One of the only new BMW 3 Series offered with a manual transmission was the BMW 320d. But a year after its market introduction, the G20 diesel will loose its six-speed manual gearbox. The introduction of the 48V mild hybrid system will also bring the eight-speed automatic transmission as the only choice for the BMW 320d.
Furthermore, the new technology will increase the base price of the car. If the BMW 320d G20 Sedan was previously available with a manual box from 40,450 euros, the base price now rises to 43,450 euros.
In addition to the now standard eight-speed automatic transmission, the 48-volt on-board electrical system certainly also contributes to the price increase. Yet an increase of over 7 percent so shortly after the market launch may be an unpleasant surprise for some interested customers.
The self-confidence in pricing also suggests that BMW is more than satisfied with the demand for the 3 Series G20 and the popular 190 horsepower diesel of the 320d model.
The new basic price is not yet available for the BMW 320d Touring G21, which is very popular in Germany. According to sources, it is certain that the manual gearbox is also omitted from the sports wagon and the eight-speed automatic becomes mandatory.
BMW’s only 3 Series with a manual transmission is now the 318d with its 150 hp four-cylinder diesel. Without exception, all petrol engines are already equipped with an automatic transmission as standard.
With the introduction of the 48-volt electrical system, the price of the BMW 320d xDrive, which has always only been available with eight-speed automatic transmission, is also increasing. The base price is going up to 45,950 euros from 45,100 euros.
[Source: Bimmertoday]
Nobody wants a loose transmission.
A lot of sales and business man won’t be happy about the price and this is the primary market for that 320d.
As for the transmission: i expected this move. BMW wants to get rid of manuals and now they shove that dreadful ZF8HP down the customers throat regardless if they want it or not.
Didn’t we have an article here recently claiming BMW saves the manual? No they aren’t.
They are. The M3/M4 will still get it. The M2 also.
That’s what they announced. But is any of these a halfway decent family car? No, not even close. The 3 is a very large car with a tiny boot lid. My M140i is more practical than that. I don’t even have to disassemble the child buggy. I’m lost, i have no idea what could be my next car when i get a second child i’m doomed.
Sorry, the ZF8 is ‘dreadful’? Pretty sure it’s constantly mentioned as one of the best auto gearboxes around, used by BMW, AUDI, Rolls Royce, Aston Martin etc!! Also I have a 3 Series and manage fine with two kids…:)
I’ve tested the ZF8HP in various BMWs from 116i up to 535xd. The problems start with the drive mode switch. Sport Plus is a joke, the gears are disdiculously low, making the car run with stupid high revs. Eco is unbeareable, Comfort feels a bit sluggisch which mostly leaves me with sport. However Sport often means stiff suspension and artificially heavy steering, instead of additional feel. This is where the frustration starts to grow because i found myself often change modes. However the gearbox is tangled in this mess and therefore you start to switch gears manually. This is next level pain because the paddles feel tiny and not very affirmative. Try to find an Alfa Giulia and you know what a proper paddle is – the BMW solution feels like cheap junk. When i first tried a M135i LCI for the first time with an auto i was trying to overtake a lorry in Sport mode with manual shifts. First dropped gear is almost immediate. Second gear drops significantly slower but just acceptable. The third gear is so slow i already had the passed the lorry. On the Autobahn it was the same. When you wait for others to clear i follow in a high gear until they change the lane and i drop into third gear to march off. A very pleasant and fast operation in a manual car, not with the ZF8HP because it takes ages and makes the power delivery hesitate. Also on winding roads i usually drive fast into corners and drop into 2nd or third immediately with a manual. The most fun experience you can have in a sports car – i think. However not with the slushbox with it’s undeterministic hesitations. Also i want to have that third pedal and want to get it right. I can adjust the velocity/ferocity how the gear is changes without any buttons or configuration menus – because I change gear, not the unintuitive machine.
@Kids how old? I have rather young children and a wife that wants to be prepared for anything. I want that big hatch. It allows me to transport big things.
I do know what you mean, regards the modes, on the new 3 series you can personalise the modes, so say keep sports gearing but have normal steering etc, in previous cars I’ve been in sports mode for 90% of the time, on the new G20 I’d say its 90% normal mode because of how good it is! The paddles are also much nicer! You sound like someone who likes to go very quickly so I’m not sure the 320d would really be the car for you anyway! Most large fast cars are automatic these days anyway, and I used to fit a pram in a 2 series boot!😁
The 3 has a smaller boot than your 1 ? are you drunk ?
It’s about the accessibility. The large hatch makes a huge difference. Also the 1 and anything similar like Touring or 4 GC don’t have a fixed rear window. There is no panel at the top of the boot. This allows you to put in very large bags, boxes etc. A washing machine for example or a bicycle.
I’m sure the vast majority of those 320d buyers chose automatic which cost around €2000, so the actual price increase is more like €1000.