BMW G20 3-Series Buyers’ Guide (2022) – Bimmers.com

The BMW 3-Series is nearing its fifth decade in production and has become one of the German manufacturer’s most popular and sought-after models. The seventh and latest generation of the 3-Series, dubbed the BMW G20, made its debut in 2019 and follows in a long line of executive sedans that perfectly balance driving pleasure with practicality. 

The BMW G20 was preceded by the BMW F30, a well-rounded car that impressively carried BMW’s 3-Series mantle. The G20 had to step into some rather big shoes, and in the four years that it’s been in production, it’s done remarkably well at filling them. BMW has addressed some of the shortcomings of the F30 and made the latest generation of a 3-Series a better driver’s car that also feels more premium. 

Buying a BMW G20, new or pre-owned, can be a relatively expensive affair since the car has only been around for a few years now. We’ve listed everything you need to know about the BMW G20, from engine options available in our market to mechanical problems you might face as an owner. 

Photo credit: autowp.ru

BMW G20 – The 3-Series in Its Latest Avatar

The BMW G20 was first showcased at the 2018 Paris Motor Show, and it would eventually go on sale in the spring of 2019. BMW made some rather essential updates to the G20 to ensure that it was a better car than its predecessor and every 3-Series that came before it. 

Visually, the BMW G20 follows very closely in the steps of the BMW F30 3-series that it replaced, albeit including some stylistic changes. The iconic kidney grille is more prominent and sits flush against the front of the car. BMW has also included some nifty elements like air curtains with the fog lights, which should help channel dirt away from them.

Body Types

The seventh generation of the BMW 3-Series is available in two body types — a sedan (G20) and a wagon (G21). The two body styles are collectively referred to as the G20 series. 

What Is the Difference between F30 and G20?

The G20 is based on the German manufacturer’s recent CLAR (Cluster Architecture) platform. This highly flexible architecture incorporates a high-strength steel and aluminum chassis that is notably more rigid than its predecessor’s. In fact, it’s a whole 25% more rigid overall and as much as 50% stiffer in places like the suspension mounting points. For you and I, this translates to a car that handles and steers better. 

There have also been some major tweaks to the 3-Series dimensions. The BMW G20 is 85 mm longer and 16 mm wider while weighing 121lbs less than the F30. It also has a wheelbase that’s longer by 41 mm, meaning more legroom for the passenger, and a car that’s more planted at high speeds. Speaking of, BMW also managed to drop the drag coefficient from 0.26 Cd to 0.23 Cd, a factor that will also aid smooth highway cruising.  

Several owners have also reported that the G20 has a notably more comfortable ride than the F30, especially with the run-flat tires, which were a bothersome component on the previous-generation car. 

BMW was rather generous with the updates inside the car, as well. While fit and finish levels haven’t seen a significant step-up, the cabin now feels a lot fresher and premium. The company has also equipped the international G20 cars with acoustic glass to reduce in-cabin noise. However, this treatment has made its way only to the windshield as far as the U.S. market goes. Something is better than nothing, right? 

What Engine Is in the BMW G20?

Photo credit: autowp.ru

Internationally, the G20 3-Series is powered by gasoline and diesel engines. However, only the petrol engines — the B48 and the B58 — are available in the North American market. Here’s a list of all the G20 models that are on sale:

Petrol:

• 2020-present 2.0L inline-four turbo B48 in 318i/320Li, producing 154 hp at 4,500–6,500rpm and 184 lb-ft of torque at 1,300–4,300rpm.
• 2019-present 2.0L inline-four turbo B48 in 320i/325Li, producing 181 hp at 5,000–6,500rpm and 221 lb-ft of torque at 1,350–4,000rpm.
• 2021-present 2.0L inline-four turbo B48 with electric motor in 320e, producing 201 hp at 5,000–6,500 rpm and 258 lb-ft of torque at 1,450–3,700rpm.
• 2019-present 2.0L inline-four turbo B48 in 330i/330Li, producing 255 hp at 5,000–6,500rpm and 295 lb-ft of torque at 1,550–4,400rpm.
• 2019-present 2.0L inline-four turbo B48 with electric motor in 330e, producing 248hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. 
• 2019-present 3.0L inline-six turbo B58 in M340i, producing 382 hp at 5,800–6,500rpm and 369 lb-ft of torque at 1,800–5,000rpm

Diesel

• 2019-present 2.0L inline-four turbo B47 in 318d, producing 148 hp at 4,000rpm and 236 lb-ft of torque at 1,500–3,000rpm.
• 2019-present 2.0L inline-four turbo B47 in 320d, producing 188 hp at 4,000rpm and 295 lb-ft of torque at 1,750–2,500rpm.
• 2019-present 3.0L inline-six turbo B57 in 330d, producing 261 hp at 4,000rpm and 428 lb-ft of torque at 1,750–2,750rpm.
• 2020-present 3.0L inline-six twin-turbo B57 in M340d, producing 335 hp at 4,400rpm and 516 lb-ft of torque at 1,750–2,250rpm.

Available Models in the North American Market

As we mentioned above, only a few G20 models are on sale in the North American market. These include the 330i, 330e, and the M340i. Our market can choose them with rear-wheel drive as standard or with BMW’s all-wheel-drive xDrive system. 

The G20 3-Series, unsurprisingly, also made its way to the kind folk at M Division, who worked their magic on the car to create the latest M3. However, like with its predecessor, this M3 carries its own series name, G80, and is not considered a variant under the BMW G20 series. 

Features and Equipment

The BMW G20 gets a host of features as standard, including LED lights, automatic headlights and windshield wipers, climate control, a lane departure warning system, cruise control, and a collision warning system that will also trigger the brakes if necessary.

When it debuted, the car came equipped with an 8.8-inch infotainment display that featured iDrive 6.0. The system has since been updated to iDrive 7.0, one of the most intuitive pieces of software in the market. You also can update to a larger 10.25-inch display and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. 

One of the more notable features that this update brought is the addition of the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant. By simply saying “Hey BMW,” you can activate the in-built voice assistant that can help with several tasks. Apart from the regular phone and navigation functions, it can also be asked to change ambient lighting, music, climate control, check messages, driving history, etc. 

Like always, there’s a host of optional accessories and features on offer. Some of the stuff you can equip your BMW G20 with include BMW LaserLight, a parking assistant with a 360-degree view of the car, an electronically-controlled locking rear differential (standard on the 340i), and more.

A Digital Key system lets you set up and use your smartphone to lock and unlock the vehicle. Place your phone in the wireless charging tray, and you can now turn the engine on as well. This gives you the ability to use and drive the car even if you forget your keys somewhere. 

Optional Packages

Photo credit: autowp.ru

BMW grouped some optional features into different packages that you can equip your car with. 

Convenience Package

The Convenience Package includes the Comfort Access keyless entry, lumbar support, and SiriusXM Satellite Radio with a 1-year subscription for a total of $600.

Driver Assistance Professional Package

The Driver Assistance Professional Package offers an autonomous drive system with Lane Changing and Active Lane Control, a 360-degree camera, overtaking sensor, park distance control, front and back cross-traffic alert, and other similar driver aids.

Track Handling Package

The Track Handling Package includes 18-inch V-spoke orbit gray wheels, M Sport brakes, Adaptive M Suspension, and variable sport steering. This package sits a step below the M Sport Package with regard to the number of performance updates it has to offer. 

M Sport Package

Opting for the M Sport Package will get you 18-inch Star-spoke alloy wheels, Adaptive M Suspension, an M Sport steering wheel, aerodynamic bodywork, Shadowline exterior trim, and M Sport design elements and trim in the interior. 

Is BMW G20 Reliable? 

Photo credit: autowp.ru

The BMW G20 has been around for only about four years now, so it’s hard to assess its long-term reliability since high mileage cars are few and far between. However, the most expensive component of the vehicle is the engine, and the BMW G20 scores exceptionally well in that regard. 

The B48 and B58 engines that power the G20 3-Series models sold in our market are part of the same engine family and happen to be some of the most reliable machines that BMW has built. 

If you’re buying a BMW G20, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll face any serious mechanical troubles anytime soon. However, there are some minor issues that are somewhat characteristic of modern-day BMW engines, so you should keep an eye out for them on your 3-Series as well. 

Coolant Loss

While not a very common problem amongst BMW G20 models, some owners of B58-powered cars have reported that they’ve noticed coolant levels dropping quicker than expected. 

The B58 comprises two tanks for coolant – the larger primary unit stores coolant for the engine, while the secondary reservoir holds the liquid for the engine’s air-to-water intercooler.

What’s left these owners perplexed is that they can’t seem to pinpoint the cause of the drop in coolant levels. Typically, an unexpected drop results from a more serious, underlying issue, like a broken gasket or leaky coolant transfer tube. Many B58 owners had mentioned that they’d experienced coolant loss even when these components were perfectly fine. 

This is where the theory of “natural loss” comes in. The B58 cooling system uses pressurized reservoirs to store the coolant. The lid of these tanks can vent internal pressure build-up to maintain optimum pressure levels. When it does so, a small amount of coolant may be lost, which is what is referred to as natural loss. 

However, this should only be a negligible amount. If you find that coolant levels in your car are dropping drastically, it could mean there’s a more severe issue that requires immediate intervention. A drop in coolant can force your engine to run at higher temperatures which will wear out the internals. 

Oil Filter Damage

Some owners have also reported an issue with the oil filter that they’ve noticed while replacing it. The oil filter on these engines tends to disintegrate at the bottom. When they are removed to be replaced, parts of the oil filter remain stuck to the housing. In most cases, they can simply be pulled out with pliers. 

However, if they’re not removed completely, the debris may enter the engine and cause wear to its internal components. 

If you’re dealing with a problematic oil filter, we suggest that you try and have the housing replaced under warranty. This should eliminate the risk of the problem happening again. 

VANOS Solenoids Problem

The BMW engines that power the North American G20 engines have variable valve timing on the intake and exhaust. BMW refers to this technology as VANOS. The VANOS system relies on two solenoids – one for the intake and the other for the exhaust – to actuate the valve timing. While there haven’t been too many reports of the solenoids failing on the B48 and B58, there are several stories of them dying prematurely on other BMW engines. 

Things get a little more problematic with these newer BMW engines as the manufacturer moved the timing chain towards the rear of the engine. This makes the solenoids harder to access, and the job demands technical expertise and the right tools. 

In fact, you’ll find that the labor costs involved with replacing the solenoids are significantly higher than the cost of the part itself. If you know your way around an engine, you’ll be able to save a substantial amount of money by DIY-ing this. 

Failed solenoids can throw up some pretty cumbersome symptoms – shaky idling, significant drops in performance, and poor fuel efficiency, to name a few. 

Valve Cover Gasket Failure

Modern-day BMW engines feature a plastic valve cover and a rubber valve cover gasket. Rubber is a material that hardens when exposed to multiple heat cycles, and that’s precisely what the valve cover gasket goes through. Once the valve cover gasket hardens, it is more prone to cracking, resulting in an oil leak. 

In most cases, an oil leak from a cracked valve cover gasket should not result in severe damage to the engine. However, no oil leak should be taken lightly, and you should get the gasket replaced as soon as possible. 

Typically, the factory fit valve cover gasket should last over 70,000 to 80,000 miles but will fail sooner on a poorly maintained engine. 

Which BMW G20 3-Series to Get? 

Photo credit: autowp.ru

The BMW G20 3-Series represents the pinnacle of the German manufacturer’s most popular offering. It may not be as sensational or game-changing a car as, say, the E46 3-Series, but it’s still a better and more modern car than all its predecessors, in any regard. 

For those of us in the North American market, the decision on which G20 3-Series to get is more straightforward because we only have three options to choose from. The 330i and 330e models are powered by the same engine and offer similar performance. The latter is a hybrid with an electric motor that should allow for a quieter, more peaceful ride – something you may want if you spend a lot of time in traffic. 

However, if your scale of reasoning tips towards performance, the M340i is a superb machine with BMW’s most refined engine layout and heaps of performance. The xDrive iterations of the G20 3-Series cars cost only $2,000 more than their corresponding rear-wheel-drive counterparts, and we reckon it’s the best extra two grand you’ll spend on this car (barring the M Sport Package, perhaps.) 

The only downside to the latest BMW 3-Series is that the German manufacturer decided not to offer a manual transmission with any of them. This will undoubtedly turn away a lot of enthusiasts, but we hope they find solace in the fact that the automatic is still mighty responsive and heaps of fun. 

Proper Maintenance is Everything 

Much like with any other BMW, proper maintenance is everything when it comes to keeping your BMW G20 as reliable as the day it came out of the dealership. Here at Bimmers.com, we offer a wide range of genuine, OEM and aftermarket parts for all kinds of BMW cars. To find parts for your G20, simply head over to our store section, select your vehicle and search for the parts you need. It’s that simple!