BMW 3 Series Gran Limousine India Review: Luxury Meets Comfort

The 3 Series Gran Limousine is a great choice if you want a BMW that turns itself into a comfortable luxury car. Read the whole review here.

More space is what everyone wants the most. A bigger house and a bigger car are at the top of the list of things one wants to acquire in life and there is no shortage of people who would want to pay a premium for more space. It is the same with cars these days since we travel more, a luxury car buyer, in particular, would want a more spacious interior to be comfortable in rather than pretending to be comfortable in a cramped cabin. 

Space along with luxury, features, and technology plus the driving experience is what appeals to any luxury car buyer so it is not a surprise that BMW has decided to take its cash cow and inject it with more desirability. Hence the 3 Series Gran Limousine that you see here. We will say it at the starting only that if you are thinking of buying any BMW at around the Rs 50 lakh mark then the 3 Series Gran Limousine is the best choice since it is a BMW when you want it to be but it turns itself into a comfortable luxury car the rest of the time.

The talking point here is the back seat where the extended wheelbase advantages are put in. The wheelbase is now increased to 2,961mm which means that there is an extra 50mm of legroom and that makes all the difference. The standard 3 Series is not lacking in space but it is also not in abundance too. The Gran Limousine changes that as the legroom or headroom is huge. You can easily relax and spend the whole day at the back with no complaints. Compared to the standard 3 Series the rear seat is more comfortable too. A crucial element being added here is the inclusion of a panoramic sunroof.

Else the equipment list is similar to a 3 Series which means that it is fitted with nearly everything imaginable though our favorites include the 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, ambient lighting and the classy new leather trim. The iDrive continues to be intuitive and easy to use while the cabin quality is as excellent as you would expect. However, to pamper rear passengers we would have liked more equipment in that aspect but the higher-spec MSport trim gets you gesture control or heads-up-display stuff to keep your chauffeur busy I suppose.

The 3 Series Gran Limousine looks more elegant and classy than the sportier standard 3 Series plus this dark blue shade just fits it. The longer doors and the extra length actually adds to the presence of this car.

What is surprising is the way it drives. It still feels energetic and sporty as the standard 3 Series while the 330iL with the 258hp petrol is the one to go for though you might end up firing your chauffeur in a few days; since it is so good to drive. However, for prospective owners, the rear seat is the one to be in and here the softer suspension and better ride quality is certainly welcome. Prices start at Rs 51.5 lakh and while it is more expensive than its competition the extra space somewhat justifies that. If you need a luxury sedan with more space then the new BMW 3 Series Gran Limousine offers a good choice in that regard. 

Pros: Space, comfort, quality, driving experience and value.

Cons: More equipment needed at the rear seat.