2023 BMW 3 Series The current-generation BMW 3 Series was revealed in 2018 and, after four years on the market, will be overhauled. A facelifted version of the Series 3 is expected to roll out in the next few months, and along with that, the M-Performance version will also get an update.
Our spy photographer captured the latter for a new testing session and, as you can see, it’s starting to reveal more of the real skin.
Like all other facelifted BMW models, changes to the 3 Series should be minimal to the front and rear. This is the reason why only these two parts wear camouflage.
In a recent spy shot, we can see more of the grille and kidneys, and while they look close here, they can also open when more cooling is needed. Being an M-Performance version, this model will also get a lower front spoiler lip and larger intakes.
As for the rear, we’re not sure what’s going on with that massive rear wing, as the 3 Series M-Performance usually gets a subtle carbon-fiber spoiler placed in the trunk lid.
Bigger wheels, special brakes, and an M Performance exhaust had to be added for a sportier look.
Facelift 3-Series will be announced in the next few months, in both sedan and wagon versions. The M-Performance version should launch at the same time as the rest of the lineup,
However, a few months after that BMW will also offer an all-electric 3 Series version – one of the 25 electric and electrified models the company has in the pipeline.
New BMW 3 Series 2023
The BMW 3 Series 2023 remains one of the best premium compact sedans available today and has long been the benchmark for rival brands and models in terms of performance and agility.
Time is ticking, however, and competitors like the Genesis G70, Audi A4, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class are all narrowing the gap with the mighty 3 Series. Last completely revamped in 2019, we expect the 2023 model year Series 3 to receive subtle exterior and interior updates to keep it in top shape.
Simple changes to the shape of the headlights, taillights, and front grille will likely be made for the updated 3 Series.
The same basic form will remain in place, and the lineup of powertrains will continue to include turbocharged 4 and 6 cylinder engines producing outputs ranging from 255 horsepower in the base model to over 500 horsepower in the top-of-the-range M3.
If you’re more interested in eco-friendly driving, there’s also a plug-in hybrid variant that gives you only about 20 miles of electricity before the 4-cylinder turbo kicks into action.
Driving enthusiasts will be interested in the Series 3 in a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) configuration, although it’s nice to know that all-wheel drive (AWD) is offered in most Series 3 trims – including the tire-melting M3 Competition.
The Series 3 cab has plenty of room for up to four adults, or five if the person in the rear center seat is small (or doesn’t mind being squeezed).
It’s an elegant, driver-focused interior, the infotainment system uses BMW’s intuitive iDrive interface, the seats are firm but supportive, and the outward visibility is excellent in all directions.
That’s what you’d expect from a German luxury sedan with a decades-long reputation for engineering excellence.
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2023 BMW 3 Series G20 Redesign
The BMW 3 Series (G20) still feels relatively fresh, but a glance at the sports sedan launched on the market suggests that it has been around for more than three years.
This means rival Mercedes C-Class will undergo a facelift, which will bring an extension to the lineup with the launch of the long-awaited M3 Touring. Positioned just below the full-fat M model is the M340i once again.
This is the prototype seen here by our spies, judging by the exhaust tip and front grille design. What makes the M340i Sedan special is the M Performance rear wing mounted on the trunk lid.
It was introduced in September 2020 for the M3 and M4, and at the time, the performance duo also got a controversial exhaust system with a mid-mounted Lexus-like stacked exhaust.
We can’t say we’re big fans of this setup, and luckily, this 3er warm has the standard configuration reserved for the M340i.
The M Performance knick-knacks go beyond the look-at-me wing as you’ll also see special mirror caps and a front spoiler lip attached to the redesigned bumper.
BMW seems to have tweaked the LED headlights as they look slimmer to give the front a slimmer look. We’re happy to report that the Series 2023 3 will not inherit the polarizing kidney grille design from the M3.
Being an M340i, it also sits slightly lower to the ground to sharpen handling. Oddly enough, BMW decided to disguise its shark fin antennae as if anyone cared about how it looked.
Another piece of useless disguise has been applied to the front fender to hide the M badge.
The center of the wheel lacks the logo and the roundel has also been removed from the hood and trunk lid, so we might be looking at a Dacia Logan rather than a Series 3… We kid.
Our spies weren’t able to peek inside the cabin this time around, but from some angles, it’s pretty clear that the top of the dashboard has been redesigned.
That’s because the mid-cycle update will come alongside a switch to BMW’s new iDrive 8 infotainment setup with a pair of screens housed within a single piece of glass. Its not-so-distant cousin, the electric i4, has rocked this setup.
The wrapper should be out later this year. However, it is unclear whether BMW will unveil standard versions of the 3 Series and M3.
Perhaps the range-topping sedan will be introduced a few months after the lower trim levels. The non-American M3 Touring must also close before the end of 2022.
2023 BMW 3 Series Update
Images posted to the Cochespias forums last night show the updated 3 Series front end free of camouflage, confirming earlier spy photos that showed the facelifted mid-size BMW won’t be moving to the high gear grille seen on the new 4 Series lineup.
The grille is flanked by revised LED headlights, with arrow-shaped LED daytime running lights running above the headlight beam instead of below. The broad hexagonal center intake with an L-shaped signature on each side is shown below.
There’s also an image of what looks like the rear bumper of the Series 3, featuring contrasting black elements and a faux ‘diffuser’.
The undisguised car made in China also sports black side decals and an ‘aerodynamic’ BMW M mirror cap – possibly part of the M Performance Parts catalog.
Along with the exterior changes, it is expected that the facelifted 2023 3 Series (or LCI, in BMW parlance) will adopt the dual-screen iDrive 8 dashboard of the new i4 electric sedan, pairing a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with 14.9-inch infotainment. touch screen.
Minor changes are expected under the hood, other than the addition of an all-electric long-wheelbase variant for the Chinese market, which is slated to sport the i3 L nameplate.
2023 BMW 3 Series Facelift
A new week and new leaks. After the BMW X7 LCI leaked a few days ago, now it’s the turn of the 3 Series to show its face ahead of its launch later. The BMW 3 Series Facelift 2023 was first leaked in July 2021, according to official Chinese documents.
But today, new images show the BMW i3 electric sedan in what appears to be an official photoshoot in front of BMW Headquarters in Munich.
The lineup shows BMW’s electrified fleet, from the i4 and iX to the 230e Active Tourer PHEV and 5 Series hybrids as well.
Of course, there are no big surprises in the design of the BMW 3 Series Facelift 2023. The image shows the front featuring a new bumper design and redesigned headlights.
The interior lights feature an inverted design, in contrast to the current model. The indentation at the bottom of the headlights has also been removed along with the upper eyebrows.
The kidney grille doesn’t appear to have changed in size, so we expect to see the same design as on the current vehicle. You can see the leaked image on Instagram here.
It can be said that the exterior design changes are quite mild. And that’s somewhat to be expected given the current popularity of the BMW 3 Series G20. But inside, things may be different.
BMW is exploring the route of the new i4 electric car and will include two large LCD screens featuring the new iDrive 8. The two screens are a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch touch screen.
Changes to leather and trim options are always to be expected, as well as subtle updates to the color palette.
2023 BMW 3 Series China
The BMW i3 electric sedan is based on the G20 3 Series platform, with an extended wheelbase, and will feature BMW’s fifth-generation eDrive. The BMW i3 sedan also leaked back in December, along with some specs.
The BMW i3 2023 sedan measures 4,872 mm in length, 1,846 mm in width, and 1,481 mm in height. The wheelbase is 2,966 mm. One of the variants of the electric 3 Series is the BMW i3 eDrive 35L. This model will likely produce around 335 horsepower.
The BMW i3 sedan uses a 70.27 kWh lithium-ion battery made by BMW-Brilliance. Therefore, Series 3 electricity will consume 14.3 kWh per 100 km and cover a distance of 526 km (327 miles) on a full charge. The rating is based on the more relaxed NEDC rating.
The BMW i3 long-wheelbase electric will be exclusive to the Chinese market and there are no plans to bring it to Europe or North America.
Production of the electric BMW 3 Series is rumored to be starting this spring, so the launch of the BMW 3 Series Facelift 2023 will not belong.
2023 BMW 3 Series Spy Shot
BMW has been spotted testing a prototype for the updated 3-Series.
The update is a mid-cycle refresh for the current 3 Series, which first arrived in 2018 as a 2019 model. In BMW’s tradition, we should see the updated car arrive in 2022 as the 2023 model.
The current 3 Series, the G20 generation, is already a handsome car and thankfully BMW isn’t going to mess with its design. It looks like there will be some minor changes to the interior of the headlights, along with new grille inserts and new fascia at the front and rear.
A more substantial update is pegged to the interior where we will see BMW introduce an updated version of its iDrive infotainment system.
The latest system, version 8.0, features a larger screen and may see the 3-Series dashboard revised to match the one in the new i4 2022 power hatch (shown below).
Speaking of electric vehicles, the updated 3-Series will feature its electric option which will take over the i3 nameplate now that production of the i3 electric city car has ended.
Expect the 3-electric Series to match the i4 specs, meaning an 83.9-kilowatt-hour battery and a maximum range of close to 300 miles.
It’s unclear what’s available for the existing lineup of 3-Series powertrains. The base option in the US should continue to be the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 rated at around 248 hp.
On top of this, there should be a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 engine producing around 382 hp, this time coupled with a mild hybrid system that temporarily adds 11 hp. Both feature powertrains in the updated 2022 X3.
The M3 should receive many of the changes pegged to the regular 3-Series, though don’t expect its powertrain to be changed. The current M3 has a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-6 engine that produces 473 hp in standard mode and 503 hp in M3 Competition mode.
The first M3 Touring train will also launch as part of this update, though sadly not in the US
Sales of sedans may be on the decline but the 3 Series remains a vital model in the BMW lineup. Here in the US, this car is still averaging over 40,000 sales per year and we suspect the updated one will remain just as popular.
Stay tuned for more details on Series 3 2023 as development continues.
Read next: 2023 BMW 5 Series: All-New Update BMW 5 Series Electric Review
BMW X5 2023 Release Date
The 2023 facelifted BMW 3 Series is expected to be unveiled in full by mid-2022, with production rumored to begin in July 2022, according to trusted BMW insider and BimmerPost forum member ynguldyn. i3 L is rumored to be entering production early, namely in March 2022.
The Australian rollout is likely to occur in late 2022 or early 2023, as the Model Year 2023 vehicle.
2023 BMW 3 Series Price
We estimate the price of a 2023 BMW 3 Series sedan equipped with a base 4 cylinder turbo and rear-wheel drive, format to start at around $42,000.
With so many versions of the 3 Series to choose from, the price spectrum varies greatly and it depends on the powertrain and trim that appeals to luxury sedan buyers.
Adding all-wheel drive to the Series 3 typically costs around $2,000 extra across the range.
The green-themed Series 3 330e plug-in hybrid starts at around $43,000, while the powerful M340i with its 6-cylinder turbo costs around $55,000.
Not adding any options to the Series 3 is a very difficult task, so bear in mind that any of these prices can easily spike to thousands of dollars when loaded with tempting extras.
Sitting atop the Series 3 family tree — at least in terms of speed and price — is the M3 and M3 Competition. Be prepared to cash in on the kids’ college funds, as they start at around $73,000 and $76,000, respectively.
With all-wheel drive added and every available option, an M3 Competition xDrive can slip past $80,000.
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BMW 3 Series or Similar
The obvious rivals for the 3 Series are the Audi A4 and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
Both have their merits and in their latest guises they can be a more comfortable companion than a BMW along bumpy roads, but fail to please the driver.
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BMW 3 Series Years To Avoid
Next, I’ll focus on the worst years Series 3 has ever launched on the market. Although BMW is known to be not very reliable, some models have frustrated many owners.
So you should check out this detailed list!
- Worst Year #1: BMW 3 Series 2002
This is the oldest vehicle on this list and the worst. The 2002 BMW 3 Series was launched two decades earlier. While it’s a promising vehicle, there are some performance-related reliability issues. The 2002 model had problems such as improper insulation, noise in the cab, and brake failure. The ABS will become damaged, which will result in it not functioning properly. Brake linings also tend to wear out quickly. This model also has engine problems, such as the smell of burning oil, which can only leak. - #2 Worst Year: 2007 BMW 3 Series
The 328 series has been in production for a long time. There have been several reports, but the 2007 BMW 3 Series model is the one that tops them all. There is a major problem, such as a failed valve cover gasket in the engine. There have been reports of oil leaks as well. The transmission system is also unreliable. The actuator will fail, which will cause the transmission system to fail as well. The water pump on this model is also prone to failure. This will cause the engine to overheat, which can reduce its life. - Worst Year #3: 2003 BMW 3 Series
The BMW 325 is next on this list. That comes in very close compared to 328, which has earned second place. The 325 had major problems, mostly from the electrical system. The car wouldn’t start, and the door wouldn’t open either. This makes owning this model a headache. There are engine problems too. The 325 is known for misfires and unexpected oil leaks, which can happen at any time. The navigation system will also freeze, which will prevent users from easily reaching their destination. - #4 Worst Year: 2010 BMW 3 Series
The 2010 BMW 3 Series is one of the newest models on this list, despite being a decade old. There are many complaints, such as the ride quality is not smooth and the fuel economy is not up to standard. The owner complained that small things would break. When you add up the cost of fixing it, it can be quite a lot. There have been reports of engine failure as well, which is serious and could result in an accident. The airbag sensor will also activate but without inflating the airbag. - #5 Worst Years: 2011 BMW 3 Series
The 2011 BMW 328 didn’t bring a major overhaul. There are engine problems such as oil leaks and acceleration is not working properly. It doesn’t end there. The navigation system will also act erratically, making it unreliable. Moreover, the 2011 BMW 3 Series model, which is now 11 years old, is a fantastic choice for consumers. This is a fine player, and since the problem is not that serious, he has earned a better place on this list. So, it can be considered. - #6 Worst Year: 2009 BMW 3 Series
2009 328 is the one that has the most problems, but not often at all. Each user has a different problem, which means a clear quality control problem. It should be noted that most of the problems are not serious, which is why the 2009 BMW 3 Series takes last place on this list. The AC system will stop leaking, or the fuel pump will fail. There have been reports of engine problems, such as oil leaks, but nothing serious.
What Are The Most Common Problems With The BMW 3 Series?
Now that all the common Series 3 problems have been listed, let’s take a look at the common problems that users have had to deal with over the years. This section of the article is a must-read if you are serious about buying a BMW for everyday driving.
Let’s jump straight into it!
- Cooling System Problem
The first problem on this list is also the most common. Many BMW 3 Series owners, over the years, have complained about the engine overheating and the cooling system not working properly. This is quite serious because high temperatures can cause engine life to be significantly reduced. The most common reasons for this problem are the water pump failing or the coolant leaking. The problem can be fixed, and the solution is not very expensive. But repairs should not be delayed. If you do so, the engine will die faster and may even crash on the road, which is very dangerous. - Oil Leak
Another common problem that BMW 3 Series owners are aware of is oil leaks. As seen many times in the above article, users report a smell of burnt oil from the engine. Well, it’s 100% due to an oil leak. It drips onto the hot parts of the engine, which is why you smell burnt. The problem can be fixed, but some leaks can be very expensive to fix. This can be either a valve or a seal, which can be difficult to narrow. This is why repair and labor costs are high. Oil leaks should be fixed immediately unless you want your engine to reach an irreparable state. - Steering Wheel Vibration
Users report that the steering wheel on their Series 3 will vibrate whenever the brakes are applied. It’s less common than the previous two problems, but it’s still common to end up on this list. If you see this happening, then the thrush sleeve bushing may be at fault. While it may not seem like they play too many important roles, the reality is the opposite. You should replace these bushings as soon as possible as they are an integral part of the suspension system. While they shouldn’t fail, most people report on this issue when their BMW hits 75,000 miles on the odometer. - Broken Tail Light Assembly
BMW is notorious for throwing faults even for very small things. Well, one of those minor issues is the taillights. If the assembly is faulty, the car will give a “Check Taillight” error. After further research, I found that the problem was most likely due to corrosion of the damage indicators. Now, this problem has a very low probability of happening. But this is serious because the car behind you won’t be able to see when you turn on the indicator. This can pose a risk to you and the driver behind you. - High-Pressure Pump Failure
The last problem on this list is found only with Turbocharged engines. Owners of this model complain that the fuel injectors get clogged repeatedly. That’s not all. The fuel pressure pump will also be damaged, which will stop it from working properly. This causes a sudden loss of power, hesitancy when accelerating, and no acceleration at all. Both of these problems can be fixed, but they can be expensive. You should fix this problem as soon as possible as it may harm the machine and cause irreparable damage. The fuel injectors may need to be rinsed, but the problem may return soon.
BMW 3 Series Redesign Years
The update is a mid-cycle refresh for the current BMW 3 Series, which first arrived in 2018 as a 2019 model. In BMW’s tradition, we should see the updated car arrive in 2022 as the 2023 model.
