2009 New BMW 3 Series Review
The BMW 3 Series, 320d ES 4dr, winner of the What Car, car of the year - overall champion. Enough said really. But we can't really leave it at that, can we? With various body styles, trim levels and engine and gear box configorations, there is a BMW 3 Series to suit every driver.
Entry level for the BMW 3 Series are the 318i, 320i, 318d and the 320d all are powered by 2.0 litre, four cylinder sixteen valve engines through a six speed manual transmission, with the diesels benefitting from common rail technology. The power outputs for the engines are 129, 150, 122 and 163 bhp respectively. All of these models have cornering brake control (CBC), dynamic brake control (DBC), dynamic stability control (DSC), dynamic traction control (DTC), electronic immobiliser (EWS III), remote control alarm, front centre armrest with storage compartment, electric front and rear windows, leather sreering wheel, manual air conditioning, matt titanium interior trim, BMW professional radio with single CD, auxiliary input for external devices (e.g. Apple ipod) and a loadspeaker system with six speakers all fitted as standard.
Next up are the BMW 3 Series ES models; these have 16" double spoke alloy wheels (style 154), exterior parts in body colour, front fog lights, heated exterior mirrors and windscreen washer jets all fitted as standard over and above the base specification.
Above the BMW 3 Series ES models are the BMW 3 Series special equipment models, the BMW 3 Series SE models come with 16" double spoke alloys (style 156), automatic air conditioning, cruise control, auto dimming interior rear view mirror, interior light pack, multi function controls for steering wheel and rear park distance control (PDC) all in addition to the BMW 3 Series ES models.
The BMW 3 Series 325i SE is powered by a six-cylinder 24 valve petrol engine benefiting from valvetronic technology, developing 218 bhp through a six speed manual gearbox. Standard equipment in addition to the 320i SE include 17" star spoke alloy wheels (style 158), cruise control with brake function, rain sensor including automatic headlight control, rear centre armrest and twin tail pipes.
The BMW 3 Series 330 range includes the 330d SE and the 330i SE, both petrol and diesel units are six cylinder, 24 valve, with a capacity of three litres, transmission is through a six speed manual gearbox and the engines develop 231 and 258 bhp respectively. These two vehicles have metallic paint, a headlight wash system and chrome exhaust tail pipes as standard above the specification of the 325i SE.
The BMW 3 Series M Sport is the next in the BMW 3 Series line up, fitted with 17" M double spoke alloys style 194M (18" M star spoke style 193M on the 325i 330i and330d M Sport models), anthracite headlining, "blue shadow" cloth / alacantra anthracite upholstery, brushed aluminium interior trim, high gloss shadow line exterior trim, M aerodynamic body styling, M door sills, M leather multi function steering wheel, M sports suspension, a shortened gearshift and sports seats all in addition to the BMW 3 Series SE models.
Like the looks of the BMW 3 Series Saloon, why not check out, the VW Passat, the Citroen C5, the Peugeot 407, the Audi A4, the Toyota Avensis, the Mazda 6, the Renault Laguna, the Volvo S60, or the Ford Mondeo.
Finance your new BMW 3 Series Saloon on a PCP car loan work out your monthly payments using our Car Finance Payment Calculator.
