BMW has been at the heart of German manufacturing since 1916. It produces some of the highest quality premium cars on our roads none more so than the BMW 3 Series. The 3 series has achieved a nearly iconic status becoming the benchmark for top quality high performance small saloons.

The 3 Series has a price tag of £20,000+ so its sales are testament to the cars superior quality. It isn’t common for a car with this price tag to become so universally popular.

The 3 Series is available in 4 cylinder and 6 cylinder petrol engines. The petrol versions are good but the diesels exhibit some of the best motor engineering in the world. The 335d Twin Turbo offers impossible levels of performance: 286bhp, 0-62 in 6 seconds, 155mph top speed and an incredible 42.2mpg. These levels of performance and fuel economy are unparalleled in the motor industry. The cheaper 320d achieves 50mpg, a figure you may associate with a small runabout type vehicle.

The BMW is a saloon car but if you didn’t know you could well be driving something far sportier. Its excellent steering allows the road to feedback to the driver perfectly and the rear wheel drive really gives it traction and venom through the bends.
Some may see the 3 Series shape as unexciting, possibly due to its populous nature on our roads. The 3 Series is as recognisable as most cars on the road and probably the most recognisable premium saloon ever.

The 3 Series qualities lie in the fact that it’s a real driver’s car – a sports saloon made for the driver who wants affordable performance. The 3 Series is one of the most popular second hand buys on the market. It regularly outperforms the Audi and Mercedes offerings in consumer tests.

The 3 Series looks set to be a mainstay on our roads for years to come and is every inch the modern classic.