BMW is giving buyers of its new 3 Series a choice of powertrains, with the all-electric i3 making a particularly compelling case for itself. However, those who aren’t quite ready to embrace electric performance might find themselves drawn to the new BMW M350 xDrive. This isn’t an M3 in disguise, but rather a sports saloon that aims to deliver all the performance and driving enjoyment most people could ever need.
Anyone familiar with the performance, charging capabilities and range of the new electric BMW i3 will need a convincing reason to choose a combustion-engined alternative. Nevertheless, the new M350 xDrive has an impressive set of credentials of its own. Until the electric M3 arrives in a year’s time, it sits at the top of BMW’s traditional core model range.
For the time being, it is also the only way to enjoy six-cylinder power in the new 3 Series, with the muscular six-cylinder diesels of previous generations no longer part of the equation.
Fortunately, the engine is an absolute gem. BMW’s familiar three-litre B58 turbocharged straight-six, already found in numerous models across the range, has benefited from further refinement and the addition of a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. The result is an impressive 326 kW (443 PS), considerably more than the 400 PS offered by larger models such as the 7 Series and X5.
It should come as little surprise that the engine takes on a rather different character when installed in a smaller, more dynamically focused saloon. After a brief search for the somewhat concealed starter button, the three-litre straight-six fires into life with a more pronounced soundtrack than in its larger siblings. Thanks in part to the substantial weight advantage, it also feels considerably more eager than expected.
At low engine speeds and under heavy acceleration, an electric motor integrated into the eight-speed automatic transmission provides additional assistance. Producing 13 kW (18 PS) and 200 Nm of torque, the system gives the 4.76-metre-long all-wheel-drive saloon an extra helping of urgency.
It works remarkably well, although neither the electric assistance nor the automatic gearbox can entirely disguise a brief moment of hesitation before the M350 launches forward with tremendous enthusiasm.
On paper, its performance comes remarkably close to that of previous M3 generations. The M350 xDrive accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.1 seconds and reaches an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. Yet despite its considerable performance and the various sporting badges adorning its bodywork, the car’s character is quite different from that of a full-fat M model.
There is no shortage of acceleration, but the overall package remains firmly on the comfortable side of sporting. Even when the driving modes are switched to their most aggressive settings, the M350 never becomes as uncompromising or demanding as the M cars developed in Garching.
The steering is wonderfully direct, delivering excellent feedback from the front axle even on slippery roads. Meanwhile, the all-wheel-drive system translates the engine’s considerable output into effective forward momentum, even in persistent rain.
Less impressive is the redesigned leather steering wheel, with its unusual clusters of controls positioned on either side of the central hub. They take some getting used to, and the previous arrangement was undoubtedly more intuitive.
The steering wheel’s design is also a matter of personal taste, much like the panoramic display that replaces the conventional instrument cluster. As in the 7 Series, X5 and electric i3, BMW has opted for a narrow information strip running along the base of the windscreen, complemented by a large central touchscreen and an excellent head-up display.
For long-standing BMW drivers accustomed to traditional instrumentation, the transition may not be particularly easy.
Fortunately, any frustrations with the interior technology are quickly forgotten on a winding road. Despite a kerb weight exceeding 1.9 tonnes, the combustion-engined 3 Series feels remarkably agile.
Steering, accelerating, braking and simply cruising along are all activities that the M350 handles with the confidence and precision expected of a BMW 3 Series. It is an impressive demonstration of how much driving enjoyment can still be extracted from a relatively large and heavy modern saloon.
With 580 Nm of torque, there is more pulling power than before, although the new model has also grown in both size and weight. Compared with its predecessor, the already very capable M340i xDrive, the new M350 carries approximately 130 kilograms of additional weight.
That extra mass does bring some benefits in terms of comfort, an area where the M350 is every bit as convincing as it is when driven enthusiastically.
Even at a relaxed pace, the suspension retains a reassuringly firm and dynamic character without transmitting any unnecessary harshness or nervousness into the cabin. It strikes an impressive balance between precise handling and long-distance refinement.
The sports seats look the part and provide excellent lateral support. Admittedly, the head restraints cannot be adjusted, while the extendable thigh supports still require manual operation, although neither is likely to be a major concern for most buyers in this segment.
Other interior details are less convincing. The textile elements incorporated into the dashboard will not appeal to everyone, while the rather bulky housing surrounding the otherwise excellent head-up display feels somewhat out of place in such a carefully designed cabin.
Passenger accommodation is respectable. There is plenty of room up front, while rear-seat space is perfectly adequate for a car in this class. However, carrying three adults across the rear bench is best avoided, particularly given the limited interior width.
The 450-litre boot is more appealing, offering useful luggage capacity that can be expanded by folding the rear seats or making use of the through-loading facility.
Efficiency is also respectable given the performance on offer. BMW quotes official fuel consumption of 7.5 litres of premium petrol per 100 kilometres, with CO2 emissions of 171 g/km. For a 443 PS all-wheel-drive saloon weighing more than 1.9 tonnes, those are certainly reasonable figures.
Naturally, none of this comes particularly cheaply. Prices for the new BMW M350 xDrive start at €80,900, placing it firmly in premium sports saloon territory.
Nevertheless, the appeal of the M350 is easy to understand. It combines the effortless performance and refinement of BMW’s excellent straight-six engine with a chassis that remains engaging without demanding too much from its driver.
It might not deliver the uncompromising aggression of a full M3, but that is precisely the point. The M350 xDrive offers a more accessible blend of performance, comfort and everyday usability, without sacrificing the driving character that has long defined the BMW 3 Series.
For many buyers, that balance will make it a considerably more attractive proposition than an outright performance model.
