Estate’s a real tour de force
MY NEXT-DOOR neighbour descended upon this BMW 3-Series Touring with great excitement. He owns a previous generation 3-Series estate, loves it and is looking forward to buying its replacement. His enthusiasm wanes slightly on being informed that it isn’t the upcoming
330e PHEV version.
Why the long face? Because with the PHEV version of this car he will, of course, save a packet in benefit-in-kind tax.
Better still, he explained, he’s going to twist his boss’s arm to fit a wall-charger at work so he’ll save even more cash. I’ve promised him we’ll be testing the car soon and that I’ll take him for a spin in it.
He’ll be impressed if this car is anything to go by. It’s over a year ago that we tested the then-new 3-Series saloon and since the Touring or estate is essentially the same car, albeit with a different tail, I have high expectations of this one as the saloon model is brilliant.
Saloon and estate are exactly the same length and that is longer by a few millimetres than the previous generation of the car.you’ll not notice it in practice.
I’ve had a lifelong love affair with estate cars.to me they combine the dynamics of a saloon car with extra practicality and usefulness.
You get only benefits for your money, no negatives.and very often you also get a better-looking car.the only saloon I’ve ever owned (among a dozen estates) is an Alfa Romeo 156 and I only didn’t buy the stunning 156 Sportwagon estate because the deal on the saloon was too good to miss.
T£40,880
Diesel – 2.0 190bhp
0 to 62mph in 7.1 seconds, 142mph top speed than before and this estate body adds a small amount of rear headroom over the saloon.
Our test car is a 320d xdrive M Sport to give it its full name. If you’re a BMW owner or enthusiast (or salesperson) you will know what all that means, if not I’ll decipher it for you.
The 320d moniker means that it’s powered by a twin-turbo 2.0-litre diesel engine, which in this instance produces 190bhp.
The xdrive signifies four-wheel drive and M Sport is the trim level, which comes with M Sport suspension.
On the road price is £40,880 but needless to say our test car has many options that lift the price to perilously near £50k.
Diesel might be vilified but not by those sensible enough to realise that a modern diesel engine such as this one is perfectly clean.the 320d is likely to be the volume seller. It’s a smooth and refined engine with plenty of punch for most users.
Whether your choice is 4x4 or not depends rather on where you live and how often you experience snow.
The Touring drives just like the saloon, which is excellent news as that car is state of the art for a performance saloon these days. Only Alfa Romeo’s Giulia and
Jaguar’s XE come close to challenging it and sadly neither is available as an estate car. Not on my shopping list then.
BMW received some mild criticism for the ride comfort of the saloon when it was launched and has addressed that by fitting slightly softer springs. It’s still a brilliant car to drive, just a tad more comfortable.
The new BMW 3-Series Touring is all the car you’ll ever need.the only decision is which powertrain to choose; whether you need four-wheel drive or whether you have swallowed the bad press on diesels. 41.2mpg 124g/km Mercedes-benz C-class, Audi A4
7/10
HIS latest Touring is a fine-looking machine as well.
Unlike on previous generations the window line kicks up towards the rear of the car rather than running in a straight line.
That will give you a clue that you’re looking at the new model, as will the main crease along the side no longer running through the door handles.
As before, you can access the luggage area either by opening the tailgate or by hinging open the glass, which is handy when you’re lobbing in small items.
The boot itself holds 500 litres and now has an underfloor compartment in which you can stash the luggage blind.
Handy that.
There is a bit more legroom in the back