BMW 3-Series (2008-) Review

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 Price Range: �21,035 to �37,530
Assets: Class best drive, excellent range of engines, improved looks.
Drawbacks: Limited space in the rear, six-cylinder engines miss out stop-start, poor low-speed ride.
Verdict: Nip and tuck further polishes what remains the most accomplished car in its class.

Overview (5 out of 5)
As class benchmarks go, few are as enduring as the BMW 3-Series. Now in its 33rd year and fifth incarnation, it still remains the default choice for those seeking out the best, most capable compact exec.

Make no mistake, it's not perfect, but its blend of top-drawer handling, fine quality and the best engines in the business mean, even after three years into this current fifth generation, it still has what it takes to top its class against stiff new competition.

Now the Munich brand has put its best-selling, but middle-aged, number under the knife to prepare it for the final few years before an all-new sixth generation car arrives.

As BMW facelifts go, it's a big one, involving sheet metal changes with a new twin-ribbed bonnet, front and rear bumpers and, perhaps more predictable new front and rear lamps.

Engineers have also widened the front and rear tracks. The overall effect is a marked improvement, although the combination of the squarer rear bumper and tail lamps now unfortunately apes the ancient Saab 9-5.

Under the bonnet the five petrol engines carry over as well as three excellent diesel, with the biggest news being the introduction of an all-new 242bhp 3.0-litre straight six diesel that not only is 14bhp more powerful but is 7% less thirsty and, according to BMW, is so clean it will meet Euro 6 emissions while others struggle to cope with Euro 5.

Reliability and Quality (4 out of 5)
The BMW brand trails its main German rivals in the most recent survey carried out by JD Power, but still manages to just scrape into the top 10 most car manufacturers in terms of customer satisfaction. Meanwhile, the BMW 3-Series itself was ranked 16th out of 100 cars.

Early on in the current generation of the 3-Series there were some reports of premature wear or even complete failure of the turbo on both petrol and diesel engines but we expect the brand to have cured this teething problem by now.

Inside, the build is of the highest order, with the 2009 model 3-Series gaining chrome surrounds for the speedo and rev counter as well as many minor instruments that brighten up the cabin.

On the road (5 out of 5)
All UK BMW 3-Series are rear-wheel drive, since BMW continues to struggle to make a business case for importing and adapting its X-Drive four-wheel drive 3-Series for our right hand drive market.

However, the two-wheel drive BMW is one of the finest handling cars a reasonable amount of money can buy. Whether it's the famed 50:50 weight distribution on an uncanny ability to maintain its composure at high speed, all 3-Series are gifted with a chassis that many still fail to compete. For the refreshed range we drove the new 242bhp 330d and on 17" wheels it carried indecent speed cross-country, shrugging off all manner of nasty mid-corner bumps that would unsettle lesser cars. Grip levels were also high, but even when the tyres' purchase of the tarmac eventually relented, careful adjustments with the throttle brought the car back into line.

The new 3.0-litre diesel is nothing short of a masterpiece. Some 5kg lighter than the engine it replaces, the new engine gains a variable vane turbo that helps boost torque to an incredible 384lb-ft, peaking from just 3,000rpm to help the 330d sprint to 62mph in just 6.1 seconds. Better yet, it does this without the rowdiness of the old engine, or even the more powerful 335d. Instead you're treated to a more pleasant, muted petrol-like six-cylinder soundtrack.

Is it the pick of the engine range? Almost, but we're still enamoured with the incredible 320d. That engine delivers 175bhp, sprints 62mph in less than eight seconds and hits 142mph while still knocking on the door of 60mpg.

Safety and Security (5 out of 5)
The fifth-generation 3-Series has already achieved the full five stars for occupant protection in the Euro NCAP crash tests, plus four for child protection, although it only scored one for pedestrian safety. Benefiting those on the inside, at least, six airbags are standard fit, including head bags for front and rear occupants.

Other safety measures include the rear LED brake lamps that flash quickly to indicate hard braking and new whiplash-reducing active head restraints.

Other active measures include Brake Standby, which shortens stopping distances by priming the brakes if the driver lifts off the accelerator sharply, while Rain Brake Support improves wet brake performance by occasionally gently pulsing the brakes to prevent water from building up on the discs.

For safer getaways on hills, Hill Start Assist allows manual transmission cars to pull away smoothly by maintaining brake pressure for a brief time.

For full-pelt drivers, there is also Fading Compensation, which applies additional braking pressure when the brakes get very hot, a situation that can provoke fading brake efficiency.

For those cars equipped with Active Steering, the system works in conjunction with the stability control program: if, for example, the sensors detect oversteer, it will apply a bit of positive steering angle to bring the car back into line.

Running Costs (4 out of 5)
Instead of harping on about being the ultimate driving machine, these days you're more likely to hear BMW promote its green credentials.

Key to its program to lower emissions and improve fuel consumption is its Efficient Dynamics programme.

This includes reclaiming energy through braking, active aerodynamics, a gearshift indicator and intelligent alternators, as well as stop-start technology. For now, stop-start is only available on the four-cylinder engines, something the brand will remedy in 12 months' time for the six-cylinder engines.

The all-new 330d engine's emissions and fuel consumption are deeply impressive considering the performance on tap. On the average cycle it returns 49.6mpg while emitting just 152g/km of carbon dioxide, meaning it just slips in to the VED band D and the 21% BIK company car tax bracket.

The cheapest-to-run 318d carries over unchanged, averaging a stunning 60.1mpg and emitting just 123g/km, which means it sits in an even lower VED band and attracts a BIK tax obligation of just 13% for company car users.

Comfort and Equipment (4 out of 5)
Those who appreciate a comfy ride will still be frustrated by the 3-Series. At speed it's fine, just about isolating occupants from the worst a poorly laid road can throw at you: but slow down and the standard run-flat tyres make their presence felt.

On motorways few will complain about the high levels of refinement offered by the small BMW - unless you're sitting in the rear. The old 3-Series bugbear continues with tall passengers lacking both head- and legroom.

With the frustrating exception of Bluetooth hands-free telephony, the BMW has a fair amount of standard kit, with even the base cars coming equipped with 16" alloys, six airbags, tyre pressure warning, air con, MP3 connection, a trip computer and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Long gone are the days when a simple stereo was an optional extra.

We've left the best until last. BMW has finally had another go at refining the driver interface for its iDrive telematics system and may have this time finally cracked it. Now there is an array of handy shortcuts, while the display has been completely overhauled with an 8.8-inch high-resolution display. Mercifully thanks to its hard drive-based sat nav it's quicker too and soon will be able to offer unlimited access to the internet (for a monthly fee).

Used Value (4 out of 5)
Residuals for the 3-Series are usually pretty strong - after three years and 60,000 miles, models retain 43-49% of their value. Cars with sat nav and leather tend to get snapped up, so it's worth speccing up a little to protect its used value.

[Source: channel4.com]

BMW 3-Series (2008-) Review

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