Photo: Original image by autoevolution
Let’s set one thing straight from the get-go: BMW proved that the niche wars it’s fighting can be won. Let me explain myself.
At first, when BMW started bringing more diversity to its ranks, people wondered if it was the right decision. When I say people I mean the die-hard fans, the ones that claim that the BMW roundel should only be used for cars that absolutely and necessarily make their passengers throw up every time they even go to the store, a mere block away. That kind of people.
For everyone else it was good news. Why? Because a lot of customers want the premium quality of a BMW car, being less and less interested in the dynamics of the vehicle they’re driving. Not because they don’t like to drive fast but rather because they don’t have the time and the place to do so.
Furthermore, the 3 Series GT offers a lot of space for the typical family man, more than even the Touring version and that says a lot. It’s also practical and you get to feel cosy in the back seat, being able to fit up to 3 fully grown adults back there, thanks to a revised chassis and some tweaks here and there.
The engine offering is plentiful, even for the most pretentious ones out there (unless you live in the states, where you’re limited to 2 choices) going from the 318d model up to the 335i, adding up to a total of 10 different variations, including xDrive-fitted ones.
Sure, dynamic-wise it’s not the same as a Sedan and it couldn’t be, considering the shape and the added weight (which is only 150 kg, by the way) but in the given situation, I’d have to admit it does provide a rather good driving experience, better than I expected.
Configure it for what it was built and you get a perfect family car for a good price. Forget about packages that wouldn’t make sense for such a car like the Dynamic Handling Package and go for a 3-liter diesel and the xDrive all-wheel-drive system and a couple of comfort optionals like the Cold Weather Package and the Premium Package and you’ll be extremely happy with your new 3er GT, if you bought it for the good reason. If you’re expecting a track king, you should look elsewhere.
You should also check out our full test drive.
For everyone else it was good news. Why? Because a lot of customers want the premium quality of a BMW car, being less and less interested in the dynamics of the vehicle they’re driving. Not because they don’t like to drive fast but rather because they don’t have the time and the place to do so.
Furthermore, the 3 Series GT offers a lot of space for the typical family man, more than even the Touring version and that says a lot. It’s also practical and you get to feel cosy in the back seat, being able to fit up to 3 fully grown adults back there, thanks to a revised chassis and some tweaks here and there.
The engine offering is plentiful, even for the most pretentious ones out there (unless you live in the states, where you’re limited to 2 choices) going from the 318d model up to the 335i, adding up to a total of 10 different variations, including xDrive-fitted ones.
Sure, dynamic-wise it’s not the same as a Sedan and it couldn’t be, considering the shape and the added weight (which is only 150 kg, by the way) but in the given situation, I’d have to admit it does provide a rather good driving experience, better than I expected.
Configure it for what it was built and you get a perfect family car for a good price. Forget about packages that wouldn’t make sense for such a car like the Dynamic Handling Package and go for a 3-liter diesel and the xDrive all-wheel-drive system and a couple of comfort optionals like the Cold Weather Package and the Premium Package and you’ll be extremely happy with your new 3er GT, if you bought it for the good reason. If you’re expecting a track king, you should look elsewhere.
You should also check out our full test drive.
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