USED BMW 3 Series Touring (05 - )

My car

Great to drive and not too sluggish either for a 318d. Good seat position. Rear room is better than I expected On the whole I am really pleased with this car.

My car

This is the first BMW that I have had, and it will be the last. the failure of all four ignition coils over a period of 6 months ( the first at 18 months old) and the aggravation of 4 warranty visits does not inspire great confidence in build quality. Fuel consumption is nowhere near what is quoted and the handling apart from in dry conditions is apalling.

Previously have had Jag X types ( 4x4 and FWD versions) and the build and reliabilty was much better. Handling was also execellent in all road conditions - shame they are stopping production!

My car

It is a "Driving Machine", no question about it. Build quality is second to none. It is a company car and it is cheaper for the Edition version, which provides a lot of extra, comparing to standard SE version.

The only disppointment is mpg, I can only do 37-38 mpg on motorway (average 65 mph) and less than 30 in town. A combined 200 mile motorway and 200 mile around London would give 31mpg only.

The storage space is not great, I am struggling to put my CDs in the car.

My car

I've had this car since Sept '08 and it's excellent.

The complaints often raised are unfounded or simply personal bias; iDrive is only fiddly if you change cars a lot like motoring journalists do. If you use it daily you'd have to pretty dim to not master it within a few days. Run-flat road noise isn't intrusive (even on 18" wheels) and any extra noise is FAR outweighed by convenience & safety. If you have kids (or value your own life), you want run-flats as the only time you'll know you've had a high speed blow out is when the dashboard politely tells you. You also don't have to risk life and limb changing a wheel on the hard shoulder. Priceless. Economy is good; 60+ motorway, 40+ urban. Stop/start system is also excellent - i'll never buy another car without it.

The car isn't cheap but it's worth it when compared to Audi etc.

I prefer the overall driving experience to that of my 57 plate 535d - steering and handling of the 3 is more responsive and "informative". Power is obviously less but the 320d will still do anything a 'spirited' driver could or would demand of it.

Basically, if it's a company car, get the 320d with extras as the tax savings from Efficient Dynamics are substantial. If it's your own, get a 330/335d as the extra fuel, service and depreciation isn't going to bother you if you can buy a car of this ilk in the first place.