2015 BMW 3 Series Review

Detailed Review

Debuted in 1975, the BMW 3 Series is currently in its 7^th generation and competes with established brands such as the Audi A4, Mercedes C-Class, and the Jaguar XE.

2015 BMW 3 Series grades

320i Sedan- it comes with a 2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas that produces a horsepower of 180 hp @ 5000 rpm and a torque of 200 lb-ft @ 1250 rpm. It has an 8-Speed Automatic transmission and a Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) drivetrain.

320i xDrive Sedan- it boasts a 2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas that produces a horsepower of 180 hp @ 5000 rpm and 200 lb-ft @ 1250 rpm torque. It has an 8-Speed automatic transmission and is All-Wheel Drive.

328i Sedan- it is equipped with a 2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas that produces a horsepower of 240 hp @ 5000 rpm and a torque of 255 lb-ft @ 1250 rpm. It has an 8-Speed Automatic transmission and an RWD drivetrain.

328d Sedan- it has a 2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Diesel engine with a horsepower of 180 hp @ 4000 rpm and a torque of 280 lb-ft @ 1750 rpm. It has an 8-Speed transmission and a RWD drivetrain.

328i xDrive Sedan- it has a 2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas which produces a horsepower of 240 hp @ 5000 rpm and 255 lb-ft @ 1250 rpm torque. It boasts an 8-Speed automatic transmission and an AWD drivetrain.

Interior Legroom & Space

BMW has taken measures to ensure that despite the 3 Series cabin’s modern appearance, it maintains a pleasant and appealing space. The company’s classic analog gauges provide a historical link to BMWs from bygone eras, while the optional thematic equipment lines permit extensive personalization. The material quality is outstanding throughout, and the construction is meticulous.

The ’15 BMW has a five-seat capacity. The front seats are pleasant, while the rear seats are among the most spacious in the luxury subcompact car segment.

Exterior

BMW has transformed the 3-Series from a simplistic, somewhat stark sport sedan to something more subtle and nuanced over multiple decades and generations. The 2015 model has a classy, elegant, and sporty look. The roofline looks longer and a little swoopier compared to previous models. The simplest way to describe the 3-Series’ exterior up close is neat and nicely detailed.

Boot Space

2015 3 Series has a boot space of 480 liters, which is the same as the Audi A4 and Mercedes C-Class. It is also more spacious than the Jaguar XE. More importantly, it has a more user-friendly architecture with less suspension component encroachment, making it much easier to slide heavier items in.

Safety Features

The 2015 BMW 3 Series comes with anti-lock brakes, traction and stability control, front side airbags, side curtain airbags, and front knee airbags.

Its stability control system incorporates several features intended to improve braking performance, such as periodically wiping the brake rotors dry when the windshield wipers are in use and automatically tightening the brake pads to the rotors when the driver abruptly lifts his or her foot off the gas pedal. Standard BMW Assist emergency communications include automatic crash notification, stolen car recovery, and roadside assistance on-demand.

Other Extras: Full colour Heads-Up Display, High-Beam Assistant

Fuel Consumption

The BMW 3 Series boasts excellent fuel efficiency. The base model gets 23 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA. While the turbodiesel 328d with front-wheel drive has 31 mpg in the city and 43 mpg on the highway.

Acceleration

Petrol- 8,9 seconds between 0-100km/h

Diesel- 10,7 s between 0-100 km/h

Fuel Tank Capacity

It has a capacity of 60 liters.

Ground Clearance

The 2015 BMW 3 series has a ground clearance of 157 mm.Read our guidelines here on how to safely increase a vehicle’s ground clearance.

Service Intervals
Minor Service – At 10,000 km for petrol and 5,000 km for diesel. Requires Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, and Engine Oil
Major Service – At 15,000km. Requires Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, Fuel Filter, ATF Filter, Cabin Filter, Plugs, Front Brake Pads, Rear Brake Pads, ATF Oil, and Engine Oil.

Spare Parts Availability, Cost & Where to buy
Service parts are fairly priced and available in major towns in Kenya. Body parts are expensive and mostly available in Nairobi. You can get listings for BMW 3 Series spare part dealers in this link

Reliability

The BMW 3 Series is a fantastic vehicle with superb build quality, meticulous attention to detail, and a long list of high-tech features. However, it is less engaging to drive than it used to be. When driven aggressively, the car remains nimble, solid, and beautifully balanced. It also provides a highly enjoyable and well-balanced overall driving experience.

Resale Value: Average

BMW 3 Series Competitors: Audi A4, Mercedes Benz C-Class, Lexus lS, VW Passat, Subaru Legacy and Toyota Mark X.

Cost of Ownership
Purchase Price: from Ksh.2,100,000
Comprehensive Insurance: Average Ksh. 72,000/ per annum- Or
3rd Party Insurance: Ksh. 7,000/- per annum
Change of Tyres(If neccessary) Ksh. 24,000/- for 4 Tyres
Check Latest BMW 3 Series Prices here

What we like about the 2015 BMW 3 Series
1. Spacious cabin
2. Comfortable
3. Premium quality

What we don’t
1. Low ground clearance

Conclusion
The BMW 3 Series is a great family vehicle that combines many desirable characteristics such as comfort, performance, and safety. Ground clearance is a problem when driving around Kenya, you should be ready for some pain if you hit the big speed bumps.

Where to Buy the 2015 BMW 3 Series in Kenya
If you are looking to either import or buy the BMW 3 Series locally, we can help you with this process. Over the years, we have developed a network of trusted dealers both in Kenya and UK who supply us with exceptional cars. Simply call us or send us a message through our contacts below and we’ll get you the right car at the right price.