A confidently stylish choice.
The BMW M Sport Shadow Edition stands out with exclusive details including the darkened LED rear lights, the iconic kidney grille in High-gloss Black, Sun protection glass and exhaust tailpipes in Dark Chrome. What’s more, it comes with stunning 19” M light alloy wheels Double-spoke style 704 M in Bicolour Orbit Grey.
Luxurious Interior
The BMW 3 Series Touring gives you more control than ever. Thanks to the driver-oriented cockpit, every innovation is easily and intuitively within reach. What’s more, the freestanding Control Display with a 10.25'' screen with navigation as standard; boasting an intuitive BMW user experience. Adding to effortless controls is a sophisticated trim of Aluminium carbon with pearl chrome highlight which is complemented by the subtly extended ambient lighting.
BMW 3 Series Touring - Shadow Edition Review
"If you find yourself making excuses to go out and drive your Touring, you’re not going insane. It really is that good."
If you fancy the BMW 3 Series Touring but want yours a little sportier and more exclusive, what you want is the M Sport Shadow Edition.
This special edition model builds on the regular M Sport’s specification with a suite of exterior styling upgrades, including 19-inch alloy wheels, darkened rear taillights, dark chrome dual-tip exhaust pipes, a gloss black front grille and LED headlights with a darkened surround. Even the wing mirrors are gloss black. It’s still a 3 Series, only more aggressive and eye-catching than the regular M Sport.
Some of the upgrades are more than skin deep. As standard, the Shadow Edition comes with the M Sport braking system. This bigger brake kit has fixed callipers instead of the floating callipers on the regular car. What this means is you get better brake feel and a faster stop. The regular setup is just fine but when corners come up thick and fast on twisty roads the bigger brakes really come into their own.
And when the roads do get twisty, you’re going to have fun. BMW (rather immodestly) markets itself as creating “the ultimate driving machine,” and while some Alfa Romeo Giulia drivers might baulk at the notion, we’re of the opinion the 3 Series is the best in its class for a great drive. It really is an exceptional daily driver with the uncanny ability to transform the most mundane journeys into memorable adventures.
It starts with the engine. The Shadow Edition is most popularly had in 320i spec (2.0-litre turbo-petrol) or 320d spec (2.0-litre turbo-diesel). These engines are as high as BMW goes with four-pots, and really they’re all you need.
The 320i produces 184bhp and 200 lb-ft of torque. It’s available with rear-wheel drive or xDrive - a full-time all-wheel drive system. The 320d is also available with rear or xDrive and puts out 181bhp and 280 lb-ft of torque. 0 to 62mph in 7.5 seconds and 7.7 seconds might not sound much, but these engines are hugely flexible. The choice of a manual or automatic transmission is also welcome (the auto is best).
Whichever you choose, there’s one thing that links all 3 Series together - a joyfully playful front end and rear drive bias. This is a car you’ll have a hoot in whether you’re slaloming a series of roundabouts or powering across a country road. And yet, it wraps you up in comfort and luxury. It’s no 7 Series when it comes to outright refinement, but it’s pretty close to the 5 Series when you stick on the cruise control and sit back.
Importantly, the Shadow Edition has technology all sewn up. It comes as standard with a premium audio system from Harman Kardon. You control your media, contacts and settings through BMW’s iDrive system. It’s been said before, but this system is the best in the business. It makes Audi’s system feel clunky.
The icing on the cake is the choice of a saloon or Touring (estate) body style. The Touring has the saloon licked for boot space but it’s only longer from the rear quarter back so both models actually share the same passenger space. The 495-litre boot on the Touring is huge and the tailgate is split-opening - it lets you open the rear window glass without opening the whole boot lid (which makes chucking stuff in easier).
There’s a cherry on top of the icing too: the way the Shadow Edition looks. We mentioned the styling enhancements before, but they really are something. The black exterior detailing stands out and the interior with its Dakota leather upholstery is sublime. This is a car that impresses inside and out, on the road and on your driveway. It’s the very best a 3 Series can be - ferocious and grail-worthy M3 aside.
Our verdict
If you find yourself making excuses to go out and drive your Touring, you’re not going insane. It really is that good. It leaves an impression on you. You feel as one with it on twisty roads and melt into it on a cruise. Really, it’s the perfect daily driver and in M Sport Shadow Edition it has the looks to match. You won’t be disappointed.