BMW 3 Series 318i Sport review

Well, it’s certainly not fast. As with most three-cylinder-engined cars the 318i’s initial throttle response is somewhat tardy, and even when serving up maximum torque (162lb ft between 1250 and 4000rpm) acceleration never feels any more special than BMW’s 8.9-second 0-62mph time would suggest.  

But the engine’s lazy disposition has its merits. It’s much quieter than any of the diesels and refuses to feel strained no matter how hard you rev it. Aside from a few tremors through the gear lever and pedals at low revs under load, it’s also remarkably smooth. 

In fact, put aside any thoughts about getting places quickly and there’s lots to like about the way the 318i drives. We’ve yet to try the new 3 Series with anything other than the optional adaptive M Sport suspension fitted, and yet again it proves a welcome compromise between body control and ride comfort. In fact, the high-speed ride is close to flawless, and the low-speed primary ride only fractionally firmer than would be ideal.

Smaller contact patches – courtesy of the 18in runflats instead of the 19s we’ve tried previously – along with the engine’s low weight actually benefit the steering slightly, because there’s less resistance and more of a discernible difference in build up in steering weight when you turn in to corners at high speeds. That’s a good thing, although we still suspect you’d be better off without the weight-altering Servotronic system, despite its seemingly reasonable £85 cost.

Chassis updates aside, the 3 Series gets a subtly remodelled interior – new materials and tighter panel gaps bringing the overall quality closer to what we’ve seen from the latest Audi A4. All trim levels now come with sat-nav, although we can’t see many being satisfied with the cloth seats on this mid-spec Sport model. Budget an extra £1295 if you want leather.