BMW offers the best performance, quality, and safety. On top of that, they have a broad range of car makes and models on offer. From sedans to coupes, and SUVs, BMW has a variety of vehicles to suit different people’s needs. But what is the best small BMW sedan?
The title for the best small BMW sedan goes to the BMW 3-Series. The BMW 3-Series gets stiff competition from the BMW 5-Series, but it still carries the day. Despite being small, this sedan is a true definition of the BMW terms, the “Ultimate driving machine,” or “Sheer driving pleasure.”
BMW 3-Series provides the perfect balance of performance, driving dynamics, low maintenance, high-end technology, and refinement. Its ride is smooth, engaging, and with exceptional handling. Even though it’s a sports car, it is very practical, unlike most competitor cars in its class.
Features of the BMW 3-Series
Appearance
BMW has some of the best-looking sports cars on the market. The BMW 3-Series is not an exception as it is one of the most elegant cars in its class. It comes with a simple yet elegant and aggressive look. Some of the features that make this car look elegant are the kidney grille, standard LED headlights, automatic high beams, and 18-inch alloy wheels.
Moreover, the interior of the BMW 3-Series looks luxurious with top-notch technological features. From the door panels to the dashboard and upholstery, everything looks high-class and modern. What’s more, the base models come with top features like a 14-way power-adjustable front seats, driver’s seat memory system, and a power moonroof.
Performance
Since the BMW 3-Series is a sports car, it comes with a powerful engine and its first. The car is fitted with a 2.0-liter turbo Inline-4 gas engine, but it also has the option of a 3.0-liter turbo Inline-6 engine. The base engine delivers a maximum of 255 horsepower and 294 lb-ft of torque.
However, if you want more power and performance, you can select the M340i that utilizes a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 engine. This engine delivers up to 382 horsepower and 368 lb-ft of torque. Note that the BMW 3-Series has a choice of two drivetrain systems: all-wheel-drive and rear-wheel-drive systems.
Comfort
Even though the BMW 3-Series is a small sedan, this car has ample cabin space. On top of that, its seats are comfortable and top-class. It can seat up to five passengers and has ample legroom and headroom. Additionally, the car comes with a top-notch interior, which is highlighted by a perforated upholstery.
Reliability
One of the biggest challenges of owning a luxury car is that they are not reliable. And since BMW is a luxury car, it is also one of the least reliable cars on the market. However, BMW has improved its cars and it’s among the most reliable German luxury cars.
The BMW 3-Series is the most reliable BMW series. According to J.D. Power, BMW sits at position 77 out of 100. Only a few luxury cars rank higher than this car, which includes Lexus IS and Genesis G70.
Safety
Both the NHTSA and IIHS have always rated the BMW 3-Series highly as it has fared well in safety and crashworthiness tests. Some of the top safety features that this car boasts of are frontal collision warning, tire pressure monitoring, dynamic traction, adaptive brake lights, lane departure warning, and much more.
Price
The BMW 3-Series has different trims to pick from. The base trim is the BMW 330i sedan with a 2.0-liter inline 4-gas engine. It also has 8-speed automatic transmission and comes with a rear-wheel-drive system. This car has a base price of $41,000, while the highest trim, which is the M340i sedan with a 3.0-liter engine costs around $54,600.
FAQ
Which car is better between BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
Mercedes-Benz C-Class and BMW 3-Series are some of the most sought-after entry-level sedans on the market. They both offer exceptional performance, comfort, and safety. However, the BMW 3-Series excels when it comes to performance and handling, while the Mercedes C-Class is great at offering comfort and highly advanced features.
What is the most reliable BMW model?
BMW 3-Series is the most reliable BMW 3-Series. Under BMW 3-Series, there are several fantastic car models but the BMW E90 3-Series is the most reliable model. This car debuted in 2006 and it had a 2.5-liter 6-cylinder engine that delivered a maximum of 215 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque.
Aside from the BMW E90 3-Series being the most reliable car model, it is also important to note that its non-turbocharged variant is more reliable than the turbocharged variant.
Which BMW is better – BMW 3-Series or BMW 2-Series?
Both of these cars come with high-quality features and are luxurious. Regardless, the BMW 3-Series is the better car. Not only is the BMW 3-Series more reliable, but it is also more comfortable with more sophisticated features. It is also quicker, faster, and with a more refined ride than that of the BMW 2-Series.
On the other hand, the BMW 2-Series is a compact car with a stylish and elegant exterior than that of the BMW 3-Series. It looks sportier than the BMW 3-Series. Additionally, it is more fuel-efficient than the 3-Series. Nevertheless, the BMW 2-Series has a small trunk, cabin space, cramped rear seats, a dull interior, and a hard ride.
Which is the smallest BMW car?
The smallest BMW car is the BMW 2-Series Coupe. This car is quite small and it shares many features with the BMW 1-Series hatchback. However, it is pretty lower than the BMW 1-Series but has a more appealing appearance. What’s more, this car is fuel-efficient and has different variants to pick from.
Do Mini Coopers have BMW engines?
It depends on the Mini Cooper you’re talking about. If it’s the old Mini Cooper, then it is fitted with an old British Motor Corporation (BMC) ‘O Series’ engine. However, if you’re talking about the newer Mini Cooper models, then they have BMW sourced engines.
Bottom line
The best small BMW sedan is the BMW 3-Series. Not only is this sedan one of the most reliable BMW series, but it is also one of the finest to drive. The car performances outstandingly and it is very powerful. On top of that, it is beautifully designed with top-notch interior features. What’s more, it is safe with a low maintenance cost.
