BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo 320d SE Car Review - April 2013

The BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo 320d has a 184bhp diesel engine which produces a punchy 280lb-ft of torque at 1750-2750rpm. It can reach 62mph from a standing start in eight seconds flat, and will accelerate all the way up to 143mph.

The BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo 320d SE is a larger car than others in the 3 Series range, being taller, wider, and longer than the Touring estate. It must be acknowledged that this does have some effect on the handling characteristics, with more body rolls and less refined feel to the steering than other models in the range. The car's stiffened suspension combats the body roll somewhat, but does result in a stiffer ride.

The BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo 320d SE does have quality feel on the inside, in common with the rest of the 3-Series. The higher ride height of the BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo 320d SE over the other 3-Series models results in a more elevated driving position offering an outstanding view of the road.

The BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo 320d SE is unmistakably a BMW, with the front end shared with other models in the range. The difference is the swooping coupe-style body with 5-doors. This is a stylish design, but with its large proportions can appear ungainly, especially the increased height of the roofline before it drops away sharply toward the rear. To put it into perspective, the BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo 320d SE is 20 centimetres longer than a conventional 3-Series saloon, almost 2cm wider, and 6cm taller, with over 10cm longer wheelbase. The BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo 320d SE includes power steering, central locking, stability control, alloy wheels, climate control as standard.

Inside the BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo 320d SE there is a secure, well-made feel to the cabin. Head and leg room are especially good, and the impressive rear headroom for passengers is where the high roofline comes into its own. Practicality is also aided by a cavernous boot. The boot capacity in the 5-door hatchback BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo 320d SE is even greater than that found in the 3-Series Touring estate - 520 litres with the seats up compared to 495 litres, and with the seats down this grows to 1,600 litres compared to 1,500 litres in the estate.

The BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo 320d SE comes as standard with a 3-year, 60,000 mile warranty. The BMW 3-Series performed unremarkably in the 2012 JD Power Customer Satisfaction Survey, returning a score of 78.3% against an industry average of 77%, falling 21 places to 43rd, a trend the company will hope the BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo 320d SE goes some way to reversing.

The BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo 320d SE comes with a price tag of £31,310. It returns a combined fuel economy of 57.6mpg and, while this is competitive, the cheaper - by £1,400 - 318d model returns 62.8mpg, and also falls into the lower Road Tax Band C as opposed to the BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo 320d SE's Road Tax Band D.

The BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo 320d SE is also £1,600 more expensive to buy than the equivalent Touring estate version, although it does offer great load-lugging capabilities. However, it is almost £3,000 more expensive than a BMW 320d SE 4-door saloon which is faster, more economical, and nicer to drive, so it is a question of personal choice, but you'd really be having to make regular use of both the rear seats and the boot to justify the added expense.