2016 BMW 3 Series Sedan (F30) LCI 340i xDrive 8AT AWD (326 HP)

Vehicle Overview

BMW refreshed the sixth generation of the 3 Series in 2015 for the 2016 model year and introduced significant upgrades for one of its most important vehicles.

When the automaker introduced the sixth generation of the 3 Series Sedan, known as the F30 in factory coding, in 2011, it already knew that the new Euro 6 emission standards would follow. As a result, it prepared the car for that and waited for the right moment to introduce the changes. However, it seemed like the automaker didn’t have enough money left to spend on the design upgrades, and only a trained eye for detail could notice the differences between the initial 2011 model year and the facelifted 2015 one, albeit BMW didn’t call its refreshed models like that. It named them LCI, or Life Cycle Impulse. In terms of technology upgrades, that was true, but in terms of styling, not so.

At the front, the automaker introduced new LED headlights fitted with redesigned daytime running lights. In the initial model, these were round, while in the refreshed version, they were angular-shaped and underlined with high- and low-beam bulbs. It is worth noticing that the LCI version was the first 3 Series available with full-LED headlights. Another improvement was seen on the lower bumper, which received broader side scoops that integrated the available fog lamps. As an option, customers could get an M Sport Package, which added a different bumper featuring a broad center air intake in the apron flanked by angular-shaped side scoops.

The car’s profile showed the same look with a lean-forward stance. Furthermore, an ascending creased line ran along the bodywork from the front fenders to the taillights. For versions fitted with the M Sport Package, the automaker added a set of aerodynamic side skirts, which allegedly reduced ground effect. Customers could also opt for up to 18-inch light alloy wheels, while base models sported 16-inch ones. In the back, depending on the grade and options, the 2016 BMW 3 Series featured one or two pipes that poked from underneath the bumper. The latter variant was reserved for higher-powered versions, while the former was for turbodiesel and less potent engines.

Inside, there were no significant changes to the car at first sight. It had the same layout, seats, and door cards. Furthermore, even the center console was the same, albeit there was a new cover for the dual cup holders from the bottom of the center stack. However, there was a new infotainment system that could allow LTE data transfer. It also featured the Connected Drive service, which allowed customers to go over the Internet and find destinations and fastest routes. Thanks to the telematics system, the navigation unit was able to calculate routes according to traffic information. In addition, a concierge service allowed customers to ask a BMW representative about the closest points of interest.

While the exterior and interior changes were not that obvious, under its skin, the 2016 BMW 3 Series Sedan had significant improvements. For starters, the entry-level version featured an inline-three turbocharged gasoline engine, which was good news for fleet owners. Then, the former two-liter turbodiesel was replaced by a new one. Even though the new powerplant provided just six more ponies, it was better in fuel efficiency. Furthermore, the automaker started to replace most of the former N-family engines with the B-family ones for the turbocharged gasoline powerplants for both inline-four and inline-six units.