BMW 3 Series

Model reviewed: 3.0-litre diesel auto 330d M Sport Touring
“Based on our initial launch drive, the BMW 3 Series Touring comes perilously close to being all the car you could ever need.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel auto 320d Sport saloon
“Both inside and out, the 3 Series feels like the rounded and accomplished product that it’s always been, and there’s little doubt this latest model will be just as successful as the one it replaces.”
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Model reviewed: Touring range review
Score: 10 / 10
“Great to drive, cheap to run and filled with high-tech kit – this is Bavaria at its best.”
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Model reviewed: M340i xDrive
Score: 8 / 10
“This is, without a doubt, a very fast car with trademark BMW six-cylinder prowess – and a meticulously engineered hot 3 Series at the same time.”
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Model reviewed: 330e plug-in hybrid
Score: 9 / 10
“Provided you have regular access to a charge point, it’s a high quality plug-in hybrid that could easily match a 320d for rock-bottom running costs. For private buyers it may even be the 3 Series to go for if you have a garage space or driveway to recharge it from every evening.”
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Model reviewed: Estate range
Score: 10 / 10
“Still the driver’s choice in this family-oriented segment, nothing can match the BMW 3 Series Touring from behind the wheel.”
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Model reviewed: 320d M Sport with Sport automatic
Score: 10 / 10
“We followed the journey of the BMW 3 Series as it made its way to production, and now it’s here we’re even more sure that it’s the best car in its class.”
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Model reviewed: 330e plug-in hybrid
Score: 9 / 10
“Even given the inevitable price premium, the 330e is likely to prove an affordable alternative to a 320d for lower-mileage business users. It’s not just a convincing plug-in; it could be one of the best members of the new 3 Series family.”
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Score: 10 / 10
“The BMW 3 Series offers the perfect blend of performance, driving dynamics, low running costs, technology and improved refinement.”
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Model reviewed: Saloon range
Score: 8 / 10
“Arguably a benchmark for the sector, the BMW 3 Series has maintained its reputation for sporty handling and fine dynamics. There are engines to suit every need and a huge amount of technology to support your driving, even if the best of it remains on the options list or confined to fancier trim levels.”
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Score: 7.8 / 10
“It’s worth test-driving as close a model as possible to the one you’re considering, as wheel sizes and suspension set-ups have a large effect on how comfortable the 3 Series is. Some will find it too firm over bad surfaces for their liking.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol-electric plug-in hybrid 330e saloon
Score: 9 / 10
“Unlike so many of its electrified rivals, this car hides the complexity of powertrain so well. It continues to handle like a powerful, poised, rear-driven sports saloon no matter how hard you care to push it. It has plenty of sporting character, and can be as quick across the ground as almost any other 3 Series, and as engrossing to drive, too, in its own way.”
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Model reviewed: M340i xDrive
Score: 8 / 10
“Impresses with its cabin sophistication, punchy performance and engaging (if not overly lively) handling.”
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Model reviewed: 320d xDrive M Sport Touring
Score: 9 / 10
“In Touring guise, the 320d continues to combine dynamism with practicality, performance and frugality better than any rival.”
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Model reviewed: 330d xDrive Touring
Score: 9 / 10
“The 3 Series Touring offers a largely familiar driving experience to the 3 Series saloon, with only slight differences in handling that are noticed most prominently in the corners.”
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Model reviewed: 330d M Sport
Score: 9 / 10
“The BMW 330d is the latest version of a fast, frugal compact executive saloon that needs little introduction.”
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Model reviewed: 330d xDrive Sport Touring
Score: 9 / 10
“Top-rung diesel Touring has towering everyday appeal. Arguably the best all-rounder sensible money can buy.”
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Model reviewed: 318d Sport auto
Score: 8 / 10
“The 318d uses a detuned version of the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine found in the 320d, delivering 40bhp less at 148bhp and 59lb ft less torque at 236lb ft, paired with an excellent eight-speed automatic gearbox.”
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Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 10 / 10
“BMW’s one-time default-choice exec hits even greater heights.”
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Model reviewed: 330i M Sport
Score: 10 / 10
“The 330i M Sport is fast, poised and engaging to drive; pleasant, upmarket, refined and practical; advanced and well-equipped – and yet competitively priced and realistically fuel-efficient.”
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Model reviewed: 320d M Sport
Score: 9 / 10
“Arguably the most important model in the new 3 Series line-up proves diesel, and the Ultimate Driving Machine, are alive and well.”
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Model reviewed: 330e plug-in hybrid
Score: 9 / 10
“If the numbers fit your routine even vaguely, and you have the ability to charge the car, the question that needs asking is not whether this upcoming plug-in hybrid saloon should be on your shortlist but why it isn’t sitting at the top.”
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Score: 9 / 10
“Bigger or not, ‘revisionist’ or otherwise, this car just keeps getting better where it’s really expected to deliver: on the road.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid 330e saloon
Score: 6 / 10
“The word that springs most readily to mind here is ‘impressive’ – BMW’s new plug-in hybrid certainly doesn’t fall down as a box-ticking exercise, with plentiful performance, extended electric range and some clever new tricks.”
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Model reviewed: M340i xDrive
Score: 8 / 10
“The M340i xDrive looks pleasingly under-the-radar as we spy it under harsh strip lights in the Garching lock-up outside Munich for an early drive – there are no wild spoilers or wings or skirts here.”
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Model reviewed: 320d and 330d Touring
Score: 8 / 10
“Considering a 320d or 330d Touring with xDrive? Then stop considering and just buy it. As a driver’s tool it blows away most opposition in this sector, it’ll satisfy any tech fetish, and the practicality improvements reaffirm that this estate is much more than just a pretty face.”
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Model reviewed: 330d xDrive Touring
Score: 8 / 10
“As a driver’s tool it blows away most opposition in this sector, it’ll satisfy any tech fetish, and the practicality improvements reaffirm that this estate is much more than just a pretty face.”
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Score: 8 / 10
“This 3-series sets a new dynamic benchmark for the executive saloon market, as well as featuring the very latest of BMW’s tech, and a promising, if not yet complete, range of engines and transmissions.”
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Model reviewed: 330e
Score: 9 / 10
“The 330e is likely to be another hit for BMW, as more drivers seek to make the switch to electrified motoring and reduce their running costs. The biggest positive about this car is that there are very few downsides next to the normal 3 Series.”
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Model reviewed: 3.0-litre diesel automatic estate 330d Touring
Score: 10 / 10
“With the saloon being such a well-praised model, it was almost inevitable that the Touring model would be just as appealing. In 330d form, it could be all the car most will ever need. It’s fast, relatively cheap to run, practical, comfortable – this list could go on.”
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Score: 8.8 / 10
“Brilliant BMW 3 Series is the pace-setter for executive saloon handling and performance”
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Model reviewed: Touring estate range
Score: 9 / 10
“The BMW 3 Series Touring goes to show that big, boxy estate cars can still be good fun to drive. It’s a shame that not every smartphone can connect to its super-slick infotainment, though.”
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Model reviewed: Saloon range
Score: 9 / 10
“The new BMW 3 Series is a posh saloon that’s great for the family but also loads of fun to drive. Its latest look might not be to your taste though and some desirable options cost extra.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol/electric automatic plug-in hybrid 330e M Sport
“The new 330e will prove more popular than ever in the current tax regime, and rightly so when it’s as good, and as cost-effective versus a 320d, as the new car is. Just make sure that fleet policies incentivise or require the car to be charged and used on electric mode as much as possible.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic 318d Sport
“In isolation, the 318d is another winner of a BMW 3 Series, and there’s very little to criticise. Just make sure you never drive a 320d and you won’t know what you’re missing.”
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Model reviewed: Saloon range
Score: 8.5 / 10
“The BMW 3 Series makes improvements in the key areas that were required without losing the driver and badge appeal that put it at the top of the class.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic 320d xDrive M Sport saloon
“The new BMW 3 Series builds on the previous car’s strong points and adds more tech, better interior quality and increased efficiency to keep it at the forefront of the compact executive sector.”
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“Despite all the sensible stuff, the 3 Series remains a sprightly engaging drive.”
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Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8 / 10
“Entertaining manners, strong engines, good build quality and a premium image that shows no sign of being significantly diluted even when the 3-series is now such as ubiquitous part of the motoring landscape.”
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Model reviewed: 320d M Sport
Score: 8 / 10
“New BMW 3-series has more of everything, but gives away a little of its satisfying precision in the process.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol plug-in hybrid automatic saloon 330e M Sport
Score: 10 / 10
“The BMW 330e plug-in hybrid delivers the rear-wheel drive handling of a touring car, the ride comfort of a BMW 5 Series, the performance of a sports car, and the zero emission driving ability of an electric car. What’s not to like?”
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Model reviewed: 320d M Sport
Score: 9 / 10
“The industry is moving towards electric cars, but the BMW 320d shows that diesel isn’t dead yet. If you cover lots of miles up and down the UK’s motorways, then the 320d has to be one of the most efficient ways to do that. It’s also comfortable, it has rewarding handling, the infomedia and satnav systems are excellent, and there really are very few faults with the overall package.”
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Model reviewed: 320d xDrive M Sport
“There’s little to criticise – it looks the part, in our opinion, and the interior is a very cosseting place for long journeys.”
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Model reviewed: Estate range
Score: 9.4 / 10
“A brilliant all-rounder that’s great to drive with some clever practicality features.”
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Model reviewed: saloon range
Score: 9.2 / 10
“BMW’s excellent 3 Series remains one of the best compact saloons”
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“The cabins are modern and clean and beautiful . . . but just a little boring. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with the craftmanship or the tech, it’s just not as plush as an Audi or Mercedes.”
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Model reviewed: 3.0-litre diesel automatic 330d xDrive M Sport
Score: 9 / 10
“Do-it-all premium estate is a more comprehensive package than ever.”
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Model reviewed: Estate range
“Comfortable, quick and commodious, the BMW 3 Series Touring is more useful (but complicated) than before and there seems little reason to doubt BMW’s prediction that it will continue to sell about 10,000 a year in the UK – lucky people…”
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Model reviewed: 330e PHEV plug-in hybrid
Score: 8 / 10
“After the previous BMW 3 Series hybrid, this feels like an all-new generation despite the same drivetrain, with more spritely performance and a whole set of better figures in terms of range, fuel consumption and EV operation. Expensive, but none of this type of car is cheap and the PHEV BMW is one of the best of the breed.”
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Model reviewed: 320d 2.0-litre diesel manual
Score: 8 / 10
“Shame it had to get bigger, but the new 3-series is a much more assured drivers’ car than its predecessor, though that comes at the cost of ride quality on M-Sport cars. The new twin-turbocharged diesel is powerful and economical and while the cabin is beautifully made it is a bit dull.”
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Model reviewed: M340i xDrive
Score: 9 / 10
“It’s not just a normal xDrive 3-er. The persons from M have had a go.”
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Score: 8 / 10
“Rivals keep it from a better score, but the new 3 is still one of the benchmarks for this class.”
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Model reviewed: Touring range review
Score: 10 / 10
“If you want a great driving experience alongside a big boot, the 3 Series Touring stands in a class of its own at this size.”
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Score: 10 / 10
“The 3 Series leads the charge in the premium executive class. Its primary appeal is in the way it drives, with handling that’s guaranteed to really put a smile on your face. It’s also economical in 320d form and well equipped, with the best infotainment system in its class.”
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Model reviewed: 330e plug-in hybrid
Score: 7.1 / 10
“The 330e Plug-In Hybrid takes most of the BMW 3 Series’ attributes and adds extra layers of ability. Performance is very strong, as is cabin refinement, while the ability to travel in electric-only mode gives the 330e extra appeal in day-to-day use. Add in an excellent cabin and precise handling, and it’s a winner.”
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Model reviewed: Estate range
Score: 7.2 / 10
“The new BMW 3 Series Touring is a great car in many ways – mainly as it shares so much with the very good saloon model. It’s quiet and refined, with an intuitive multimedia system and a driving experience that you might not expect from a family car. However, it can’t quite match the best large estate cars for sheer practicality and overall space.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.2 / 10
“The new BMW 3 Series may be a gentle evolution of the model line, but it’s been subtly improved in nearly every way. Quiet and refined, and with an intuitive infotainment system that makes the impressive on-board kit so easy to use, it makes for an effortless everyday car. For this it trades a fraction of the handling precision of older models, but it’s still the best-driving car in the class.”
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