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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  Over-Hyped, Over-Marketed average car - 2013 BMW 3-Series
  By mskyline98 - May 8 - 3:05 am

  I fell for the mass marketing and silly editor reviews on this car. Youre supposed to say its a good car because thats what BMW has been pushing so hard for a long time. The truth is, its a very weak-engined plain & boring car. Not only does my V-6 Accord have tons more power and better MPGs, but it doesnt need premium gas. BMW feels like its the size of a boat in the parking lot, and the ride is so firm and rattling that you should not call it a luxury car. The aged interior looks like it was never changed from the 3-series I always saw in the late 90s. I saw a review that said Hyundais now look nicer inside than BMWs.

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  My Favorite Car - 2013 BMW 3-Series
  By Keegan - April 13 - 1:40 pm

  Everything about this car is amazing. Best car Ive ever owned, very fun to drive and handles great. The xDrive will dominate a snow covered road with ease. Fuel economy isnt great but thats not why you buy this car.

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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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  2013 328i - 2013 BMW 3-Series
  By fido4 - January 31 - 9:58 pm

  This is my 3rd 3 series. As a few have commented, the interior of this car seems to be a step backward from prior models. Other than that...it is a delight to drive. I have 39,000 miles on my 2013. It is a thrill to drive...although different from my 2001 and 2007. Gas mileage is very good....27 in town....36 on highway...with plenty of power. Bottom line....Im very pleased with this car. Someone earlier compared it to a Corolla. Pure Hyperbole!!

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  Jack of all trades- master of none! - 2013 BMW 3-Series
  By r_s3 - December 19 - 10:09 pm

  This car requires a lot of optional extras to be worthy of a BMW badge. I have the 335i with msport package, adaptive m suspension, and the variable sports steering as well as most of the tech options. If youre a driving enthusiast, PLEASE make sure your car has these options or you will be disappointed and feel ripped off. If youre just a law-abiding, eco pro using commuter, then by all means get a base 3 series with the tech package and youll be content. I feel like this car can handle DECENTLY, provide DECENT comfort, and has DECENT build quality. Its not a master of anything I see it as a "jack of all trades". Good daily driver though.

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  I like my older 3 more now - 2013 BMW 3-Series
  By dubbu2 - May 16 - 10:34 am

  I first fell for BMW in 2008. I purchased a 328xi. I was impressed with the sporty and solid road feel, refined-smooth-sounding power, and overall impressive build quality and materials throughout the cabin. I acquired another one in 2011, but noticed a very slight decline in materials...sun visor were plastic-like instead of cloth, and the nifty, cost-saving "Rest" feature was removed. After driving a 2014 for one month, Im so glad I didnt trade my 2011. Car sounds loud and odd, feels cheap, and the size of the vanity mirror is smaller. Stereo system quality has declined (lack of depth), and steering feel reminiscent of my grandfathers Buick. BMW has skimped on quality with this one.

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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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  Great Car - 2013 BMW 3-Series
  By doc1975 - January 31 - 10:38 am

  I was a previous 3 series owner, 2009 328xi. The straight 6 cylinder does sound different, the 2.0 liter turbo does fine. The 2009 felt more solid to me and I actually liked the hydraulic steering. My wife tells me she hated my old car and loves my new car. Go figure. If you are a new BMW owner I think you will like the car, the power and technology. The car has an auto start/stop feature which I had the dealer remove, I wasnt a fan. There are three driving modes, Eco, Normal and Sport. You will take off like a rocket ship in Sport Mode, I think it might be too much throttle for the weight of the car. Eco is actually not too bad and you save some milage which is always good.

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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.