BMW 3 Series 325d SE 4dr Pre-Model Car Review - March 2012

REVIEW
List Price: £29,840
Tax Band: G
Insurance Group: 30
MPG: 49.6
CO2: 151
0-62 Mph: 7.0 secs
BHP: 204 BHP
Range: 666 miles
CarSite Verdict:  3.75/5
The 325d has a great, super efficient engine and controlled, responsive handling to go with it. On top of the performance, the 3 Series has amazing fuel efficiency and low CO2 emissions, making it a low-cost car to run.

The 3 Series saloon is spacious and economical, making it an excellent choice as a family car or a company car.

PROS:  The 325d SE offers a great driving experience coupled with low running costs.

CONS:  Expensive. Firm ride.

Behind the Wheel

Despite improvements to the suspension on previous models, the 3 Series still suffers from overly firm suspension.

The handling in the 3 Series saloon is fantastic, offering controlled and stable driveability thanks to the balanced rear wheel driven chassis. This combines with smooth handling to make the car easy to drive. Indeed, the 3 Series is the best handling car in its class.

The 325d engine is powerful, smooth and quiet, with the cabin insulated from outside sounds, although there is a little wind noise at high speeds. In terms of performance, the 204 bhp engine delivers 317 lb-ft of torque at 1750-3750rpm and reaches 0-62 mph in 7.5 seconds. This is in addition to an impressive top speed of 150 mph which makes the car a strong contender.

Looks & Equipment

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

The ‘Efficient Dynamics’ technology that keeps the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions low includes an automatic stop-start system, brake energy regeneration, on-demand control of engine ancillary components and tyres with less rolling resistance along with improved aerodynamics. This gives the car a good level of standard equipment and plenty of attractive features.

The 3 Series has always been a very good looking car and this model is no exception.

Practicality, Safety & Reliability

Although slightly inflexible for a family car in terms of versatility, the saloon has loads of room in the front and back with plenty of leg room for all of the car's occupants. The driving position is also comfortable with the car offering plenty of adjustment in the steering wheel and seat, allowing drivers to find the optimum position. The boot is also well-sized with 460 litres of capacity on offer even when all the seats are upright. The rear of the car is characterised by split-folding rear seats which allow owners to expand the space on offer.

Safety is top rate, too with standard equipment including six airbags, dynamic stability control, ABS and traction control on top of other great features. An alarm is also fitted to protect the car from theft whilst an Active Security Package (with lane change and lane departure-warning systems) can be added as an additional option.

Value for Money

The 3 Series benefits from BMW’s Efficient Dynamics technology, which gives the engines excellent fuel economy and low CO2 emissions, also making it an attractive business car option. The 325d SE model costs £29,840 and has a combined economy of 49.6 mpg and CO2 emission rate of 151g/km. This makes it relatively affordable to keep on the road.

The 325d SE is a spacious saloon with a pretty powerful engine and the SE trim is a mid-way point between the basic ES and the more lavish Sport, making it probably the best value for money. Resale values should be strong.

BMW 3 Series 325d SE 4dr Pre-Model Car Review - by 
All BMW 3 Series Reviews
BMW 3 Series 318i ES 4dr - March 2012
A great car to drive and a great car to run – the 318i has fantastic handling and makes light work of windy country roads. There is plenty of room both in front and in the back, as well as a spacio...
BMW 3 Series 318i M Sport 4dr - March 2012
The 318i M Sport comes equipped with a wealth of features, which is what marks it apart from the ES and SE models. The car handles beautifully and makes driving a pleasure, especially as it also...
BMW 3 Series 320i Exclusive 4dr - March 2012
The 320i has a powerful engine, smooth handling and firm suspension making it a pleasure to drive. The running costs are low due to the 'Efficient Dynamics' technology, which provides great fuel ec...
BMW 3 Series 320i M Sport 4dr Pre-Model - February 2012
The BMW 3 Series is a very popular car, and for good reason. It offers great performance with smooth acceleration and highly responsive brakes and throttle, making it a very pleasing car to drive, ...
BMW 3 Series 325i SE 4dr - March 2012
The 325i SE is a great, roomy car that is reasonably priced for a BMW and handles well, offering fantastic value for money with relatively low running costs. The 325d option does offer better econo...
Comments
Medium Exec Alternatives

You might want to read reviews for other Medium Exec cars that you can then compare to the BMW 3 Series. Here are some popular BMW 3 Series alternatives:

NEW RELEASE
Jeep Avenger revealed for 2023
NEW RELEASE
Ferrari Purosangue revealed
NEW RELEASE
Ford Mustang revealed for 2023
NEW RELEASE
New BMW M2 has been revealed
NEW RELEASE
Electric SUV coming soon
NEW RELEASE
Popular hatchback gets an update