Cars at the top of the Euro NCAP table 2008
Small cars can be incredibly safe – as proved by the new Mazda 2 which recently scored five out of five stars for adult protection. Other five star superminis include the BMW Mini, Vauxhall Corsa, Peugeot 207, Fiat Grande Punto and Renault Clio.
Hatchbacks with five stars include the Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf, Kia Cee’d, Vauxhall Astra, Nissan Qashqai, BMW 1 series and Citroen C4.
Family cars with five stars include the BMW 3-Series, Ford Mondeo (2007-), Peugeot 407, Citroen C5, Renault Laguna, Volkswagen Passat, Mercedes C-Class, Lexus IS and Volvo S40 and V70.
Five star MPVs include the Volkswagen Touran, Skoda Roomster, Toyota Verso, Renault Scenic, Vauxhall Zafira, Mazda 5 and Citroen C4 Picasso.
How to buy a used BMW 3 Series
Background – BMW 3 Series
The BMW 3 Series is luxury car manufactured by BMW since 1975. It has been produced in five different generations, with five different body styles and is BMW’s best selling car. The 3 Series made BMW what it is today and is the best-selling premium model worldwide. It accounts for some 60 percent of the one million new cars BMW sells each year, and is consistently one of the top two most searched for models on autotrader.co.uk. You can find the Used BMW 3 Series in saloon, coupe, touring or convertible model.
Available Options – Used BMW 3 Sereis
- BMW 3 Series E21 – (1975-1983)
- BMW 3 Series E30 – (1984-1994)
- BMW 3 Series E36 – (1992-1998)
- BMW 3 Series E46 – (1999-2006)
- BMW 3 Series saloon E90 – (2005-date
- BMW 3 Series estate E91 – (2006-date)
- BMW 3 Series coupé E92 – (2007-date)
- BMW 3 Series convertible E93 – (2007-date
Interior Vs Exterior
The 3-series was launched more than 30 years ago but the designers have managed to keep the original’s DNA while ensuring it has a contemporary look. Instantly recognisable signature design features include the twin headlights, rear hockey-stick shaped light clusters and shark’s fin aerial.
Of course the 3-series interior has been 30 years in the making too. 3 series featured a very cool black interior roof, quality leather upholstery (a £995 extra) and M Sport branding on the gear knob and steering wheel. Simple and elegant, the whole interior exudes style in spades. I mean, even the cupholders are classy.
Used BMW 3 Series’ Running Cost
Another area where the 3-series performs fantastically well. A fun to drive car which can carry five in comfort but still returns nearly 50mpg on average ticks all our boxes.
Insurance Group and Tax
It is group 14 insurance, will hold its value, is unlikely to break down and costs £135 a year to tax. Not bad eh?
Equipments
Air conditioning, CD player, foglights, onboard control, keyless entry and Start/Stop button control all come as standard. BMW 320d M Sport Saloon also features sports suspension, shortened gearshift, illuminated door handles , cruise control, rear parking sensors and superb sports seats.
Used BMW 3 Series – Selling Point
Being a BMW 3 Series. It’s become the most popular car in its class and is, for many people, the vehicle they aspire to. It’s easy to see why with a package which involves great driving, performance, economy, safety and practicality.
Things you might want to know about 3 sereis
- The current BMW 335i SE has a top speed of 155mph and will get you from 0-62 mph in just 5.5 seconds – faster than the original BMW M3 sportscar.
- The 3 Series has been a very successful model for BMW. The car has featured in Car and Driver magazine 17 times since 1992, and this is the only car which features year after year.
- Launched in 1975, the first-generation 3 Series became the best-selling BMW of all time and is now seen as a modern-day classic.
- A BMW 330d M Sport will set you back around £40,000.
How to check a used car – Tips
It’s imperative you check the car thoroughly for any faults or damages.
Follow these steps to ensure everything is checked and covered:
- Never check a car in the dark or in the rain. It will make it very difficult to spot dents, scratches, rust, and a multitude of other defects.
- If you can, take a look at the car before you ring the doorbell. This will give you a chance to look at it without being distracted by the seller.
- Always start the car with a cold engine. This will make it easier to spot starting problems or excessive smoke.
- Crouch down in front of each front wheel and look along the length of the car. Both front wheels should be directly in front of the rear – if they’re not, it could mean the car has been in a crash with a slightly twisted chassis. This is known as crabbing.
- Check the gaps between the body panels are equal – if they’re not, the car could have been refitted badly, or may have been in a crash.
- Take a look at the tyres. Are they in good condition? The minimum legal tread depth for tyres in the UK is 1.6mm.
- Check under the car, beneath the bonnet and the carpet for rust and signs which may suggest the car has been in a crash, such as welding marks.
- When you’re inside the car, make sure the seatbelts work correctly; the steering wheel and dashboard are bolted on correctly. Also make sure the front seats move about properly and all switches work.
- Under the bonnet, look for signs of oil leaks on top of the engine, and underneath. Use the dipstick to check the amount of oil. If the level is low, the owner hasn’t been looking after the car properly.
- Look around the oil filler cap for a white mayonnaise-like substance – this is an indication of a damaged head gasket which can be very expensive to put right.
Check more used BMW 3 series car reviews, comparison and features at Used BMW cars information hub.
BMW 3 Series Car History
It’s the car which turned BMW into a giant; it’s one of the UK’s most popular motors – and it’s the most searched for car on Auto Trader.
In the early 1960s, BMW – having steered itself from near bankruptcy with the 1500 – decided it needed a smaller family saloon and launched the iconic 1600-2002 series.
This small family runabout was a big hit for the German carmaker and featured an 80bhp engine with performance figures to match today’s city cars – the 80bhp BMW 1600 could hit 60mph in 13 seconds, which is faster than a 1-litre Toyota Aygo.
E21 BMW 3 Series – 1976 to 1982
And so the car which redefined the compact saloon segment is born.
The early BMW 3 Series models had 1.6-litre and 1.8-litre powerplants, but thanks to the car’s low weight of just 1,010kgs – little more than a Lotus Elise – it ensured a lively drive.
E30 BMW 3 Series – 1983 to 1990
Bigger, better and with more BHP – the second generation BMW 3 Series picked up the baton and sprinted off the radar.
The new 3 was lighter than its predecessor, but featured more interior space and a range of more powerful engines, including the range-topping BMW 325i.
E21 BMW 3 Series – 1976 to 1982
And so the car which redefined the compact saloon segment is born.
The early BMW 3 Series models had 1.6-litre and 1.8-litre powerplants, but thanks to the car’s low weight of just 1,010kgs – little more than a Lotus Elise – it ensured a lively drive.
The BMW 320i was the ‘halo’ launch model and featured a four-cylinder engine delivering 125bhp, coupled to independent suspension which began the 3 Series’ legendary handling attributes.
E30 BMW 3 Series – 1983 to 1990
Bigger, better and with more BHP – the second generation BMW 3 Series picked up the baton and sprinted off the radar.
The new 3 was lighter than its predecessor, but featured more interior space and a range of more powerful engines, including the range-topping BMW 325i.
E36 BMW 3 Series – 1990 to 1998
The third-generation BMW 3 Series – codenamed ‘E36’ – was another massive seller for the Munich-based carmaker.
The car’s design saw huge improvements in engineering and chassis development, with BMW showcasing the newest incarnation of its famous ‘Z’ rear-axle setup.
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