BMW 3 Series [2012-2016] User Reviews

I acquired a space grey BMW 320D (Highline) almost 4 months ago (July 2009). The car has done nearly 3000 kms so far (within the city and on highways as well). It has an exccedingly good performance and both low and high speeds and one is in complete control while turning corners and breaking. The car certainly lives up to it's image of the "ultimate driving machine". The handling and response of the vehicle is exceptional the DSC function keeps the vehilce in complete control while the breaking is effective at all speeds. The drive is smooth and comfortable and high speeds and external noise are hardly felt inside the cabin. I was keen on a manual drive version but unfortunately BMW has no immediate plans to lauch the same in India. However the automatic gearbox adds to the driving pleasure with well syncronised gear shifts and I now feel that it is much a better drive than the manual gearbox. The car has three drive modes regular, sports and sports manual and the gearbox smoothly transitions the engine from each mode to the other. The cabin is very comfortable with qualitiy climate control and a great sound system. The iDrive feature is great and extemely useful but requires getting used to in order to operate it while driving. It has so far delivered good mileage for a 2 litre diesel engine (14-15 kmpl on the highway and 10-12 kmpl in city conditions). The run flat tyres have not given any problem so far despite having travelled 3000 kms, in fact they add to the driving pleasure by providing fantastic road grip. The aftersales support provided by the local BMW dealers (Parsoli Motors) in Ahmedabad has been great and the BMW Secure and BSI packages cover servicing, repairs and spares well and although optional are highly recommended. This car is built to be owner driven only.

Superb handling, response and performance, good fuel economy, stylish design, useful featuresBit cramped in the back seat for more than two passengers, not a car to be chauffer driven in.

Hi my parents, recently bought (Nov'13) 320D from Infinity Cars (Indore) and this what their experience is,

"I am an unfortunate, punished customer of BMW 320D which I bought in Nov'13 from Infinity Cars (Indore, India). On 12th Feb'14 when I took this machine for its first long drive, 2 tyres got "flat" without any indication of tyre pressure on screen (we just escaped from accident due to it)!! When I informed your dealer about it, instead of accepting machine falut,he asked us to buy new one (though there is 1 year warranty) as he said insurance will take more than 1 week to just see the tyre (while selling he said insurance will be taken care within 24 hours). Left with no options (I had no convience to come back home) he asked me to pay $1300 immedaitely and claimed that after insurance, within one week, I will get full refund back.

When I did a follow-up call, he informed that he will deduct 60% of amount (for no good reason). While he was fitting new wheels, we got to know that he used old wheels while giving us the car!! & adding to shock, he was installing wheels of 520D forcibly in machine. Luckily, our driver observed it. We also, learnt that there is a common workshop for Audi, BMW & Mercedez from where he was getting repair done.

It has been more than 2 months & I haven't received any amount from him or communication. When I called him today, he said that he doesn't have my contact!! (while selling it to me, he called 100 times!!)

I bought it because I had faith in your BRAND and I lost it now. I have nowhere to go & complaint. Is this how your brand treats customer? I feel cheated, blackmailed & helpless"

So, in short, its better to buy a Maruti Car than this fake post-sales service brand irrespective how beautiful the machine is. Its better to get test-rides & fill your hunger!!

Good reviews of machinePathetic after sales

Hi,
I am a Sad owner of BMW 320d 2012 ( new shape ) and owning a BMW has only filled my life with Sorrow, misery & sadness. In last 02 months I have taken my car to Bird Auto 07 times due to an irritating sound from front suspension over pot holes & even on slightly rough roads.   After repeated checks & road tests by your so called expert mechanics the workshop guys are not able to rectify the problem because they cannot diagnose the problem properly. Either they lack training from BMW or they are those cheap unskilled road side mechanics that BMW has hired for Saving costs. Unfortunately they are not able to rectify the same even after changing a few nuts, bolts/Parts. Your after sales service has even become worst & has hit rock bottom now as basic parts also are not available  at your dealers for which we have to wait for weeks & after replacing the so called parts the problem is still not rectified. I have gone through enough of Mental trauma, Stress & Harrasment caused by the unprofessional behaviour of BMW & your dealer. There is no Joy anymore in owning a BMW infect i am only facing Mental Trauma , Stress, harrasment & Depression after becoming a BMW owner. All above is thanks to BMW & your wonderful dealers & pathetic after sales service.

Warm Regards

Umang Saxena.

THERE IS JUST NO JOY IN ITAFTER SALES SERVICE SUCKS

I bought a 320D in Jan 2012 and after the intial hype, I found that this car come wilt a lot of Limitation and you have to live with it. The after sales and the service centre tends to potray helplessness and hide their laughter that how " we conned one more of the fools to buy this Car".

You feel so helpless that after paying so much money you are short changes with a Pathatic car which can not be even compared to a Skoda in terms of comfort and bumpiness of ride.

When the issue was taken up with the Dealer and the service center, the reply was that is how the suspension is designed and the ride will be bumpy and that this car is not designed for Indian roads and one should checked before buying this car rather than comlain now.

Bottom Line: Do not buy this car unless you intend drving it on roads outside India. Do not buy it if you going to have it driver driven. the back seat is meant for kids only.

Brand Value...Poor Suspesion and viry poor pick up on city roads.

With the 2009 3 series being launched, dealers cannot keep the 2008 models on their showroom floors anymore. Additionally, all demo cars need to be sold. This is where I came in.

 

I walked around the 2008 320d Highline. What a lovely looking machine waiting to rev at all its horses. The inside is contemporary German all the way. Fantastic fit and finish with high end plastic, leather and wood. The speedometer and odometer so typical of a old German car yet, the iDrive which is so perfect. After using it I cannot help but think why all cars do not have an equivalent.

 

The seat adjustment is kept simple and puts you into place in a few seconds. The driver seat well is nice and large and a tall person need not put their seat all the way back saving some legroom for the rear. The push start/stop and the key are oddly placed but it’s just something one needs to get used to. The car starts and I hear the hushed clatter of the power plant. A simple movement of the gear shift of the steptronic gear box and I was off.

 

The German feel was at the forefront again. Meaty steering that will not allow you to turn the car with one finger and rightfully so. It took me a minute to get the feel. Next I found some road and pushed the accelerator and she went like a rocket. What acceleration! And what amazingly controlled braking! Very surefooted, precise and solid handling at all speeds. I gave the sales guy some more jitters and drove back to the showroom.

 

What to look for when buying used: Ensure that the runflats have never gone flat. Its disastrous in road conditions like we have in India. Current price of a single runflat is about Rs18K. It will reduce. The BMW secure plan is an excellent buy.

 

To highlight the differences between the 320d and the 320d Highline: The former comes devoid of the iDrive, side window blinds and a high end sound system. There is really nothing more left to desire after driving this car. It is just a brilliant piece of engineering.

 

One of the best commercially produced diesel enginesIf you're big or looking to stretch out this might beslightly tight

good car and better value for money than the mercedes e220 for 500000,its got the german bullet proof technology which makes the best engines in the world, as compared to the mercedes the transmission is far far better and is bound to give much more trouble free years that mercedes, but the spares and after sales ( service ) can be a difficult and expensive job.good car with more prestige involved and available at a very less price,
good technology, bullet proof engine, prestigious brandcramped, expensive parts

Exterior

 I like it.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort)

 Good features. Space cramped, though adequate even for tall persons.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox

The common perception is that someone who can afford the money for a set of wheels like a Beemer or Merc to get between point A and B, couldn’t care less about fuel consumption.  The BMW dealer tells me that customers’ do enquire about fuel consumption while deciding to buy.  We also know that the reality is, BMW and MB sell far more diesels than petrols.

I experimented with my 320d which has now run about 36,000 km.  I tried to get better fuel consumption while recently making a trip to Mumbai from Pune in afternoon.  I was the only person in the car, and there was no baggage.  Thus, the car loading was minimal.  I tried to get better fuel consumption while maintaining reasonable highway speeds.

What could I achieve ?  Starting from Pune, I had to drive about 28 km to reach the expressway, and then till exit of expressway the meter recorded run of 28 + 91 = 119 km.  I could get average speed of 96+ kmph and fuel consumption of 16.7 kmpl !  Obviously, average of 96+ kmph was possible by putting Beemer’s road holding capability on turns to test.  On one sharp turn, ESP was triggered and controlled the car.

Ride Quality & Handling

Ride is bit hard in city as compared to Accord, Merc C Class, Audi A4, but good damping. Handling at speeds and twisties is unbeatable.

Final Words

 This is certainly driver's car. Look forward to driving 335d when it reaches India. 

Handling. Lights. Brakes.Can't think of any. You get waht you are looking for in Beemer.

Exterior

Sporty design with superb paint finish.

 

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort)

All the features  expected in luxury sedan,electric seats,auto wipers,lights and a/c,i drive, Space is not very generous but in front its very comfortable and in the rear its best for 2 persons,anyway who would want to sit in the back seat of a bimmer??suspension does well on our roads and its comfortabe,but its a bit stiff to aid handling,no one will complain though especially the driver.

 

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox

In one word Outstanding.Performance is best in class and even better than some cars in higher segments.Fuel economy is good for such a powerful engine.Gearbox is smooth and have the right ratios.

 

Ride Quality & Handling

Ride quality is very good and only  big potholes get felt inside.

 

Final Words

For this price range look no further this is the best car.Performance economy and comfort in one package.Merc C class and Audi A4 cant come match it,be it performance or quality.In any road 3 wil smoke c class and A4.

 

Areas of improvement  

Nothing! its perfect.

Superb handling,power(184 hp),interior qualty,good supportive seatslimitation of runflats in india

 

Exterior Beautiful, amazing presence from the front!!

 

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) This car deserves to be fully automated, manual seat adjustment in the corporate edition kind of takes the gloss of this otherwise perfectly crafted machine. also the walnut trim could have been added for this edition, its only a lil bit in the front dash so dont know how much money they can save by omitting it.

 

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox Car is responsive to the gas pedal. in sports mode this baby is ready to fly!!

 

Ride Quality & Handling Despite the crappy roads and all the reports about run flats, this baby takes the load of ur back. stiff steeringcan get u a lil tired if u have to turn a lot but at quicker speeds makes the car very stable unlike the audis power steering.

 

Final Words Life will never be the same.

 

Areas of improvement Throw us a USB port as well for 25 lakhs. in this digital age an aux outlet is jus plain tacky.

 

everything abt this car is good, u dont feel like going home when u drive this baby!!manual seat adjustment in the corporate edition. dont be cheap bmw!!