BMW

Wednesday, 10th of February 2010

Polls

Search

BMW 3-Series Touring road test reports and car reviews

Test drive the BMW 3-Series Touring today!

Average driver rating ( based on 7 driver reviews )
Read all reviews
Request a quote
Have your say!

The BMW 3 Series Touring. Inspiration often arrives unannounced. But never without a reason: get to know the irresistible character of the BMW 3 Series Touring. Unique appeal - what determines whether a vehicle is inspiring? How llong it takes to accelerate from 0 to 62mph? How agile it handles in sharp bends? How it performs over long distances? The truth is it is not one single element but the sum of elements that determine if a vehicle is able to provide new inpiration on a daily basis - because no two days are the same. Only a few vehicles have such talent, and the BMW 3 Series Touring is one of them. Let inpiration be the driving force.

BMW 3-Series Touring lease prices
BMW 3-Series Touring new cars and nearly new cars
BMW 3-Series Touring from your local car supermarket

BMW 3-Series Touring reviews by year of make: 2004 2005 2006 2008
Read all 7 reviews

BMW 3-Series Touring car reviews

Number of reviews: 7

Looking for advice? RoadTestReports.co.uk takes counsel from the Trading Standards Institute

Glenn, England

BMW 3-Series Touring 330d SE Touring 2006

Had this car for just over 2 (fault free) years now; bought as a low mileage used car from BMW for 60% of original list price. The negatives are few - radio isn’t the best; not keen on runflat tyres (can’t repair punctures which means a new tyre every time); and rear wheel drive isn’t great in the snow! Other than that this car ticks all the boxes. It’s great to drive, does around 40mpg and has performance to match any hot hatch. Now mine has run out of warranty I’ve had mine remapped and the rolling road now reports 300bhp & 485lb/ft with improved fuel economy. It’s now able to match a 335i in a straight line. Even better though is how easy it is to drive with virtually no effort whatsoever. As long as you don’t need a massive load carrier this has to be one of the best estates you can buy if you enjoy driving.

Submitted: 19/01/2010 15:31:40 | ID: 4348

Respond to this review | Have your say | Request a quote

Tjeerd Wichers, Berkshire

BMW 3-Series Touring 325d Touring M Sport 2008

Contrary to some reports here, I really like this car. Yes, you have to dive deep into the options list to really enjoy yourself: the 10 speaker Harman Kardon option combined with the iPod connection and SatNav/iDrive lets you drive around like a mobile nightclub, wonderful. The M Sport model comes with great sport seats (not for fat people!) and a rocky, but very stable ride which will not be to everyone’s taste. And don’t take the Lemon leather if you don’t want to clean it every week. We are quite spoilt car wise and I have to say, this is really a great car, even better than the 540i Touring that preceded this car.

Submitted: 01/12/2008 15:58:44 | ID: 2209

Respond to this review | Have your say | Request a quote

London Scottish, England

BMW 3-Series Touring 320 D Touring 2004

I rented one of these on holiday in France in 2004 and was very impressed. I am first and foremost NOT a diesel fan (at home I drive a 4.3L V8 Mercedes). However BMW have done a great job with the 4 cylinder diesel in this car. It would bog down off the line like all turbo diesels (what with that and the traction control I had a few nasty moments trying to pull sharply out of gravely side roads....) but once spinning it pulled quite well. It actually had a fairly broad power spread unlike most turbo-diesels with their blink-and-you-miss-it power band. The steering, gear change, brakes and suspension were all superb. I could hustle it along on the sweeping bends of Northern Provence in an effortless way (without upsetting the Mrs beside me). All in all a pleasant surprise. It’s not the most spacious of estates (the new one is supposed to be much better) but if you have to have a 2.0 diesel this must be one of the very best.

Submitted: 16/07/2008 15:33:39 | ID: 1682

Respond to this review | Have your say | Request a quote

David Langhorne, Wiltshire

BMW 3-Series Touring Touring 2008

Overpriced and overrated. Most car mags rave on about BMW’s being superb so I hoped it would grow on me, but not so. The load length with seats folded is short and the space is not much more than a hatchback. The ride is harsh and the steering nervous and has a wandering feeling. The plastics and seating are very average. Radio is very poor quality and fiddly to set up and operate. Only 4 small speakers are provided instead of 6. Rear headrests obscure rearview even when folded down. Very short of extras which are standard on lesser makes. Aluminium trim on the dash doors and gearlever console are cheap and garish and easily scratched. Storage is very limited and central cubby under armrest very shallow and glovebox also too small to even hold the drivers instruction and service folder. Engine is fairly muted for a diesel and is very economical and I have easily achieved 60mpg without trying. Overall an average but overpriced car and not a patch on my lovely Jaguar X Type diesel which I regret not keeping!

Submitted: 08/07/2008 12:08:59 | ID: 1639

Respond to this review | Have your say | Request a quote

A Baker, England

BMW 3-Series Touring SE 2005

All those punters and the magazines can’t be wrong- loads of fun like a 60s Lotus on B roads but cruises effortlessly (and quietly) at over a ton, 40+ mpg wherever you go, room for 5 and luggage (and dogs if you must!) etc. and built like cast iron + never needed the dealer’s help. Plus you lose less than with competitors so relatively cheap to own. All the car you could ever want. The styling grows on you - stick with it!

Submitted: 08/07/2008 11:56:59 | ID: 1636

Respond to this review | Have your say | Request a quote

Gaz, Vale of Glamorgan

BMW 3-Series Touring 2005

Probably the best car i have driven - overall. The diesel pulls from around 1300rpm all the way around to 4500rpm and the fuel economy averages around 46mpg without being driven too carefully. The handling is very good and the stability control quickly sorts out any loss of grip you may experience. On the downside the interior is a little cramped in the rear and the boot space isn’t that great due to the rear wheel arches intrusion. Also the standard fit radio is pretty awful in terms of maximum volume. It is almost like they hobbled it to make you buy an upgrade. I had an E46 before and it was much better as well as having 6 speakers rather than the 4, that the E91 has. The worst point are the looks. The E46 was, in my opinion a classic, whereas this ca looks like my 3 year old daughter made it from play dough. There are little or no styling nuances which set if part from the crowd. The coupe version looks nice and, like the radio, I wonder if they made the saloon and estate versions look dull on purpose. Having said that it, styling, space and radio aside, it is great to drive. Would I buy another? No, I’d buy a 5 series as they don’t cost much more (10% maybe) and have better looks, more room, more standard equipment and are only 5-10% less fuel efficient. The 5 series is as good to drive as well and having driven a 5 series after buying my 3 series I wonder why there are so many 3 series on the road? In summary a lovely car unless you want to use it to it’s potential and seat 4 or more people. My tip is to save up for a 5 series.

Submitted: 28/05/2008 09:31:23 | ID: 1500

Respond to this review | Have your say | Request a quote

Ant, London

BMW 3-Series Touring 320D SE Auto

Over-priced, over-rated and over-hyped snob-mobile. The so-called "Touring" is no better than a hatchback for which you pay a 1K premium over the saloon. The big selling point is the excellent handling (in the dry), but you pay for it with the ride. Mind you, it is a different beast in the wet. I have had scary moments at well under the speed limit! Harsh standard ride, and sport models are bone-shakers. Average quality standard kit, such as the radio and plastics, and the seats are uncomfortable and not supportive. Diesel engine more powerful and refined than competitors but still far too agricultural. Quiet on the motorway, though. Fuel economy is as claimed by the manufacturer - credit to them for that. The Auto box can’t make up it’s mind what gear to be in around town, so it "hunts" badly at times. Fiddly direction indicators are potentially dangerous. Ugly exterior stying is typical of the "Chris Bangle" era. Yes, it wins awards, But that is because all the enthusiasts care about who give out these awards is the handling. BOTTOM LINE: I wish that I had not wasted my money on this car.

Submitted: 16/10/2007 11:14:39 | ID: 300

Respond to this review | Have your say | Request a quote

Number of reviews: 7

Submit your own review

The best consumer review received between January 22, 2010 and February 22, 2010 will win a Parrot RKi8400! Equipped with a 200 W MOFSET amplifier, the Parrot RKi8400 can offer you a new musical experience. Totally integrated into the vehicle’s audio system, conversations and music are transmitted via the speakers for maximum listening quality.
More information plus terms & conditions >>

I would like to enter the competition, my email address is:

* First Name :

Surname :

* County / Country :

* Make :

* Model :

Year Of Make :

Variant :

Did you lease or buy? Lease Buy

* Star Rating :

* Required

3-Series Touring Car Video

BMW 3-Series Touring car video reviews, adverts and promotional videos. These car vidoes will allow you to see the BMW 3-Series Touring in action and let you hear the opinions of all the top road test experts. Featuring car videos from MSN cars, Top Gear and other top sites.

If you can't see the video Download Flash Player

How does it compare?

Audi A6 Avant

Average driver rating ( based on 24 reviews )

Volvo V50

Average driver rating ( based on 18 reviews )

Volvo V70

Average driver rating ( based on 13 reviews )

Peugeot 407 SW

Average driver rating ( based on 12 reviews )

Audi A4 Avant

Average driver rating ( based on 11 reviews )

Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon

Average driver rating ( based on 8 reviews )

Chrysler 300C Touring

Average driver rating ( based on 8 reviews )

Citroen C5 Estate

Average driver rating ( based on 8 reviews )

Ford Focus Estate

Average driver rating ( based on 8 reviews )

Ford Mondeo Estate

Average driver rating ( based on 8 reviews )

BMW road tests

Estate Cars comparison road tests

BMW contract hire and leasing deals

Search Reports by Make