I think I could probably have progressed faster on the slippery winter roads with one of the competitors, but not as entertaining.
The frost mist seeps in from the fjord. Flocks of people who enjoy skiing are on their way into the field. The blast cold means that the roads are covered with hard-packed snow and ice, or frozen brine. It is grooved and smooth. The BMW handles driving exemplary. I well remember the days with rear-wheel drive when you could use the gas to steer your way out of the bends quite wide. The good feeling is awakened when the BMW lets go a little with the rear wheels, but the DSC system immediately stabilizes the car and blocks the throttle. Still, I can't hide that I think it's really fun to drive a BMW on winter roads.
Look and feel
This is a car you immediately want to get into and hit the road. The BMW 316 is just as big on the outside as the Audi A4, but looks sleeker and sportier. The equipment variant is called "Sport" and I'm guessing it's a bit lowered. The driver's seat, with strong side bolsters and extendable thigh support, gave me an absolutely perfect sitting position. I like to sit low, and had perfect support all over.
Before I set off, I needed a couple of minutes to familiarize myself with the start and stop button, the gear lever with its own button for "park" and the infotainment system with steering wheel in front of the armrest. In any case, this driving environment definitely belongs to the premium class.
Driving pleasure
I actually had to check in the license plate whether the BMW 316 delivered more than 136 horsepower. The petrol engine had a fantastic bottom line. It "hummed" idly around at idle along the slippery winter roads, which did not invite particularly high speeds.
In the "Sport" equipment variant, you get, among other things, BMW's sports program, where you can set the car up to "Sport+", "Sport", "Comfort" and "Eco Pro", respectively. With the sport setting, you get tighter steering, suspension and throttle response. I think it takes several days to find a favorite setting. According to today's conditions and the driver's mood, "Comfort" was the best fit. The other setups must be properly tested another time.
It's been a while since I last drove rear-wheel drive. It worked fine on the icy roads. The fact that the car lets go of the rear wheels a little is just fun. It is not just the electronics in the anti-spin system that stabilizes the car. The nice weight distribution (50:50) also contributes. High "fun factor" behind the wheel, fun and entertaining, - and I think to myself how much fun it would have been with an even more powerful engine.
It only took me seconds to realize I was driving a conventional automatic transmission system. 8 steps, quick changes and no noticeable loss of power. I also didn't experience any jerking and snapping or wrong shifting that you can occasionally experience with thinking gearboxes. There is no doubt that the ZF cash register managed to think correctly. It should actually be able to go directly from eighth gear down to second gear if necessary.
I don't hesitate for a second when I give it a six for driving pleasure.
Comfort
I sat very well in the sports chair. The strong side walls and thigh support were perfect - like in a sports car. In this case, I noticed that the leather on the back of my shoes was touching the floor mat - not the sole of the shoe. Shit, shit, - a little shoe wear is to be expected.
I would also like to highlight the sound image as very comfortable. At 80 km/h, the rpm was 1350 revolutions per minute with good engine pull. The motor major is present, but at very pleasant frequencies. A clutchless automatic transmission also produces no vibrations from the drivetrain. Other sounds are barely audible on studless winter tyres. In "comfort" mode, I found the car's chassis to be very comfortable, without it in any way affecting driving characteristics or the feedback from the road.
Place
My first impression is that the 3 Series seems smaller than its competitors. It er no less, - at least not on the outside, - but space is not given high priority either. Longitudinal engine and rear-wheel drive with gimbal steal cabin space, leaving little legroom for the third person in the back seat. The trunk of the 3-series Touring is 495 litres, which is equivalent to the Ford Focus (490) or the Audi A4 (505). I think the boot was otherwise easy to use, and the rear seats fold down so you get a flat door.
I hardly think anyone buys the BMW 316 because of space. I guess I can put it this way, that I found the space conditions sufficient for middle-aged men, like me, - who no longer have small children, build houses, or engage in other activities that require space.
Safety
According to NCAP, the safety level of the BMW F30, measured in 2012, was actually a thought safer than the Volvo V60. Active safety is in the top class, - just like the feeling of security behind the wheel.
Economy
Prices for the 3 Series start at the same level as competitors Audi A4 and Mercedes C-Class. Like the aforementioned competitors, BMW also needs a couple of equipment packages to become properly attractive. Few new car buyers end up paying the entry price. After the latest tax increase, it looks like the 3 series can come out relatively well, including the more powerful cars. It bodes well for all BMW fans, not least those who want to bring in their next BMW from abroad.
There are many extras to choose from. I highly recommend the automatic transmission and the sports seats. I don't feel that I need electric opening of the tailgate, - but I see that it is actually standard on all Tourings, so there you go... I like the sports package. In 2015, it cost 21. Then you got a sports steering wheel with red contrast stitching, the good sports seats, various trims, extra lighting, black roof rails, Sport+ mode, and more. Today, the package costs 000 because it also includes LED headlights.
If you choose the 3 series as a used car, you need to do your homework well so that you are able to recognize the different model series. "My" BMW 316 was an F31, which is the term for Touring, - while the sedan has an F30. It came on the market in autumn 2012, replacing the E90 and E91. You separate it easily from the predecessor with the help of the headlights. For the 2016 model year, the F30 and F31 received a light facelift. I find it hard to spot the differences without seeing both models side by side.
The BMW 3 series has traditionally had good trade-in prices, but many of the used cars are second-hand imports, and that puts pressure on prices. Although buying a premium car is hardly profitable, I don't think it's completely unreasonable. The 3 Series has been one of Germany's best-selling cars, with third place in 2013 and seventh place in 2014.
The economy gets even worse when you think about...
… how much fun it would be with even more horsepower!
- Fantastic drivetrain
- Sports seats and design of the driver's position
- Lots of driving pleasure despite moderate performance
- No.
See
Look-and-feel
