15-05-2025
254bhp, 53mpg and a 495-litre boot - from less than £10,000
You can snap one of these up for as little as £2500, but this will tie you to a moon-mileage car with clear signs of hard use. Stretch to around £7000-£10,000 and you will get a much tidier example.
Our top choice, though, would be the brawny and characterful 330d, which gets a punchier six-cylinder oil-burner that makes 254bhp and 413lb ft of torque. It's a crackerjack engine and suits the car well, and it will still do 53mpg on motorway schleps. You will need more than £10,000 for a decent example, though.
There are several petrols to choose from, but we would aim for either the 320i if you're after the best economy or the slightly thirsty, 242bhp 328i if you want potency.
Classified adverts with 'LCI' in the headline refer to the 'Life Cycle Impulse' (which normal people would call a facelift), rolled out to the car in 2015, bringing a new look and LED headlights.
BMW also added the ultra-frugal 320d Efficient Dynamics model to the range – a tempting choice when you consider its real-world 60mpg economy, and it's tax-exempt too.
Also new was the 340i, which feels like a pseudo-M3 to drive. Its 322bhp turbocharged petrol straight six is a smooth, elastic and flexible engine that provides serious pace – and it will still do upwards of 35mpg, whereas the Jaguar XE S, say, will struggle to return 30mpg.
Upgrades were also made to the interior, but whether you opt for an early or late example, all versions of the 3 Series Touring have a suitably upmarket cabin, with a neat dashboard layout and high-quality materials throughout.
It's comfortable, it has excellent ergonomics and rear space is good enough for adults – plus you get a capacious 495-litre boot.
Sure, you will choose this estate for its additional practicality, but you will love owning one more for its impressive economy, engaging drive, elegantly finished interior and, in most cases, outstanding performance.
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