Insurance Group: 22
MPG: 44.8
CO2: 147
0-62 Mph: 9.5 secs
BHP: 143 BHP
Range: 621 miles
The Sport Plus comes with loads of features and sporty looks but is only worth the extra expense over the SE version if all that equipment is necessary.
PROS: Great to drive. Low CO2 emissions. Good fuel consumption. Desirable brand image.
CONS: The diesel models make more financial sense.
The 318i engine is not the most powerful car in the range but handling is good and this makes the car fun to drive. The engine is well refined and runs smoothly and quietly, making the cabin a comfortable place to be. It is also well insulated from external noise although when driven at faster speeds wind noise will become audible, but not excessive.
The 318i Sport Plus 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.
The 3 Series Touring is a great looking car.
The Sport Plus estate comes with leather seats, metallic paint, power steering, cruise control, climate control, rear parking sensors, stability control, alloy wheels, MP3 connectivity, Bluetooth and stereo as standard features - offering the highest level of kit. Optional extras such as satellite navigation for £1,125 are also available.
The iDrive system is much easier to get to grips with than before and all the controls are angled towards the driver, with perhaps the only downside being how many generic looking buttons and controls there are for the stereo.
BMW are manufacturers that have a great track record when it comes to reliability, so that shouldn’t be too much of a concern for buyers. Safety is top rate too with standard equipment including six airbags, dynamic stability control, cornering brake control, dynamic brake control and dynamic traction control.
An optional extra of the Active Security Package (with lane change and lane departure-warning systems) is also available and this extensive selection of kit helped the car achieve the top five star rating in the NCAP crash tests for safety.
The estate has loads of room in the front and back, with plenty of leg room available to all occupants. The boot is a good size too with 460 litres of room available even when all the seats are in position. This can be expanded by folding the split-folding rear seats and the only real issue with the practicality of the car's storage is the awkward shape of the boot which can make loading a little difficult.
The 318i Sport Plus costs £27,870 and has a combined fuel economy of 44.8 mpg and CO2 emissions of 147 g/km which are fairly good for its class. This makes it a great option for personal ownership and for businesses.
The Sport Plus trim offers a wealth of features but if you won’t make use of everything then considering the more reasonably priced SE trim, which still comes with loads of equipment, is a wise move. The 318i is also not match the diesel engine for efficiency and performance and that makes the diesel model the better option. Resale values are strong across the range however, meaning buyers should be able to achieve a good return regardless of which model they go for.
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