USED BMW 3 Series Saloon (05 - )

The 3 Series is a great car to drive – the best in its class by a long shot.

You'll notice bumps and rough surfaces at low speed, but the firm suspension isn't uncomfortable. The 3 Series is also a quiet cruiser, so it makes a top choice if you pound the motorways. There's precious little road or suspension noise, while wind noise is only noticeable at high cruising speeds.

Short or tall, any driver should be able to get comfortable at the wheel as there's loads of adjustment in the front seats and steering wheel. Generally, the controls are easy to use, but posher cars get the awkward iDrive rotary control, which we'd avoid.

Unless you're over six-feet tall you'll find the back seats comfortable. The boot is one of the largest in the class, but a strange shape means it isn't the most practical.

There's not one bad engine, but for our money we'd plump for the 163bhp 2.0-litre diesel, which is silky and powerful. Other diesel options include a strong 122bhp 2.0-litre and extra-quick 231bhp 3.0-litre.

Petrols include a fast 150bhp 2.0-litre or a really fast 258bhp 3.0-litre. All use a great six-speed manual gearbox, but you might prefer to track down a model with the optional six-speed automatic 'box.

Entry-level models come without alloys, but you do get a CD player, air-conditioning and four electric windows, so it's not too bad.

Step up to ES specification and you'll get alloys and front foglights, and we reckon this trim offers the best value for money. However, if you can afford it, you can spoil yourself with an SE. These have bigger alloys, a multi-function steering wheel, traction control and reversing sensors.

Main dealers are likely to have the best choice, but private sellers might turn up a bargain.

It certainly isn’t cheap to get behind the wheel of a 3 Series, but those strong residual values should give you something to smile about when you come to sell it on again.

However, BMW dealers have some of the highest labour charges, so servicing and repairs can be pretty costly. That said, running costs compare favourably with rivals such as the Audi A4, Mercedes C-Class and Lexus IS.

The engines are all reasonably fuel-efficient, and our favourite 2.0-litre diesel manages nearly 50mpg. You'll obviously spend more time at the pump if you have a petrol, but they're more frugal than the equivalent Audi or Mercedes.

Insurance ratings are mostly reasonable, but you might baulk at the cost if you opt for a 3.0-litre model. Unless you've got some serious no-claims discount, a clean(ish) licence and live in a relatively crime-free area, the high premiums might well put these models out of reach.

It's a little too early to identify common faults with this version of the 3 Series, but it certainly feels like it's built to last. We'd be surprised if it brought on lots of reliability headaches, but that doesn't mean there isn't room for BMW to improve its game.

The manufacturer doesn't perform particularly well in What Car? Reliability Surveys, so there's some way for it to go before it can challenge the likes of Lexus.

On the other hand, owners are fairly happy with their lot. The brand does pretty well in JD Power Customer Satisfaction surveys.

So far, BMW hasn't launched any safety recalls on this 3 Series, so hopefully this is a positive marker for how it might continue in the future.