Talking tow cars
BMW’S latest 318d should perform very well as a tow car, says David Motton
THE 318D HAS always been in the shadow of the more powerful 320d. But now there’s a new 3 Series, and perhaps it’s time to reassess the 318d’s status. It may be the least powerful diesel in the new range, but it’s not slow. With 236lb ft of torque and 148bhp, it builds speed with determination. There should be enough pulling power for reasonable towing, too.
The manual car has a 1520kg kerbweight, giving an 85% match figure of 1292kg. The automatic version we drove is 10kg heavier. The eight-speed auto is a superb gearbox, with rapid, almost imperceptible gearchanges.
We also drove a 330d. As you’d expect, performance is in a different league – BMW claims 0-62mph in 5.5 seconds, suggesting this diesel four-door has similar straightline performance to a Porsche 718 Cayman.
More importantly, it means the 330d should have pulling power to spare. With a kerbweight of 1665kg, the 85% match figure is 1415kg, making it suitable for a wider variety of caravans than the 318d.
Despite the gulf in acceleration, there are reasons to prefer to the 318d to its more aggressive sibling. Smaller wheels and tyres make for less road noise, and the engine is also more subdued.
Our 318d rode on standard suspension. It was on the firm side of comfortable, but far from harsh. The control and composure bode well for stability while towing.
The 330d we tested had adaptive
M Sport suspension (part of the £2200 M Sport Plus package). In Comfort mode, the car was more forgiving of rough surfaces than the standard set-up. Switching to Sport made it even more engaging to drive.
Whichever engine option you go for, the new 3 Series has taken significant steps forward. The interior is even better and there’s a worthwhile improvement in cabin space – a 6ft passenger can now sit comfortably behind an equally lanky driver. With the rear seats upright, there’s 480 litres of luggage space.
We’re thoroughly impressed with the new 3 Series, and you don’t have to stretch beyond the entry-level diesel to enjoy it.