The Bmw 3 Series
The BMW 3-series would be considered by many to be the company’s “meat-and-potatoes” vehicle class. This series offers compact to mid-sized cars with all the engine qualities and interior luxuries BMW is known for while never failing to impress with ride quality. This class offers a variety of trims in a 2-door convertible with retractable hard top, 3-door coupe, 5-door saloon, and a 5-door Touring “hatch”.
Models in the BMW 3-series operate on a 4-, 6- or 8-cylinder engine and 6-speed manual transmission with the option of a 6-speed automatic. BMW lists acceleration times as low as 5.3 seconds 0-62 in the turbocharged 5.4 335i to an impressive 5.5 seconds 0-62 in the heavier 335i convertible.
Fuel economy is very good and environmental impact is admirable for this class. All vehicles are constructed with lightweight materials and employ stop-start technology and brake energy regeneration, all of which improve fuel economy. Fuel mileage at approximately 33mpg is impressive in the 335i and when it reaches almost 63 mpg in the diesel saloon, it’s nothing short of magnificent. Combine these figures with CO2 emissions as low as 118g/km in the saloon and it’s clear that the BMW 3-series is a winner in the green department.
If the 3-series has a downside, it parallels the 1-series in lack of interior space. The driver and front-seat passenger are provided with sufficient seating space while rear-seat passengers will likely find it cramped. Interior storage space is limited, but buyers of the saloon models may find the folding rear seat a nice way to add a storage area.
One of the most appealing aspects of the second hand BMW 3-series is its consistent smooth ride and easy gear shifting combined with a more compact car. Sport suspensions will add some stiffness to the driving experience but buyers should not find the overall driving comfort diminished. Some tyre noise should be expected on uneven surfaces, particularly in the sport models, but cabin noise should not be so loud as to affect conversation or audio players.
Standard safety features for the BMW 3-series include front seat-integrated airbags, traction control, ABS, and crash-sensor activations, to name a few. A first-aid kit and warning triangle are staples of BMW safety and are included in all new vehicles. Euro NCAP rates the 3-series 5 out of 5 stars for adult passenger safety, giving buyers of this series piece of mind whilst on the road. |