2016 BMW 3 Series Gets a Light Refresh and More Power

2016 BMW 3 Series (Credit: © BMW)

We’ve known it’s been coming for some time, and it’s finally here: BMW has given the 3 Series a nice update for the 2016 model year. This midlife refresh includes some light visual upgrades, new technology, and even a handful of mechanical updates.

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The visual changes on the 2016 BMW 3 Series are not striking, but they are noticeable if you put the 2015 model next to the 2016. The headlights have new LED halos that are now one piece as opposed to being two separate rings, the rear bumper is ever so slightly revised, and the front air intakes are a little wider.

Also new is the addition of the Sport Line as a standard feature on the 328i, 328d and the new-for-2016 340i. This package adds in a high-gloss kidney grille, black B-pillars, and a high-gloss black insert on the rear bumper. Inside the cabin, the standard Sport Package includes a sport instrument cluster, an anthracite headliner, and sport seats.

2016 BMW 3 Series (Credit: © BMW)

Interior updates include minor tweaks, like new chrome accents, a high-gloss center console, and a new storage cubby just ahead of the cup holder.

New tech is also a part of this update. The coolest update is the revised Parking Assistant, which now helps with perpendicular parking as well as parallel parking. Using its ultrasonic sensors, the 3 Series with Parking Assistant can find a parking space at speeds up to 22 mph (parallel or perpendicular) and pull itself in with the driver only operating the brake, accelerator, and gear shifter.

Under the hood, the 3 Series caries over, for the most part, but the new 340i throws things off a bit. As the replacement for the 335i, the 340i uses a new BMW EfficientDynamics 3.0-liter inline-six engine in the place of the outgoing 335i’s N55 engine. This engine puts out 320 horsepower between 5,500 and 6,500 rpm, and 330 pound-feet of torque from 1,350 revs. Those account for a 20-horsepower and 30-pound-feet gain over the 335i.

The new 3.0-liter engine mates to a revised eight-speed Steptronic transmission that delivers power to either the rear wheel or all four wheels with the optional xDrive system. The rear-driven 340i hits 60 mph in 4.8 seconds, while the xDrive-equipped model does the same dance in 4.6 ticks. This makes the new 340i a whopping 0.4 seconds quicker to 60 mph than the 335i.

2016 BMW 3 Series (Credit: © BMW)

Earlier I spoke of a revised eight-speed transmission, well, this new gear swapper includes wider gear ratios and reduced torque converter slip for added efficiency, while improve engine irregularity dampening for smooths shifting, and a Sport+ mode allows for crisper shifts. An ECO PRO mode also helps improve economy by decoupling the engine from the transmission when coasting.

Also updated is the no-cost-option six-speed manual transmission, which has a dual-mass flywheel for smooth high-rev gear swaps, and rev matching.

Finally, no Bimmer would be complete without a precision chassis, and BMW spent some time retooling this part of the new 3 Series to improve upon it. The end result is new geometry, new front struts with five-bolt upper mounts, a new electronic power steering system for enhanced feel, new rear dampers, and an updated Dynamic Stability Control system. The near-perfect M Sport suspension also got some work to help reduce body roll.

For buyers who need even more precision handling without diving into the M3, BMW is now offering a Track Handling Package on all gasoline-powered 2016 BMW 3 Series models. This package includes Variable Sport Steering, Adaptive M Sport Suspension, M Sport Brakes with high-temp brake pads, blue calipers, and 18-inch light-alloy wheels shod in Michelin Super Sport rubber.

There is no mention of when the new 3 Series will be available for purchase, nor does BMW mention its pricing.