BMW 3 Series Gran Limousine

Limo Experience on a Budget

The prices of luxury sedans have been increasing steadily for the past few years, and as a result the likes of the BMW 3 series and Mercedes C-class are now pricier than their larger siblings — the 5 series and E-class — once were. And with these models inherently small — since they’re designed to be self driven by European consumers — there was a gap in the Indian market for a sedan with a spacious rear row. The BMW 3 series Gran Limousine fills that gap, offering a more affordable price tag than the likes of the 5 series and E-class while delivering similarly spacious rear seats. But good leg-room aside, is the BMW 3 series Gran Limousine a good package? Let’s have a look at what it offers.

BMW 3 Series Gran Limousine Pros and Cons 

BMW 3 Series Gran Limousine Exterior Design 

With the new facelift, the 3 series Gran Limousine’s design now aligns with BMW’s design language. The kidney grille has also been tastefully redesigned, without overwhelming the car's front fascia like some other BMW models. The headlamps have been refined as well, shedding the previous notch design for inverted C-shaped LED DRLs, similar to the new BMW X1. The rear tail lamp lenses now feature darker glass surrounds, contributing to a more sophisticated appearance. 

The 3 series Gran Limousine now comes exclusively in the sportier M Sport trim, which includes an aggressive front bumper, striking 18-inch wheels, and a dramatic rear diffuser. This adds that touch of sportiness that BMWs — and especially the 3 series models — are known for. However, this sporty aesthetic doesn’t align with the elongated profile of the Gran Limousine, signalling the need for a more luxurious trim option for the chauffeur driven audience this car is targeted towards.

BMW 3 Series Gran Limousine Interiors 

The interior of the BMW 3 Series Gran Limousine has undergone significant enhancements, and the biggest change is on the tech front. The first thing you notice when you step inside is the massive, curved display housing — borrowed from the iX — which houses a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment. This massive screen imparts a futuristic and luxurious ambiance in the cabin, duelling beautifully with the redesigned dashboard. The interior quality has seen improvements too, with refined plastics and softened design elements around the AC vents and trim, shedding the previous industrial look. However, the removal of traditional buttons and dials in favour of a touchscreen interface will not appeal to all.

The rear seat — which will be the focal point for many buyers — remains largely unchanged. The extended wheelbase affords generous space, and the overall interior design of the Gran Limousine blends functionality, luxury, and modern technology really well. However, while interior space is better than rivals, the 3 series GL gets a rather small boot, thanks to a bulky spare tyre housing.

BMW 3 Series Gran Limousine Comfort 

In terms of comfort in the 3 series Gran Limousine, the spotlight — unsurprisingly — is on the rear seats. The extended wheelbase contributes significantly to the spaciousness in the rear. Soft headrests, comfortable seats, and ample legroom all contribute to a relaxed experience at the back. The rear seatbacks could’ve been slightly more reclined though, as they are just a tad too upright right now for a limousine. The absence of rear window sunshades is also a noticeable miss, especially considering the larger window area. The Front seats of the Gran Limousine are well-bolstered, and will hold you well when you decide to take this for a weekend sprint on twisty roads. 

The suspension setup of the Gran Limousine is calibrated to provide a smooth ride, and it strikes a balance between softness for comfort, and firmness for body control. While the 18-inch wheels do introduce some roughness over uneven surfaces, the car maintains composure, offering a plush yet controlled ride. It tends to be softer than the standard wheelbase 3 series, offering a better back seat experience.

BMW 3 Series Gran Limousine Performance and handling

Powering the 3 series Gran Limousine is a choice of two 2.0-litre engines — a petrol and a diesel — with both producing a meaty 400 Nm of torque. The petrol variant (330Li) is the more powerful one with 255 bhp on offer, while the diesel (320Ld) puts out 190 bhp. While the petrol is obviously the faster and the better engine, the diesel doesn’t disappoint even a bit, with both engines offering tremendous pulling power right from crawling RPMs. You can barely hear the well-refined engines even if you are pushing hard, and vibrations are kept to a minimum. In sports mode especially, the engines feel super sharp, and the 8-speed auto gearbox they are paired with offers lightning fast shifts. And you can also take shifting matters in your own hands with the use of paddle shifters. 

Dynamically, the Gran Limousine doesn't quite match the agility of the standard-wheelbase 3 Series, due to its softer suspension setup and extended wheelbase. However, it still holds its own as a driver's car, offering more engaging dynamics than its competitors. The steering offers precise feedback and varying weight based on the selected driving mode. Slight body roll aside, the 3 series GL is as much a driver’s car, as it is a rear seat passenger’s delight.

BMW 3 Series Gran Limousine Key specifications 

BMW 3 Series Gran Limousine Safety Features

The 3 series GL is equipped with a host of safety features, including six airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist, seatbelt pretensioners, and several more. Advanced driver-assistance systems — or ADAS, as it’s better known — enhance safety further, offering features like adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. BMW has also incorporated robust structural elements to ensure the vehicle's integrity in the event of a crash. The use of high-strength steel in critical areas of the chassis enhances the car's overall rigidity, improving crash protection as well as driving dynamics. While the 3 series Gran Limousine is yet to be tested, the 2019 BMW 3 series was tested by Euro NCAP, and returned an impressive 5-star crash test rating. In addition to these passive and active safety features, the Gran Limousine includes parking sensors, but a 360 degree parking camera is missed. 

BMW 3 Series Gran Limousine Technology and Infotainment

The infotainment system and the instrument cluster in the BMW 3 Series Gran Limousine stand out, representing a significant upgrade over its predecessor. The large, curved housing dominates the dashboard, offering a modern and high-tech interface. The housing includes two screens — a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment which gets wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The system runs on BMW's latest OS 8 software, which features crisp graphics, customizable widgets, and great touch sensitivity. This makes interactions with the system intuitive and less distracting while driving. Another feature that adds to this is the inclusion of the i-Drive click-wheel controller, which despite being omitted in some newer models is retained in the 3 series Gran Limousine, allowing you to toggle menus on the screen without the need of using touch controls. And of course, if you don’t want to bother yourself with any of that, you can just use the voice activated BMW intelligent personal assistant.

One of the more novel features of the infotainment is an animated 3D model of the car, displayed in real-time, in the correct colour, which provides an interactive experience along with useful trip data. The infotainment system is paired with a high-quality 16-speaker Harman Kardon surround sound system, which delivers outstanding sound quality. The ‘Live Cockpit Plus’ instrument cluster also adds to the usability, and gets three stylised customisable display options which make glancing at the speedometer and tachometer easy.

Is the BMW 3 Series Gran Limousine for you?

The 3 series Gran Limousine, without a doubt, has the most spacious rear seat in its class. However, instead of making this a pure luxury limousine, BMW has made it an all-rounder. And depending on what your preferences are, you may love or hate that fact. The 3 series GL gets a softer suspension setup than the 3 series, but it is not as pliant or comfortable as some of its rivals. Seating could’ve been better, with the rear  recline angle being a tad upright. The standard M Sport trim is also a touch too sporty for a limo, and the 18-inch wheels also add a hint of stiffness to the ride.

Having said that, the 3 series Gran Limousine does have a few tricks up its sleeve.  Despite being less dynamic than the standard 3 series, the Gran Limo still has enviable driving dynamics which its rivals can’t match. Its refined engines are also up to the task whether it is gunning at hill roads or chauffeuring around an executive sedately. The 3 series GL is also a tech-savvy person’s playground with two massive displays and a 16-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. To sum it up, the 3 series Gran Limousine doesn’t do one thing really well, but excels at multiple things while making some small compromises. And if you are someone who enjoys a few drives every once in a while but spend most of your time in the back seat, the 3 series GL will stand out as the perfect pick for you.