Skip advert
Advertisement

BMW 3 Series Touring estate (2012-2019) - Engines, drive & performance

Even with a larger boot, the BMW 3 Series Touring is just as sharp as the saloon, which makes it the best-driving executive estate you can buy

Carbuyer Rating

3.7 out of 5

Owners Rating
Be the first to review
Engines, drive & performance Rating

4.5 out of 5

All BMW 3 Series Touring models ride and handle well, with precise and not-too-heavy steering. You’re given a good idea of how much grip the front tyres have at all times, and the car tracks straight and true on the motorway. No estate car comes close to the brilliant driving experience of the BMW 3 Series Touring, thanks to a typical BMW rear-wheel-drive set-up combined with powerful brakes, so it feels both agile and very safe.

Advertisement - Article continues below

On 320i petrol and 320d diesel models and above, you can opt for traction-boosting xDrive four-wheel drive if you don’t want to get stranded during the winter months – but this will increase your fuel bills, so make sure you think carefully before you select it on the options list.

No matter which 3 Series Touring you choose, we reckon the eight-speed automatic gearbox is a worthwhile addition. It changes gear quickly and smoothly and always seems to know exactly which gear you want it to be in. It also has no adverse effect on the car’s CO2, improves fuel economy and, in some cases, reduces the car’s 0-62mph time slightly.

BMW 3 Series Touring diesel engines

There’s a diesel engine for every occasion in the 3 Series Touring. The range kicks off with the 316d Touring, which is economical, but takes 11.4 seconds to get from 0-62mph, which is rather slow for a pricey BMW. Our favourite all-rounder is the 320d Touring, which offers a great blend of price, pace and economy, getting to 62mph in 7.7 seconds.

However, even the range-topping four-wheel-drive 335d Touring xDrive promises to return about 45mpg and emits 165g/km of CO2. That’s not bad for a car that can carry a great deal of stuff from 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds – making it the fastest model in the 3 Series Touring line-up.

Petrol engines

The Touring petrol range starts with the 318i, which uses the same three-cylinder 1.5-litre engine as the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, BMW X1 SUV and MINI hatchback. It can get from 0-62mph in 9.2 seconds in manual form. If you can’t stomach the idea of a diesel, it makes a decent alternative.

The 320i is a great all-rounder, with a 7.5-second 0-62mph time, while the 330i, which uses the same engine as the 320i but with more power, is very rapid, with a 0-62mph time of just 5.9 seconds. Meanwhile, performance fans will be thrilled by the 340i. It loves to rev, offers a 322bhp punch and 0-62mph in 5.1 seconds while sounding fantastic.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Which Is Best?

Cheapest

  • Name
    320i Sport 5dr Step Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £42,430

Most Economical

  • Name
    330e 22.3 kWh Sport 5dr Step Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £48,785

Fastest

  • Name
    M340i xDrive MHT 5dr Step Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £62,225

Richard is a former editor of Carbuyer, as well as sister site DrivingElectric.com, and he's now Deputy Editor at Auto Express. Having spent a decade working in the automotive industry, he understands exactly what makes new car buyers tick.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best estate cars – the top 10 to buy in 2024
Best estate cars 2024
Best cars
14 Aug 2024

Best estate cars – the top 10 to buy in 2024

Top 10 best hybrid estate cars 2024
Best hybrid estate cars
Best cars
15 Feb 2024

Top 10 best hybrid estate cars 2024

Top 10 best cars for winter 2024
The best cars for winter 2023
Best cars
8 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cars for winter 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

Have You Considered

Skoda Superb Estate review – a near-faultless, practical family car
Skoda Superb Estate front quarter driving
In-depth reviews
30 Aug 2024

Skoda Superb Estate review – a near-faultless, practical family car

Volkswagen Golf Estate review - a refined and frugal load-lugger
Volkswagen Golf Estate review
In-depth reviews
19 Aug 2024

Volkswagen Golf Estate review - a refined and frugal load-lugger

Most Popular

Renault 4 first glimpse! Retro-renaissance continues with new all-electric small SUV
Renault 4 front fascia teaser
News
1 Oct 2024

Renault 4 first glimpse! Retro-renaissance continues with new all-electric small SUV

New Skoda Elroq revealed! Family EV gets 355-mile range, costs from £31,500
Skoda Elroq front quarter
News
1 Oct 2024

New Skoda Elroq revealed! Family EV gets 355-mile range, costs from £31,500

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
27 Sep 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
26 Mar 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024