BMW 3 Series Touring 325i SE Auto 5dr Car Review - March 2012

The 325i SE has a 218 bhp engine delivering 199 lb-ft of torque at 2400-4200 rpm and reaches 0-62 mph in 7.3 seconds with a top speed of 153 mph.

The 325i handles extremely well, offering high levels of control and stability which makes driveability high. On top of this the 325i engine combines power with smoothness and refinement which mean it is quiet even when pushed hard. The cabin is also well insulated from outside sounds and although there is a little wind noise at high speeds this is not excessive.

The 3 Series has all the sleekness you would expect from BMW and has all the good looks of its saloon bodies brother.

The SE estate comes with power steering, cruise control, climate control, rear parking sensors, stability control, alloy wheels, MP3 connectivity and stereo as standard, with optional extras such as leather seats for £1,265, Bluetooth for £250, satellite navigation for £1,550.

This is in addition to the number of features and systems employed as part of BMW's 'Efficiency Dynamics' which helps to keep the car as cheap to run as possible through high fuel efficiency and low carbon emissions.

BMW have an exemplary reliability record. The reputation of the brand features alongside a high build quality to give drivers high levels of confidence and there are plenty of safety features fitted as standard as well.

These include six airbags, dynamic stability control, cornering brake control, dynamic brake control and dynamic traction control. The Active Security Package (with lane change and lane departure-warning systems) is also available with these features helping the car achieve the top five star rating for overall safety in the NCAP crash tests.

The estate has loads of room in the front and back, with plenty of leg room. The boot is sizable too, if a bit awkwardly shaped, with 460 litres of space on offer. The option to take down the split-folding rear seats to extend the space is also available.

The 3 Series benefits from BMW’s Efficient Dynamics technology which gives the engine excellent fuel economy and low CO2 emissions, also making it an attractive business car option. The 325i SE model costs £31,440 and has a combined economy of 37.2 mpg and CO2 emissions of 178 g/km are decent for this class.

There is also quite a big jump in CO2 emissions from the 320i making the smaller engine a much better option. The smaller diesel engine in particular would cost the same amount as the 325i but be a lot cheaper to run.