Insurance Group: 36
MPG: 44.8
CO2: 165
0-62 Mph: 6.3 secs
BHP: 245 BHP
Range: 601 miles
The M Sport trim comes with loads of equipment and sporty extras but it is not necessarily worth the upgrade from the SE or ES trim as these still offer a good range of basics. Therefore, for those on a budget, the M Sport model may not be the best option.
PROS: Powerful engine. Great fuel efficiency. Low CO2 emissions. Good handling.
CONS: Firm suspension. Pricey.
The suspension is quite firm, particularly in town, and the sport suspension of the M Sport is the firmest in the 3 Series. However, this can be changed for the regular suspension and the best option for buyers will depend on the intended use of the car.
The handling in the 3 Series estate is fantastic, offering controlled and stable driveability thanks to the balanced rear-wheel-drive chassis, which makes easy work of winding B-roads.
The 330d engine is very powerful, but smooth and quiet, with the cabin insulated from outside sounds, although there is a little wind noise at high speeds.
The 330d M Sport has a 245 bhp engine delivering 384 lb-ft of torque at 1750-3000 rpm and reaches 0-62 mph in 6.3 seconds with a top speed of 155 mph.
The M Sport Touring comes with cloth/Alcantara seats, rear parking sensors, metallic paint, power steering, stability control, cruise control, climate control, alloy wheels, MP3 connectivity and stereo as standard, with optional extras such as Bluetooth for £250, satellite navigation for £1,550.
The 3 Series estates offer a good driving position, with good adjustment on the seat and steering wheel. 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.
The 3 Series Touring is a great looking car and is a rarer sight than the saloon, making it more exclusive.
BMW have an enviable reputation for reliability so the 330d M Sport should prove to be a very reliable car.
Safety is top rate too with standard equipment including six airbags, dynamic stability control inclusive of ABS, cornering brake control, dynamic brake control and dynamic traction control. An optional extra is the Active Security Package (with lane changes and lane departure-warning systems) with an alarm as standard. It was awarded the top 5 star rating in the Euro NCAP crash tests.
The Touring has loads of room in the front and back, with plenty of leg room. The boot is sizeable too, if a bit awkwardly shaped, with a 460 litre capacity. The option to take down the split-folding rear seats expands this further, offering greater practicality.
The 330d M Sport 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 330d M Sport model costs £38,480 and has a combined fuel economy figure of 44.8 mpg and CO2 emission of 165 g/km.
The 330d has great efficiency, but is still not as good value for money as the 320d, despite the more powerful performance of the bigger engine. The M Sport trim is an unnecessary expense, as the ES and SE trims come with all the equipment needed.
A BMW is a good car to invest in due to the assured quality and service and the 3 Series currently has very good resale values.
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