If you were after a BMW 316i and found that they went out of production last September, here's some good news: the 316i is back. And it's better than before.

The reason why lies under the bonnet. It now has one of the new four-cylinder Valvetronic engines. I don't even want to go down the engine size/model numbering route that BMW has made increasingly Byzantine. Let's just accept that the 316i now has a 1.8-litre engine where it used to be a 1.9-litre.

Less capacity, but twice as many valves, which blesses us with 10 more bhp, seven-and-a-bit more lbs ft of torque, a quicker 0-62mph time and top speed, but also improved fuel consumption (39.8mpg) and CO2 emissions figures (172 grams per kilometre). The words 'cake', 'eat' and 'it' spring to mind.

The cake itself, though, is less M&S Chocolate Fudge and more Cadbury's Mini Roll, metaphorically speaking. Although it pleasantly tickles the eardrums, this new engine - the lowliest 3-Series - doesn't set the tarmac alight. I'm acquainting myself with it in the company of the estate, or Touring, model and it's not a light car to haul around.

Like most multi-valve engines, everything happens higher up the rev range, so there's not much low-end punch. But, with helpful momentum, the car cruises along quite nicely.

The rest of the car I'd describe as 'high-class utilitarian'; the boot has a handy removable rubber carpet to underline that description. Though what really impresses is that it's so downright accomplished in virtually every area. But you probably knew that already.

Colin Ryan

Back to BMW 3-Series Overview