Category: Affordable Sports 
Price Range: £21,525 to £38,060
Usual superb level of build quality. Entertaining handling and excellent six-cylinder engines; 330 Ci is great fun to drive and the 330d is unrivalled in this class.
Restrained styling blunts its sporting edge, as does the steering feel and the body's weight; some slightly cheap-looking interior trim; fiddly (optional) SSG gearbox.
A little less sporty than its predecessor, but even more of a quality object. Still highly desirable, and the default-option choice for keen drivers in this sector - these cars are popular for good reason.
From its ABS brakes to its six airbags, seatbelt tensioners and belt force limiters, the 3-Series could hardly be safer. And it's relatively cheap to insure because of its extra security measures, including a remote alarm. Independent tests have revealed that the 3 Series is one of the most secure cars on sale.
An update in 2003 brought kit including front, side and head airbags, with optional rear airbags, and a full armoury of electronic systems, including ABS, CBC (cornering brake control) and the latest DSC II dynamic stability control, now fitted on all models in the range. And if you like late-night B-road blasts, the new adaptive headlights (a popular option) which adjust their beam according to input from the steering, speed and yaw angle sensors, give a little extra illumination when charging round bends.
