Category: Compact Executive 
Price Range: £21,525 to £38,060
Quick, economical, excellent engines; a great drive; all the usual 3-Series attributes.
Has a smaller boot than many rivals, and limited rear-seat space for passengers; no stop-start for six-cylinder models; expensive for a small family car.
The Touring's not exactly a load-lugger, but it's more versatile than the saloon.
BMW generally scores well in customer satisfaction surveys, but it's not at the top of the charts.
While the 3-Series hasn't been entirely trouble-free, it features in the Top 20 of major surveys for reliability: the engines and technology in these 2009-issue cars has now been thoroughly tried and tested. The stop-start system, for example, is also fitted in the 1-Series and the Mini, and seems to be holding up well. And it's difficult to fault BMW in terms of fit and finish.
