Review BMW 3 Series saloon

"The latest BMW 3 Series is the best compact executive car money can buy." The new BMW 3 Series has a lot to live up to, as its predecessor has been the class leader in the compact executive sector since making its debut in 2005. But the old car wasn’t without its flaws, and recent updates to the Audi A4 and Mercedes C-Class have made the 3 Series look vulnerable. As a result, the latest model couldn’t have come soon enough. Designers have worked hard to improve BMW in every area, while there's now a model to suit every taste and budget, including ES, ED, SE, Luxury, Modern and Sport. Bigger, more refined and with a range of efficient new engines, the all-new version is the best yet. Drive 5.0 /5 Fun to drive and boasts an excellent engine line-up The old 3 Series set the class standard for driving dynamics, so it's no surprise to find engineers have worked hard to make the new car equally fun. Direct and well-weighted, strong grip and the traditional rear-wheel drive chassis all features. Standard Drive Performance Control allows you to select from Comfort, Sport and Sport+ modes, while optional Adaptive Drive damping and Sport steering deliver even sharper responses. A familiar line-up of four and six-cylinder engines are available, but the star of the show is the 181bhp 2.0-litre diesel in the 320d, which performs strongly and returns 61.4mpg. There's also a gutsy new 2.0-litre twin turbo petrol in the 328i. The 335i has a gloriuos six-cylinder engine that is very smooth and powerful. A six-speed manual is standard on all versions, with a slick eight-speed auto available as an option. Comfort 4.3 /5 More space and greater refinement for all models The previous generation 3 Series suffered from a cramped cabin, so the new car is bigger in almost every area. Inside, it now rivals the Audi A4 for space, with occupants in the back getting decent head and legroom. As before, the low slung driving position is perfect, thanks to plenty of seat and steering wheel adjustment. Refinement is also excellent, with wind and road noise kept to a minimum. And while the low speed ride is little uncomfortable, the 3 Series does a fine job of soaking up bigger bumps. Adding the optional adaptive dampers further improves comfort – although the set-up is not cheap. Reliability 5.0 /5 Solid engineering means reliability should be strong Despite its mechanical complexity the 3 Series promises to be a trouble-free choice. Many of the engines are tried and tested units from other models in the BMW line-up, reducing your chances of being stranded by the roadside. The 3 Series hasn’t been subjected to EuroNCAP testing yet, but it there's no reason to believe it won’t match the five-star performance of its predecessor. All versions benefit from six airbags, electronic stability control and tyre pressure monitoring. Also included its BMW Assist, which can automatically call emergency services it the car is involved in a serious accident. Practicality 4.4 /5 A bigger boot means it rivals the Audi A4 for space One of the biggest bugbears of the old 3 Series was its cramped and awkwardly shaped boot. Fortunately the new car addresses this problem with a generously proportioned 480-litre load bay – although you’ll have to pay around £400 extra if you want the flexibility of a split/fold rear seat. Buyers wanting even more practicality will have to wait until the Touring estate model arrives next year. Elsewhere, the BMW features a cabin packed with useful storage spaces, a large glovebox and deep doorbins. As a result it now matches the Audi A4 as a family friendly choice. Value for money 3.8 /5 It’s not cheap to buy, but 3 Series is a solid investment You’d struggle to call the BMW a cheap choice, but it is at least well equipped. Entry-level versions now benefit from air-conditioning, cruise control and alloy wheels. Go for the top-of-the-range Luxury and you’ll get desirable extras such as metallic paint and dual zone climate control. However, as with any BMW, it's important not to get carried away with the expensive options list, as the car's price can soon spiral upwards. On the plus side, you can expect strong residuals, with all versions holding onto at least 40 per cent of their new value after three years motoring. Running costs 5.0 /5 Low emissions and excellent economy are highlights BMW's EfficientDynamics technology and a reduction in weight has helped make the 3 Series one of the most economical cars in its class. Leading the way is the 320d ED, which emits just 109g/km of CO2 and promises to return 68.9mpg at the pumps. Yet even the 242bhp twin turbo 328i petrol keeps CO2 emissions down to only 149g/km and will manage nearly 45mpg. As with all BMW models you can take advantage of great value pre-paid servicing packs, which help to keep the cost of mechanical maintenance to a minimum.