Skip advert
Advertisement

BMW 3 Series Touring estate review

"The BMW 3 Series Touring is practical, easy to live with and great to drive"

Carbuyer Rating

4.4 out of 5

Owners Rating
Be the first to review
Price
£43,160 - £63,275

Pros

  • Excellent handling
  • Convenient touches
  • Spacious interior

Cons

  • No manual gearbox
  • High servicing costs
  • Dubious BMW owner satisfaction

Ever since it first arrived in 1987, the BMW 3 Series Touring estate has been the car to beat for those looking for a fun, upmarket load-lugger. Aided by rear-wheel drive and powerful engines, it has always outclassed the Audi A4 in the driving department, even if things have become much closer over the years.

Best estate cars 2025Best estate cars on sale in 2025

BMW gave the 3 Series a mid-life facelift in 2022, in order to keep up with the latest generation Mercedes C-Class. This update included a revised headlight design as well as deeper front and rear bumpers. On the inside, the facelifted car gets BMW’s latest iDrive OS8 infotainment system; this features twin screens forming a curved panel and comes as standard on all models.

From the front, it's almost impossible to discern the 3 Series Touring from its saloon counterpart, however, move round to the side and you’ll see the estate gets a taller roofline. The car’s boot grows slightly to 500 litres, meaning there's more room for passengers and welcome features include a pop-up window to quickly access the luggage compartment and a handy anti-slip boot floor.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Out on the road the 3 Series Touring maintains its reputation as the driver's estate, with resolute body control and sharp steering. When its dampers are put in their softest setting, it's genuinely comfortable, too. BMW's chassis engineers are rumoured to test prototypes on Welsh roads, and the results seem to be paying off; the 3 Series rides well on broken British roads.

Engines are predictably strong too, with every version getting from 0-62mph in less than nine seconds and most a great deal quicker than that. The BMW 320d Touring can return over 55mpg and the 330e plug-in hybrid is also available with CO2 emissions that will please company-car drivers. Apart from the fire-breathing M3 Touring – which is a separate model in itself – the 375bhp M340i xDrive is the hottest version of the standard 3 Series on sale, getting to 62mph from a standing start in 4.5 seconds – the same as a Porsche 718 Cayman.

With all this considered, along with improved technology and a noticeable quality hike inside, the BMW 3 Series Touring remains the car to beat in the class, particularly our favourite model – the 320d in M Sport trim.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Which Is Best?

Cheapest

  • Name
    320i Sport 5dr Step Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £43,160

Most Economical

  • Name
    330e 22.3 kWh Sport 5dr Step Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £48,785

Fastest

  • Name
    M340i xDrive MHT 5dr Step Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £63,275

Andy is Carbuyer's managing editor, with more than a decade of experience helping consumers find their perfect car. He has an MA in automotive journalism and has tested hundreds of vehicles.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best estate cars on sale in 2025
Best estate cars 2025
Best cars
26 Mar 2025

Best estate cars on sale in 2025

New Audi A5 e-hybrid PHEV beats BMW 330e for speed and range
Audi A5 e hybrid front quarter
News
25 Mar 2025

New Audi A5 e-hybrid PHEV beats BMW 330e for speed and range

Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer review – great estate with EV power
Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer estate front quarter
In-depth reviews
17 Mar 2025

Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer review – great estate with EV power

Audi A5 Avant review – a familiar practical Audi estate car with a new name
Audi A5 Avant front quarter driving
In-depth reviews
14 Mar 2025

Audi A5 Avant review – a familiar practical Audi estate car with a new name

Have You Considered

Mercedes C-Class Estate review – a classy load-lugger and great PHEV
Mercedes C-Class Estate C 300 e front quarter
In-depth reviews
3 Mar 2025

Mercedes C-Class Estate review – a classy load-lugger and great PHEV

Skoda Superb Estate review – a near-faultless, practical family car
Skoda Superb Estate front quarter driving
In-depth reviews
30 Jan 2025

Skoda Superb Estate review – a near-faultless, practical family car

Most Popular

New Nissan Micra is a Renault 5 in Nissan clothing
Nissan Micra reveal
News
26 Mar 2025

New Nissan Micra is a Renault 5 in Nissan clothing

New Nissan Leaf is here! Groundbreaking EV has morphed into an SUV
New Nissan Leaf front
News
26 Mar 2025

New Nissan Leaf is here! Groundbreaking EV has morphed into an SUV

Best car leasing deals 2025: this week’s top PCH offers
MINI Cooper UK front handling
Deals
27 Mar 2025

Best car leasing deals 2025: this week’s top PCH offers

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
21 Oct 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

The 10 best electric cars in 2025
Bets electric cars 2025
Best cars
31 Jan 2025

The 10 best electric cars in 2025

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2025
Best cheap to run cars
Best cars
8 Jan 2025

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2025

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2025
Fastest hot hatchbacks 2025
Best cars
22 Jan 2025

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2025