In-depth reviews

BMW 3 Series Touring estate (2005-2012): owner reviews

"The 3-Series Touring is a good-looking estate car, but it trades some practicality for sporty handling."

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by Richard Ingram

28 Jun 2013

.polaris__post-meta--date { display: none; } .polaris__post-meta--date.no-script { display: block; padding-left: 45px } 28 Jun 2013

Carbuyer Rating

4.0 out of 5

Owners Rating

4.6 out of 5

Price

£42,430 - £62,225

Reviews

Owner Reviews

5 out of 5
4 out of 5
3 out of 5
2 out of 5
1 out of 5

61%of people would recommend this car to a friend

Common Problems

Engine, Gearbox / clutch (1 case)
Electrics (12 cases)
Other (9 cases)
Brakes (2 cases)
Engine (7 cases)
Electrics, Other (1 case)
Engine, Other (1 case)
Suspension (1 case)

Review 1 of 100

Tell us what you think about your car?

Great car to drive if you like a keen engine — lots of pulling power through out the range. Started off quiet but at 70,000 miles its as noisy as all the rest. Clutch went at 65,000 which is not what you would expect, as did the water pump. Minor issues with car include faulty bonnet release, poor tyre choice for this car (run flats that last less than 10K ), battery died at 60,000 miles and the auto stop-start was hit and miss. THEN the dreaded timing chain noise which mean't this car could drive for another 1,000 miles or 30,000 miles before it perhaps snaps and then its fit for scrap. BMW deny this problem exists... but be VERY careful buying a BMW with an N47 engine.

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No Red thumbs down

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No Red thumbs down

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So far it has been great. everything works well.

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Yes Green thumbs up

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No problems except the hassle of replacing run flat tyres

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No Red thumbs down

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.

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Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

it's a bit new to tell!

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Yes Green thumbs up

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No problems to report

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No Red thumbs down

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Nothing has gone wrong in over three years

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

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the car is very reliabile, comfortable and great handling

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Yes Green thumbs up

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I have had no major issues, and any small problems have been easily resolved

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Yes Green thumbs up

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Only wear and tear items replaced

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Yes Green thumbs up

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.

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Yes Green thumbs up

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No problems

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No Red thumbs down

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Never a single problem - it's truly amazing!

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Yes Green thumbs up

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Simply never let me down! Love it!

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No Red thumbs down

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4 years, low mileage, no failures beyond runflat tyres

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No Red thumbs down

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Never let me down

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Yes Green thumbs up

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Yes Green thumbs up

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On wet roads if I don't brake for 10 - 15 miles then the brakes do not work until the water has cleared from the disks - scary. Told the garage and they told they'd tell BMW, which I think they did as I got a call from someone then lost the signal and they never rang back.

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No Red thumbs down

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One breakdown - coils One fault - front suspension

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No Red thumbs down

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great

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Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Too many small defects. No major issues

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No Red thumbs down

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Good bar one electrical issue

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No Red thumbs down

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No problems encountered so far.

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Yes Green thumbs up

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My car is an estate model and carries a variety of items very capably although a flet floor load platform would be very much appreciated. The effect of my advanced age is beginning to make me see advantage to a higher seat position as provided by crossover models. The fuel economy of this vehicle (often better then 50mpg at motorway speeds) is particvularly praiseworthy.

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No Red thumbs down

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Excellent handling and performing economical car able to take occasional larger loads

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Yes Green thumbs up

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A fantastic work horse

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No Red thumbs down

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Having owned my car for 10 months I've grown to love it current mileage is 91,000 and in the 10 months it's had 2 new front tyres new rear brakes crankshaft pulley and belts engine breather changed to vortex type and swirl flaps removed. It came with all manner of optional extras and toys too many to mention. The ride is very firm and handles more like a hot hatch. Performance is more than what you'd expect from a2.0 diesel and with it being an auto in sports mode is very responsive although the mpg is a tad disappointing. The only downside to the car really is the engine noise from outside its a bit more noisy than you would expect but the car is very well soundproofed and none of the engine noise is heard in the cabin. Overall I'm very pleased with the car and would definitely have another one!

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

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.

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No Red thumbs down

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No issues with the during ownership

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Yes Green thumbs up

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serviced according to "Light Indications". It now has 196000 miles "and steel feels "as new".Only one breakdown experienced ,never off road for ever more than 24hours

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Yes Green thumbs up

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Simply wonderful

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Yes Green thumbs up

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Does what is expected

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Yes Green thumbs up

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Very reliable so far. Some minor trim detached, but mechanically solid.

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Yes Green thumbs up

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No issues to date

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No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

all good so far

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Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

.

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No Red thumbs down

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Can't fault it!

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Yes Green thumbs up

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No problems

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Best car I have owned so far.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

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No rattles or problems.

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Yes Green thumbs up

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No breakdowns or unexpected maintenance required

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

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Not as good as the previous 330 auto 2003 touring, my current car needed repair 3 times for xenon headlight, central locking, and a problem with the wing mirrors.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

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Bmw 320d touring Eats through tyres - and they are runflats so have a hard ride and have to fork out £25 per tyre more for a runflat version. Painful to own when it snows - can't get up even small hills when all around me (in fwd cars) have no trouble. These 2 issues are making me seriously consider ever getting a rwd bmw again, or any other car come to it that has runflats - they are a rip-off.

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No Red thumbs down

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Great car, good mix of economy vs power, practical but still dynamic and fun to drive.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

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Good car overall, excellent handing & performance. Boot not the best shape. Been let down with 2 engine management problems and need for a wheel bearing to be replaced in the last 6 months which is slightly worrying for a car less than 3 years old!

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

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320d touring se. Probably the best all-round car in bmw's range, and for the high-mileage family driver possibly the most rational car in the world. Great car, spoiled only by the stupid run-flat tyres, which i've changed to proper ones which improve ride, handling and road noise significantly. Changed down from an e39 530d tourin, and actually prefer this now.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

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A great all rounder quality car with good attention to detail in a stylist package (even as an estate) that drives well. Economy is good considering the good performance. If the ride was less firm it would be even better.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

I bought this in 2013. I had nearly always owned diesels previously but saw this smart looking estate. On the forecourt the engine was supremely smooth (for a four cylinder) and seductive. I took it for a test drive and it felt like a snail in comparison to my previous Mondeo diesel. Despite being relatively slow, though, I liked the car, it was comfortable, looked smart and had an ideal driving position for me. I don't do a lot of miles so I thought a petrol would be fine. I bought it but soon missed the Mondeo's power and economy, and wish I'd gone for a turbo diesel. After three months, the car started stuttering at low revs. It got worse and worse and after a week or so it has a "hissy fit" and stuttered, jerks and the engine light flashed. Then it was fine. I took it to be looked at and they couldn't find any faults. Then there was a period of calm until it went into the same cycle again and ended in a hissy fit. Faulty coil packs? Possibly but why didn't it happen all the time? The garage said it looked like they'd been done already. In the end I ended up being able to adapt my driving style to avoid the stuttering. The car also started "wandering" on the road, eventually reaching a point where it seemed dangerous to drive on roads that were less than smooth. Garage findings were inconclusive until we swapped the tyres from front to back and there was an improvement - for a while. Was it the run flat tyres causing this? I'd say so. I think they're okay until they're part worn. I had the car for 22 months. Eventually my wife said after driving it one day "can you please get rid of it?" Yes dear.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

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.

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Yes Green thumbs up

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Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

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No Red thumbs down

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i have had no issues with the reliability at all

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Yes Green thumbs up

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good quality car, no probs

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Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

no problems so far

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

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A run flat tyre failed dramatically and I had to be "rescued" as there is no spare. Annoying. The car has never failed to get me where I was going, but had a few minor faults fixed under guarantee. Now, outside guarantee, it has develop an annoying rattle somewhere in the dashboard ares and will no doubt need dealer attention.

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No Red thumbs down

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Absolutely no problems

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Yes Green thumbs up

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Not one problem since owning the car.

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Yes Green thumbs up

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had no real problems with do service regularly

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No Red thumbs down

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Complete workhorse. just done 158,000 miles with little cost above regular servicing. gear box replaced at 42,000 miles under warranty. Sun roof replace x2 under warrenty, otherwise excellent.

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Yes Green thumbs up

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.

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No Red thumbs down

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85k with no faults

Would you recommend the car to a friend?