2016 BMW 3 Series Review

The 2016 BMW 3 Series offers powerful engines, agile driving, and back seats that accommodate adults. This luxury compact car’s below-average reliability rating prevents it from placing higher in our rankings.

2016 BMW 3 Series Grades

2016 BMW 3 Series 320i– This grade comes with rear wheel drive (RWD) drivetrain, 17-inch alloy wheels with run-flat tires, automatic headlights, fog lights, remote keyless entry, push-button start, six-way manually adjustable front seats, leatherette premium vinyl upholstery, BMW Assist emergency telematics, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, iDrive electronics interface, 6.5-inch display, and a nine-speaker.

2016 BMW 3 Series 328i– This trim level comes with rear wheel drive (RWD) drivetrain, LED fog lights, the Sport Line trim package, anthracite headliner, sport instrumentation and 10-way power-adjustable sport front seats, power-folding auto-dimming side mirrors with heating, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, wood trim, driver memory functions, and split-folding rear seatbacks.

2016 BMW 3 Series 328d– This trim level is similar to the 328i but it is powered by diesel engine and hybrid powertrain.

2016 BMW 3 Series 330e– This grade comes with all-wheel-drive (AWD) drivetrain and has a diesel engine and hybrid powertrain.

2016 BMW 3 Series 340i- The 340i sedan is equipped with a six-cylinder engine, 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, matte chrome exterior decor, keyless ignition and entry (including a motorized trunk lid with a foot sensor), a sunroof, and a 16-speaker Harman Kardon sound system (optional on most other models).

Interior legroom & Space

There is ample space for front passengers and cargo, but the rear seats are somewhat tight for adults. Horizontal and pristine, the dashboard features a freestanding display monitor. The trim can be subtle aluminum or elegant wood, but be careful, because unlike the exterior, certain combinations of inside trim can make the cabin flashy or at least cluttered.

Although BMW’s iDrive control system is now more user-friendly, it is still sophisticated. The 3D maps with available navigation are of superior quality.

Boot Space

The 2016 BMW 3 Series sedan has 13 cubic feet of trunk capacity, which is a bit more than average for the class. With the rear seats folded, the 3 Series features 56.5 cubic feet of cargo space.

Exterior

The design of the 2016 BMW 3 Series is flawless: clean, classic, and gorgeous, with a sporty twist. The designs is longer and more streamlined than previous models, with a rising belt line that cuts through the sheet metal along the doors and seemingly lowers the hood line. In profile, it is a pleasant break from the fashionable wedge seen on so many competitors.

In 2016, BMW changed its front and rear fascias. The headlamp and taillight illumination signatures have been improved, the air intakes have been expanded, and the bumpers have been changed. The overall effect is strong but appealing.

Safety Features

Standard safety features in the 2016 3 Series include; antilock brakes, traction and stability control, front side airbags, side curtain airbags and front knee airbags. Options include parking sensors (front and rear), a rearview camera, surround- and side-view cameras, blind spot monitoring, a lane departure warning system, frontal collision warning and frontal collision mitigation with automatic braking.

Fuel Consumption

The 2016 BMW 3 Series has an average fuel economy of 10.4l/100k in the city and 6.8l/1000k in the highway.

Ground Clearance

The 2016 BMW 3 series has a ground clearance of165mm. It may be necessary to modify the ground clearance to adjust the car to Kenyan roads. 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.

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.2,700,000
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 2016 BMW 3 Series
1. Spacious cabin
3. Powerful engines
4. Premium quality

What we don’t
1. Low ground clearance

Conclusion

The 2016 BMW 3 Series should be on the top of your list if you are looking for a compact premium performance sedan. Whether you are admiring its mix of features and elegance or putting its smooth optional engine to the test, you will almost certainly be impressed.

Where to Buy the 2016 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.