BMW 3 Series gets Sport Collection treatment

BMW will add the popular Sport Collection treatment to its 3 Series range from next month.

Based on the 330i sedan, the Sport Collection variant brings an “optimised” specification to the line-up, the special edition model priced from $89,900 drive-away or $4800 less than the standard vehicle.

Balancing the level of equipment offered for the price, the BMW 330i Sport Collection omits features including blind spot monitoring, crossroad warning, evasion aid, front cross-traffic alert, lane control assist, lane keep assist, powered boot lid, and surround view camera.

BMW says the model offers a “unique specification with a comprehensive array of styling and convenience elements” with standard features including metallic paint, a glass sunroof, front seat heating and M high-gloss Shadowline extended content to “provide commanding road presence”.

Paint options include Black Sapphire, Melbourne Red, Mineral White, M Portimao Blue, M Brooklyn Grey or Skyscraper Grey (Dravit Grey and Tanzanite Blue are not available), while Sensatec upholstery options include Black or Cognac.

Other standard equipment highlights include 19-inch M light alloy wheels (with two design choices available), active cruise control with Stop & Go functionality, adaptive M suspension, ambient cabin lighting, BMW Driving Assistant, Comfort Access (keyless entry and ignition), Connected Package Professional, DAB+ digital radio reception, electric front seat adjustment, head-up display, LED headlights with high beam assist, Live Cockpit Professional, M Sport brakes with blue-painted callipers, M Sport package, Parking Assistant Plus, and wireless smartphone charging.

Power continues to arrive courtesy of BMW’s 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder petrol engine developing 190kW of power and 400Nm of torque. It is paired exclusively to an eight-speed ZF-sourced automatic transmission driving the rear wheels.

The Sport Collection feature bundle was offered in the X3 range earlier this year, and in the X1, X2, 1 Series 2 Series and 3 Series through 2022.

BMW’s 3 Series continues to perform well against traditional segment rivals including the Audi A4 (from $66,300 +ORC) and Mercedes-Benz C-Class (from $79,200 +ORC) with year-to-date sales of 2342 units.

However, the Medium over $60K segment is now dominated by the all-electric Tesla Model 3 which to the end of September 2023 has sold a staggering 14,540 units – more than six times that of BMW’s stalwart sedan.

The BMW 3 Series now places second in the Medium over $60K segment ahead of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2277 unit sales to the end of September), Polestar 2 (1789), Lexus ES (1343), Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class (920), BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe (711), Audi A4 (674), Volkswagen Arteon (548), and Hyundai Ioniq 6 (417).

2023 BMW 3 Series pricing:

*Pricing excludes on-road costs.

^National drive-away price.