RSA Motors, the official distributor of BMW products in the Philippines, has officially launched the all-new 3 Series Touring.
The 2023 BMW 3 Series M340i xDrive Touring
For those unfamiliar with BMW’s products, this is the wagon version of the 3 Series. This makes this launch significant, as this Bimmer model has not seen a wagon variant for a very long time.
Locally, the 2023 BMW 3 Series Touring comes in three different flavors. The top-of-the-line trim is the M3 Competition XDrive Touring which retails at Php 10,490,000. This is followed by the mid-spec M340i XDrive Touring priced at Php 5,890,000, while the entry-level 318i Touring retails at Php 3,890,000.
Exterior
When it comes to exterior styling, the M3 Competition stands out among the three thanks to getting a larger version of the brand’s kidney grille. The M340i and the 318i meanwhile, come with a more traditional-looking front end with more slender grilles.
The 3 Series M3 Competition xDrive Touring
On top of that, the M Competition and the M340i get the M lineup of exterior visual enhancements like the M high-gloss Shadowline, and red-colored brake calipers. Exclusive to the top-spec model is a more muscular-looking hood, larger functional vents, and a more aggressive rear diffuser.
The 318i in turn, gets a set of 18-inch alloy wheels wheels. Both the M340i and the M Competition get a 19-inch wheelset. The wheels on the top-spec M Competition are a forged M-specific set, while the M340i’s are “light alloy” wheels.
The entry-level 318i Touring
In a nutshell, the 318i is the simplest but most elegant in appearance. The M Competition is the polar opposite as its look hints at a sporting nature. The M340i meanwhile, sits in between the two mixing athletic touches and a sophisticated look.
All trims do get LED headlamps, LED taillights, rain-sensing wipers, power-folding side mirrors, roof rails, and a power tailgate, among others.
Interior
Step inside the 2023 BMW 3 Series Touring and one will find a neatly arranged interior kitted out with an automatic triple-zone climate control system, ambient lighting, power-adjustable seats, and plenty of leather soft-touch surfaces.
A peek inside the 2023 3 Series Touring (M3 Competition pictured)
The cockpit of the M Competition and M340i offer more bolstering thanks to their sport seats. They also get additional visual enhancements like carbon fiber finishes, as well as M-specific steering wheels and seatbelts.
As a wagon, the 3 Series as a whole offers the most trunk space for this particular model lineup. At default, this German-made wagon can hold 500 liters of cargo. Thanks to the 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats, the cargo space can be stretched to 1,510 liters.
Tech & Safety
On the dashboards of all three Bimmer wagon variants get BMW’s Live Cockpit Plus system. This involves a seamlessly interlinked 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 14.9-inch touchscreen.
For the central touchscreen display, it offers wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. Both the M340i and the M Competition versions then get a Harman Kardon surround sound system, while the entry-level 318i is equipped with a high-fidelity sound system.
The M3 Competition Touring's cockpit. Note the huge screens
When it comes to safety, common on all three versions of the wagon are dual front airbags, front and rear side airbags, front and rear head airbags, anti-lock braking, stability control, traction control, ISOFIX child seat anchors, run-flat tires, parking distance control, etc. Only the M Competition comes with a tire pressure indicator.
Advanced automated driving systems for the 3 Series Touring, such as the Parking Assistant, are available from BMW Philippines. Likewise present is an advanced road monitoring system that can alert drivers of road hazards.
Engine
Each of the 3 Series Touring trims gets its own version of the 3.0-liter inline-6 B48B20A engine. For the 318i, its powerplant can deliver up to 156 horsepower and 250 Nm of torque. The M340i gets a slightly more aggressive tune resulting in an output of 374 horsepower and 500 Nm of torque.
The M3 Competition Touring's 3.0-liter BMW TwinPower Inline-6 engine
The most powerful is of course the M Competition. On this trim, the M-tuned inline-6 can churn out 510 horsepower and 650 Nm of torque. It accomplishes this thanks to a more robust engine cooling system, an active exhaust system, etc.
All trims then get an eight-speed automatic gearbox with paddle shifters. The M3 and the M340i assume an all-wheel-drive layout, while the 318i uses a rear-wheel-drive layout.
The M3 Competition Touring from the front
Other enhancements present on the M Competition and M340i versions include adaptive suspension systems, a sport-tuned differential, and the M Mode button. The latter offers three different drive modes including Sport, Road, and Track.
According to BMW, the M3 Competition can do zero to 100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds. The M340i meanwhile, can do zero to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds.
Note that the M3’s top speed is limited to 250 km/h. To go beyond that limit, one has to acquire BMW’s M Driver’s package.
A close look at the 3 Series M3 Competition's center console
Price
As mentioned above, the BMW 3 Series 318i Touring is the most affordable with a price of Php 3,890,000. The mid-spec M340i XDrive Touring meanwhile, is priced at Php 5,890,000. The most expensive is the M3 Competition XDrive Touring can be had for Php 10,490,000.
Note that all three trims then come with a 5-year warranty or 200,000 km whichever comes first.
M3 Competition Touring from the rear
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