Overview & Reviews

After a full redesign last year, the 2013 BMW 3 Series gains standard power front seats and a new M Sport equipment line, while the xDrive all-wheel-drive system makes its return. A less expensive 320i trim level is also new for the sedan body style only. Meanwhile, the ActiveHybrid3 sedan debuts for 2013, offering 28 mpg combined and an eye-popping price.

• Elegant hardtop convertible design.
• Upscale cabin
• Excellent ride/handling balance
• Powerful and fuel-efficient engines

• Limited interior storage space
• New sedan is less involving to drive than carryover models
• ActiveHybrid3 lacks typical hybrid efficiency.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 28.00

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  Great Car for the "Mature" Hot Rodder! - 2013 BMW 3-Series
  By Left Coast Ken - October 28 - 12:33 pm

  Personal Background: Former USMC pilot whos always been a "motor head" at heart. Previously owned numerous motorcycles (including 6-cylinder KZ1300) and performance cars (including Porsche 914/6 - a near perfect car for its day). Now older & am supposed to act more mature & with in my current "station" in life (but dont want to) as a stalwart, conservative, church-going member of my community. This car is a perfect fit for that scenario - looks appropriate for someone in a suit & tie, but can still tear it up when you want! Positives: My car was an early production model for 2013, having been built in South African & bought by me in April. It has the seven speed automatic transmission - not the manual. I refer to my 335i as a "stealth" street racer (with a luxury interior). With the lower curb weight and same turbo 3.0 liter six-cylinder engine, it out-performs the larger 535i and a few others of the 6- & 7- series cars. Considering that 95% of my driving is done with myself, or self & wife (54", 105 lbs), the car is plenty roomy. Ive even had four full-sized adults in it for a 200 mile (3 hour) trip and no one made comments about lack of space. Actually gets better mileage when on the Interstate running at about 80 MPH (West Texas & Utah), than down in the lower speed limits (65-70 MPH). Goes where you point it & stays there! The three different driving modes (Sport/Comfort/Economy) are great. Most driving in Comfort range, but when I want some fun I put it in Sport mode - where it is a real terror (but fun to drive)! Do not "stomp" on the accelerator (in either Comfort or Sport) unless you have both hands on the steering, wheel! It will literally throw you back into your seat when you do (first time I did it I wasnt paying attention, had only one had on the wheel & was entering a transition curve from one freeway to another - I almost lost it). It really is "The Ultimate Driving" machine in that Ive taken it round trip from San Diego to the East Coast three times (average of 6000 miles in three weeks, or less) in the almost three years Ive had it. That doesnt even begin to count the number of times Ive taken it from San Diego up to San Francisco (550 miles one-way) & back on weekends. In each case I was able to make the drive with very little fatigue at the end of each days driving. The most distance Ive covered in a single day in the 335i has been 1100 miles. Negatives: My dealership has yet to be able to get my alignment correct in that Im always wearing the front tires on the outside edges (Yes, I keep all tire pressures per manufacturers specs) and on the inside edge of the rear tires. I have to work to get 40K miles on a set of tires (not cheap at about $1200 every time a new set goes on). My headlights always look like their aimed too low, unless on high beam, but Ive been told theyre set correctly. Im still not excited about the automatic shift lever where you have to pull it back toward you when you want to go "forward" (out of park/neutral) and push it forward when you want to go into "reverse," but am getting used to that (in fact I know that is the historical European throttle setup in aircraft, so guess it makes sense to the Germans). Other than tires, Ive only had to replace a faulty brake sensor switch (after over 2 years & about 75,000 miles). Still plenty of pads left on all brakes after 90K miles. Right rear tail light lens had to be adjusted within about 18 months (kept coming loose), but easy fix on that. Overall: Car has been rock solid and one heck of a bunch of fun to drive! Get one if you get the chance (a bunch should be coming up for sale after finishing their 3-year lease with original drivers). When I purchased my 335i my expectation is that it would last for at least 8 years and go for 250,000 miles and it looks like it will easily make that (I also have a 2003 Ford F-150 that is now 13 years old & has over 376,000 miles on it).

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  2013 BMW 328i xdrive - 2013 BMW 3-Series
  By andy6027 - February 15 - 9:33 pm

  Ive had this car for 1 1/2 years now, have about 22,000 miles on it. Bought it because I have to commute about 50 miles to work each day, highway driving, and I wanted something that would feel safe (especially for winter driving), comfortable and enjoyable to drive. Very happy with this car. Favourite feature is the engine -- accelerates so nicely, for passing trucks and making lane changes. Built in bolts attachments for a roof rack were a nice surprise, makes it easy to transport my bikes. Bluetooth works really nicely for talking on phone hands-free. No real negatives. Engine seemed loud at first, but I dont notice it anymore. Get the heated steering wheel for cold winters!

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  Great in Minnesota Winters - 2013 BMW 3-Series
  By j_walz1 - April 25 - 10:20 am

  I am really enjoying the car. I only have 7,000 miles on it so far of mostly extreme cold weather driving and it has been great. Not one single issue or visit to the dealer so far. The AWD system is better in snowy conditions than any vehicle I have owned, and that includes a modern Subaru system, a Grand Cherokee, and two Toyotas, (one AWD the other 4WD). It is very confidence inspiring in snow and ice, the electronic nannies do a great job. Gas mileage has been surprising for how well the car performs. In winter at temps of 10 below, still managed 24mpg in an AWD car. When the temps get about 40 mileage hits low thirties for me but I drive like a sane person. Excellent car.

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  Driving Precision and Transformer Features to Wow 6 Year Olds - 2013 BMW 3-Series
  By rihallix - October 12 - 12:19 pm

  The switch from a zippy Honda Civic Si to a 328i Convertible may have taken away the rush of the Civics K20 engine acceleration but it replaced it with a vehicle with refinement and class. At every turn it feels like someone back in Munich really thought about that feature and refined it. The convertibles big feature is of course its transformational hard top - a feature guaranteed to mesmerize passing 6 year olds and still cause heads to turn for older observers. The 3.0 liter inline 6 is not the eager peppy Civic engine, its more the competent "I got this" super smooth pour on the power superior alternative.

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  Great car/Excellent to drive/Poor GPS - 2013 BMW 3-Series
  By davidwilson - July 21 - 3:48 pm

  The 2013 BMW 328i is a great car. Excellent to drive earning the "ultimate driving machine" statement. With the M package you receive outstanding upgrades my favorite is the 19" BMW wheels. The GPS however is very, very poor. The Garmin GPS on my wifes iPhone outperforms the GPS in this BMW product. BMW customer service was no help whatsoever. Test it first before buying to ensure you are OK with the GPS. Comparing this car to the C250 and Audi A4 was an easy decision due to the performance, handling, exterior design and interior comfort (my wife loves the seats). Had I tested the GPS I would not have purchased the upgrade.

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  Bmw 335 xi - 2013 BMW 3-Series
  By wpotis - February 23 - 7:24 am

  I have owned this car for 6 months and have had no problems. The x drive works great in the snow. The car is amazing. Handling and acceleration are the best. Would buy a second one. Def. recommended. Winter tires are a little noisy.

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  Sold me on BMW - 2013 BMW 3-Series
  By ae4ax - November 11 - 11:41 pm

  I once thought that BMWs were the ugliest cars on the road. Then, their recent styling and interior updates, in addition to actually test driving one, got me hooked. Coming from a Taurus I wasnt sure what to expect but the feeling I get in one word is "solid". Solid power, handling, materials, tech, comfort: much more of a drivers car than any I have driven. I drove 100 miles today through snaking rural roads in N. Alabama and S. Tennessee, and I was convinced I made the right choice. The Taurus was cavernous without a center console, and the 328i not so much with the driveshaft in the way, but plenty of room for a 62" 300 lb guy who likes space. I cant wait to go to Greenville...

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  The Good, The Bad, and The Unexplainable - 2013 BMW 3-Series
  By xdeeds - November 8 - 7:21 pm

  My last two sedans were Honda Accords (2003, 2010). At age 58, I wanted a "luxury" car while I was still young enough to enjoy it. Considered Merc C class and Audi A4 but BMW3 test drive clinched it. Felt just right. Been two months and over 3500 miles. Great fun to drive except for the auto stop feature and some very annoying "unexplainables." This is my first BMW so I probably dont have the right BMW perspective to understand them. But now, when I come across something that doesnt make sense to me, I figure a BMW engineer must have designed it. Despite great drive, not sure Id buy one again. I hate the surprise engine shut downs when I sometimes forget to turn auto stop off.

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  True sports sedan - 2013 BMW 3-Series
  By cg62 - October 22 - 11:46 am

  I have my car for a week today. I custom ordered my car in August. I ordered a loaded Mineral Gray sports model with red leather interior and black trim. This car has exceeded my expectations. The car is striking inside and out. This car handles and rides better than any car I have ever owned(G35, M35,CLK350 etc...). In comfort mode it is a small luxury car in Sports or Sports + mode its a sports car. The Harmon Kardon sound system is fantastic. The xenon lights are a must. The transmission with shift paddles is fantastic. I-drive has been perfected. Heads up display is the icing. Averaging 28 MPG in mixed driving and on the highway at 70MPH I am getting 35MPG.

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  Perfect for a businessman - 2013 BMW 3-Series
  By P Arrington - May 16 - 4:35 am

  Sedan is designed to place everything you need close to you. Car sits lower to the ground. The turbo makes acceleration exilerating. They is no storage, no cup holders, a minute space in the glove box and arm rest.