Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

BMW 3 Series review – Interior & comfort

Beautifully designed, built and equipped interior, with impressive infotainment

Carbuyer Rating

4.4 out of 5

Owners Rating

3.4 out of 5

Read owner reviews
Interior & comfort Rating

4.5 out of 5

BMW is fully aware that buyers of this type of car expect a certain standard of interior quality and design, and has given the latest 3 Series the feel of being a scaled-down BMW 5 Series inside. This is good news, as the inside of the latest 5 Series is seriously impressive.

Advertisement - Article continues below

In spirit, the 3 Series feels more driver-focused than the Audi A4, and the arrival of the latest infotainment setup means it can now compete with the Mercedes C-Class, which is a little flashier in its approach.

BMW 3 Series dashboard

The best company cars heroThe best company cars 2024

In common with other recent BMWs, the 3 Series makes a big leap forward when it comes to infotainment and on-board technology, thanks to the latest version of the brand's well-regarded iDrive system.

Now fitted as standard, the floating widescreen setup should impress buyers. It includes a beautifully clear 12.3-inch digital dashboard display, which flows seamlessly into a 14.9-inch central screen whose functions are accessed either directly by touch, or remotely via a rotary controller on the transmission tunnel. Many will find the controller simple to operate on the move. Most physical controls have been removed, with the climate control now adjusted via the screen. While this isn’t a move everyone will like, the settings for the temperature are always present at the bottom of the screen, so it’s quick to change them with a few taps.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

The infotainment system is further enhanced by BMW's "Intelligent Personal Assistant". This voice-controlled software package responds to voice commands, allowing you to adjust the temperature, set a navigation destination or change the media you're listening to via Amazon Alexa for Android or Siri for iPhones by voice. Apple CarPlay connectivity is also incorporated, with 'over-the-air' software updates supported to keep things running smoothly. Your phone can also double as a 'digital key' to set certain features remotely, as well as open the doors and switch the lights on.

Equipment

Trim levels are Sport and M Sport, with the former including 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, heated front seats, parking sensors, cruise control, air-conditioning and a rear-view camera. M Sport upgrades this to 18-inch alloys and brings an M Sport steering wheel, aluminium interior trim, sports suspension and variable sports steering. The previously entry-level SE trim was discontinued when the 3 Series was facelifted.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Above these, the M340i and M3 are, in effect, their own standalone trims. The M340i gets 19-inch alloys and adaptive M suspension and uprated brakes. The M3 has an entirely different front end, plus many sporty additions such as a carbon roof and wing mirrors, unique alloy wheels and lots more.

Options

That’s far from the end of the story, however, because there are several packs buyers can add for a start. Comfort pack brings a heated steering wheel, powered boot and comfort access, while a Visibility pack adds adaptive LED headlights and high-beam assist. Technology includes a Harman Kardon stereo upgrade, wireless smartphone charging and a head-up display.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

M Sport Pro is also available as an upgrade for the M Sport trim, and it’s fairly comprehensive, adding more powerful brakes, adaptive suspension, 19-inch alloy wheels, tinted glass and an M Sport body kit that includes a rear spoiler.

A 'Driving Assistant Professional' package brings a semblance of semi-autonomous driving ability with a view to reducing driver workload. It allows the adaptive cruise control and steering assist systems to operate together, following traffic or retaining a set speed, while maintaining a road position between clearly marked lanes at speeds above 37mph.

The 3 Series Saloon can also be had with BMW’s Drive Recorder safety system as an option. This constantly records footage via various cameras located around the bodywork. In the event of a collision, the footage recorded before and after the event is automatically saved.

The standard LED headlamps can be replaced with sophisticated 'laser' lights that are said to cast a beam for up to 530m, with greater safety as a result. That said, they can only work in auto-high-beam mode, and they are so bright that the risk of dazzling other drivers means the car will only switch them on when roads are deserted. In many congested parts of the UK you’re unlikely to ever get the benefit.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Charlie writes and edits news, review and advice articles for Carbuyer, as well as publishing content to its social media platforms. He has also been a regular contributor to its sister titles Auto Express, DrivingElectric and evo. As well as being consumed by everything automotive, Charlie is a speaker of five languages and once lived in Chile, Siberia and the Czech Republic, returning to the UK to write about his life-long passion: cars.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

The best saloon cars to buy in 2024
Best saloon cars
Best cars
20 Sep 2024

The best saloon cars to buy in 2024

BMW 3 Series review – an impressive, but expensive executive saloon
BMW 3 Series saloon
In-depth reviews
3 Jul 2024

BMW 3 Series review – an impressive, but expensive executive saloon

Top 10 best motorway cars 2024
Top 10 best motorway cars 2023
Best cars
4 Jan 2024

Top 10 best motorway cars 2024

Top 10 fastest diesel cars 2024
The fastest diesel cars
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 fastest diesel cars 2024

Most Popular

New Skoda Elroq revealed! Family EV gets 355-mile range, costs from £31,500
Skoda Elroq front quarter
News
1 Oct 2024

New Skoda Elroq revealed! Family EV gets 355-mile range, costs from £31,500

Renault 4 first glimpse! Retro-renaissance continues with new all-electric small SUV
Renault 4 front fascia teaser
News
1 Oct 2024

Renault 4 first glimpse! Retro-renaissance continues with new all-electric small SUV

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
4 Oct 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
26 Mar 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024