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Face-lifted BMW 3 Series car review

Models tested: BMW 320d SE Saloon, BMW 330d M Sport Saloon
Price as tested: £26,680, £33,885
Range price: £21,475 - £37,060
Insurance group as tested: 14, 17
Insurance group range: 12 - 19
Company car tax %: 18% (320d SE)
EuroNCAP result: *****
On sale: September 2008
Date and place tested: September 2008, Newbury, Berkshire
Road tester: Stuart Milne

BMW has given one of its most iconic models a mid-life makeover, to ensure the BMW 3 Series remains one of the most able and sought-after cars in its class.

But while the BMW 3 Series might not look drastically different, BMW say it has made more than 2,500 changes to the car which accounts for a staggering 45 per cent of its sales in the UK.

We sent Stuart Milne to Newbury for the first opportunity to try the new Three on UK roads.

BMW 3 Series car review slide show

The bodywork changes to this new BMW 3 Series are blink-and-you'll-miss-it-subtle; with a redesigned bonnet – which is as a result of BMW's astonishing GINA cloth-covered concept car – new bumpers, lights and a grille.

These changes might not seem much individually, but they add up to create a fresh new appearance.

But these serve only to indicate to potential buyers that this new car has some very important changes over the pre-facelift car which was introduced in 2005. And the car has gone from strength to strength, now out-selling the Ford Mondeo.

And the upper sector of the mid-sized saloon market is a competitive one with the Mercedes C-Class, Audi A4, Alfa 159 and Jaguar X-Type just four models offering something in the lucrative segment.

The biggest news to most BMW 3 Series buyers is an extensively redeveloped version of the iDrive system to control the car's ancillary features.

The infamous iDrive wheel – which operates audio, climate control, communication and navigation systems – is now joined by a host of intuitive shortcut buttons to access regularly-used menus.

But iDrive has been improved in other ways too. It is now hard drive-based, rather than relying on a DVD system, which means it's far quicker to use, and offers a host of new features.

iDrive now uses more conventional menus, each with sub-menus in a style familiar to any regular computer user. The system sets aside 8 GB to store music – around 100 albums – and it allows the user to 'rip' tracks from CDs. Another new development is Gracenotes, a worldwide database of published music, which allows the user to link individual tracks, albums and artists to the music being stored.

Additionally, MP3 players can be connected, and a USB memory stick can be attached, allowing a cheap, convenient alternative to expensive iPods, which are attractive to thieves.

The satellite navigation system has also gone under the knife, and now features a three-dimensional presentation of maps, indicating geographical reference points such as hills and valleys as well as landmark buildings in towns.

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Low emissions; high performance

BMW claims it has the best CO2 emissions of any 'premium' competitor, with an average figure of 157.6g/km across the range when the figure is weighted to reflect the most popular models. And that's without introducing an 'eco' model to the range; BMW prefers to blend its EfficientDynamics technology to make the whole range greener.

Technologies such as automatic stop start, which cuts the engine when the car is stationary, low-rolling resistance tyres and improved aerodynamics improve fuel consumption and reduce emissions.

BMW 3 Series car review slide show

BMW still offers a ten engine line-up, with five petrols and five diesels. Petrol choices are installed in the 318i and 320i models (both engines are built at BMW's Hams Hall plant in Britain), and the 325i, 330i and 335i.

The most popular choices in the range are diesel powered. The 320d – one of the two models we tested - is BMW's biggest seller, and still offers good levels of refinement, coupled with excellent fuel consumption.

Scintillating speed

We also test drove the BMW 330d, which is powered by an all new engine, which produces 14bhp more than the old unit, which adds up to 245bhp and pulling power has been increased by 20Nm to 520Nm from 1,750rpm.

This means the BMW 330d is a genuine performance car, with a 0-62mph time of just 6.1 seconds (6.2 for the Touring model), and a limited top speed of 155mph.

The three-litre engine is one of the truly great engines, with effortless power and relentless acceleration. On a twisting b-road, fourth gear is the only cog needed, and allows the car to blast along on a wave of pulling power. Average fuel consumption is a staggering 47.9mpg, and CO2 emissions of 152g/km means road tax is just £145 a year – almost unheard of for a car with this performance.

So much power does the 330i offer, the BMW 335d has been tweaked to keep the flagship model ahead. Performance here is scintillating, with a 6 seconds 0-62mph time and a limited 155mph top speed.

The 325d boasts improved performance and efficiency, while the 318d is offered with an automatic gearbox for the first time.

Still the drivers' choice

On the open road, the BMW 3 Series still displays impeccable driving manners, and is a blast to drive thanks to its perfect 50:50 weight distribution. The M Sport models – which are becoming increasingly popular, and now account for 35 per cent of all new Threes – feature lowered and stiffened suspension.

In practise this makes M Sport-equipped cars even more of a focussed drivers' car, but those seeking ride comfort will be better served by the thicker tyred and softer sprung models.

So will these changes totally change the BMW 3 Series? No; but they make an already excellent car even better to live with. And choose one of the big-engined models, and they make stunning high-speed performance cars.

BMW 3 Series car review slide show

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