Presenting the all-new family hauler.

"pjhusa" (pjhuskinja) 05/27/2017 at 20:30 • Filed to: None

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Here it is, our new 2017 BMW 330i xDrive “Sports Wagon” in all of its longroof glory. We decided that we needed a bigger car to replace our 3 Sedan, thinking about the X3 and the like. But then the correct answer suddenly hit me: why not go with a wagon?

Although the F30-generation of models will soon be phased out in favor of the new G20 style, BMW has already confirmed that the next wagon/Touring/Sports Wagon will not be making it to our shores. That fact alone deemed it worthy to get a wagon while they lasted.

And this wagon packs a punch. Although it only has a 4-cylinder, it is rated at 248 hp thanks to its twin-scroll turbocharger, along with other parts. This, coupled with a kerb weight of just 200 or so more pounds than the sedan, results in sedan performance as well as sedan fuel economy. Plus, since the trunk is practically the same size as that of the X3, we also get SUV space. This makes the wagon the best of all worlds.

After one week with this new car, I’m glad to say that I’m extremely happy with it. BMW iDrive navigation, along with the 8.8" screen, is incredibly intuitive, and looks great. The panoramic moonroof is one feature that I never knew that I wanted... yet I love it as it provides the interior with a more airy feel, which is no small feat with a black headliner and black seats.

The aluminum trim is refreshing compared to the Burl Walnut wood of our last car, along with the black leather with red stitching—a nice touch. The rear camera and Park Distance Control are also nice to have too, along with the many other odds and ends which will take me much time to go over.

Suffice to say, choosing a wagon was a great decision to make. This will sound extremely clichéd, but I would gladly recommend this car to anyone in the market for a new midsize SUV. Its sedan dynamics and fuel economy, paired with the space of an SUV, make for an unbeatable combo.

Oh, and by the way, I realized that I never got any good shots of the interior with my camera, so I took that photo with my iPhone.

JeepJeremy > pjhusa 05/27/2017 at 20:36

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Wow!!! Super cool car!

pjhusa > JeepJeremy 05/27/2017 at 20:38

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Thanks so much!

GE90man > pjhusa 05/27/2017 at 20:39

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I like cats

GE90man > pjhusa 05/27/2017 at 20:40

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this is cool

GE90man > pjhusa 05/27/2017 at 20:41

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I suddenly have the urge to purchase a herd of alpaca

pjhusa > GE90man 05/27/2017 at 20:41

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Yep. Also a cool car, in my opinion.

ttyymmnn > GE90man 05/27/2017 at 20:41

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Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > pjhusa 05/27/2017 at 20:49

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Did it actually come with those BMW branded tumblers in the cup holders?

pjhusa > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero 05/27/2017 at 20:51

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Nah... I wish. We bought them back in 2005, when we got our first BMW (2006 325i).

Steve in Manhattan > pjhusa 05/27/2017 at 20:56

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Very nice - and the warranty should keep it perfect well into the future.

Chariotoflove > pjhusa 05/27/2017 at 21:27

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Well done. Hope you get lots of great miles out of it.

pjhusa > Chariotoflove 05/27/2017 at 21:41

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Thank you!

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > pjhusa 05/27/2017 at 21:54

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Power tailgate right? The feature sounds dumb at first but eventually you can’t live without it.

Tom McParland > pjhusa 05/27/2017 at 22:00

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Nicely done. I love these cars. And where did you see that BMW is not bringing the wagon to the US for the next gen 3? I asked them directly about this and was unable to get an official answer. (Though they never “comment on future products”)

pjhusa > Van Man, rocks the Man Van 05/27/2017 at 22:06

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Yep. I wholly agree with that statement!

pjhusa > Tom McParland 05/27/2017 at 22:19

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Thanks so much! It’s much more unique, compared to the multitudes of X3s and X5s I see on the roads daily. Actually, I can count with one hand as to the number of F31s I’ve seen in New York so far.

I remember hearing a confirmation of the phasing out of this model in the USA somewhere, but now all I can find are articles on the rumor mill. Either way, it’s not impossible, as the 5 Series Touring suffered such a fate, and wagon sales are falling in our crossover-crazy market. Only time will tell, I suppose.

Tazio, Count Fouroff > pjhusa 05/28/2017 at 02:53

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Niiice! Thank you for the intro writeup and sample pics. Verrry nice indeed.

Also, wiser than you may know.

Last month, after 900+ miles in a brand new (well, 1100 miles at the outset) X3, the thing turned out to be an underwhelming pile of so much meh. Even GM would have been a little embarrassed by a vehicle so, um... [Can an SAV be both pedestrian and car at the same time?]

Earlier F30/4 outing far more stirring.

You done good :) Freude am Fahren!

pjhusa > Tazio, Count Fouroff 05/28/2017 at 12:42

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Thanks so much! Now I’m even more glad that we went with a wagon.

Klaus Schmoll > pjhusa 05/29/2017 at 10:02

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Congrats! That’s a really nice car.

And I have to agree on the pano roof. Once you have that, you wouldn’t want to miss it. It transforms the whole vehicle.

pjhusa > Klaus Schmoll 05/29/2017 at 10:17

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Thanks!

Both panes opened up on the E91, but only the front opens on the F31... still, we hardly open the moonroof itself, just the shades to lighten up the cabin.

Klaus Schmoll > pjhusa 05/29/2017 at 10:54

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Hmm... now that you mention it. I have to check if the rear panel does anything on my E61.

Textured Soy Protein > Tazio, Count Fouroff 05/29/2017 at 12:13

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The X3 35i M Sport (it may now be the 40i?) is surprisingly entertaining, but the same probably does not apply to the more basic models.

Captain of the Enterprise > pjhusa 05/29/2017 at 12:56

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Very, very nice!

Tazio, Count Fouroff > Textured Soy Protein 05/29/2017 at 13:26

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That def. could be the case, I got nothing there... it was standard- issue Enterprise Rental X3 2.8i.

Not to seem too  ungrateful, though. It was d*mned good to be in something with a Roundel on the hood :D

pjhusa > Captain of the Enterprise 05/29/2017 at 13:27

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Thanks so much!