"...despite BMW having an extensive range of SUVs....the 3 series is still the best-selling car in these shores...."! And long may it continue. SUVs have their plus points, but saloons and estates are lighter, more planted, drive better and are more efficient than SUVs. Nice review, as always.
I have had a 330e Touring xDrive (G21) for more than one year now. A pre facelift version, so that I don’t suffer from the removal of buttons or from this inelegant new dashboard. I can recharge at home and not burn gas at all on my daily commute (twice 10 miles). And I travel from the Paris region to the south of France (800 km/500 miles) once every two months or so. The longer distance I've achieved in full electric mode has been 54km (33.6 miles). My average consumption over 1.5 year/30000km (18600 miles) is 5.2l/100km (54 UK mpg), plus 8.9kWh/100km. On pure petrol consumption point of view, this is much better than my previous petrol car (Skoda Octavia) with which I was over 8.3l/100km (34 mpg) in the same conditions. Worst consumption achieved in winter, with winter tires, no initial battery charge, and with a roof case: 8.5l/100km (33.2mpg) Usually, I'm around 7 to 7.5l/100km (40.4 to 37.7mpg) on long distances on highways (at around 90mph). I find the regeneration working particularly well on the BMW, and you never lack the support of the electric engine during long distances journeys. What may be different from other PHEVs is the fact that the focus here is on making the car dynamic and responsive rather than focusing entirely on cutting fuel consumption. Still, by my calculations, with petrol and electric prices here in France, I will start saving money over a 330i after 35,000 km (21,750 miles). By the way, the 330i is no longer sold here. That's the most fun car I have had since I started driving in 1985. The ride is excellent. I'm driving quite often in small roads in the Pyrénées mountains. About the additional weight, I'd say this is felt only in very particular conditions, such has braking hard or curves taken at (too) high a speed. And btw, it's not that much heavier compared to a 330d. Overall, so far, I'm fully satisfied with the car.
Great and informative review, thank you! I’m looking to buy the 330e as well, as I can do all my daily commute on electric, since it’s inside an urban setting. My only concern is the trunk space. I have the older series 3 station wagon generation, and the trunk space sucks. I’m guessing it gets even worse on a hybrid. Can you please let me know how you feel about the trunk space? Thanks!
@@saltedcod3533 hi, yes it ‘s loosing around 100l compared to the petrol version. Still, my Bernese mountain dog is fitting inside, which is what I.m using the trunk for. And I still have the Octavia Combi as secondary car whenever we really need lot of space…
Had my 330e for three weeks now. It’s a brilliant car. The performance and drive is stunning and the cars design is perfect. The cabin is comfortable and a great driving position. The infotech system is great and easy to use. The only thing I can think of that’s not great is the gear paddles, totally unnecessary. I love it.
um i use the gear paddles all the time. the m3 comp xdrive will hold onto gears even in efficient mode so use the paddles to down shift. the gear knob is swkward i dont like shifting with it.
I love it, aside from the lack of some buttons. I purchased the ‘22 330e and absolutely love it. It’s powerful, smooth, really fun to drive and being able to commute in electric, an average MPG is about 55mpg. 👍🏼👍🏼⚡️
Fab review as always. Great cars for the first few years. If you can get a lease and renew every 3 or 4 years you will be golden. But servicing is insanely expensive and once that warranty is done, move it along or expect big bills, especially the 4WD.
Great review. I do quite a lot of motorway miles. I looked at the 330e but concluded that for the most part I would be driving a 2.0T but carrying around batteries and an electric motor most of the time. This left me with a difficult choice between 320d and an i4 (which isn’t estate of course). In the end I took the plunge with an i4. Yes, yes, I know range… but my regular journey can be completed on a single charge at home and I only do it once or twice a week. I just felt it was time to try electric. I suppose my point is the one that is well made in this car gurus review: try before you buy, and try properly. Everyone has unique requirements and it’s very hard to tell whether these will be met by paper spec alone. These cars are properly expensive and you need to make the right decision for you! We’ll find out soon enough whether I have!!
We have 2021 330e in summer electric range max 31 miles, driving daily commute to office 25miles Each way with office charger, we average 68Mpg which is best of both worlds, hate the fact that gear lever has gone, and ridiculous inclusion of climate controls into screen...No no no
A great car with all the usual BMW driving dynamics which outclass all its rivals. After having driven around 3k miles in a 330e, the biggest issue I have is with the engine. This car only makes sense if you have home-charging and are willing to charge it regularly. If you want the best all-round 3-series out there, seek out an M340d. BMW were forced to stop making one of the best cars they've ever produced - in my opinion.
Great review as always :-). iDrive 8 is the reason I won't buy another new (ish) BMW. Step too far to me - I've gone back to old school analogue and I personally prefer it.
This was the most attractive 3 series for my tastes, who doesn’t like a sporty estate. The ridiculously long delivery time meant I had to look elsewhere for my new car.
Had mine on order since October, unfortunately bmw have removed the adaptive suspension from the pro pack and is no longer an option due to semi conductor shortage, mine was ordered with but will come without sad, Times
Love our 330i touring, sadly, BMW has stopped bringing the touring model to Canada.😠 The 330e is icing on the cake. Well, there is the M5 touring apparently coming to Canada with over 700HP, super cool but not really what I need.
From the view in from the passenger side before the actual drive, I can’t believe the ruddy great ‘leg’ sticking out of the back of the infotainment screen to stop it wobbling about 🤦♂️
For those of you with a base 320i or a 330e… what are the running costs? In terms of insurance, servicing etc? I’m thinking on getting one and the 320i seems to be more than enough for my needs. Cheers.
Just IMO, looks wise the front is a retrograde step. The vertical lines from the light through the bumper and the larger flat areas aren't as pleasing as the pre LCI. The rear has more natty shiny black plastic. And I guess of course the most divisive bit is iDrive 7 vs 8. I find 7 distracting enough as it is. 8 is horrendous. I've seen BMW's intro into it some months ago, where they compared it to being like having everything on your mobile. Well you can't use a mobile while driving......!
Looks nice but will be a real headache to own when the warranty has expired. Very expensive to service, won't be all that reliable therefore needs to be avoided.
I don't agree. I bought a 320d Touring bought brand new. Now the warranty has expired I just use a local garage for servicing. It costs no more than my Ford Mondeo did. 105000 miles now. No problems
I wish you had put up a disclaimer, that you were about to show pictures of the fronts of BMW's latest SUVs......... I nearly threw up, and my eyes are now bleeding!!!
My current drive is an X3 30e which is just over a year old. I test drove this 3 series LCI about four weeks ago, exactly the same colour as this in your review. My X3 and the 3 series are fully specked out. Got in the 3 series and instantly felt disappointed. That curved screen looks "stuck on" and not harmonious. The lack of knobs and buttons is a massive disappointment. As you mentioned, everything over touch screen slows everything down, and in my opinion, distracts from the driving. Muscle memory allows you to remember where buttons etc are so you end up operating them intuitively. My X3 is the LCI version from 2021 and is a joy to drive. Sorry, can't recommend this 3 series, just think BMW is going in the wrong direction ...
Battery can only use for extra savings taxes and easy departure without any spin in snow 😂. 3.7 kw/h charger is most slowly charging speed in 2023 year. Bmw please let do minimum 50 kw/h changing power.This hybrid cars is big joke for customers.The engines and the cars themselves are very good, but the current technology is far behind the hybrid car and EV competitors for 2023. Chinese piople got BMW i3 LCI in Europe is big drama to have it😮.
As an adult do we need demonstrations on how to check our visibility and by all means show the rear window hatch but if viewers cant figure out how to load items like an umbrella from there they shouldnt be behind the wheel.
It's the Motorsport version. Please.... nothing to do with the regular version. I find it either total incompetence or just intellectual dishonesty to call this review "2022 BMW 3 Series review: Still BMW's best?", when the stuff tested actually is the M version... Generally speaking I don't find the British reviews particularly competent or good. It's more than time to "level up".
"...despite BMW having an extensive range of SUVs....the 3 series is still the best-selling car in these shores...."! And long may it continue. SUVs have their plus points, but saloons and estates are lighter, more planted, drive better and are more efficient than SUVs. Nice review, as always.
I have had a 330e Touring xDrive (G21) for more than one year now. A pre facelift version, so that I don’t suffer from the removal of buttons or from this inelegant new dashboard.
I can recharge at home and not burn gas at all on my daily commute (twice 10 miles).
And I travel from the Paris region to the south of France (800 km/500 miles) once every two months or so.
The longer distance I've achieved in full electric mode has been 54km (33.6 miles).
My average consumption over 1.5 year/30000km (18600 miles) is 5.2l/100km (54 UK mpg), plus 8.9kWh/100km.
On pure petrol consumption point of view, this is much better than my previous petrol car (Skoda Octavia) with which I was over 8.3l/100km (34 mpg) in the same conditions.
Worst consumption achieved in winter, with winter tires, no initial battery charge, and with a roof case: 8.5l/100km (33.2mpg)
Usually, I'm around 7 to 7.5l/100km (40.4 to 37.7mpg) on long distances on highways (at around 90mph).
I find the regeneration working particularly well on the BMW, and you never lack the support of the electric engine during long distances journeys. What may be different from other PHEVs is the fact that the focus here is on making the car dynamic and responsive rather than focusing entirely on cutting fuel consumption.
Still, by my calculations, with petrol and electric prices here in France, I will start saving money over a 330i after 35,000 km (21,750 miles). By the way, the 330i is no longer sold here.
That's the most fun car I have had since I started driving in 1985. The ride is excellent. I'm driving quite often in small roads in the Pyrénées mountains. About the additional weight, I'd say this is felt only in very particular conditions, such has braking hard or curves taken at (too) high a speed. And btw, it's not that much heavier compared to a 330d.
Overall, so far, I'm fully satisfied with the car.
Great and informative review, thank you! I’m looking to buy the 330e as well, as I can do all my daily commute on electric, since it’s inside an urban setting.
My only concern is the trunk space. I have the older series 3 station wagon generation, and the trunk space sucks. I’m guessing it gets even worse on a hybrid. Can you please let me know how you feel about the trunk space? Thanks!
@@saltedcod3533 hi, yes it ‘s loosing around 100l compared to the petrol version. Still, my Bernese mountain dog is fitting inside, which is what I.m using the trunk for. And I still have the Octavia Combi as secondary car whenever we really need lot of space…
I'm guessing you are not on Pirelli run flats? I am (2020 M340i Touring) and hanker after my old 1975 Peugeot 504GL :-)
@@bluedick321 no. I'm in Bridgestone Turanza T005, not run flat, in 17''. Good comprimise for drive and comfort, in my opinion.
We need a ‘bring back the knobs’ campaign.
🤣👍🏻👍🏻 true that!
There are enough knobs on the road already.. and they all drive an Audi
No thanks....!!!
Use voice command instead. Welcome to the (new) era.
@@jackiebrown1425 does that works already?
Had my 330e for three weeks now. It’s a brilliant car. The performance and drive is stunning and the cars design is perfect. The cabin is comfortable and a great driving position. The infotech system is great and easy to use. The only thing I can think of that’s not great is the gear paddles, totally unnecessary. I love it.
um i use the gear paddles all the time. the m3 comp xdrive will hold onto gears even in efficient mode so use the paddles to down shift. the gear knob is swkward i dont like shifting with it.
Amazing… what mpg do you see?
@@minigiant8998 On the 330e they aren't necessary. You cannot use them in Electric mode (it will automatically start the engine)
I love it, aside from the lack of some buttons. I purchased the ‘22 330e and absolutely love it. It’s powerful, smooth, really fun to drive and being able to commute in electric, an average MPG is about 55mpg. 👍🏼👍🏼⚡️
Fab review as always. Great cars for the first few years. If you can get a lease and renew every 3 or 4 years you will be golden. But servicing is insanely expensive and once that warranty is done, move it along or expect big bills, especially the 4WD.
Not really. Just need to have a good indy near you
Servicing a 5-10 year old BMW will never be anything like as expensive as paying for the depreciation of a brand new one in lease/PCP payments!
Great review.
I do quite a lot of motorway miles. I looked at the 330e but concluded that for the most part I would be driving a 2.0T but carrying around batteries and an electric motor most of the time. This left me with a difficult choice between 320d and an i4 (which isn’t estate of course). In the end I took the plunge with an i4. Yes, yes, I know range… but my regular journey can be completed on a single charge at home and I only do it once or twice a week. I just felt it was time to try electric.
I suppose my point is the one that is well made in this car gurus review: try before you buy, and try properly. Everyone has unique requirements and it’s very hard to tell whether these will be met by paper spec alone. These cars are properly expensive and you need to make the right decision for you! We’ll find out soon enough whether I have!!
Far nicer than all these bland suv's we have rammed down our throat..this has 'style' 💯👌
It's seriously all the car you need, and worth considering as a used purchase.
I wish manufacturers would ditch touchscreens entirely.
Good review, thanks Rebecca.
Mine arrives Monday! Very excited.
Great review nice work, I take delivery tomorrow of the same car. looking forward to having a play.
I like this reviewer, she's good at her job!
We have 2021 330e in summer electric range max 31 miles, driving daily commute to office 25miles Each way with office charger, we average 68Mpg which is best of both worlds, hate the fact that gear lever has gone, and ridiculous inclusion of climate controls into screen...No no no
ordered this exact model at the start of Nov through the company....cant wait
Great video Rebecca 👌
Is the m3 estate out yet? I’ve only saw the 340i and those and lovely too
A great car with all the usual BMW driving dynamics which outclass all its rivals. After having driven around 3k miles in a 330e, the biggest issue I have is with the engine. This car only makes sense if you have home-charging and are willing to charge it regularly. If you want the best all-round 3-series out there, seek out an M340d. BMW were forced to stop making one of the best cars they've ever produced - in my opinion.
She’s a great reviewer.
Great review as always :-). iDrive 8 is the reason I won't buy another new (ish) BMW. Step too far to me - I've gone back to old school analogue and I personally prefer it.
Have BMW lost the M badge on the front fender on their Msport cars? I got this car pre facelift and like the M badge
I think there’s an option to delete it because some aren’t a fan of it but I could be wrong.
This was the most attractive 3 series for my tastes, who doesn’t like a sporty estate. The ridiculously long delivery time meant I had to look elsewhere for my new car.
Ordered mine in Sept22 and delivery is in feb 23
Had mine on order since October, unfortunately bmw have removed the adaptive suspension from the pro pack and is no longer an option due to semi conductor shortage, mine was ordered with but will come without sad, Times
Please please bring back the knobs pity facelift didn’t progress battery 🪫 efficiency and hence range… as per latest Mercs 🙄
whats better BMW 3 series or BMW 2 series active tourer luxury or Mercedes a35 amg
I enjoyed watching the Video Review. The best Sports Estate looks even better now with the updates that have been made 🙂
Love our 330i touring, sadly, BMW has stopped bringing the touring model to Canada.😠 The 330e is icing on the cake. Well, there is the M5 touring apparently coming to Canada with over 700HP, super cool but not really what I need.
From the view in from the passenger side before the actual drive, I can’t believe the ruddy great ‘leg’ sticking out of the back of the infotainment screen to stop it wobbling about 🤦♂️
Your enthousiasm is contagious. 🤸✨🥳😎
For those of you with a base 320i or a 330e… what are the running costs? In terms of insurance, servicing etc?
I’m thinking on getting one and the 320i seems to be more than enough for my needs.
Cheers.
2:06 did she say "when you have an arm full of fu**in' bags"? 😆
BMW have overtaken Audi in interior design and quality.
Both awful compared to older cars pre touchscreens.
Mid car but best price for new considering it hybrid
Yes I rather have a 3 or 5 series Touring!
Just IMO, looks wise the front is a retrograde step. The vertical lines from the light through the bumper and the larger flat areas aren't as pleasing as the pre LCI. The rear has more natty shiny black plastic. And I guess of course the most divisive bit is iDrive 7 vs 8. I find 7 distracting enough as it is. 8 is horrendous. I've seen BMW's intro into it some months ago, where they compared it to being like having everything on your mobile. Well you can't use a mobile while driving......!
I 💯 agree with everything you wrote there. 👍🏼👍🏼
With such a superb car, who wants a SUV instead!
SUVs are useful if you consistently carry 3 people in the back and also older people, that being said the estate is is my ideal car
I hope they don't ruin the exterior of the 3 series like they did with the other
Looks nice but will be a real headache to own when the warranty has expired. Very expensive to service, won't be all that reliable therefore needs to be avoided.
I don't agree. I bought a 320d Touring bought brand new. Now the warranty has expired I just use a local garage for servicing. It costs no more than my Ford Mondeo did. 105000 miles now. No problems
I wish you had put up a disclaimer, that you were about to show pictures of the fronts of BMW's latest SUVs......... I nearly threw up, and my eyes are now bleeding!!!
My current drive is an X3 30e which is just over a year old. I test drove this 3 series LCI about four weeks ago, exactly the same colour as this in your review. My X3 and the 3 series are fully specked out. Got in the 3 series and instantly felt disappointed. That curved screen looks "stuck on" and not harmonious. The lack of knobs and buttons is a massive disappointment. As you mentioned, everything over touch screen slows everything down, and in my opinion, distracts from the driving. Muscle memory allows you to remember where buttons etc are so you end up operating them intuitively. My X3 is the LCI version from 2021 and is a joy to drive. Sorry, can't recommend this 3 series, just think BMW is going in the wrong direction ...
the girth of that wheel, she can barely get her hands around it.
Is the road tax £520 for the next five years? which is expensive
That infotainment screen doesn't exactly look 'integrated'. Looks more like a sheet of plastic blue tacked onto the dash! Yuk!
I don't think Mat Whotson on carwow has done this one
Battery can only use for extra savings taxes and easy departure without any spin in snow 😂. 3.7 kw/h charger is most slowly charging speed in 2023 year. Bmw please let do minimum 50 kw/h changing power.This hybrid cars is big joke for customers.The engines and the cars themselves are very good, but the current technology is far behind the hybrid car and EV competitors for 2023. Chinese piople got BMW i3 LCI in Europe is big drama to have it😮.
Series hillwalker judging by the jacket
Hottest RUclips car reviewer and car 🚙 isn’t bad either.. 😊
Anna on roads beautiful lady as well
I'll ask her to come round and review my new King sized bed!😁
As an adult do we need demonstrations on how to check our visibility and by all means show the rear window hatch but if viewers cant figure out how to load items like an umbrella from there they shouldnt be behind the wheel.
6:26 ah yes, taking one hand off the wheel before flooring it in the rain, what could go wrong
She's a professional!
A former racing professional is Rebecca. Google it!
So slab sided and that dull davit grey doesn't help. £50,000 plus....................
iDrive>>
Screen looks like an afterthought, not in the least bit pleasant to look at 👎
All new cars should be voice recognition to stop the driver even having to look a way from the ROAD 😀
Becca still very much 5 foot 4 and a half.
👏👍🤝🇰🇬
Sorry, more of us prefer less knobs
It's the Motorsport version. Please.... nothing to do with the regular version.
I find it either total incompetence or just intellectual dishonesty to call this review "2022 BMW 3 Series review: Still BMW's best?", when the stuff tested actually is the M version...
Generally speaking I don't find the British reviews particularly competent or good.
It's more than time to "level up".
"Level Up", are you a Tory politician.🤣