Insurance Group: 22
MPG: 44.8
CO2: 147
0-62 Mph: 9.5 secs
BHP: 143 BHP
Range: 621 miles
PROS: A great company car option with low CO2 emissions and great fuel economy for a very reasonable price, the 3 Series handles really well and makes driving a pleasure. Loads of space makes the estate a suitable family car too.
CONS: The engine power is not overly impressive and the suspension can be a bit firm. The diesel engine will prove more efficient.
Although previous versions of the 3 Series have been criticised for having too firm suspension, BMW have managed to make the drive much softer. That said, it is still quite firm, particularly at low speeds.
The 318i ES Touring offers controlled and stable driveability thanks to its balanced rear wheel drive chassis. The 318i's engine is not the most powerful however but it is smooth and quiet, with the cabin insulated from outside sounds. Noise from the wind and road is limited and wind noise is only really noticeable at high speeds.
The 318i ES has a 143 bhp engine delivering 140 lb-ft of torque at 4250 rpm and reaches 0-62 mph in 9.5 seconds with a top speed of 130 mph.
This ES Touring comes with air conditioning, power steering, stability control, alloy wheels, MP3 connectivity and stereo as standard, with optional extras such as leather seats for £1,265, climate control for £545, cruise control for £195, rear parking sensors for £365, Bluetooth for £250, satellite navigation for £1,995 available. This may seem like an extensive list but this is something BMW buyers will expect.
BMW are manufacturers with a great track record when it comes to reliability and this means driver confidence should be high. Safety is top rate too with standard equipment including six airbags, dynamic stability control and dynamic traction control amongst other options.
An optional extra is the Active Security Package (with lane change and lane departure-warning systems) whilst an alarm is fitted as standard. The car was awarded the top 5 star rating in the NCAP crash tests too making it widely recognised for its safety.
The estate also has loads of room in the front and back, with leg room especially large. The boot is sizable too, if a bit awkwardly shaped, with 460 litres available when all the seats are in place. Naturally this can be expanded by folding the rear seats down.
The 318i is great for a company car but might disappoint private buyers with the engine performance. However, even the ES model (the most basic of 3 Series trims) has enough kit to meet the essentials with plenty of optional extras as well. It is also roomy enough to be a family car and the purchase price of £23,910 is reasonable for a BMW.
As the basic trim option, there are certain compromises and restrictions with this model but if equipment is important then buyers can upgrade to the SE model.
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You might want to read reviews for other Large Family cars that you can then compare to the BMW 3 Series. Here are some popular BMW 3 Series alternatives:
