BMW 3 Series Touring: Luxury, pleasure and high performance

You want high performance, luxury, elegance, impeccable quality, but also functionality without consuming too much.Quadrature of the circle?No, it's the BMW 3.30D Touring you need.This super road reconciled sport, pleasure, refinement, four real places with a practical chest and...ecology!

Superb achievement

Harmonious, balanced in its chic lines, the 3 Touring series brings together the traditional ingredients of a BMW.Aesthetics are once again successful, subtly mixing classicism and modernity, without outrageous, with the preservation of a strong identity.Same thing in the cabin, well drawn, of a flattering finish quality, opulent...On the expensive "Luxury" version, with beautiful woodwork and welcoming leather seats.In the basic finishes, it is however much less warm and luxurious.The driving position does not suffer from criticism, provided you like a low base.Habitability is no longer cramped as in the past.Even if we don't have a lot of room.Please note, the Touring is not a break for moves, very far from it!But the chest has geometric shapes, therefore practical to use!

Too complicated ergonomics

Let us deplore "high tech" ergonomics difficult to understand.We have little appreciated this computer central wheel to order all the functions.You have to take your eyes off to rummage in submenus, just to set a radio station.Strongly a touch screen, as on a simple Peugeot 208 or a Renault Clio, even a Dacia Logan II!We are not convinced either by the "head high" display of speed by projection on the windshield.It is much less readable (very small figures)) than a large figure display on the counter (Volkswagen, Peugeot, Citroën...)).In addition, this head-up display is blurred by the reflections of the top of the dashboard on the windshield and...the sun!Finally, we also do not like noisy parking help with visual landmarks that are not worth a rear view camera, as any Korean offers on a simple compact..

Exceptional mechanics

After these few grievances, let's start!You might as well announce the color: this six -horsepower diesel six cylinders has everything for him.Ecstasy.Linear, flexible and ready to stick to you against the file with canon accelerations when it is asked, it illustrates wonderfully what motorist engineers from the Bavarian brand are able to do.Fabulous.And, of course, without ever shadow of a jerk.With a hoarse raucous groan always as captivating.Ah, the six cylinders, what sensuality!There, it's 20 out of 20.

Discussable transmission settings

This jewel is coupled with an automatic eight-speed transmission, soft, ultra-fast in the passage of reports, but less exciting than the engine itself.Setted to reduce consumption, it sets up the reports far too fast!We find ourselves in fifth, when we would like to be in...third.We are often two or three reports too high, even in "S" position.The retrograde transmission certainly energetically in the event of a brutal brake, but not if we just slow down.For such a car, there is something that leaves hungry.Obviously, we can pass the reports manually.And, in this case, it is a treat to chain the turns.We then believe ourselves in a real sportsman.Amazing.But, once we have done well, we get tired and come back to the automatic position.Otherwise, what good is an automatic transmission?

Exemplary sobriety

This mechanism is all the more exceptional since it displays an amazing sobriety.With such performances, and at a sustained pace, we drank8.2 liters of diesel barely central, with part of the city test.Many compact chicks, half as powerful, are unable to do the same...In real traffic conditions is understood, not according to standards of bogus homologation!BMW is almost the only one today, namely to combine very, very high performance, approval and sobriety."Ecological" an ignition, which drives itself like a racing car.Thank you BMW!Munichois reconciles us with the automobile, condemned today hypocritically on all sides by ideologists who move...in limousine with driver and pretend not to understand why we close factories.

Safe road behavior

Extremely dynamic behavior goes remarkably with mechanics.Cobblestones, dumps, holes and bumps, nothing to do.The car never gets fucked four wheels.It goes with evil precision.Despite soggy roads during our test journey, this "propulsion" has never been scary.Secure, sufficiently agile, with motor skills without reproach, the 3 series allows you to enjoy the engine performance.Only reserve: a very direct direction, to which we must get used to.Because a simple steering wheel can generate a...gap.But it is the price of precision and we get used to it quickly.Note, on this propulsion, a short turning radius which allows good maneuverability in the parking lots.The brakes demonstrate efficiency proportional to performance.The Pirelli tires of our test model hung very well at the bitumen. Mais, le choix de grandes jantes (affleurantes et vulnérables)) ainsi que de pneus à flancs très bas (45R18)), qui plus est à roulage à plat, apparaît discutable.In addition to the cost of high replacement, this slightly extremely extremely extremely extremely firm reactions, too firm reactions.As the rolling trains remain whatever happens remarkably glued to the road, the car is not uncomfortable.She never brakes.But the reactions are still dry.And these tires emit an irritating buzzing at high speed.

High price

All these superlatives translate an exceptional car, which we had a lot of trouble restoring to the manufacturer after the test.Result: an incredible sale price.Given the technical level, the quality of design and realization, there is a logic.But BMW goes there all the same strong.The cheapest break touring is 37.100 euros (3.20d of 184 horsepower)).LA 3.30D costs 9.500 more, at 46.600 euros.Ouille, even if the automatic transmission is standard and technological prowess is such that, despite such an extraordinary power, you will not be liable to any penalty!But, at this price, you are only entitled to basic seats covered with an unworthy fabric.If you want a refined presentation in line with the status of the car, eh hop, add 7.600 euros for the Luxury finish, which allows you to have a leather upholstery!Because, on a "simple" sport version (at 4.400 euros de supplément)), par exemple, le cuir est encore à 1.850 euros!

Expensive options

But it is not finished.At this price, for the outside color, it's just a white or a dull black.Yuck. Une belle peinture métallisée? Ah oui, mais c'est en option (ben voyons !)) à 900 euros.Mesquin, right?The adaptive suspension is 1.150 euros, a simple reversing camera, in series on any Japanese compact 4x4, is billed, she, 450 euros.The alarm?550 euros supplement.And then, you will even have to get your hands on the wallet to have simple storage nets on the back of the seats...We understand that BMW displays super margins.Obviously, if you do not have financial constraints and you want the best, it is, in the genre, the recommendable car par excellence.But, well, on our arch-radarized roads, a 3.20D will be more than enough for your pleasure, even if its engine is less bewitching.Consolation: a 3 series will always be very good.Alain-Gabriel Verdevoye

Test model: BMW 3.30D Touring Luxury: 54.EU

Engine power: 258 horsepower (diesel))

Dimensions : 4,62 mètres (long)) x 1,81 (large)) x 1,43 (haut))

Qualités : Lignes élégantes, intérieur bien fini et luxueux (Luxury)), agrément mécanique exceptionnel, sobriété exemplaire, comportement routier de très haut niveau, freinage efficace

Defects: Complicated computer settings, counted habitability, car transmission not reactive enough, firm comfort, archi-high price

Competitors: Mercedes C 350 CDI Elegance Executive Break: 52.950 euros;Audi A4 front V6 TDI 245 s Tronic Quattro Ambition Luxury: 55.940 euros

Note: 16 out of 20

7 minutes

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