Considered as the workhorse of BMW, the successful 3 series premium sedan was a revelation at the end of 90s. The design inspiration from the E36 (the model which was replaced in 1998) was a hit, by adding a more "muscular" image to the straight lines. The improved body rigidity, the smoothness of the steering, pedals, gears and design contributed to the great success of this entry-level luxury sedan. The engine range from 1.9 to 3.2 l was also an advantage with something for every taste.
Pros
- very good quality built, timeless design
- large variety of engines (petrol and diesel) and body styles
- precise steering and gears, smooth ride (on good roads), great efficiency (especially for diesel engines)
- premium feeling
- solid and comfortable car, great driving pleasure on twisty roads due to rear wheel drive conception
Cons
- not very spacious according to modern standard
- luggage compartment is not great
- drive train components are prone to failure due to overweight problems (320d touring is approx 1550kg)
- due to RWD, winter tires are mandatory on snow
- spare parts are relatively expensive
Test drive
The test drive model was a 320d touring model with manual gear box. Once turned the ignition key, a strong diesel engine noise is heard under the hood, but after few seconds the noise gets smoother (oil flooding the engine). The engine response is not brutal, the sensation of a torque lack under 2100 rpm is present, but once the car is in motion (there is a sensation of struggle when starting to move) the premium feeling is back again. The steering wheel is not very easy to turn, but is very precise and you are in a perfect link with the road. There is not a sensation of artificial connection with the exterior like in the more economical cars. You will feel ever bump in the road and you will always know where your front wheels are going. In the tight corners you can easily make steering corrections without unbalancing the car. The weight distribution is very good to BMW cars and when driving you are feeling very confident and always in command. It is very easy to be attached to this car especially if the interior is gifted with some nice options: two colours dashbord, leather seats with premium finish, climate control (very efficient), cd player, navigation system, etc. On the interstate the car is very easy to drive-the elastic diesel engine doesn't require the change of the gears often. The automatic version is even better: smooth gear changing, responsive kick-down, everything is high class! Hundreds of kilometers are eaten alive without any fatigue! The orange dash bord lights are very cool at night.
Competitors
There is some hard competition from Mercedes C- Class and Audi A4. Audi lacks the premium driving sensation but has more "modern" interior and more brutal diesel engines. Mercedes is more comfort oriented without driving agility. At his time the BMW 3 series was the best compromise for a premium entry range car a real "driver oriented" vehicle.
