BMW 3 Series News

If you love the looks of the stunning BMW i3 but aren't quite ready for an EV, the German brand has got you covered with its all-new BMW 3 Series. To the untrained eye, the petrol-powered 3 Series will look identical to the sharp-suited mid-size battery-powered sedan when it rocks up early next year priced from around $85,000. Once again created to rival the Mercedes C-Class and Audi A5, it's only side by side that you begin to spot the huge differences between the i3 and 3 Series. The first is the eighth-generation 3 Series has a longer snout, needed to home a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine that powers the flagship M350 and the inbound M3 that arrives later. The combustion BMW sedan also has a shorter wheelbase and slimmer sill, as there's no need to house a chunky battery pack between the axles. A set of taller four doors completes the changes. Beneath the skin, the new-gen 3 Series is based on the previous model's platform (G20) but grows in every dimension, with it measuring 4765mm (+52mm) long, 1850mm wide (+23mm) and standing 1455mm (+7mm) tall, with a 2860mm (+9mm) wheelbase for a bit more room inside. Space in the second row is still at a premium, but without a battery pack the floor is lower for more space for feet, and the boot is also bigger than the EV with up to 450 litres (+30L) available. Inside, if anything, the 3 Series remains as impressive as the outside, with the BMW gaining the same Neue Klasse cabin design as the i3 and iX3 SUV, which sees the full-width, configurable Panoramic Vision screen stretch from pillar to pillar, replacing a conventional instrument panel. The cabin also combines both a generous, tilted 17.9-inch infotainment system and a huge 3D head-up display, the driver relies on a multifunction steering wheel that features physical buttons to help operate the tech. If you're wondering, the ugly tiller, with its 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock spokes, can be replaced by a more conventional M steering wheel. Bathing the cabin in light are an expansive panoramic roof and large glass windows, which add a light and airy feel to a cabin with an impressive mix of high-quality materials. All the tech runs an Android-based BMW X operating system that introduces an AI-powered Amazon Alexa voice assistant that is capable of a natural conversation. In Australia, just two variants will initially be offered – a rear-wheel drive 320 with 155kW and 330Nm of torque, for a 0-100km/h dash of 7.4 seconds, while the flagship all-wheel drive M350 xDrive punches out 326kW of power and 540Nm of torque. Looking like a proper BMW M product, the flagship version gets M Performance upgrades that see an aero kit added, bigger black 20-inch alloy wheels and a yellow daytime light signature that reminds you of the recent BMW M5 CS muscle car. Off the line, with all-wheel drive the quickest M350 takes just 4.1 seconds for the 0-100km/h sprint. For the first time, as well as looking like the M3, the M350 gets something called Drift Moment that switches it to rear-wheel drive to allow the driver to provoke lurid slides (hopefully on track). BMW engineers are confident the i3 and 3 Series will raise the bar for both driver enjoyment and handling, but without compromising long-distance comfort. That explains why, as well as adaptive suspension, the German brand has rolled out its latest Level 2 semi-autonomous cruise control that provides hands-free highway driving up to 130km/h. The same tech is promised to be rolled out to work in urban environments at much lower speeds before the end of next year. Available in up to 11 colours, BMW Australia says it will release pricing and full specifications of the 2027 BMW 3 Series in a few days’ time. When it lands, expect the base 320 to ride on either 18- or 19-inch rims and come with 8-way adjustable heated and ventilated seats, get an electric tailgate and come with adaptive cruise, blind-spot monitoring and lane-keep assist. Pay more for the M350 and you'll bag 20-inch alloy wheels, a premium sound system and the sportier BMW M styling kit inside and out. When it launches next year, the 2027 BMW 3 Series will go head to head with the equally fresh soon to launch next-generation Mercedes C-Class and the Audi A5 ($79,900-$89,900) which was introduced in 2025. Shortly after its debut, the German car-maker will reveal both a plug-in hybrid version with a long EV range, and the eagerly-awaited M3 that will be offered with both petrol and all-electric powertrains, with the latter expected to produce more than 750kW from a state-of-the-art quad-motors.

The Federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communication and the Arts has issued a safety recall notice impacting 24,122 BMWs and Mini derivatives sold new in Australia from 2010 to 2022. It confirms that examples of the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 Series (F0x, F1x, F2x, F3x, G1, G3x), the X1, X2, X3, X4, X5 and X6 (F48, F39, F1x, F2x, G0x) as well as the Mini Cooper (F5x) and Countryman (F6x) have been impacted. The notice said, “Due to a manufacturing defect, the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may develop an internal coolant leak.  “If this occurs, the leaking coolant and recirculated exhaust gas may combine, which may result in a reduction of engine power and potentially a fire while driving,” the notice said.  The department added, “A reduction of engine power whilst driving and/or a vehicle fire could increase the risk of an accident, causing injury or death to vehicle occupants, other road users and/or damage to property.” All grades of the nominated models sold from 2010 to 2022 are potentially included and the department says owners of affected vehicles will be contacted by BMW requesting they schedule an appointment with their preferred authorised BMW dealer for replacement of the EGR cooler, free of charge. Alternatively, BMW can be contacted on 1800 243 675, through email info@bmw.com.au or via www.recall.bmw.com.au.  This recall comes on the back of another large scale recall alert last month impacting 16,578 BMWs sold new in Australia from 2020 to 2023. In that case, examples of the 2,3,4,5,7 Series (G12, G2x, G3x, G42), X3 (G01), X4 (G02), X5 (G05) and Z4 (G29) were found to have been exposed to a potential manufacturing defect which means the starter motor solenoid switch could experience increased wear that could cause an internal short circuit and in a worst case scenario “a fire during vehicle operation”.

Sometimes secrets in the car industry make their way into the public, whether via journalists or general mishaps, but it’s not often a brand will spill its own tea. But much of the 2026/27 BMW model line-up has been revealed by an apparent mistake on the German carmaker’s USA website, where icons for some cars yet to be confirmed have appeared. As reported by Motor1 among others, a new version of BMW’s smallest M car is on the cards, with 2027 BMW M2 xDrive having been listed as one of several new models on the way. The shock addition of all-wheel drive to the only M car left without all four wheels doing the driving is just the start, with an all-wheel-drive 3 Series ‘M350i xDrive’ also apparently on the way, marking the start of the next-gen icon. It’ll be joined by the i3 40 xDrive and i3 50 xDrive, two variants of the electric version of the 3 Series in the same way the 5 Series has the i5 and so on. We don’t know what the 3 Series looks like yet, but expect it to borrow heavily from the brand’s recent Neue Klasse design concept. There’s also a BMW iX4 40 xDrive inbound, which should be the ‘coupe’ style version of the already-revealed iX3. The next-gen BMW X5 is also locked in with a ‘40 sDrive’ variant and an electric cousin in the iX5 60. Finally, the 7 Series comes along with what’s set to be a facelift of the limo that was launched in its current incarnation within the last four years. A 740i xDrive is the only variant listed, but the V8-powered 760i and electric i7 should be sticking around. The site has now removed the list of incoming vehicles, but the info is out and about now. More local confirmations will, of course, come in time despite expectations that much of what’s been locked in for the US is likely to land here anyway. Stay tuned.

The Federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communication and the Arts has issued a safety recall notice impacting 16,578 BMWs sold new in Australia from 2020 to 2023. It confirms that examples of the 2,3,4,5,7 Series (G12, G2x, G3x, G42) , X3 (G01) , X4 (G02), X5 (G05) and Z4 (G29) have been impacted and said, “Due to a manufacturing defect, the starter motor solenoid switch can experience increased wear that could cause an internal short circuit. “If this occurs, the driver may be unable to start the engine, and in the worst case, the overheating can lead to a fire during vehicle operation,” the notice said.  The department added, “A vehicle fire or the driver being unable to restart the engine could increase the risk of injury to vehicle occupants, and/or damage to property.” All grades of the nominated models are included, although for reference, close to 65,000 vehicles across those BMW model groups were sold in Australia during the recall period. The department says owners of affected vehicles will be contacted by BMW requesting they schedule an appointment with their preferred authorised BMW dealer for the free of charge starter motor replacement. Alternatively, BMW can be contacted on 1800 243 675 or via www.recall.bmw.com.au. 

The Federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communication, Sport and the Arts has issued a safety recall notice impacting 15,352 BMWs across multiple models sold new in Australia from 2016 to 2020. It confirms that in examples of the 320d, 320i, 330i, 420i, 430i, 520d, 520i, 530i, 620d, 630i, X3, X4 and Z4, “Due to a manufacturing defect, inadequate sealing of the starter motor may allow moisture to enter into the unit. If this occurs, corrosion may result in the engine not starting.” The department said, “In rare cases, it could also cause a short circuit leading to overheating of the starter motor and in the worst case, to a vehicle fire while parked or driving. “A vehicle fire could increase the risk of injury or death to vehicle occupants, other road users, bystanders and/or damage to property,” it said. Owners of affected vehicles will be contacted by BMW requesting they schedule an appointment immediately with their preferred authorised BMW dealer to replace the starter motor free of charge. Alternatively, BMW Australia can be contacted on a dedicated Recall Hotline (1800 243 675), via email (info@bmw.com.au) or through a recall-specific website (https://www.recall.bmw.com.au).

BMW is preparing for the next generation of M high-performance models, with the brand looking to satisfy both traditionalists and electric vehicle fans. Currently, full-fat M models remain internal combustion engine (ICE) models with some electrification, as is the case with plug-in hybrids the new M5 and the XM SUV. But the Bavarian brand wants to cover its bases with future M and M Performance models. BMW has just rolled out the first model from its Neue Klasse (New Class) group of models, the iX3. These models feature high-tech computers dubbed ‘Superbrains’, a new level of connectivity and digital features, and in the case of the iX3 SUV and incoming i3 sedan, full electrification. According to Head of BMW Neue Klasse, Mike Reichelt, the carmaker is readying a two-powertrain strategy for its future M cars. “We prepare for the first M model of the Neue Klasse, but we know … there are many customers will love the M3 ICE, and maybe there are two offers,” he said. BMW will launch the next Neue Klasse model, the all-electric i3 sedan, in 2026, and it will precede the ICE version of the next-generation 3 Series. The company also previewed an electric M3 with the BMW Vision Driving Experience concept from this year’s Shanghai motor show. With the iX3 launching in Australia in 2026, it’s expected that a performance focussed M version will follow, however BMW is yet to officially confirm it. When asked if BMW X3 owners are as passionate about ICE powertrains as M3 drivers, Reichelt said: “Maybe they feel today, no, but I'm absolutely sure when they drive the first M model of a Neue Klasse with a ‘Heart of Joy', with four engines on every wheel, and this power, they will love . But then we have customers, who love to drive ICE and more, it's okay, then we get an M3 with an ice engine.” Reichelt would not be drawn on an iX3 M, but said given the massive change with Neue Klasse models, and common parts, it would make sense. “When we go on the M side in such a big step, and we have such a high number of common parts communality, it has a logic to say we have the technology, we have the cars, we combine it. But I can't… confirm it today, but it has a logic way.” Meanwhile, BMW Board Member for Development, Joachim Post, said it was “feasible” to spin off a two-door sportscar from the Neue Klasse architecture. “The philosophy of BMW also has been in the past to, we say ‘baukasten’. That means that we have communal parts for different types of cars in different segments. Electronics control units, for example, a battery cell, all these things are the same, but integrated in a different package. “So for us as BMW, it's always core to think in that way, how we can develop a component that we can scale it in every of our cars. That's why we can be so fast to make now, this new technology, in two years, in 40 derivatives. That gives you the possibility to make scaling combinations, to make them feasible, to run from a business case, we will see what's coming up for future.” The carmaker will have 40 derivatives of Neue Klasse in the coming three years, but not all of them will be full Neue Klasse models like the iX3 and i3. Some will just adopt the in-car tech and new design language, for example.

BMW’s head of design says there was a degree of pressure overseeing the look of the new iX3, one of the most important cars in BMW’s long history.

BMW believes its six- and eight-cylinder engines will live on well into the next decade, despite a shift to engine downsizing and electrification.

BMW has just revealed one of its most critical models in decades, the all-new iX3.

The BMW 3 Series has hit a big milestone Down Under. The iconic luxury sedan is celebrating its 50th year on sale in Australia, and has released a special edition to commemorate the occasion.