BMW 3 Series 2019: release date, price and first impressions

BMW’s all-new 3 Series is on course to become one of the headline models at this year’s Paris Motor Show, which runs from 4 to 14 October. 

The company’s smallest saloon is arguably its “most important car of the decade”, as it introduces a new production platform that paves the way for electrified powertrains for future models, says Auto Express. 

Its first public appearance will be at the French showcase in October and it will hit showrooms in early 2019, according to the magazine. 

Until then, here’s everything you need to know about the new 3 Series, including the critics’ first impressions, from driving one of BMW’s prototype cars:

Price and release

The official word on pricing is expected at the Paris Motor Show, but WhatCar? says the new 3 Series will cost in the region of £29,000. 

The reviews site believes the new cars will arrive in showrooms in “early 2019”, followed by a faster M3 variant the following year.

Engines and performance 

Those opting for an entry-level 3 Series can expect a 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine badged 318i, above which sits a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that can be found in both 320i and faster 330i models, says Auto Express. 

Diesel models all get the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder motor with outputs ranging from 150bhp to 230bhp.

But the most significant addition to the range are plug-in hybrids: a 325e with a combined power output of 258bhp (110bhp electric power and 148bhp from a petrol motor), as well as a potential 330e that may arrive later in the car’s lifecycle, the magazine says. 

BMW is also rumoured to be working on a fully-electric model to rival the Tesla Model 3, according to Motor1. It’s expected to have a battery range of 300 miles to compete with the range-topping Model 3’s 310-mile battery. 

First impressions

Critics have been behind the wheel of a prototype version of the new 3 Series ahead of its public debut in two month’s time. The car used was close to production-spec, although its interior and bodywork were still covered with patches of camouflage. 

Despite the cabin being partially covered, Autocar says the new 3 Series will “have some surprisingly flashy, ritzy material touches” in a bid to compete with the “more lavish” interior in the Mercedes C-Class. 

“There’s certainly more glossy chrome-effect plastic to be found around the air vents than there is in the current 3 Series,” the magazine says.

BMW has always been one of the leading manufacturers when it comes to handling and vehicle dynamics, but Top Gear says the company seems to have been “stung” by the impressive Alfa Romeo Giulia and Jaguar XE that have cropped up in recent years.

With its new 3 Series, BMW has “gone to town on the chassis”, increasing stiffness by 50% and better suspension settings to greatly improve handling on even the cheapest models in the range. 

The changes have paid off, too, believes Auto Express. That’s because the German carmaker has “nailed one key area where a 3 Series saloon should deliver: dynamics.”

“On the road, even over harsher surfaces and nasty cambers that could confuse some rivals’ suspension set-ups, the 3 Series filtered out harshness without removing its trademark connection to the road surface,” the magazine says.

So it seems the new 3 Series is off to a strong start, but fans will have to wait a little longer before the critics deliver their final opinion when the production model launches in October.