You've turned 40this year. So has the BMW 3 Series. But while you may possibly find yourself in a mid-life crisis, the compact executive sedan from Bavaria has gotten itself a mid-life makeover.
Competition in this segment is hotter than ever and with the arrival of the revised Audi A4, the new Jaguar XE as well as the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the BMW has its work cut out.
Up close and Personal
If you're squinting your eyes to work out the cosmetic changes, we won't blame you because even eagles may have a hard time telling them apart.
Updates to the sheet metal are far less apparent, but they do make a difference. Up front, the F30 3 Series receives new head lights with LED 'eyebrow' indicators and integrated daytime running lights, while full LED headlamps are optional.
A new bumper rounds off the frontal changes and the rear end has also been jazzed up with new LED L-shaped tail lamps that give the car a more modern look.
Spotting the differences gets harder inside the Bimmer as it's business as usual, although it has been freshened up a little for a more premium feel with new chrome highlights, materials, upholsteries and a revised centre console.
Here, cupholders have been redesigned and there's a new stowage area in front of them that comes in handy for smartphones, cards and such. And unlike before, they come with a sliding lid to keep the dust at bay.
As before, passengers will find the cabin roomy enough including the 480-litre cargo space, which also features a large, square opening that makes it easy to load bulkier items.
The Drive
Underneath the hood is where the biggest changes take place. The car tested here is the new powerhouse called the 340i, and it dethrones the 335i of old. With it is a new 3.0-litre straight-six engine that produces 20bhp and 50Nm more than the previous six-pot powerplant.
Mated to a new eight-speed automatic gearbox, which is smarter than before and now allows double downshifts, the new drivetrain combo packs a serious punch with potent power delivery and smooth and fast gear shifts.
BMW has forged a reputation for making fun-to-drive cars, and the updated 3 Series is no exception.
It is noticeably more agile than before, thanks to retuned damping and suspension. As such, it rides really well, with a generous dose of confidence fed to the driver at all times.
The revised steering is now very positive, more precise and well-weighted, plus there's plenty of grip, allowing the driver to keep easy control of the car at all times.
Underneath the hood is where the biggest changes take place. The car tested here is the new powerhouse called the 340i, and it dethrones the 335i of old. With it is a new 3.0-litre straight-six engine that produces 20bhp and 50Nm more than the previous six-pot powerplant.
Mated to a new eight-speed automatic gearbox, which is smarter than before and now allows double downshifts, the new drivetrain combo packs a serious punch with potent power delivery and smooth and fast gear shifts.
BMW has forged a reputation for making fun-to-drive cars, and the updated 3 Series is no exception.
It is noticeably more agile than before, thanks to retuned damping and suspension. As such, it rides really well, with a generous dose of confidence fed to the driver at all times.
The revised steering is now very positive, more precise and well-weighted, plus there's plenty of grip, allowing the driver to keep easy control of the car at all times.
Thus, it didn't really matter when the 3er was thrown around several twisty back roads between the Austrian and the German border. It feels secure and really well-balanced - indeed living up to a Bimmer's description of 'a driver's car'.
Conclusion
Subtle updates to the F30 3 Series allow it to look a little sharper and feel a little more premium than before (although it isn't that different to the current model).
But let's not forget the most important mojo of all - performance and handling that has been heavily revised. In that sense, it isn't suffering from a mid-life crisis and is all set to fend off its competitors.
The improved 3 Series is expected to arrive in Singapore in the third quarter of this year.
