Britains biggest and best car buyers guide
Reprinted from AWARDS 2010 What Car?

BMW 320d ES

The BMW 3 Series is one of those cars that comes along extremely rarely indeed. It is, frankly, awesome.
Best buy less than 25,000 BMW 316d ES
Best buy more than 30,000 BMW 325i SE Convertible
Best buy more than 30,000 BMW 330d SE
Car of the year Compact executives

THE WINNER

On-the-road price 25,950
The BMW 3 Series is one of those cars that comes along extremely rarely indeed. It doesnt so much move the goalposts as dig them up, run away with them and set up an all-new stadium around them. It is, frankly, awesome. In almost every area, the BMW leads the class and in many areas it leads by no small margin. The best all-rounder of the bunch has to be the 320d ES, though. It, along with every other Three, sets the standard for sheer driving pleasure with the way it makes mincemeat out of the most battle-scarred British B-road while managing to ensure that mile after mile of monotonous grey motorway passes in a silken cocoon of refinement. Theres a little bit of wind noise audible on the motorway, but in reality the only reason you can hear it is because theres relatively little in the way of road- and engine noise. The 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine is not only smooth and refined, but also offers sparkling performance. Yet the real trump card lies in the way BMWs Efficient Dynamics measures, which include brake energy regeneration and an engine stop-start system, keep CO2 output to a minimum and fuel economy to a maximum. The 3 Series is desirable, too, which keeps resale values high, and this also has a positive effect on leasing rates; the 320d ES is cheap to have as a company car. Still, theres no point in having a car such as this if its only big enough for you and a passenger. The good news is the Three can cater for four generously proportioned adults easily, and the boots big enough for their clutter. So there you go, the 320d ES remains miles ahead of anything Audi and Mercedes can offer and we reckon itll probably remain that way for some time yet.

On-the-road price 24,015

At this end of the compact executive market, its all about numbers and, in most cases, the smaller the better. Thats where the BMW 316d has every single one of its rivals knocked into a cocked hat. How does a CO2 output of just 118g/km sound? Pretty good, we reckon, especially when it puts the car into the lowest (13%) band for company car taxation. Theres more good news the cars carbon dioxide output is so low
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Performance 0-62mph 10.9 seconds Top speed 123mph Running costs Economy 62.8mpg CO2 118g/km Insurance group 21 cost of just 422, so the company accountants will celebrate your choice, too. Private buyers havent been forgotten theyll benefit from the fact that the 316d will still be worth a hefty 43% of its list price three years down the line. The 316d does, however, have one number that is bigger than that of any rival its average economy figure of 62.8mpg means youll probably be taken aback by how much your local fuel station attendant has aged between your visits. Its not even as if you have to put up with yawn-a-minute performance, because theres more than enough oomph to keep you engaged. On top of all this, the 316d is simply a brilliant car to drive.
What the testers thought. Just look at those numbers the ultra-low CO2 emissions and fuel consumption make the 316d an unbelievably tax-efficient company car, and its brilliant to drive. Roger.Stansfield@whatcar.com
Engine has enough oomph to keep most drivers happy you dont pay any road tax. Leasing rates are also what you might call advantageous, with the 316d commanding a monthly
Company car or private buy: the 316d will cost peanuts to run
ow does a CO2 output of 118g/km H sound? Pretty good, we reckon
Performance 0-62mph 6.1 seconds Top speed 155mph Running costs Economy 49.6mpg CO2 152g/km Insurance group 35 the straight-line pace to make life interesting, but the UKs roads tend to have one or two corners thrown into the mix, and the Audi doesnt do nearly as much as the BMW to entertain and enthral. The BMW is quieter on the motorway, too. The Mercedes C350 CDI actually offers more torque than the BMW, but this doesnt

On-the-road price 31,770

So we reach the highest price bracket and you might notice theres a bit of a theme developing. Yes, if youve got at least 30,000 to spend, the best compact executive car you can choose is another BMW 3 Series. This one has a 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine under the bonnet, producing 242 (bhp) - horses that feel like theyre ready for the Grand National. Performance is seriously swift, so even the hottest of hatches will need a serious work-

What the testers thought. Whats not to like? The 3 Series looks great, its astonishing to drive and its unbeatable as a company car. If you go for the 330d, its also a serious performance car. Steve.Fowler@whatcar.com
Plenty of punch, but you wont need to penny-pinch to run it out if its to keep up. Again, Audi and Mercedes offer similarly engined rivals, and again they fall by the wayside. The A4s 3.0-litre TDI certainly has
translate into better performance, and again the Merc neither steers nor handles as sharply as the 330d. The final victory is reserved for the balance sheet, because while the BMW outdrives its adversaries, it manages to do so while using less fuel, pumping out less CO2, and in the process costing a lot less to run than either of its rivals here.
Third price group, third BMW: proof that the 3 range is great

Awards 2010 whatcar.com

udis A4 doesnt do as much as A the BMW to entertain and enthral

whatcar.com Awards 2010

CAR OF THE YEAR Open-top cars

On-the-road price 34,515

Even with its roof mechanisms weight, the 3 still feels agile Yes, another BMW makes our contenders list in the open-top categories it seems the German manufacturer knows a thing or two about convertibles. The 3 Series has always been one of our favourite cars in saloon form, so for those who want to enjoy the sun when it makes a rare appearance, adding a folding metal roof can only be a good thing. Its also a belter to drive, with a supple yet comfortable ride and agile handling, despite the roof mechanisms added weight. The engine is as sweet as a nut: with 215bhp under the bonnet, the car is swift, yet the engine is also wonderfully refined and has a tantalising exhaust note without being raucous. Theres also an air of cultivation in the cabin whether you have the top up or down. The metal roof will keep the outside world out when you need it to, making the Convertible as hushed as the saloon. Yet when you want to lower the roof and enjoy the rays, passengers wont be buffeted about too much by the wind, or bothered by road- or engine noise. There are cheaper convertibles to run, but compared with similar rivals in this price band, the 325i is easily one of the best, and with a light foot, youll manage more than 37mpg on average. Thanks to CO2 emissions of 176g/km tax rates are also fairly reasonable for private and company car drivers.

he Convertible is a belter to drive, T with a supple yet comfortable ride
Wind- and road noise rarely intrude even with the top down Performance 0-62mph 7.6 seconds Top speed 152mph Running costs Economy 37.7mpg CO2 176g/km Insurance group 35 What the testers thought. Weve seen new challengers from Audi and Lexus this year, but neither got close to the mighty 3 Series Convertible. This is the best four-seat drop-head you can buy. Alex.JennerFust@whatcar.com
Please contact your local BMW Dealer or visit www.bmw.co.uk

the pe a k of efficiency

Ne w B M W 320 d Effi cientDy n a mi c s Sa loon b lends perform a n ce w ith frug a lit y
We all have to make choices. For example, having to choose between a car with the style and performance of a premium saloon or one with supermini economy. You cant have both at once. Right? Well, wrong, actually. The arrival of the new BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Saloon has changed the concept of choice. Its new to the BMW range this spring and is a car that takes EfficientDynamics to a whole new level, bringing both ends of a drivers wish list together like never before. In the last few years BMWs EfficientDynamics programme has achieved remarkable improvements across the entire BMW range including improving performance and dynamic abilities while also reducing fuel economy and emissions. The new BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Saloon demonstrates much of what BMWs engineers have learned in that time. Its a distinctive model in its own right but also an embodiment of the BMW EfficientDynamics programme. So the new BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Saloon has the pace and driving dynamics for which all BMWs are renowned, combined with fuel economy and CO 2 output worthy of a much smaller, lower-powered car. Thats no mean achievement. This pioneering model is equipped with many measures already introduced across the BMW range under the umbrella of BMW EfficientDynamics plus a few extra as well. The target was to raise fuel economy and lower emissions without compromising driver satisfaction. That mission has been accomplished. The car is being hailed as BMWs most efficient 3 Series model ever. The figures confirm that status. It is the first sub-110 g/km premium saloon on the UK car market. The 320d EfficientDynamics Saloons performance is what you should expect of a BMW. With a top speed of 142 mph and a 062mph acceleration time of 8.0 seconds, here is a rapid car in keeping with the BMW 3

By S u e B a k e r

44 BMWMagazine
Series reputation as the benchmark for desirability in its class. Alongside those figures are remarkably low ones for fuel thirst and CO2 emissions. On the combined fuel figure, the 320d EfficientDynamics Saloon does almost 70 miles per gallon of diesel and has a CO2 output of only 109 grams per kilometre. BMW engineers have succeeded in boosting the 320d EfficientDynamics economy by 8.8 mpg compared with a standard 320d and in slicing its CO2 emissions by 16 g/km. That puts the new car in VED band B, the second lowest. So it qualifies for an annual tax disc costing 0 from 1/4/2010, then just 20 for each subsequent year. Good news for company car drivers is a modest benefit-inkind taxation rate of 13 per cent. The new BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Saloon is intentionally modest about its eco credentials. Identity is limited to a discreet badge on the instrument panel. The cabin is business-like and tasteful, with driver-orientated controls and Vertex cloth upholstery as standard. On the road the cars behaviour is undiluted from what drivers have come to expect of a BMW. Precision steering, crisp handling and robust build quality are well-known hallmarks of the range and are just as evident here. With a power output of 163hp and 380Nm of torque on tap, the new BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Saloon has 50 per cent more power and torque than anything else in the same CO2 bracket. The engine is the latest version of the respected BMW 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbodiesel used in the BMW 3 Series range. Torque has been increased but internal friction reduced and the heat pattern improved. Like other BMW 3 Series models, this car is equipped with automatic stop-start to save wasting fuel in heavy traffic, plus brake energy regeneration that collects normally wasted energy for the battery. The electric power steering only uses energy when in use. Low-friction oil and brake fluid are used in the engine and there is an optimum shift indica-
BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Saloon is capable of 062mph in 8.0 seconds and 68.9mpg.
320d EfficientDynamics Saloon
Tech spec No of cylinders Displacement CC Output kW/hp/rpm Top speed mph
120/163/142 8.0 68.9 4.Annual road tax: 0.00 after 1/4/10, then 20 per subsequent year (band B) Benefit-in-kind: 13 %
Maximum torque Nm Acceleration 062 mph
Fuel consumption (combined) mpg CO2 emissions g/km Special feature
Fuel consumption (combined) l/100km
tor to encourage use of higher gears wherever suitable. The gearbox has been given longer ratios, designed to reduce engine revs. There are some important additions. The engine has Centrifugal Pendulum Absorbers integrated into the dual mass flywheel, to smooth out vibrations and reduce noise at low revs. It keeps the car working smoothly at engine speeds so low that any other four-cylinder turbodiesel would be at risk of stalling. The suspension has been slightly lowered by 15mm. Tyres are Michelin EnergySavers with reduced rolling resistance. They are fitted on 16 aerodynamically-efficient wheels, which are the only exterior clue that this car is any different from other 3 Series models. Combined, these unobtrusive aero-

dynamic measures reduce air drag and enhance fuel economy. BMWs philosophy with EfficientDynamics has been to add value without charging for it. That continues with this new model. The new BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Saloon has specification to match a 320d SE and is priced directly on a par with it, at a list price of 26,480. The on-the-road prices differ slightly, reflecting the 85 saving on the 320d EfficientDynamics Saloons annual road tax that results from its lower emissions. Both cars have identical standard specification apart from their wheels: where the 320d SE has 17 alloy wheels, the 320d EfficientDynamics Saloon wears 16 aero alloy wheels. They share the same SE equipment package, which includes automat-
ic air conditioning with two-zone control, extended lighting, rear Park Distance Control and an auto-dimming rear view mirror. BMWs innovative EfficientDynamics technologies have won widespread international acclaim, including the recent Auto Express Special Editors Award, Environmental Award of the Year from Business Car Magazine, Greenest Manufacturer of the Year for the second time in three years from the authoritative website: www.green-car.guide.com, the World Green Car of the Year award for the BMW 118d and the Green Heroes award for six of our models from the magazine What Car? Visit www.bmw.co.uk/320ded to find out more about this new BMW model.

www.bmw.co.uk/320ded

BMW Futureproof Challenge
Wed love to see you and your family at the BMW Futureproof Challenge on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 April. There will be lots of new models on show. Register your interest at www.bmw.co.uk

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