2012 BMW 3 Series

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Overview

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2012 BMW 3 Series Review

By Micah Muzio, KBB.com Editor

One could argue that the BMW 3 Series is the most benchmarked car on the planet. That is to say, other carmakers regularly compare their products to the 3 Series, in a sense validating BMW's popular sedan as the automotive gold standard. For 2012, BMW has polished their gold standard to an even brighter luster with the introduction of the 2012 3 Series sedans: the 4-cylinder 328i and 6-cylinder 335i. Larger, faster and more efficient, the latest BMW 3 Series remains the car to beat in a field that includes, among others, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4 and Infiniti G37.

You'll Like This Car If...

You'll like the BMW 3 Series if you want a luxury sedan with a performance edge. With up to 34 mile-per-gallon fuel economy on the highway the 2012 3 Series might also appeal to buyers with a vocal frugal side.

You May Not Like This Car If...

Despite its luxury status the BMW 3 Series is a frequent site on roadways, especially in status-conscious areas of the country like Los Angeles. Those searching for a less common vehicular status symbol might consider the similarly satisfying Audi A4.

How It Ranks

#3

out of 21

MPG

#15

out of 21

Horsepower

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What's Significant About This Car?

The BMW 3 Series sedan is all-new for 2012, with updated coupe, convertible and high-performance M variants due to follow in the coming model years. Significant changes made to the all-new sedan include revised exterior styling, a slight increase in overall size, and a new 4-cylinder base engine.

Driving the 3 Series

Driving Impressions In motion, the 2012 328i and 335i sedans deliver a ride that is quiet and smooth but firmly connected to the road. At higher freeway speeds, the vehicle feels as...

stable as a 12-legged table, yet when the road curves, the 3 Series adapts, delivering solid, satisfying, and completely predictable handling. It's a quick, fun, nearly effortless car to drive fast. Those traits carry over to the racetrack where the 3 Series inspires confidence with excellent steering, great power, and strong, fade-free brakes. One area of concern comes from the standard Active Stop feature, which saves fuel by shutting down the engine when the vehicle is stationary. When the engine fires back up it does so with a shudder, showing a lack of refinement versus similar technology offered by Porsche. For those who dislike the start/stop action, the deactivation button is conveniently located adjacent to the starter.

Favorite Features

Parking Assistant
Using several "fish-eye" cameras, this feature apes an enhanced parking system first introduced by Infiniti. While not original, Parking Assistant's pseudo birds-eye overhead view is undeniably cool and makes parking a worry-free affair.

Side View
Side View uses a pair of front-mounted cameras to show what is happening to the left and right of the vehicle. Beyond ensuring you don't accidently nose into the red zone when parallel parking, Side View also helps lessen the danger of pulling into traffic when sideways visibility is limited.

2012 BMW 3 Series Details

Dashboard, center console, gear shifter view photo

Interior

Dimensionally, the 2012 BMW 3 Series sedans offer a bit more interior space than the outgoing model. Even with expanded dimensions, the rear quarters are still a bit tight with three aboard or with passengers over 6-feet tall. Otherwise there's plenty to like including a tastefully arranged driver-oriented dash, luxurious materials throughout, and seats that are supportive yet softly match the contours of their occupants. BMW's iDrive audio and communications system may continue to perplex some buyers, but we find the system generally easy to use and appreciate the uncluttered dash design it enables.

Exterior

Though slightly longer and taller than the previous generation car the 2012 3 Series sedans retain the same athletic shape we've come to expect. Headlights that blend into the grille could spark some controversy among BMW fans but, after a good long stare, we've grown used to the shape. To our eyes the latest 3 Series 4-door models look perfectly handsome. Supplementing the base car are Modern, Luxury and Sport Line option packages that each add a unique stylistic twist to the exterior and interior alike.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

In standard form, the BMW 3 Series sedans come well equipped with a leather multifunction steering wheel, leatherette upholstery, automatic climate control, cruise control, and a host of infotainment goodies, including Bluetooth, iDrive with 6.5-inch display and an audio system with satellite radio, HD radio, and USB and auxiliary inputs. Interestingly, a power driver seat is an added-cost option. On the safety front, the 2012 3 Series features stability and traction controls, active head restraints and eight airbags including knee airbags for the driver and front passenger.

Optional Equipment

Highlights from the extensive options list include keyless entry and engine start, a blind-spot warning system, lane departure warning, variable ratio steering, and a smartphone app integration feature called BMW Apps. Additionally, three option packages called "lines" let buyers customize the look of their 3 Series. The Luxury line adds chrome, wood and leather throughout, the Modern line gives the car a minimalist Scandinavian feel, and the Sport line adds a sport suspension, sport seats and abundant red stitching. For even more sportiness, consider the M-Sport package, which bundles an M aerodynamics package, M suspension, M wheels, and sporting M-themed details throughout.

Under the Hood

Despite modest displacement and only four cylinders the 328i engine is plenty powerful, propelling the 3 Series from 0 to 60 miles per hour in less than 5.7 seconds (5.9 with the automatic transmission) while also delivering up to 34 mpg on the highway. Those who want extra power can choose the same turbocharged 3.0-liter straight-6 that appears ubiquitously throughout the BMW line. In this application, the 3.0-liter blasts the 335i to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds. Enabling this powerful yet efficient perfomance are engines that utilize direct injection, variable valve timing and the magic of turbocharging. Transmission choices include a nice 6-speed manual and a smooth-shifting 8-speed automatic. Interestingly, the manual and automatic cost the same, so forget your wallet and follow your heart.

2012 BMW 328i:
2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
240 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm
255 lb-ft of torque @ 1,250 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/34 mpg (manual), 23/33 mpg (automatic)

2012 BMW 335i:
3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6
300 horsepower @ 5,800 rpm
300 lb-ft of torque @ 1,300 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/30 mpg (manual), 23/33 mpg (automatic)

Pricing Notes

The new 2012 BMW 328i sedan has a starting price of less than $36,000, checking in at a modest $300 more than the 2011 model. With all the options added, the price for a 335i sedan can top $56,000. Both the Infiniti G37 and Audi A4 can be had for less money than the BMW 3 Series, but the BMW does compare well price wise with the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Lexus IS. To see what others are paying for the BMW 3 Series in your area, be sure to check out the KBB Fair Purchase Price. In terms of resale value, the BMW 3 Series is a strong performer, outpacing residual numbers for the A4 and keeping pace with those of the G37 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Only the exceptionally strong resale numbers of the Lexus IS eclipse those of the BMW 3 Series.

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