One of the key things we wanted to find out with this all-wheel-drive 3 Series was how well it could play the role of everyday winter hack.
The best way to describe the car is sure-footed; BMW has subtly altered the 3 Series formula to take the edge off the handling in favour of a more rounded package. With a smooth, torquey diesel, an automatic gearbox, all-wheel drive,leather seats and a thick-rimmed steering wheel, BMW has created a near-peerless all-round cruiser that’s hard to fault as an everyday proposition – even if the top level of dynamic sparkle is lacking.
Reader Gavin Hall, a serial 3 Series owner who is currently driving a 320d xDrive Touring, contacted me to describe his car as “safe, efficient and reliable”, but admitted he wouldn’t get out of bed on a Sunday morning just to drive it for pleasure.
He’s right: this isn’t the 3 Series for a Sunday driver, rather one you’re happy to use from Monday to Friday, once the de-icer has done its work.
BMW 320D XDRIVE M SPORT
Price £32,910 Price as tested £42,270 Economy 43.1mpg Faults None Expenses None
PREVIOUS REPORTS:
A flaw in the xDrive’s otherwise impressive everyday usability: the turning circle is dire. And it’s something I have to deal with three times a day: twice negotiating our oh-so-tight multi-storey car parkin Twickenham and the other at the end of the cul-de-sac I live down. It’s not just me, either. Reader and 320d xDrive driver Gavin Hall has got in touch with the same observation.
PREVIOUS REPORTS:
Join the debate
jl4069
Vague review
5wheels
False confidence
what's life without imagination
marineboy
Amateur 'journalism'.
marineboy
JacobE
Winter almost here
Greenracer
It does make you wonder how
Greenracer
It does make you wonder how
eseaton
Reads like it has been
Wellsi
I have never heard anyone,
Waiting in hope
320 X DRIVE
Ben1976
Tyres
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