For Smooth and responsive, the 3.0-litre engine makes the 325i seriously swift. It sounds great, too, but settles into the background on a motorway cruise. SE models are well equipped.

Against Although this is economical for such a quick car, there are diesels which are just as swift but cost less to fuel. Not the most tax-efficient model for company car drivers.

BMW 3 Series Coupe

What Car? says

3 out of 5 stars

Great to drive and effortlessly quick, the 325i is a fine sporting coupe. Diesels will cost less to run, but can't quite match the 3.0-litre petrol's refinement.

What Car? readers say

4.325
Calculate equipment options
Comfort
Electric Sunroof £870
Air conditioning Not Available
Cruise control Standard
Electric mirrors Standard
Heated mirrors Standard
Electric windows front Standard
Electric windows rear Not Available
Seat height adjustment Standard
Climate Control Standard
Power Steering Standard
Steering adjustment reach Standard
Steering adjustment rake Standard
Power Seats Standard
Heated Seats £300
Panoramic sunroof Not Available
Electric Panoramic Sunroof Not Available
Power Folding Mirror £180
Engine & Transmission
Auto £1,610
CVT Not Available
Tiptronic Not Available
Particulate filter Not Available
Entertainment
CD Standard
Multi CD £300
MP3/iPod Connection Standard
DVD Player Not Available
MP3 CD Player Standard
RDS CD Standard
Hard Drive Not Available
Exterior
Metallic paint £610
Alloy wheels Standard
Front Foglights Standard
Powered sliding doors Not Available
Interior
Hands Free Phone Kit £250
Satellite navigation £1,550
Leather Seats Standard
Split/fold seats Standard
Bluetooth £425
7 seat pack Not Available
Safety
Passenger airbag Standard
Side airbags Standard
ABS Standard
3 Point centre belt Not Available
Driver's airbag Standard
Belt pretensioners Standard
Isofix Standard
Side Impact Bars Standard
Traction control Standard
Curtain Airbag Standard
Rear Parking Sensor Standard
Electronic stability programme Standard
On/Off Passenger Airbag Standard
Driver's knee airbag Not Available
Reversing Camera Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control £1,150
Lane Departure Warning Not Available
Front Parking Sensor £375
Passenger Knee Airbag Not Available
Security
Alarm Standard
Immobiliser Standard
Deadlocks Standard
Central locking Standard
Remote locking Standard
Unique fit stereo Standard
Marked Parts Standard
Etched Windows Not Available
Locking Wheel nuts Standard
Visible VIN Standard
Secure spare wheel Not Available
Satellite tracking £219
Laminated Glass Not Available
Options calculator Price
Electric Sunroof £870
Heated Seats £300
Power Folding Mirror £180
Auto £1,610
Multi CD £300
Metallic paint £610
Hands Free Phone Kit £250
Satellite navigation £1,550
Bluetooth £425
Adaptive Cruise Control £1,150
Front Parking Sensor £375
Satellite tracking £219
Total Price: £31,590
Running costs
Town mpg 28.8
Out of town mpg 49.6
Average mpg 39.2
Tank capacity (litres) 63
CO2 Rating (g/km) 168
Carbon offset cost £24
Green rating H
Insurance group 35
Typical insurance £903.00
% Value retained (3yrs/36000 miles) 41%
Typical contract hire £446.00
Pence per mile 69
Servicing costs - 3 years £942.00
Service intervals Variable
Warranty period 3yr/UL + 3yr Paint + 12yr Perforation + 3yr Breakdown
Three-year cost£25,999
Company car tax
Percentage charge 24
Benefit in kind £7,502.00
Tax payable 20% £1,500.00
Tax payable 40% £3,001.00

Performance and measurements

schematic schematic schematic
Enlarge
Body type Coupe
Number of doors 2
Number of seats 4
Engine (cc/type) 2996/6
Number of Valves 24
Fuel type Unleaded
Max power (bhp/rpm) 215/6100
Pulling power (lb/ft) 199
Engine position F
Driven wheels Rear
Length (mm) 4580
Width (mm) 1782
Height (mm) 1395
Boot space (min ltr) 440
Boot space (max ltr) 440
Turning circle (m) 11
Towing weight (kg) 1600
Kerb weight (kg) 1505
Manufacturers figures
0-60 mph (secs) 6.7
Max speed (mph) 155
Euro NCAP Test Scores
Adult protection Unavailable
Child protection Unavailable
Pedestrian protection Unavailable

View the whole BMW 3 Series Coupe range

Cheaper

More expensive