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If you’re the best at something, there’s always a danger of becoming smug. Just ask BMW’s worst drivers. They’re bad at indicating and drive up to your back bumper like they want to mate with it.
All because they think they have the best cars to drive and don’t need to consider the needs of other road-users. The annoying part for non-BMW owners is that nine times out of ten the BMW drivers have got a point – although it doesn’t excuse the bad behaviour. At the heart of that superior feeling is the BMW’s 3-series. It virtually invented the ‘junior executive’ sector with its first version 30 years ago and shows no sign of giving up the mantle of ‘best in class’ handling car any time soon.
The fifth generation 3 – out in March – looks more distinctive than the old one with a more sculpted bonnet and pronounced side crease but it’s most improved on the inside. The sporty version has the look of the 7, 5 and 1-series with real brushed matt aluminium and pliant black orange peel plastic that felt superb. It’s still a little cramped for a six-footer in the back though and the rear centre seat is about as comfortable as one of those old downwardsloping seats in McDonalds that encourages you to eat up and leave. It’s not a car for families with three kids unless you don’t like one of them much.
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This review from FQ MAGAZINE March/April 2005 >> more
The new 3 also offers a tweaked version of the ‘active steering’ option pioneered on the bigger 5-series. By constantly adjusting power steering assistance in relation to speed and direction you can barrel into almost any corner without losing control. ■
At £925 it’s still expensive and invisible though – no-one will know you’ve got it but you. Stingy BMW hasn’t even made split/fold seats (£305) standard on any trim level. It’s a useful feature for any dad making trips with long, awkward loads and shouldn’t be a cost option. At least child seats Isofix mountings come for free.
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Better value is the £210 ‘luggage pack’ with nets, an under floor ‘wet room’ compartment and a decent-sized sliding tray attached to the boot’s ceiling to stop a laptop or bottles of wine from rattling about with your baby bits. It can be removed too if bigger items need to be squeezed in
Not a single rival from Merc, Audi, Jaguar or Saab can match it for driving fun. The steering feels wonderfully connected to its wheels – whether on the frugal 320d diesel (almost 50mpg) or go-faster 330i petrol (6.3secs to 0-62mph). A host of further engines are due in 2005 along with an estate (Touring) variant which might be the pick for dads with more luggage. If you do get tempted, just promise to be gracious about it. If should be easy to be polite when you’re driving the best there is.
BMW 320d ES
Price £23,360
Engine 163bhp 2.0-litre
Top Speed 140mph
0-60 8.3sec
Economy 49.6mpg
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