The 3-series Touring is the hidden Gem in BMW's Range (used)

There’s one BMW that really does catch our attention the most and it’s not one of the wicked fast M-cars. It’s the 3-series sports wagon. It’s one of the rarest gems you’ll find in BMW line-up that we think is worth paying the premium for. Even if it means passing up the better X-range of sport utility vehicles; here’s why.

Performance: There are two engines to choose from. The 330i has the 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 248hp while the 328d has a 2-liter turbo-diesel producing 180hp. If you do tons of highway driving the 328d makes the most sense financially. Otherwise the 330i will suit most buyers.

On the road: We have yet to test drive a BMW with the standard suspension. Our tester car came equipped with the pricey adaptive M Sport Suspension and it really does make the 3-series wagon dreamy to drive. Handling is excellent and steering is responsive with plenty of feedback. The standard xDrive offers traction at the bucket loads. Both engines don’t really sound great at idle. Even the gasoline counterpart sounds like a diesel at idle. Wind and road noise however is well suppressed.

Behind the wheel: There’s plenty of room for the driver to get comfortable. The steering wheel and seat offers plenty of adjustments. Most functions are operated through BMW’s iDrive system which has been vastly improved. It’s much easier to operate and really does beat Mercedes system by a long shot. Passenger space in the rear seat isn’t huge but if you are willing to share the space it is bearable. The boot offers plenty of space but becomes enormous when the rear seats are folded down.

Equipment: Engine stop/start system, auto dimming rearview mirror and electric interior tailgate release all come standard. You’ll have to pay extra for xenon-headlamps, comfort access and the adaptive M Sport Suspension which we think is an option worth having if you want the most engaging driving experience with your 3-series wagon.

Buying & owning: The 3-series wagon is expensive and there’s no hiding that fact. But compared to its rival the Volvo V60, the 3-series offers slightly better fuel economy thanks to the diesel engine and will hold its value well partially thanks to the fact that a 3-series wagon is very hard to find on dealer lots.

Quality & safety: The interior feels very upscale and classy. Much of the materials used feel long lasting and durable. BMW has had a very respectable reliability record with the 3-series. So we see no major issues for it. However we strongly suggest an extended warranty if you are planning to keep the 3-series long after the standard warranty is over. Standard safety kit includes stability control, traction control and anti-lock brakes. Six airbags come standard as well. All 3-series come with theft deterrent system as well as deadlocks to keep theft away. However you want to keep in mind that an alarm system is only offered as an option.

The BMW 3-series wagon is a great alternative to the large range of sport utility vehicles and crossovers out there. If you want an engaging vehicle that’s lighter and much more fun to drive, the 3-series wagon clicks all the right buttons. However you’ll have to pay extra for the adaptive M Sport suspension to make it ride and handle the way it should. You could pick one of the X-range sport utility vehicles, but none of them have the appeal of the 3-series wagon. This is why we think it’s the best of the 3-series range.

Likes: It’s the most practical and stylish 3-series of the range. Turbo-diesel engine option is the way to go.

Dislikes: We have yet to drive a BMW with the standard suspension and from what we’ve heard it’s disappointing; it’s expensive compared to the Volvo V60 the only other real competitor it has.

Devon’s Choice: The 328d makes the most sense because most owners will do tons of highway driving. Thus picking the diesel in this case is a no brainer. Plus it’s much more efficient than the gasoline engine. Only downside is you'll have to pay extra for the adaptive M Sport suspension so it rides and handles the way it should.

5-Series GT was very unique

The 5-series Gran Turismo is supposed to be a real Jack of all trade. It's a hatchback with 4x4 driving position and executive saloon interior space, not to mention the splash of BMW dynamics. Wait for the replacement 6-series GT as it will be a major improvement in styling inside out.

Likes: Luxurious interior, plenty of space for four, clever tailgate design, effortless engines.

Dislikes: Quite expensive to buy and running costs are high, not as sharp to drive as a BMW should be.

Performance: There are two engines available for the 5-series GT. A 3-liter turbocharged six-cylinder with 300hp and a 4-liter turbocharged eignt cylinder with 445hp. Both engines offer effortless pace and are loads of fun to drive. Picking between the two however depends on the depths of your wallet. All-wheel-drive is optional, too.

Ride & Handling: The 5-series has a smooth ride, but handling isn't as sharp as you'd expect from a BMW. Steering is sharp and the response is great. Both engines provide a high degree of passing power. Put your foot down and you'll feel the turbo kick in. It feels like the 5-series GT is better suited for motorway driving than twisty narrow roads.

Refinement: Wind and road noise are both well suppressed. You'll enjoy a smooth quiet drive in the city and on the motorway. Both engines are hushed at most speeds, the eight-cylinder engine has a lovely grunt when revved hard.

Behind the wheel: There's no doubt that you'll find a driving position that suits you best. The steering wheel adjusts for reach and height, as well as the driver's seat. The dashboard is your typical minimalistic BMW design. Everything feels high quality, but is user friendly and easy to nagivate. However, the fidly iDrive is best avoided.

Space & Practicality: The 5-series GT is strictly a four-seater vehicle. The driver and front passenger will get comfortable easily, and so will rear passengers. The boot isn't massive, but it offers a quirky trick up its sleeve. The trunk can be opened like a saloon, or a hatchback for added versatility. For the price however, we don't think it's really worth paying the premium.

Equipment: The 5-series GT comse well equipped. Even the base model comes with Xenon-headlamps, panorama glass roof, keyless start and parking sensors. You'll need the parking sensors because of the small rear windscreen. This leaves you with big blind spots for merging and parking.

Buying & Owning: The high asking price says it all. It's not cheap, and you'll need deep pockets for the running costs. The turbo six-cylinder returns 30 miles to the gallon on the highway. Discounts are available but not huge, and resale value should prove to be strong.

Quality & Reliability: The interior feels classy and well put together. The materials used feel sturdy and have a long lasting look and feel. Reliability should be good as with all BMWs. However, reliability of the electronics long-term should be a bit of a worry.

Safety & Security: The 5-series GT comes with side-curtain airbags, side impact airbags, traction control and anti-lock-brakes all standard across the range. An engine immobiliser and deadlocks are standard, however an alarm system is optional.

The 5-series GT is like no other car on the road. You may be a little disappointed at its on road dynamics. It doesn't really feel as sharp as a BMW should, and the price is quite high for what it is. There are luxury 4x4s that are cheaper to buy and cheaper to run. So is it a real Jack of all trades? Well it offers decent space for four passengers, and the boot is clever in design. But it fails to be a real luxury 4x4 alternate, and the price is just too high to justify.

Devon test drives the 3-series coupe replacement (Used)

BMW wants to separate the coupes from the sedan. Thus the 3-series coupe is no longer the 3-series coupe it’s the 4-series coupe, with a new platform to separate it from the 3-series sedan. Has BMW achieved new feat?

The 428 uses the familiar turbocharged 2-liter four-cylinder engine pumping out 240hp. Top of the range 435 trim uses a 3-liter turbocharged six-cylinder pumping out 300hp. Pick of the range is the more sensible 428 trim. You can have both trims with all-wheel-drive but we only suggest adding this option if you really need the traction or live in snowy areas where rear-wheel-drive will be cumbersome.

Our biggest gripe with BMW is the optional adaptive M suspension which is only optional and not standard. With this option the 4-series drives the way it is supposed to, we still have yet to drive a BMW without this expensive option and we’ve been put under the impression that BMW doesn’t want you to either. But at least with this option everything feels right and with the suspension set at comfort the daily commute with this car is actually quite comfortable. Slip it into sport mode on tight corners and bends you’ll be treated to an amazing experience as long as the road isn’t too lumpy and bumpy. This will bring out the firmness of the suspension which is to be expected of course.

The driver’s seat offers plenty of support and adjustments. You’ll find a seating position that best fits you to a tee. The dashboard looks like it was taken from a 3-series sedan. This is not a bad thing, however sticking a 4-series badge on this coupe we were hoping BMW would jazz up the interior more since the price tag has been jazzed up. At least there’s plenty of ample space four two in the rear seat and the boot offers decent cargo space.

All three trims are equipped pretty much the same. The only real matter of picking between all four is if you want a faster engine and do you want it with or without all-wheel-drive. We were a bit appalled that Bluetooth isn’t even standard across the range. You can buy pretty much a ton of cars not even in the same price bracket with Bluetooth standard. The standard form doesn’t even get real leather seats. But at least you get bi-xenon headlamps, rain sensing wipes and iDrive on-board computer with 6.5 inch display.

Buying a 4-series won’t be a cheap proposition because most of the options that you’ll want aren’t cheap. Plus you’ll have to pay to make the 4-series drive and handle the way it supposed to. Discounts will be hard to come by too, but resale value will be strong as will all BMW vehicles plus you won’t really have to worry about safety because BMW has that sorted well.

The 4-series maybe sleeker than the 3-series sedan but we still aren’t convinced that it’s any different from the 3-series sedan. Dynamically they feel the same and interior wise they look the same. Some may not be ready to fully accept the 3-series coupe new replacement. On paper the 4-series is a great coupe but in reality there are a few short comings we would strongly look into first before fully making up your mind.

Likes: Styling is sleeker and slightly more appealing design than the 3-serie sedan. With the right options the 4-series is a dream to drive.

Dislikes: So many options and so many of them are expensive. Bluetooth not standard is absurd. Interior doesn’t look or feel any different from 3-series sedan.

Devon test drives a BMW 3-series (Used)

You could buy an Acura TSX an Audi A4 or even a Mercedes C-class. There's one car however that manages to stay on top of the crowd and tha'ts the BMW 3-series. It's the best BMW you can buy in the range. It's the most reliable and the most entertaining BMW of the group. So with this new redesign has BMW managed to keep the 3-series recipe in tip top shape? Or has it gone a bit too soft like the 5-series? Let's find out.

Performance: There are several engines to choose from. The base 320 offers a 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 180hp. 328 trim adds 240hp from the same 2-liter engine. 328d trim adds a turbo-diesel engine with similar output to the 320 trim. 335 trim which is top of the 3-series sedan range offers a 3-liter turbocharged six-cylinder producing 300hp. Picking between the trims depends on the debths of your wallet. If you stick with either the 320 or 328 trim you'll get a reasonably priced 3-series, only if you stay away from the options list on both trims. We only suggest you opting for the diesel engine if you do tons of highway driving and need the fuel economy advantage. The six-cylinder is fast but also the most expensive of the range. We only suggest opting for this if you want the performance advantage of all other trims. Otherwise sticking with the 328 seems like the smarter choice.

On the road: It's rather disappointing that the standard 3-series doesn't feel as sharp as a BMW should unless you option for the adaptive suspension. This allows the 3-series to handle and drive the way a BMW should. This is a expensive option but well worth the extra money. Steering in the adaptive suspension option is sharper and well weighed. This is why we only suggest a 3-series in this configuration. The 3-series does a good job at isolating you from wind and road noise. The turbo-four-cylinders don't sound very appealing at idle. There's a consistant clatter noise that makes them sound like diesel engines. Even in the diesel configuration there is some clatter that can be heard at idle.

Behind the wheel: There's plenty of space five passengers. The steering offers plenty of adjustments along with the driver's seat. The controls on the dash are easy to reach from the driver's seat with many functions operated through standard iDrive infotainment system. The system has been drastically improved and is now much easier to navigate through. There's plenty of space for two in the front and three can easily fit in the back. Although the middleman may not feel so comfortable. The boot offers generous amouns of space also.

Equipment: Entry level 30series gets climate control, alloy wheels and Bluetooh. Each trim offers all-wheel-drive optional as well as Xenon headlamps and parking sensors. You can also option for an M-sport package which gives the 3-series the looks of an M-sport car without the go. The sports suspension that's offered with the M-package has an overly firm ride. We prefer the adaptive suspension.

Buying & Owning: The 3-series seems a bit more expensive compared to its keen rivals. But the turbocharged four-cylinders and even the top of the range turbocharged six-cylinder offers superb fuel economy benefits. Stop/start technology is standard as well to help reduce running costs. Resale value is ultra competitive and should hold up very well when it comes to selling.

Quality & Safety: The materials used inside the cabin are typical BMW classy. It's not as classy as an Audi A4 or Volvo S60 however. Fit and finish is just as good as its keen rivals. Reliability is reasonable but questionable after the warranty is over. Optioning for an extended warranty is highly recommended. All 3-series come standard with six airbags, stability control and dynamic brake control. Traction control comes standard as well as anti-lock brakes. Active lane departure warning is optional as well as an alarm system.

The 3-series seems to be the king of the compact sports sedan segment. Even with rivals such as the Audi A4 and Mercedes C-class. If you stay clear of the options list you can get a decently equipped 3-series well worth the money. However, the only downside is the adaptive suspension is an expensive option. It helps the 3-series drive and handle the way a BMW should. Without this configuration the 3-series is disappointing to drive. Plus its hard to justify the premium of the diesel or hybrid models unless you do tons of highway driving to justify the steep price. If you can overlook these few little negatives, the 3-series is worth considering. 

Likes: Strong performance from turbo engines. Good fuel economy. Steering and handling are excellent. Luxurious and spacious cabin.

Dislikes: Without the adaptive suspension the 3-series doesn't handle like it should. The turbo four-cylinders sound like diesel engines at idle. The options send the price into 5-series territory.

Performance: All engines give strong performance. ****
Ride & handling: Handling is sharp with expensive option. ***
Refinement: Some wind noise can get annoying. ***
Reliability: Reasonable but not still questionable. ***
Safety: It's good all round. ****
Behind the wheel: Plenty of room with luxurious interior. ****
Equipment: Decent kit but desirable options you'll have to pay for. ***

Devon M

Pathological drives the benchmark 3-series (340Xi)

The old argument of young wine vs old wine certainly doesn’t apply to the BMW 3-series. Whether it’s young or aged, the 3-series sedan really is the crème de la crème of the luxury sport sedan segment. The only car that has come close to beating it is the Jaguar XE.

The 3-series offers several engine options. We are only going to focus on the mainstream forms. 320 trim gets a 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder pumping out the least powerful 180hp. 328d uses a 2-liter turbo diesel pumping out 180hp. Our favorite 330 trim uses an updated 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder pumping out 248hp. The 330e hybrid uses the same 2-liter turbo engine with an electric motor to pump out 248hp. Top of the range 340 trim gets a silky smooth 3-liter turbocharged six-cylinder pumping out 320hp. We managed to test drive both the 330 and 328d engines on the 3-series touring which we loved very much so on this 3-series sedan we managed to get our hands on the 340 trim which came with all-wheel-drive and the M-sport package.

It’s hard to fault the 340 driving dynamics as it is sheer perfection. Steering feedback is communicative and the chassis blends comfort and agility so well that it can shame some expensive key rivals. We do however wish that it didn’t come at a cost, the Adaptive M Suspension (which our tester car came kitted with) is only optional kit and well at this price point it should be at least standard. You can adjust the suspension however way you’d want it. We had ours in comfort mode because well the ride is just way too harsh in sport mode but the tradeoff is that it handles superbly and with such finesse. The only other car that would leave it shaking in its boots would be of course the Jaguar XE.

The 340 interior is typical BMW minimalistic. It’s not as plain as the XE but you’ll appreciate the British understatement that the Jag has over the BMW. However, the Jag infotainment system is a complete and utter disaster while the BMW’s iDrive is so much easier to navigate through. The controls and dials don’t feel as fiddly to use and the overall quality feels a step up over the Jag. The interior doesn’t feel as narrow either with plenty of space for four, while a fifth person could fit abreast in the rear seat, it does feel like it would be a bit of a squeeze. The boot space is about the same as in the XE.

Our 340 came equipped with heated steering wheel, heated front and rear seats. Adaptive full-LED headlights, automatic high beams, Harman Kardon surround sound system, rain sensing windshield wipers and dual-zone climate control. This and the XE are pretty much tied when it comes to standard kit. We were surprised however that we found a 340 on the dealer lot with a manual gearbox which seems to be a class rarity these days.

The 340 is probably one of the best sedans you can buy and the only other rival is the XE which does give the 340 a real run for its money. You’ll have to really want a 3-series to overlook all the rivals that offer similar performance for way less money, but not many of them hold their residuals as well and not many of them are as poised as the 3-series. The only other car that can even come close is the XE and that’s it.

Likes: The turbo six-cylinder engine is silky smooth and the driving experience is simply superb.

Dislikes: The best engine is the most expensive. Plus our tester car which was kitted out had a price tag that induced sticker shock.