Why Buy? | 2017 BMW 330i Review

Motor1 Executive Editor Seyth Miersma puts BMW’s bread and butter 330i through the Why Buy? battery to see if the F30 platform can still hold it’s own against the younger competition.
As-tested price: $47,345

The BMW 3 Series plays in a very interesting class of car. Compact sport/luxury sedans are shopped by traditional consumers and car enthusiasts alike, and BMW's 3er needs to offer a little something for everyone. In the past, none of its rivals could best the 3 Series' perfect blend of engaging driving dynamics, comfort, and technology. But now, the competition is stiffer than ever.
With the redesigned Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class putting up a hell of a fight these days, it takes a lot more than a nice ride quality to make the 3 Series really stand out. That's why we've spent some time with what's really your average 3 Series model – the 330i, with rear-wheel drive and a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It's not the newest offering in the class anymore, but we want to examine how it fares against not only its traditional German competition, but great offerings from America and Japan, as well.

Watch our latest Why Buy video to find out.

SPECIFICATIONS:
Engine: 2.0-Liter Turbocharged I4
Output: 248 Horsepower / 258 Pound-Feet
Transmission: 8-Speed Automatic
EPA Fuel Economy: 23 City / 34 Highway / 27 Combined

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CREDITS
Host: Seyth Miersma
Video Producer: James Bradbury

[Mentis-de]

You can say what you want but this car looks and drives amazing. It still holds up today - even after 5 years!
Bought it and didn't regret it one Cent.

[jjasonnmkx]

Him: on the downside its just not as quiet as i would like it to be Me: i see this as an absolute win

[JeremyPfeifer]

Completely disagree about lack of touch screen. I like iDrive because you can keep your eyes on the road. Touch screen is great for smart phones, but very unsafe for cars, at least until they're self-driving. Ever try to text while walking?

[ostreds]

I've had a 99' 328', 2002 330i, 2005 G35, 2007 335i, 2009 G37, & a 2015 Audi S4...the engines on all 3 were great, no complaints at all. Interior, decent to good. The fact that BMW's standard is still Leatherette, yes in 2018, just makes it look like they are nickle and diming a so-called "premium brand" customer. Hell, even Hyundia's come with standard leather now. My 2015 S4 is, by far, the best car I've had.

[dr.armanassadi]

I drive a 320d Msport 2016 and I can say this is the best car I've ever had ( after 35 years driving). Driving this car with its extraordinary gearbox is a pleasure for those who enjoying driving and the engine is so sharp and spot on. Also I paid £20k for it while 14k on mileage.

[givrbeats]

the bags in the trunk slideshow part was great 🤣

[TedsApex]

just bought a CPO 2017 M Sport package 330i. I know its not the fastest BMW but its my first foreign car and I can't complain. I've tried the Audi A4 and the Infiniti Q50 and the 330i is just simply better

[TheRealTrimBrady]

"Such a common sight on the road"
Since when? I can't remember the last time I've seen one on the roads of my city. These cars are hardly even affordable to the highest 5% in town.

[bbcmontana]

4 years later it’s around 17k looking into them😌

[DMCarReviews]

Very nice car. Love the classical styling of it.

[ostreds]

$1700 for Nav??? Free Google Maps on your phone with voice commands or Waze....free as well!

[seansmith]

cSo I have had an f30 328i sportline and now an f30 330i MSport and this base model in ehite looks boring. But. get a decent variant and an avtual colour and they arestill one of the best looking cars on the road after 5 years...and they are great cars still with only the run flat tyres detracting from the driving experience ( but as many reviewers do, you missed that important bit). i have a combined $140, 000 km experience driving the two cars. Prior to, I had an E60 530i and E46 M3 so believe me when I say the f30 is a great car.

[jarpen]

How tall are you sir? I know cars have grown in size but do you think this bmw is on par with old 5 series? (e34 was the best fit for me).

[thrillsbreh]

This beamer smells so good on the inside, like leather and crayons such high quality shi

[mst]

I just don't understand why they went away from the Inline 6. I have a 2003 330i and I can't imagine a 4 cylinder

[brahmincalgary]

Had a 2018 xdrive as a loaner because my BMW was in for an overnight fix. Thought 330 was a good car but found motor was under powered and sounded like a lawn mower. Would spend extra for bigger motor. BMW should change exhaust note to sound more like a inline6. Interior sound levels are not quiet from engine and tire noises. Last 2 things I did not like, turn stalk has been changed from a neutral one, meaning when you tap to turn left or right it stays in that position until turn is done like all other manufacturers. Also do no like that they changed the warning chime to a different bing bong.

[lexesco]

This car does have apple carplay in EU on the 2017 model

[proffru]

Oh how about M4 or M5? Go and take one for a test-drive if they let you... Then come back and write some comments...

[arlindbanushi]

What about the diesel version? And the Alpina specs, with the diesel engine.

[proffru]

completely bs review. Great car all around, interior is much better in comparison to the new c class even after 5 years in production, the 4 cal 2.0l n20 or b48 engines are great - powerful, fuel efficient and very responsive, automatic 8 speed ZF transmission in these cars is THE BEST by big margin if compared to competition, handling is still great, I even like the handling and steering wheel feel better than my previous e90 lci 335i sport; long story short if you don't own one and never did before just shut your mouth because you simply have no fucking idea what you talking about... I like those "coach experts" sitting at home and making statements about how bad the bmw's are driving hondas, toyotas and other crap. I see you everyday when I drive to work in my 2015 335i m-sport and passing you at triple digit speed on the highway. Your comments just making me laugh....