2016 BMW 3 Series – BMW Dealer Serving Chicago | BMW of Elmhurst

When it comes to small luxury cars, it just doesn’t get any better than the 2016 BMW 3 Series. The combination of dynamic handling, excellent fuel economy and intelligent tech features make the 3 Series one of the most highly sought-after models at the BMW dealer serving Chicago.

Now in the sixth generation, the 2016 3 Series models gets a midcycle refresh that sees slight exterior styling updates, along with improvements to the interior trim. The suspension and steering have been modified to improve handling accuracy. The six-cylinder 340i sedan replaces the 335i, with a new, more powerful engine and a standard 16-speaker audio system. Newly available features include LED headlights, and automatic remote updates for the navigation system. The Dynamic Handling package is replaced by a new Track Handling package. The Sport Line package is now standard on all models other than the 320i, although the previously included M sport suspension is now available separately.
It’s no surprise that the reaction from the automotive press is nearly unanimous in its praise. Auto Trader said: “There’s something great about the 2016 BMW 3 Series, just as there always has been ever since the first one came out in the mid-1970s. This is the sport sedan by which all others are judged.”

The 2016 BMW 3 Series is offered as a sedan or a wagon. Sedan models are available in 320i, 328i, 328d and 340i trims. All are offered with BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system. The wagon comes in two trim levels: 328i xDrive and 328d xDrive. All-wheel drive is standard on the wagons, and all have eight-speed automatic transmissions.

RWD sedans and the 340i AWD get an optional six-speed manual transmission at no extra cost, but the wagon only gets the eight-speed au
tomatic. Some automatic-equipped 3 Series cars have a “sport” version of this transmission with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters.

Here are the powertrains offered for each trim level:

• The 320i is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 180 horsepower and 200 lb.-ft. of torque. According to Edmunds, this block was able to propel the 320i from zero to 60 mph in 7.3 seconds. EPA-estimated fuel economy checks in at an 28 mpg combined for a rear-drive sedan with the automatic transmission.* The numbers are nearly the same with the manual, at 28 mpg combined. The xDrive model drops to 27 mpg combined.

• The 328i gets a more powerful 2.0-liter four cylinder that generates 240 hp and 255 lb.-ft. of torque. With the automatic, the 328i gets 27 mpg combined, while the manual and all-wheel-drive models (including the wagon) are rated at 26 mpg combined. A 328i M Sport automatic sprinted from zero to 60 mph in just 5.4 seconds.

• The 328d is motivated by a turbocharged 2.0-liter diesel four-cylinder engine that produces 180 hp and 280 lb.-ft. of torque. This engine is only offered with the automatic. Rear-drive 328d sedans get 36 mpg combined, while the 328d xDrive sedan and wagon check in at 34 mpg combined. The wagon got to 60 mph from off the line in 7.2 seconds.

• The 340i sedan has a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder that makes 320 hp and 330 lb.-ft. of torque. With the automatic, EPA-estimated fuel economy is 26 mpg combined RWD or AWD. With the manual, that number drops to 24 mpg combined with RWD, while AWD gets 23 mpg combined.

Learn more about the BMW 3 Series at BMW of Elmhurst serving Chicago and schedule a test drive.

* All vehicle mileage based on 2016 EPA mileage estimates. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary, depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.