3-Series does everything so well

Dec 21 2009 Peter Hayward

BMW's 3-Series might seem very common on the roads these days, but there are no other cars that do everything so well.

I've just spent a week with the 320d Touring estate and this two-litre diesel has to be the engine of choice for most people, with zero to 60 miles an hour acceleration of about eight seconds and almost 60 miles per gallon.

Those are the bare figures, but it's the way this car does everything that makes it so good.

It is pure joy to drive, with excellent urge from almost any speed, a light clutch and a slick changing six-speed gearbox.

And like all 3-Series models, it takes the corners like a thoroughbred, with huge levels of grip, tremendous adhesion to the road surface and marvellous steering giving loads of feedback.

The combination makes it the best you can buy by quite a margin and when you add excellent residuals, low emissions and low taxation for business users, it's the king of the class.

Interior

Plenty of standard kit even in this lowliest model means you get all you should need, with aircon, alloys, four electric windows and excellent seat adjustment.

It is available with inclusive servicing packages which are well worth buying and they help resale values since they can be transferred.

FAST FACTS

BMW 320d Touring

Price: £26,550

Mechanical: 174bhp, 1,995cc, 4 cylinder diesel engine driving the rear wheels via a 6-speed manual gearbox

Max speed: 142mph

0-62mph: 8.1 seconds

Combined mpg: 57.6

Insurance group: 12

CO2 emissions: 130g/km

BIK rating: 18%

Warranty: 3yrs/ unlimited mileage

Main rival: Audi A4 Avant, Mercedes C-class estate