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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2011 BMW 3 Series

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Overview

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2011 BMW 3 Series Review

By KBB.com Editors

KBB Expert Rating: 7.2

In the 35-plus years since its introduction, the BMW 3 Series has come a long, long way. For 2012, the 3 Series has grown into a raft of separate model designations, ranging from the 328i Sedan to the 335is Coupe and diesel-powered 335d Sedan. In between these extremes are more coupe variants, a handful of additional sedans, two wagons and three convertibles, along with availability of xDrive all-wheel-drive (AWD) models.

You'll Like This Car If...

There are sports sedans, sports coupes and sport convertibles. And then there is the BMW 3 Series. While any number of manufacturers will adapt key elements of BMW's mainstay into their product portfolio, no one - to date - has duplicated the 3's seductive combination of performance, handling and day-to-day utility. Drivers love it, geeks (especially those with an affinity for elegant engineering) love it, and families love it. True, Audi is making inroads into the American consciousness, and Infiniti's G37 represents a compelling performance alternative, but neither puts it all together quite like BMW.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If the balanced handling benefits of rear-wheel drive don't resonate, or you live in an area which places a premium on all-wheel drive, the 2011 BMW 3 Series may not be the best of your available options. And despite improved warranties and no-cost maintenance during that warranty period, older, high-mileage German is typically more expensive to maintain than older Japanese or domestic.

What's New for 2011

The seemingly still-new 2011 3 Series benefits from a number of small visual updates, including new hood and front fascia, new headlights featuring an "eyebrow" for the daytime running lights, reshaped exterior mirrors with enhanced aerodynamics, and a new rear treatment that visually widens the car. Additionally, the 3 Series coupe and convertible receive a new side-skirt design. On top of the visual changes is a host of new options, combined with new variations in color, trim and upholstery.

Driving the 3 Series

Driving Impressions For the committed BMW aficionado or someone relatively new to the marque, the driving experience is key to realizing - and benefiting from - your substantial investment. If you live...

in an area not conducive to even the occasional full-throttle blast, forego the BMW. In fact, you should probably forego individual transportation all together. A balanced platform, communicative steering, composed ride and stop-on-a-deutschmark (now discontinued) braking make for one of the most entertaining experiences in the automotive realm. And with available all-wheel drive (xDrive) and diesel power, that ultimate experience or joy (take your pick) can now be experienced in the snowbelt or by the compulsive greenie. One note of caution: If you live in an area of the country where streets are poorly maintained, avoid the sport suspension. Its benefits on the smooth stuff won't offset its punishment on the rough stuff. Each 2011 BMW 3 Series model offers a 6-speed manual transmission or, for a fee, a 6-speed automatic. The only two exceptions are the diesel-powered 335d, which comes exclusively with the 6-speed automatic, and the 335is, whose optional transmission is BMW's 7-speed double-clutch automatic.

Favorite Features

BMW Diesel
We were inclined to suggest the base 3.0-liter six for its essential goodness, but defaulted to the TwinPower Turbo for its almost sublime explosiveness. And then we were reminded of rising fuel prices and the diesel's 36 mpg highway rating. With the thrust of a V8 and the economy of a four, it's the right powertrain for the car - and the obvious choice for the times.

BMW's Ultimate Service
If you have the financial wherewithal to buy or lease a BMW, it's assumed you have the financial capability to weather the 4-figure service visit. Just because you can, however, doesn't mean you want to. A BMW may be about the joy of driving, but Ultimate Servce - where everything from oil to wipers to brake rotors are replaced free of charge (during the warranty period) - adds to the joy of BMW ownership.

2011 BMW 3 Series Details

2011 BMW 3 Series Dashboard, center console, gear shifter view photo

Interior

Few, if any, carmakers know their brand DNA quite like BMW. The 2011 BMW 3 Series is longer, and the greenhouse - in relative terms - is less generous, but the basic 3 Series design rules apply: long hood, short rear deck, and good sight lines to better allow aggressive urban or suburban driving. The 2011 models benefit from modest updates to the front and rear, but these are modest - and do nothing to outdate their immediate predecessor.

Exterior

2011 BMW 3 Series Front low 5/8 angle view photo

In each of its successive generations the BMW 3 Series grows incrementally. Happily, each growth spurt nets a small improvement in interior comfort. Most of that, however, remains with front seat passengers, who enjoy comfortable and supportive accommodation. The 2011 3 Series is more typically targeted at professional couples and/or youngish families, and is never intended to be the principal people mover. Young professionals and their families will be very happy with the accommodation. For those needing more utility, the Sports Wagon remains in the lineup, as does an all-new X3 SUV for 2012.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

All BMW models come with a generous level of standard equipment, and all can absolutely kill you - or, at least, kill a budget - with onerous ad-ons in the option column. Choose the high-performance variant of the standard 2011 BMW 335i, the 335is, and you'll find yourself driving a sport derivative imbued with all that's good for the performance enthusiast. The 335is upgrades include 20 more horsepower - to 320 - from the TwinPower Turbo, and that power is controlled via Dynamic Stability Control and Dynamic Traction Control. And the "s" provides extensive use of aluminum in various suspension components, sport suspension calibration, and an aero kit. Mounted on 18-inch rims, the tires are staggered in width with 225/40s in front and 255/35s in back. Inside, if you grow tired of the sounds of BMW's twin-turbocharged in-line-6, you can turn up the standard HD audio.

Optional Equipment

While every imaginable option variance is available on a 3 Series, the 335is Coupe is the notable odd duck. You might reasonably expect leather to be standard on the 2011 BMW 335is Coupe, especially in light of a $51K base price. And you would be wrong. Leather - in a variety of attractive flavors - will cost $1,450, while the Premium Package, affording you a digital compass mirror, BMW Assist with Bluetooth, lumbar support, auto-dimming mirrors and a universal garage door opener will add $2,650. Separate options include navigation for $2,100 and Harman Kardon surround sound for a relatively reasonable $875.

Under the Hood

It used to be so easy. A "328" designation conveyed a 2.8-liter displacement, while the "335" would indicate a capacity of 3.5 liters. Despite our disconnect with the nomenclature, we won't argue with the results. The normally aspirated 3.0-liter in-line-6 produces an ultra-smooth 230 horsepower and 200 lb-ft of torque. The 3.0-liter six fitted to the 335i models boasts twin turbochargers and 300 horsepower in standard guise, and 320 when you move up to the 335is. Finally, the 3.0-liter diesel, also an in-line-6, offers a 36-mpg EPA rating on the highway and 50-state certification. All can propel you from zero to jail in an amazingly brief sprint, and hang out all day on the autobahn - or your version of the autobahn.

328i Sedan & 328i xDrive Sedan / 328i Coupe / 328i Convertible /
328i Sports Wagon & 328i xDrive Sports Wagon
3.0-liter inline-6
230 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
200 lb-ft of torque @ 2,750 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy:
328i Sedan: 18/28
328i xDrive Sedan: 17/25 (manual), 17/26 (automatic)
328i Coupe: 17/25 (manual), 17/26 (automatic)
328i Convertible: 17/26 (manual), 18/27 (automatic)
328i Sports Wagon: 17/26 (manual), 18/27 (automatic)
328i xDrive Sports Wagon: 17/25 (manual), 17/26 (automatic)

335i Sedan & 335i xDrive Sedan / 335i Coupe & 335i xDrive Coupe / 335i Convertible
3.0-liter inline-6 twin-turbocharged
300 horsepower @ 5,800 rpm
300 lb-ft of torque @ 1,200-5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy:
335i Sedan: 19/28
335i xDrive Sedan: 19/26 (manual), 18/27 (automatic)
335i Coupe: 19/28
335i xDrive Coupe: 19/26 (manual), 18/27 (automatic)
335i Convertible: 19/28

335is Coupe / 335is Convertible
3.0 liter inline-6 twin-turbocharged
320 horsepower @ 5,900 rpm
332 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/26 (manual), 17/24 (automatic)

335d Sedan
3.0-liter inline-6 twin-turbocharged diesel
265 horsepower @ 4,200 rpm
425 lb-ft of torque @ 1,750 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/36

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2011 BMW 3 Series Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.8

Out of 10

Based on 890 Ratings for the 2006 - 2011 models.

Review this car

Value

8.8/10

Quality

9.1/10
Reliability

9.0/10

Performance

9.3/10
Comfort

8.9/10

Styling

9.3/10

I LOVE this car and I'm a car person...

By Carolyn A (NC) on Saturday, May 18, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 27,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "great looking, fun to drive"

Cons: "expensive, 93 octane gas only"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"This is such an amazing car. I drive with the top down as many days of the year as I can. I love accelerating through curves and I never feel the car get away from me. This is the safest I've ever felt in a car. I get compliments every day, literally, on the looks of this car. The down side of this car is that it is not very comfortable on a trip longer than an hour or 90 minutes. Maybe it's just me. All in all, fantastic car."

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My Bimmer

By podoc19 (NY) on Saturday, May 18, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 15,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: Not Rated
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Very nice car that is enjoyable 2 be in & to drive"

Cons: "cup holders stink, no spare"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"I got this car after loosing my car to hurricane Sandy. I loved the car I had & it took me a while to start liking this car but now that I have had it for a couple of months I must say I love this car. The only thing that I don't find so great is the acceleration. It also takes a while to figure out the i drive system. I would highly recommend getting the i drive, premium sound system & believe it or not the heated steering wheel is well worth the money."

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Awesome car

By KMT (MA) on Thursday, May 02, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 41,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Blast to drive, Great exceleration"

Cons: "firm ride from run flat,"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I have owned this car for two years. It is the most enjoyable car I have ever owned. The handling is unsurpassed. Fit and Function is great in every way. If I had any gripes at all it would be the firm ride from the run flat tires. Otherwise this is a fantastic vehicle."

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Sexy car!

By Pinkiesurfer (AZ) on Thursday, May 02, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 68,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "everything"

Cons: "automatic seat belt arm is annoying"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I am a BMW fanatic. I have owned 8 BMWs in the last 12 years! I have had the wagon, 3 series convertible, 3 series sedans, 5 series sedans, X5s, and 3 series coupe. Of all the BMWs I have owned, this is the model I have kept the longest. Mine is black with chrome wheels, and it is a really hot looking car, and I never get tired of it! It looks amazing! It is really sporty and fun to drive. Mine is a manual tranny, and really takes curves well at high speeds, and has a great amount of pep for a 4 cylinder. In AZ it gets really hot, but the AC in this car is amazing, and I don't regret getting a black exterior, black interior car. It cools off really quick. The only annoying thing with this car is the seat belts. The electric arm that pushes the belt forward to make it easy to reach is a terrible design. But other than that, this car is perfect, and I wouldn't change a thing. I love it!! If you are thinking of buying this car, DO IT! You will love it! The stick-shift model is a lot of fun, and really makes for a great driving experience."

2 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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Almost 8 and still reliable, fast, and fun

By Bebop (VA) on Wednesday, May 01, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 63,500

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 8/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 7/10

Pros: "Handling, steering, pickup, mpg, reliability,"

Cons: "Cost of dealer service."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"325i. Had it almost 8 years, bought new. Other than maintenance nothing to spend money on. Great pick up. Nice engine sound. Handles wonderfully in curves. Interior has held together with no problems. The stock base stereo was and still is not great sounding. I get 32 mpg on hwy for trips from dc to buffalo or NYC. My car doesn't have lots of extras so I kept the cost somewhat down. But the leather seats and seat warmers are great, I got used to the drink holders. And paying extra for the folding rear seat was certainly needed. But, hey BMW, stop charging for something that every other car has for no charge. I found a good mechanic so stopped going to BMW dealer for excessively priced service and standard dealer ripoffs. I have the six speed manual and its fun! I bought it for the fun of driving and it delivers. I really also like the adjusting headlights for turns. I didn't buy it to be a luxury car, a quiet car, a super smooth riding car, etc. if I had I may have been disappointed but that's why there's Volvo."

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Best buy

By Hert (GA) on Sunday, April 28, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 38,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Great handling, smooth ride and comfortable."

Cons: "Price of it in USA is way higher than Elsewhere."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Purchased it when I was stationed in Germany . Bought it brand new only 10 miles when it arrived from the BMW factory. For 36000 dollars I'd recommend it to anyone."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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See all 890 reviews