BMW 3 Series Convertible 320i SE 2dr Car Review - January 2012

The engine performance is a little sluggish when compared to the larger and sportier engines available in this car, but the two litre engine is still capable of a 0-62mph pace of 9.1s, and the top speed of 142mph will be more than enough for most people. The handling is efficient and still gives plenty of fun for the driver, and the ride is comfortable without being so soft that you can't feel the road.

The driving position is good with plenty of room, and those who aren't living in the sunny south of France will be glad to know that the folding metal roof is a big improvement on the fabric roofs that used to be found on cabriolets. Everything in the BMW is intuitive to use, and drivers will find that they spend less time thinking about the controls and more simply enjoying the road and their journey.

The folding roof is one of the smartest pieces of equipment on the vehicle, and certainly makes open top driving in the changeable conditions of Britain a lot more practical. Although this is an entry level model, leather seats and cruise control come as standard which is a nice touch, but to be expected on a prestige cabriolet such as the 3 series. Those who are treating the car as a second car for use away from the office may want to consider upgrading the communication solutions to add Bluetooth connectivity and a hands free phone kit to ensure they stay in touch.

The 3 series is a bigger unit than the 1 series, and looks a lot more refined and less cramped than the little brother. The alloy wheels come as standard and complete a sleek look which is typified by the classic BMW lip running at the door handle level along the length of the car. When the metal roof is up, it is almost impossible to tell that the car is genuinely a cabriolet.

Coming from a German manufacturer such as BMW, there is no doubt that the reliability on this car will be second to none, but a three year warranty with breakdown cover will certainly help to confirm this image. The cabin is spacious enough to fit four people, but the folding metal roof does take up quite a lot of the space and means boot space is not particularly impressive. Although it is not going to match up with the fixed roof versions, this is certainly practical for a cabriolet.

The safety ratings for the vehicle are quite impressive, with the adult occupant getting the top score of five stars, and children getting a four star rating. The one weak point is the pedestrian safety which was awarded one star getting only 4 points out of a possible 36. The folding metal roof means this is a cabriolet that can be parked up securely and safely with the roof up.

Even the entry level model for the 3 series cabriolet is quite expensive, tipping the scales at £33,700. With demand for the vehicles high it is also unlikely that dealers will be offering too many special offers and discounts for the buyers. However, the average mpg of 41.5 is good for its class, and the petrol engine doesn't suffer too much in comparison with smaller cabriolets.

The insurance group of 30 means that you can expect to pay a fairly high premium for driving the car, but this will often be repaid because of the high resale value you can expect when it comes to selling the car to a new owner.