BMW 3-Series New Car Review - Car Reviews

BMW 3-Series

VERDICT:

Deary me, is there any thrusting young executive who doesn't have a BMW 3-Series?

Performance

There are two new four-cylinder units for the new BMW 3-Series, the 318i and 318d, plus there's the 320i and 320d and the three straight sixes, the 325i, 330i and the new 330d (as seen in the 7-Series). The 320i keeps up the family honour. With 150bhp from the 1995cc petrol four-cylinder and a 0-60mph time of nine secs, there's enough power for normal get-you- to-work-and-back driving, although it can run out of puff if driven with more vigour. However, the 320d is the one to go for. Smooth and refined, it has much more torque than the 320i. The 330i is smooth, revvy and sounds seriously encouraging as it kicks up its full 258bhp and homes in on the redline at 7,000.

Driving

The chassis is fabulous with the whole car seeming to pivot around you. If you press the defeat switch on the helper electrics, it'll start to nibble around the edge of grip with plenty of communication, fine balance and a feeling it'll always help you. However, the optional Active Steering is dead around the straight-ahead, sticky and lacking in self-centring. So you've got to hold it in lane on motorway straights, and your confidence is robbed on curves.

Space

There's plenty of legroom front and back for even the tallest of passengers, although they might find their head brushing against the roof-lining when sitting in the back. At 460 litres the 3-Series has one of the biggest boots in the class (the Lexus IS250 has 378).

Performance

Second to none. Everything in the interior feels solidly constructed and the materials used are top quality, being both pleasant to look at and nice to touch. Although it's too early to comment on mechanical reliability, BMW constructs its cars to last and so this really shouldn't be an issue.

Equipment

Every 3-Series has air-conditioning (climate control is an option) and a CD player. Alloys and remote central locking are missing on the base 3-Series but are standard elsewhere. There's no standard automatic 'box but one is available for extra money.

Safety

BMW fits front, side and curtain airbags as standard across the range, as well as anti-lock brakes, run-flat tyres and a stability control system. A strong shell helped the 3-Series score five stars in EuroNCAP's crash tests.

Owning

Despite being more expensive than many of its rivals, the 3-Series continues to be utterly desirable and so will hold its values well over the coming years. Thanks to 50mpg and a position in the cheap 17 per cent bracket for company car tax, the 320d looks set to be the cheapest to run.

Value

One thing the 3-Series isn't, is cheap. The 320i is more expensive than its rivals from Jaguar, Lexus and Saab.

Verdict

BMW has done it once again. It's produced yet another incredibly sharp and entertaining drive that's also spacious and practical with some glorious engines. Just don't expect a bargain when you visit your local Beemer dealer.

Don't want a roof?

Convertible

The new 3-Series convertible now boasts a retractable hard top. Despite weighing an extra 160 kilos, it still maintains the responsiveness and feel expected of a Three. So far there are just two versions, the 325i and 335i petrol, but expect lots more, including a 330d.

Fancy something bigger?

Touring