BMW 3 Series
The BMW 3 Series is the leader of the compact executive saloon class, outselling its main competitors - the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4 - as well as mainstream rivals like the Ford Mondeo and Vauxhall Insignia. The 3 Series is available as a four-door saloon, a practical Touring estate, a sporty two-door Coupe and a Convertible. Each bodystyle has a wide range of engines. The diesels are most popular as they combine good fuel economy with low emissions and strong performance. Whether you want low running costs, big performance, or a mixture of both, there's a 3 Series for you - which is also why our judges nominated it Best Executive Car in the 2012 CarBuyer Car of the Year awards.
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Pros:
- Good to drive
- Beautifully built
- Low running costs
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Cons:
- Expensive options
- Bland styling
- Average interior space
As an all-round package, not many cars are as good as the BMW 3 Series. This four-door saloon manages to mix low running costs and familiar BMW driving thrills in one high-quality package. It has a roomier interior than its predecessor, while eight versions have emissions below 120g/km, making it one of the most efficient models in the small saloon class. Prices start at around £23,000, and there are six models to choose from: ES, ED and SE are the same as the last 3 Series, while Sport, Modern and Luxury versions have different equipment according to your tastes. If you want to slash your bills even further, the 320d EfficientDynamics offers emissions and economy figures on a par with a supermini.
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Pros:
- Four-seat practicality
- Strong and economical diesels
- Great to drive
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Cons:
- Limited rear headroom
- Expensive options list
- Not as comfortable as rivals
The 3 Series Coupe is a strict four-seater. There's no central seat in the back for a fifth rear passenger - and headroom is compromised by the low roofline. The cabin layout is similar to the saloon's, but the driving position is lower for a sportier feel. Every version, petrol or diesel, is powerful and economical. It's exciting to drive as well as being one of the best-built coupes available.
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Pros:
- Compact, neat looks
- Economical and powerful diesels
- Great fun to drive
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Cons:
- Expensive options list
- Less load space than a Mercedes C-Class
- Ride could be better
Touring is BMW's name for its estate cars. The 3 Series version has all of the qualities of the saloon, but adds practicality. Some rival estates are more spacious or versatile, but few are as sporty or fun to drive as the 3 Series Touring. It's not cheap, and basic models are poorly equipped, but running costs for the diesels are impressively low. Second hand values are strong, too.
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Pros:
- Impressive mix of performance and economy
- Top-notch build quality
- Excellent practicality
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Cons:
- High list price
- Expensive options stack up fast
- Uninspiring engine sound on the petrol 328i
The BMW 3 Series Touring is a more practical version of the latest saloon, offering a 495-litre boot that expands to 1,500 litres when all rear seats are folded flat. It features an opening rear windscreen and a powered tailgate, which is useful when your hands are full. From launch, the 3 Series Touring will be available in 320d, 330d and 328i form, with a range of versions including SE, Sport, M Sport, Modern and Luxury. The estate version is as sharp to drive as its predecessor, even though the luggage area has increased in size by around 10 per cent.
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Pros:
- Folding metal roof offers impressive versatility
- Turbocharged petrol engines offer leading performance
- Feels engineered to last, and very well built
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Cons:
- Luggage space limited with roof stowed
- Expensive to buy compared to rivals
- Optional extras like satellite navigation are very expensive
With its metal folding roof, BMW's 3 Series convertible aims to offer the very best of the cabriolet and coupé versions. With the roof in place, the car looks smart and offers greater security and safety than a fabric roofed car, with it down, it's every bit as good to drive as it is to look at.
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Pros:
- Fantastic engine, handling and brakes
- Purposeful looks
- Practical cabin
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Cons:
- Expensive to buy
- High running costs
- Interior doesn't feel special enough
Now in it's fourth generation, the M3 Coupe is a two door, four-seater everyday sports car based on the BMW 3 Series Coupe. Built by the BMW 'M' performance division, the rear wheel drive M3 is at home on road or track. Fitted with a 4.0-litre V8 engine boasting upwards of 400bhp the current M3 is a true driver's car, offering very impressive performance.
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Pros:
- Most practical M3
- Sensational to drive
- Engine noise
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Cons:
- Uncomfortable on standard suspension
- Expensive to buy and run
- Interior not special enough
The BMW M3 saloon has the same powerful 414bhp 4.0-litre V8 as the M3 coupe, and it offers a very similar driving experience. The major external difference between the two is the additional rear doors, which bring an added dose of practicality, but the four-door M3 is still capable of 0-62mph in 4.7 seconds. What's more, the M3 saloon is the cheapest version of BMW's sports car available.
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Pros:
- Practical
- Comfortable but fun
- Cheap to run
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Cons:
- More expensive than estate
- Styling not to all tastes
- Not as good to drive as the saloon
Available with a similar range of petrol and diesel engines, the BMW 3 GT has been designed as a more practical and more comfortable alternative to the 3 Series saloon. There's a huge 520-litre boot, loads of rear legroom and a high-quality interior, while it's still lots of fun to drive. It costs around £1,300 more than the equivalent 3 Series Touring estate, but strikes a great balance between driving enjoyment and practicality. Style may not be to everyone's tastes, but if exclusivity is key, the new BMW 3 GT is well worth a look.
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