BMW 3 SERIES TOURING REVIEW

List price from £23,945 Lease price from £301 The verdict 8 

Well-built, practical, handsome and fun to drive – the BMW 3-series Touring seems to have it all 

For many, the BMW3-series Touring will need little introduction. It’s been the de-facto small premium estate car ever since the first generation version was launched back in the ’80s, and today it’s better than ever.

Its tasteful interior is a joy to use; its low carbon emissions mean it makes an excellent company car; and as a private buy, cracking residuals mean you shouldn’t lose your money.

What’s more, it’s nowhere near as stingily specified as BMWs of yesteryear, and if the saloon version is any guide, it’ll be more fun to drive than an estate has any right to be. All in all then, the 3-series Touring should prove tough to fault. 

Space

On a par with its rivals



There’s little to choose between the 3-series Touring and its closest estate car rivals, the AudiA4 Avant and MercedesC-class, for space. All offer incredibly similar amounts of room, front and back.

That said, the BMW’s rear seats aren’t spring-loaded, so they don’t fold down at the flick of a lever like those in the Mercedes C-class do.

It’s worth bearing in mind, too, that some models with less aspirational badges on their noses, such as the Volkswagen Passat and Mazda 6 Tourer, offer quite a bit more boot space. They might be more useful if you plan to carry large loads regularly.

At least the current 3-series has plenty of in-car storage – unlike previous versions. 

Comfort

Excellent if you choose the right options



The 3-series is good at soaking up bumps in the road – as long as you avoid the sports suspension that’s standard on M Sport versions. That said, we would recommend specifying the optional Adaptive M Sport suspension because cars without this can feel a bit bouncy at speed.

You might also want to consider electric seat adjustment if more than one person regularly drives the car, because the standard manual controls are fiddly. However, once you’ve got the seat where you want it, you’ll find it very comfortable and supportive.

The diesel engines in the 3-series are smoother than the ones in the Mercedes C-class, but they still sound a little clattery when you’re driving around town.

Fortunately, they settle down on the motorway, and you don’t hear much road or suspension noise, so the 3-series is a fairly relaxing long-distance cruiser.

Dashboard layout

Makes life simple



You operate most functions by scrolling through logical onscreen menus using a rotary dial that’s positioned just behind the gearstick, where it’s easy to reach. And there are shortcut buttons that you can programme to take you straight to the functions you use most often.

The way the screen is positioned high on the dash is also welcome because it means you can always keep half an eye on the road.

And most of the materials in the 3-series feel very classy.

Easy to drive

Good visibility; auto gearbox is a must



All-round visibility is better than it is in many rival saloons, so you shouldn’t have any trouble parking - particularly if you go for a car with reversing sensors.

Four-wheel drive is also available on some versions of the 3-series, but you don’t need this unless you live in a part of the country that regularly gets snow.

Instead, we'd recommend spending your money on the super-slick auto gearbox; the manual is rather stiff.

Fun to drive

Feels agile and precise



This has always been one of the main reasons for choosing a 3-series, and the latest version doesn’t disappoint.

It’s particularly good when fitted with the optional Adaptive M Sport suspension, because this helps the car stay more composed in bends. But whether you have it or not, the 3-series inspires huge confidence thanks to its precise and well-weighted steering.

If you steer clear of the 316i and 316d versions, the 3-series accelerates strongly when you put your foot down.

Reliability

BMW’s record is good rather than great

The 3-series Touring was combined with the 3-series saloon for the latest JD Power customer satisfaction survey, and the range as a whole finished 36th out of 109 cars, which is a respectable performance, if not an outstanding one.

That suggests it’s less reliable than the Mercedes C-class, which finished in an excellent 4th place, but better than the Audi A4, which came a lowly 76th.

Several less costly models also ranked above the 3-series in the table, such as the VolvoV60 in 34th, and the Mazda 6 in 23rd.

BMW matches Mercedes in providing a warranty that lasts for three years, no matter how many miles you do. Audi, on the other hand, stops its cover after three years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first. 

Fuel economy

Very good, but some rivals are even better



Time was that the 3-series Touring was the most fuel efficient estate car in its class, but with the arrival of the parsimonious new Mercedes C-class estate, that’s no longer the case.

The Mercedes matches or betters every equivalent version of the 3-series on fuel economy, although it doesn’t come with as wide a choice of engines.

What’s more, Audi’s recent release of the A4 Avant Ultra means it’s caught up to the 3-series too, although other versions of the A4 are thirstier.

All of which is worth noting, but doesn’t mean the 3-series Touring is no longer an efficient car. Official figures point to more than 65mpg on the combined cycle from the most economical version – and in our experience, real world figures aren’t too far off that mark.

Affordability

Well-priced, and it’ll hold its value

The 3-series Touring currently looks like great value. That’s because the Mercedes C-class estate is quite a bit more expensive to buy, and Audi has phased out all but the best-equipped (and priciest) versions of its A4 Avant.

So while, like-for-like, the A4 Avant is actually a little cheaper than the 3-series, the fact remains that you can get on to the 3-series ladder for much less than you have to spend to buy the Audi.

What’s more, those reasonable list prices mean reasonable P11D prices, and combined with the BMW’s low carbon dioxide emissions, that equates to less expensive company car tax than you’ll find with most rivals.

And because the 3-series holds its value well, it’s also very reasonable to lease. 

Safety

Performed well in crash tests



Like the Audi A4 and Mercedes C-class, the 3-series was awarded the maximum five-star crash rating by car safety specialists Euro NCAP. Plus it scored better than both these rivals for adult occupant and pedestrian protection, while matching them for child protection.

The 3-series comes with an electronic stability control system that’s designed to help you avoid an accident in the first place.

There are additional driver aids on the options list, including a system that warns you if a vehicle enters your blind spot, and another that automatically applies the brakes if it looks like you’re going to run into the vehicle in front in stop-start traffic.

Standard spec

Every version is pretty well equipped



Even the cheapest version of the 3-series – the ES – comes with climate control, a Bluetooth hands-free phone connection, a digital radio and a USB socket that lets you connect your iPod to the car’s stereo.

We’d be tempted to spend a little more to get an SE or Efficient Dynamics model, though; they add rear parking sensors and automatic headlights and windscreen wipers.

Sport versions also come with sports seats that hold you tightly in place, while Modern versions swap these for part-leather upholstery, and Luxury and M Sport cars have full leather. M Sport cars also get a muscular bodykit and firmer, sports suspension.

BMW offers several satellite-navigation systems, but the cheapest is all you need.

Our favourite version	320d Efficient Dynamics, list price £30,075
Options to add	Automatic gearbox (£1550), satellite-navigation (£990), Adaptive M Sport suspension (£750) and metallic paint (£645)

Source : telegraph[dot]co[dot]uk