them.  The “shark nose” effect of the grille works for me.  Overall, a progression from E90 through F30 and concluding at G20 looking a bit tauter at each step.

The boot is huge, although the side mesh pockets may be annoying as the mesh can not be taken down as far as I can see. And there does not appear to be a way to pop the floor mat up and hide things underneath, such as umbrellas, shopping bags etc. Pity.

Of more concern, there is no spare wheel yet the tyres are not run flat in every case.

The rear seat has plenty of leg room, as it should with the inevitable stretch of wheelbase.  Even with the sunroof the headroom in the back was just enough for my overly long body thanks to the roof being sculptured behind the sun roof cassette. The rear passengers can now control their own air con etc settings. Neat.

Talking of the sun roof, it has a concertina cover along the sides reducing wind noise.

But back to the driving seat where the buttons around the iDrive controller seem to keep growing, adding the electric park brake and hill hold controls plus the Start/Stop button off the dash. But this time it seems thought out and intentional. The cover in front of the gear selector looks better too, moving out of the way at a touch to reveal two generous cup holders (there are bottle holders in the door pockets), a 12 volt power socket (used to be a cigarette lighter socket) and a USB socket with a non slip platform which doubles a wireless phone charger if your phone does this.

The trio of buttons for the safety systems now have a proper place and the pull down lidded cubby to the right of the steering column returns. Yeh!

The direction indicator stalk is of the mechanical kind, as per the F30 and the E46 and before rather than the soft touch used on the E90 which I greatly prefer. Likewise the windscreen wiper stalk which has to be moved to position 1 for Auto, thus preventing a manual flick wipe in auto mode, rather than the E90 push button for Auto I prefer.

But there is loads of neat tech, including active cruise control with lane keeping which will regulate speed, distance to car in front and steer between lane markings. Great in traffic but a bit over the top on the freeway.

Being a day time drive I can not report on the lights, but I am sure they are at least as good as the amazing lights fitted to the F33 440i.

But the “lane departure warning” signal has been moved from the inner edge of the door mirror housing of the F3x to the far end of the mirror glass, which I’m not so keen on.

Although the only offerings at launch are 330i and 320d there will be other engine options to follow, including a plug in hybrid – the fuel filler flap has provision already.

Overall, a big sigh of relief that this is a return to the 3 Series we love and a cracking car.

Lawrence Glynn |  Member #3
BMW Drivers Club Melbourne