BMW 3 Series

The apparent ubiquity of the BMW 3-Series doesn’t detract from the fact that it has been the benchmark small sedan for many years, and continues to be the car to beat in this sector.

• Comfort

  BMW's obsession with run-flat tyres has buggered the ride quality, and an inherently sporting set-up means that a BMW feels a bit stiff compared to non-German rivals. The 3-series is pretty good on space though, and all BMWs are usually quiet and accomplished cruisers.

  

• Performance

  The lower-powered four-cylinders - 320i and 320d - are decent, plus the 320i, 320d and 323d which add a dash of performance to the equation and the five straight-six variants - 325i, 330i, 335i, - which are all fast. But the diesel rocks! The brilliant 320d gets 125kW, hits 100km/h in 7.9 seconds and runs to 235km/h.

  

• Cool

  All the diesel cars are pretty cool. But a de-badged 320i with ‘M-Sport' written all over it will make people want to hit you in the face with a hammer. And hammer wounds aren't cool.

  

• Quality

  It's one of the things that makes a 3-series so coveted; the build quality and general feel is exceptional. You pay for the privilege, but the solidity is there.

  

• Handling

  All Threes are superlative handlers thanks to a rear-wheel-drive only (in AUS, at least) architecture. BMW knows how to make a chassis work, from the lowliest 320i to the bigger-engined ‘M' cars. The steering is also one of the best things about any BMW and they're perhaps the most instantly sporty-feeling of any sedan.

  

• Practicality

  Don't forget the Touring wagon variants if space is your final frontier- they work exceptionally well though they aren't the biggest in class. The sedan has a pretty big boot on its own though - 460 litres outpacks a Lexus IS250 at 378litres by a whole wardrobe. BMWs don't generally break, and cope with high kilometres. This is a practical car.

  

• Running costs

  It might be expensive to buy, but any Three holds its value well. The diesels are desired all day long, but the 320d gets 6.7L/100km.