The BMW 3 Series' Awesome Lineup
BMW continues to make its 3 Series cool. But what exactly separates the 2023 model from last year?
Written by Andrew Koole
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
BMW
isn’t a company known for holding back, and its 3 Series has always stood as an example of that reputation. The sports sedan’s 2023 models are no exception.Whether in the form of the base 330i model, the plug-in hybrid 330e, or the “M” badged performance trim, the 3 Series gives everything we’ve come to know and love about BMW.
BMW gave the 3 Series a facelift for 2023
For years, the 3 Series was BMW’s biggest moneymaker. The current popularity of SUVs has changed that a little, but the German automaker shows no signs of retiring what remains their most well-loved sedan.
This year, the updates to the four-door sports car bring things just shy of a full generation change. Only the engine options get left off the list of aspects BMW tweaked and tailored.
The key difference from the 2022 model is the car’s exterior.
Car and Driver
says the 3 Series body gains a more modern, geometric shape, and the LED headlights get a new look. The 18-inch wheels receive an update as well.Inside, the cab receives a curved display showing the driver’s 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and the center console’s 14.9-inch touchscreen.
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Which BMW 3 Series: 330i vs. 330e
Every model in the 3 Series family has its own way of impressing buyers. Choosing the right one for you depends on your intended use and your budget.
If you want the style and luxury the car offers, but you don’t need the temptation of a powerful engine, the 330i is probably your best bet. It starts at $42,300 and runs on a 255-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine—plenty of fun for most drivers.
If gas bills are getting you down or the environment is high on your priority list, the 330e, a plug-in hybrid, will ease the weight on your pocketbook and your conscience.
Starting only $1,000 higher than the 330i, it can travel 23 miles without the help of its gas tank, cutting the car’s estimated emissions in half compared to the base model.
Adding an “M” to your BMW 3 Series
Of course, you can’t list BMW’s trim options without mentioning the legendary M package. For 2023, choosing the top trim upgrades nearly every aspect of the 3 Series—and bumps the starting price up to $70,100.
The engine swap is the most dramatic difference between the M340i and its siblings. A turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six and a 48-volt hybrid system work together to offer 382 hp and get the car from 0-60 mph in an impressive 4.1 seconds.
M3 owners get upgraded wheels of all sorts. Outside, the nicer rims add an inch of diameter to those found on the lower trims. Inside, hands rest on a uniquely badged, leather steering wheel.
Exterior and mechanical adjustments are offered as well. Drivers can choose between sport or adaptive M suspension, and restyling can be found from the exhaust to the mirror caps. The only change with mixed reviews is the M3’s large “beaver-toothed” kidney grille.
Cost to own a BMW 3 Series
You might be surprised at the relatively affordable starting price for a BMW 3 Series. But don’t let that fool you into thinking this is an affordable car.
Car insurance for a 3 Series is quite high. The hybrid 330e has the lowest average, sitting at $3,007 annually, while coverage for the M340i costs the average driver over $3,400 a year. Don’t despair, though. Jerry can help keep your dream of owning a new BMW alive.
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4.7
