
It can remotely turn on the air conditioning. 320 exterior: With the addition of the M Sport package, the 3 Series gains a touch of a performance car feel. The full LED Angel Eye headlights paired with the black dual kidney grille make the front end much more aggressive than the standard 3 Series. Of course, if you prefer a less sporty look, you can opt for the Luxury package, which gives the front end a high resemblance to the new 5 Series—a style many people are sure to appreciate. BMW 320 configuration: While the interior hasn’t changed much, the upgrades in features are quite noticeable. The 8.8-inch touchscreen iDrive system now sports a new UI interface, fully aligning with the 5 Series, and supports touch controls. Additionally, high-tech features like the full digital instrument cluster have made their way into the 3 Series, and sport-style seats have become standard across the lineup. This increase in features without a price hike is a very compelling offer.

The remote start feature on my 320 is my secret weapon for daily commutes. While brushing my teeth upstairs in the morning, I simply take out my phone and tap the start button in the app, and the car starts up on its own. In winter, it pre-warms the cabin and heats the seats; in summer, starting it ten minutes before getting in means the AC has already cooled the interior. You can also operate it with the key—hold down the lock button and then long-press the circular arrow button, and the headlights will flash twice to confirm success. A special reminder: make sure the car is locked and parked in a ventilated area before using this feature, and if the fuel tank is less than a quarter full, it might not start.

This feature is especially practical for office workers, particularly on windy or rainy days. I remember one time when I worked late into the night, I started the car remotely in the underground garage ten minutes beforehand. When I got in, the steering wheel and seats were already warm. It's also simple to use: just connect your to the vehicle's app to remotely start the engine. The car will turn on the engine and preset the air conditioning temperature, but it will automatically shut off after a maximum of 15 minutes. It's important to note that the vehicle's anti-theft system remains active, so outsiders can't drive the car away. However, the engine noise might disturb the neighbors, so it's best not to start it too early in the residential area.

The remote start feature on the 320 is indeed convenient, but several conditions must be met. The key must be within a 30-meter range or the phone must have a signal connection to the vehicle system. There should be no engine warning lights or fault codes, and all doors and windows must be securely closed before operation. In the APP settings, you can also adjust the air conditioning temperature and seat heating level for each start. My favorite is the linked ventilation seats, which prevent back sweat when entering the car in summer. It's especially useful for friends in northern regions during winter, avoiding cold starts that could harm the engine and allowing for early melting of frost on the windshield.

The core function of this feature is to warm up your car without you having to sit inside. By sending a command through the telematics system, the vehicle will ignite and activate the last set air conditioning mode, with the central control screen lighting up but without unlocking the doors. I usually start it five minutes in advance, which helps the oil temperature rise and results in lower fuel consumption. The mobile app also includes a history log feature, allowing you to check the time and ambient temperature of each remote start. Note that if the is low or a warning light is on, the remote command may fail, and you'll need to troubleshoot the issue first.

The remote start feature of my 320 is especially considerate for the elderly and children. In winter, before taking my child to school, I use the app to start the car from the kitchen in advance. By the time my child finishes breakfast and gets into the car, it's already warm. The operation interface is intuitive, with a start button right on the My BMW app homepage, and you can also set temperature presets. Once, I even started the car with my phone to retrieve something when I forgot my keys. For friends who use car covers, it's recommended to remove the cover before using this feature to prevent exhaust fumes from being trapped. If parking in an underground garage for long periods, be cautious and remember to ensure proper ventilation.


