FIRSTDRIVE BMW 3-SERIES FACELIFT
TWEAKS ARE a natural part of the motoring world. Brands cannot help themselves from tinkering with this or refining that and for the most part there is good reason to do so. It is probably fair to say that there wasn’t much tweaking needed for the 3-Series, which has always sold well down the years, but is now becoming as much an eco-warrior as it is a potent family saloon, touring or coupé.
In Ireland, as is the case in other European markets, the 4-cylinder diesels are by far the strongest sellers. They are powerful, quiet, refined and clean.
The 2.0-litre 4-cylinder diesel in its various outputs has been responsible for robbing the coffers of governments across Europe, our own included. You can be certain that when the Government set out to change the motor taxation system, they didn’t bank on the majority of BMW owners paying no more than €156 per year. Technology has a way of filtering from the top down, meaning that in some cases, those who can afford to pay more for their cars pay infinitely less in motor tax.
So what has BMW been up to with the scalpel and the spanners? The 3-Series coupé and cabriolet have received the visual tweaks – subtle changes to the grille, which is wider; the headlights which come with LEDs when you get Xenon light; and the side sills.
Most of the changes occur in the engine bay. At the top end of the petrol scale, the 335i has 306bhp, yet emissions of 196g/km. Infinitely more relevant are the diesel engines, which are available not only in the coupé and cabriolet, but right across the range. The 325d is a four-cylinder diesel with 204bhp and 430Nm of torque, yet emissions of 151g/km in the coupé. This is a 7bhp increase on the previous 325d. The new 320d also gets a 7bhp power increase and now puts out 184bhp and there is a torque jump of 30Nm to 380Nm.
The 320d in the coupé and cabriolet models will still manage 125g/km and 135g/km respectively and that puts both of these cars in tax band B. This engine also features in the saloon and touring models where it still has emissions of 125g/km.
Finally, a car we have mentioned here before in Motorsis the 320d Efficient Dynamics. This model has a modified version of the 2.0-litre diesel engine which puts out 163bhp. It employs optimised aerodynamic and a longer final drive as well as the BMW Efficient Dynamics Technology to manage fuel economy figures of 4.1 l/100km and 109g/km of CO2.
BMW has added a centrifugal force pendulum which put as simply as we can, is a component that is integrated into the engine’s two-mass flywheel. Its purpose in this diesel car is to offset the vibrations released while driving ensuring smooth power from the engine at low speeds. It works brilliantly and encouraging faster gear changes, thus using less fuel.
The new cars go on sale in Ireland on March 20th. Prices starts at €41,470 for the 320i SE coupé, €43,250 for the 320d SE coupé, €51,530 for the 320i SE Cabriolet and €50,500 for the 320d SE Cabriolet.
The 320d Efficient Dynamics saloon starts at €38,260; the new 320d ES Saloon starts at €37,110.
FACTFILE:
BMW 320d SE Coupé
Engine:1995cc 4-cylinder diesel putting out 184bhp and 380Nm torque;
0-100km/h:8.3 secs;
Fuel economy:5.1 l/100km;
CO2:135g/km;
Tax:€156, band B;
Price:€43,250
BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics Saloon
Engine:1995cc 4-cylinder diesel putting out 163bhp and 380Nm torque;
0-100km/h:8.0 secs;
Fuel economy:4.1 l/100km; CO2: 109g/km;
Tax:€104, band A;
Price:€38,260