BMW 328i News

BMW Australia has lifted the lid on its refreshed 3 Series ahead of its November arrival.

BMW has issued a safety recall for a total of 2894 cars sold between November 1 2012 and July 31 2013 for a defect that could see a lack of lubrication cause the vacuum pump to fail and reduce the effectiveness of the brake assist function that adds extra force for panic stops.The carmaker says however that the vehicles will still be able to brake under normal circumstances. "They don't lose braking ability, but still lose brake assistance," BMW Australia spokesperson Lenore Fletcher says. The affected vehicles are: the F20 1 Series; F30, F31 and F34 3 Series; F10 and F11 5 Series; E84 X1 compact crossover;  F25 X3 Series and E89 Z4 sports car.Fletcher says there have been no accidents or injuries, but a small number of vehicles have experienced the problem. "There have been about six or seven reports," she says. "We believe that only about 0.5 per cent of the vehicles in the recall will need fixing."An inspection taking less than an hour will determine if a vehicle needs the fix -- which will require up to another five hours. "We'll replace the component, and while parts can sometimes be an issue, ours are being airfreighted from Germany right now," Fletcher says. BMW says concerned owners should contact their nearest BMW service centre, or call 1800 813 299.

Announced today by BMW Australia, the pricing and specification revisions include the addition of added standard features and the lowering of the price of many options offered in the Sedan and Touring variants of the 3 Series. But with the revisions comes an increase in the initial purchase price of the 3 Series, these increases range from $1400 to $3000.BMW have also made various specification level changes, including the 'Business' grade navigation system as standard on the 316i, 318d, 320i, 320d sedan variants, as well as the 318d and 320i touring models. The 328i receives an upgraded body style, and a 'professional' navigation system complete with internet functionality.The 'Professional' navigation system now comes with a new iDrive controller, with touch functionality. Those who opt for the 'Driving Assistant' option now get a lane departure warning system.The BMW 'Lines' add-on package, with 18" alloys, now come at no cost on the 328i sedan and touring The 335i and ActiveHybrid 3 models also get the 'Lines' package as standard, as well as roller rear windscreen and door sunblinds. While all 3 Series Sedan and Touring models equipped with the eight-speed sports automatic transmission will now also include launch control as standard.BMW has also reworked the pricing of optional equipment, including; Optional equipment pricing has had an overhaul in the 3 series sedan and touring models. Active cruise control with stop and go function (not available for 316i and 318d) has benefitted from a $384 reduction.Similar revisions have been applied to the unique-in-segment Head-Up display with savings of up to $300, depending on the 3 Series model. A saving of around $460 is also available on the HiFi loudspeaker system or the high-end harman/kardon surround sound system as options for the 316i, 318d, 320i and 320d Sedan variants as well as the 318d, and 320i for the Touring models.The BMW ‘Lines’, price reduced on some models; no cost option on others. The M Sport package reduced by $615 for 316i and 318d; over $1000 for 328i and $500 for 335i and ActiveHybrid 3. Phil Horton, managing director of BMW Group Australia, says the changes enhance the value and credentials of the 3 Series.“The 3 Series is lauded for its excellent driving dynamics and beautiful styling, and now it boasts increased specification and more attractive option pricing. Who could ask for more?”The updates to the BMW 3 Series Touring models are effective from July 2013 production and from August 2013 for the BMW 3 Series Sedan range.BMW 3 SeriesBMW 316i Sedan            from $52,300BMW 318d Sedan           from $57,800BMW 320i Sedan            from $60,000BMW 320d Sedan           from $62,300BMW 328i Sedan            from $68,900BMW 335i Sedan            from $93,400BMW ActiveHybrid 3      from $99,700BMW 318d Touring        from $60,300BMW 320i Touring         from $64,000BMW 328i Touring         from $72,900Joel Helmes is the editor of the Behind the Wheel radio program, heard on more than 150 stations around Australia, and www.behindthewheel.com.au 

The new 3-Series GT boasts an innovative and stylish design, the engaging driving dynamics of the BMW 3 Series, elevated seating position, generous occupant space and a large luggage compartment. Think 5-Series GT scaled down and that's pretty much what you have in this new 3-Series entrant.The 5 GT has been less than popular here with minimal sales. The 3 GT is aimed at a different audience to the  sedan, coupe, cabriolet and wagon versions of the popular German small/medium car. BMW thinks it might appeal to those looking at a sedan, wagon or an SUV...The GT runs a choice of current 3-Series powertrains in 320i (135 kW/270Nm), the 320d (135kW/380Nm) and  328i (180kW/350Nm) four cylinder variants. An eight-speed automatic transmission is fitted to each engine.Every model has a flat undercarriage and an active rear spoiler which is raised at 110kmh and lowered when the speed drops below 70kmh. GT  boasts a long list of standard kit including active and passive safety features, passenger comfort and convenience features and navigation systems.The car is available in a choice of three 3 Series 'Lines' packages which boast individual interior and exterior features. The Lines available include Modern, Luxury or Sport. Pricing on the BMW 3-Series GT starts from $69,500.

BMW's Gran Turismo take on a roomier, more useful vehicle somewhere between a sedan and a wagon wasn't all that well received, at least aesthetically, when it first showed up as a conceptual variant of the 5 Series in 2009. Now, the 3 Series has its own Gran Turismo.Does it work any better in this form? For the most part, yes, but it still won't suit everyone. The smaller proportions of the 3 Series give the hatchback profile a less massive, bulbous look--from the front 3/4 view, it's almost sleek.From the rear 3/4 view, the shape is a bit less compelling, but it's well-executed, with all of the BMW shapes, angles, and cues you'd expect.Like the 3 Series Sedan it shares part of its name with, the 2014 3 Series Gran Turismo will be offered in the U.S. in both 176 kW 328i and 221 kW 335i forms. An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard.But compared to the 3 Series Sports Wagon, the 3 Series Gran Turismo is rather large: it's 200 mm longer, 81 mm taller, and has a 110 mm longer wheelbase. Those figures push it into 5-Series sedan territory in overall footprint--just as the 5-Series Gran Turismo is closer to the 7-Series in its overall size.Along with the taller ride height, the seating position of the 3 Series Gran Turismo is also higher: 58 mm, to be exact. BMW says this improves visibility as well as ingress/egress--and we think it also lends the 3 Series GT some of the feel of a higher-riding crossover American drivers prefer. In the second row, passengers gain 7 cm of leg room, a very welcome extension for full-size adults. Headroom is greater all around.In the cargo area of the 3 Series GT, BMW has applied all of its engineering powers and creativity to making a space that's as useful and customizable as possible. A 40:20:40 split-folding rear seat can combine gear and occupants, while a two-piece parcel shelf, an array of tie-down points, underfloor storage compartments, and LED illumination make the cargo space that much more user-friendly. Total cargo area is about one cubic foot greater than that of the 3 Series Sports Wagon, according to BMW. (See examples of the configurability of the cargo space in the gallery above).Subtle visual cues differentiate the 3 Series GT from the Sedan and Sports Wagon as well, even when viewed head-on:a smoother hood, larger headlights, up-sized air intakes, and "blades" inset into the front apron.2014 BMW 3 Series Gran TurismoLike the 3 Series Sedan, the Gran Turismo is available in a range of standard trim lines, including the Sport Line, Luxury Line, Modern Line, and M Sport. Sport Line models get a black kidney grille with nine bars, black air intakes, interior color accents, and sport seats among other details.Luxury Line models get an 11-slat chrome grille with matte black accents, chrome exterior details, and a combination of chrome and high-gloss wood accents inside. The Modern Line 3 Series Gran Turismo also gets an 11-slat grille, double trim strips around the air intakes, and a light-colored dashboard inside, with pearl-effect chrome accents. All models are available with a range of 18- or 19-inch alloy wheels, unique to each trim line.M Sport models get a new aerodynamic package, including front and rear aprons, diffuser, and side skirts; a high-gloss Shadow Line trim package from BMW Individual; M door sill, leather steering wheel, and driver's footrest; sport seats; and a lowered M Sport suspension.Sport Line and M Sport models get a special version of the eight-speed automatic transmission, which quickens shift times, and adds shift paddles to the steering wheel.www.motorauthority.com 

Kids aren’t usually a factor in Car of the Year judging.  But child friendliness rates highly with women buying cars – and with women judging cars.The countdown has been kicked off to decide the Women’s World Car of the Year, and the kid factor is one the judges pay a lot of attention to.“Statistics show that women drive children in cars significantly more often than men – and that means women need to take that into account, both when buying and as judges of cars,” WCOTY president Sandy Myhre said from New Zealand.“Any woman who has grappled constantly with child seats and belts and children considers those things when looking at buying a car.  Men might too but the fact is, women drive children in cars more than men.“Women would not consider that aspect in a Porsche 911 more than a bloke. The point is, it can be considered in these awards - and that is one of the points of difference in these awards.”Myhre points out that significant research into buying habits show that in addition to buying for themselves, women have a major influence in household purchase decisions for big ticket items.Ford Australia, for example, says their research shows that women are behind the majority of purchases of the Territory SUV – either as single women buying one, or in influencing the joint decision with their partner. “A report from Mattingly & Associates in Australia concluded, in part, that businesses that didn't understand this influence would be hard-pressed to stay in business.  That report was aptly called 'When I've Made Up Our Minds',” Myhre says.However, the kid factor is just one of the criteria by which the 2012 Women’s World Car of the Year will be judged.There are four categories in the Women's World Car of the Year – Family Car, Luxury Car, Sports Car and Economy Car. Points are allocated to each of ten criteria: driveability, engineering, comfort, child friendliness, style, interior, storage, dashboard efficiency, carbon footprint and colour range.The 20 judges from eleven countries have submitted their own personal short list and more than 300 cars were suggested. These individual choices were then whittled down to form a master list of 32 in terms of popularity. Judges will now allocate points for these cars from a criteria list.The announcement of the winning cars in each category and the supreme winner will be made before the end of March. The supreme award trophy and category certificates will be presented to the car companies concerned at the Mondial de l’Automobile 2012 – the Paris Motor Show – in September. The supreme trophy will this year be made in The Netherlands. Category-winner certificates will be designed at Peartree Studios in Colerne, UK.The first winner of the Women's World Car of the Year was the Jaguar XF in 2010 and the trophy made in South Africa was presented at the Jaguar boutique showroom in Knightsbridge, London. In 2011 there was a dead-heat between the Citroen DS3 and the BMW 5 Series. The two trophies made in India were presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2011. 

Carparazzi pictures show a prototype with the same raised seating position and right height as the bigger 5 Series GT, as well as a body with very short overhangs.It's like to break cover at the Geneva Motor Show in March.