2023 BMW 318i M Sport Review: A Power Suit of the Sportier Sort

Singapore - Sedans may have lost some of their shine, in the light that buyers have gravitated over to SUVs. But we believe that there are certain things in the order of the universe which should never be disturbed. For instance, Mercedes-Benz must have a C, E and S Class, and BMW must have a 3, 5 and 7 Series. And like how a coffeeshop must have both Chicken Rice and Wonton Mee. 

The 3 Series is central to the Bavarian automaker, like how chicken is central to Chicken Rice, and wanton is central to… you get the drift. The current Junior Executive sedan was first introduced here, back in 2020. A larger car than its predecessor, it won over its fans, but it also had its fair share of critics. Some felt that the 3 had gotten too large, dampening some of that signature driving pleasure. But I feel that the 3 in its current incarnation drives very well.

The restyling, especially in the front, visually aligns it with the in-coming 5 Series, both with and without their respective M Sport kit trim. The M Sport variant will set you back an additional $9,000, providing you with stiffer springs, body add-ons, larger rims and a sports steering wheel.

The most significant difference on the inside is the new dashboard, which now receives BMW’s new Curved Display - which is presented as an unbroken panel spanning two-thirds across the dashboard, like in the iX and X1. This is powered by BMW’s new Operating System 8, which while it has voice controlled capabilities as in the previous OS 7. However, it now can detect if it is the driver or front passenger who is making a voice-activated request. It also is capable of automating habits, such as rolling down the driver’s side window if you wish, when entering or exiting a carpark.

The new interface may have a neater tiled interface, but behind this, there are plenty of widgets you’d need to sieve through to find specific functions - best done only if you are parked somewhere. But beyond that widget overkill, the OS 8 in my books is arguably the best in the business. I like that even with the base car, BMW has not skimped here. Their familiar path-tracing Reversing Assistant is a standard feature. It also allows up to five individuals access to your car through its smartphone-based BMW Digital Key.

Away from the restyled dashboard, and new thumb-sized gear selector, the interior of the 3 Series remains largely unchanged. So you get practical room for four, and 480 litres of boot space, identical to the Audi A4.

Under the hood, there are no changes to that 2.0 inline-four, which is paired to the familiar 8-speed ZF-sourced transmission. The 156hp and 250Nm churned, is nothing much to shout about, as seen with its decent 8.6 seconds to 100km/h. But I do note an issue which I feel that has not been addressed, where the car jerks when driven in start-stop traffic.

The earlier-mentioned stiffer shock absorbers, to me, are really a mixed bag, as while the M Sport-badged car has the ability to punch around the tightest corners, with the bite and poise that could rival some sports cars; that dialled-up firmness is not the best thing for those seated at the rear. But I must say that if you do like a Junior Executive Sedan that is also a driver's car, there are only 2 which come to mind, the 3 Series and the Lexus IS.

Like before, BMW had definitely gotten the formula right for the 3 Series. But take it from me, the base 318i is the better car. For $9,000 less, you will appreciate the comfort provided by its standard suspension, and more sidewall from smaller rims.

PHOTOS Clifford Chow

2023 BMW 318i M Sport

Engine 1998cc, TwinPower Turbo
Power/rpm 156hp/4,500-6,500rpm
Torque/rpm 250Nm/1,300-4,300rpm
0-100 km/h 8.6 seconds
Top Speed 223 km/h
Fuel Consumption 5.8L/100 km
CO2 166g/km