18/04/2012 Richard Hammond’s top five motors

In yesterday’s Daily Mirror, Top Gear star Richard Hammond hand-picked his current top five motors. We’ve cut out a bit of waffle to take you through his top five picks.. more

13/04/2012 Up, Up and Away!

The Volkswagen Up has been named the 2012 World Car of the Year at a press conference hosted by Bridgestone Corporation and the New York International AutoShow. more

03/06/2009 BMW 3-Series claims fleet award

The strengths that the BMW 3-Series offers to fleet drivers in particular has been rewarded by the range being given an award.

BMW’s biggest-selling model range picked up the Best Fleet Car 2009 accolade at the Fleet World Honours, with judges analysing which vehicles offer the highest levels of excellence.

Journalists and industry experts are in charge of making the big decisions, with areas including residual values, reliability and maintenance costs playing pivotal roles in the decisions made.

George Emmerson, chairman of the judges, said: "The BMW 3-Series was a unanimous choice for Best Fleet Car.

"Many fleet drivers will see the BMW badge as reason enough to request a 3-Series, but fleet managers will also be aware that running costs and specifications are as good and often better than many of its competitors."

In a review of the BMW 3-Series Saloon, What Car? highlighted that the vehicle is packed with safety equipment, while having a superb engine line-up and offering a firm controlled ride on the road.

30/04/2009 BMW 3-Series is a ‘killer driving machine’

Motorists who purchase a BMW 3-Series model are getting a vehicle that is a compact luxury car that doubles as a "killer driving machine", according to one reviewer.

Writing for Trusted Reviews, Jeremy Laird reveals that motorists on the lookout for a thrill behind the wheel should ensure that the 3-Series is their "weapon of choice".

He remarks that this is due to BMW’s attention to detail in departments including weight distribution, while also ensuring that all elements of the car are "in the right place".

Mr Laird received a BMW 330d as his test car and indicated that the steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters helped to give the car a "modern vibe", while the single-turbo diesel engine offers 245 brake horsepower.

Meanwhile, those opting for the M Sport trim option will see the inside of the car kitted out with leather, while on the outside they can witness bigger bumpers and electric seats.

The BMW 330d generates CO2 emissions of 152g/km, while being able to accelerate from still to 62 miles per hour in 6.1 seconds.

17/04/2009 BMW 3-Series benefits from great engineering

The "level of engineering" put into vehicles in the BMW 3-Series range is what helps mark the cars as something special, according to one reviewer.

Writing for Fleet News, John Maslen made the comment after taking a road test in the BMW 320d Touring SE.

He remarks that the 2.0-litre diesel engine is a stand-out feature of the car as it helps to combine "smooth power delivery with remarkable frugality".

Furthermore, Mr Maslen reveals that despite being a car with a fairly large engine, motorists can still benefit from a combined fuel economy of 57.6 miles to the gallon, while only generating 130g/km of CO2.

Finally, he touched on the benefits of the stop & start technology that is fitted as standard and improves the vehicle’s green credentials by automatically turning off the engine when the car is in a static position.

The engine then turns itself back on when a driver presses down the clutch in preparation to move away again.

Motorists looking for some rapid acceleration can also reach 62 miles per hour from still in 8.1 seconds.

16/04/2009 BMW 3-Series fans to be given increased performance

Improved performance is to be available from the BMW 3-Series offerings from the spring as a result of the development of a new range.

A new BMW Performance range helps to boost the engine of the vehicles in a number of ways, allowing motorists to benefit from greater power.

Power is to be enhanced through an engine upgrade increasing brake horsepower by 20hp to 326hp.

Meanwhile, an air intake system can be developed for all six-cylinder petrol units to boost engine output and "engine breathing" is advanced through a filter insert and internal air ducting.

Vented brake discs will also help drivers contain their power, while chassis rigidity is enhanced through the inclusion of a carbon fibre strut brace between the front suspension turrets.

According to BMW, the range is "aimed at customers who want to enhance the driving dynamics of the class-leading 3 Series further".

Motorists looking for the most power may wish to consider the BMW 335d SE, which can accelerate from still to 62 miles per hour in six seconds.

27/03/2009 BMW 3-Series continues to “ooze class”

Despite the previous generation of the BMW 3-Series already being "very good", the latest offering is an "improved" model, according to one reviewer.

Writing for the Ayrshire Post, Peter Keenan has stated that the BMW 318i SE has undergone some minor adjustments in a bid to keep it one step ahead of the competition.

For the most part, according to Mr Keenan, BMW has adopted the "if it ain’t broke don’t fix it" principle, although some minor alterations are noted.

These include new front and rear LED indicators, a new bumper, bootlid and changes to the position of the electric window switches on the driver’s side, following customer feedback.

However, on the road, the class of the BMW still shines through, Mr Keenan argued, as BMW wisely opted not to make changes to the vehicle’s driving dynamics.

Overall, Mr Keenan remarked that the BMW 318i still "oozes class" and the developments to the model have only helped to enhance this further.

The vehicle is also able to accelerate from still to 62 miles per hour in 9.1 seconds.

24/03/2009 BMW 3-Series has a “workhorse” of a diesel engine

"Nobody does diesel like BMW" and this theory is confirmed thanks to a new addition to the BMW 3-Series range, it has been stated.

Erin Baker has highlighted in the Telegraph that the diesel engine in the BMW 330D is a "glorious workhorse" that is "perfectly suited to the car".

Another feature of the 3.0-litre engine is that it allows motorists to accelerate to 60 miles per hour from standstill in 6.1 seconds, while generating only 152g/km of CO2.

Meanwhile, Ms Baker indicates that when a motorist is accelerating out of a corner in a 3-Series they will witness the "back wheels tracking the front ones beautifully".

She added that "there’s no saloon out there quite like a 3-Series" and one thing that a motorist should not do is forget to tick the box saying they want the vehicle with a diesel engine.

Jeremy Clarkson highlighted in his review of the BMW 330d M Sport in the Times that the vehicle provided a driver with the rare combination of a firm and comfortable ride.

06/03/2009 Used BMW 3-Series sees fall in trade value

Motorists looking to get their hands on a used BMW 3-Series could currently purchase a vehicle at unprecedented low prices, it has been revealed.

According to EurotaxGlass’s Glass’s Guide, one-year-old prestige drop-top vehicles are witnessing price drops of up to 24 per cent, when compared with their cost in March last year.

The guide found that a BMW 330i M-Sport Convertible that had completed 12,000 miles would have been worth around £36,000 last March.

However, this figure has currently dropped by 23 per cent, meaning that a fan could now purchase a vehicle in the fleet for £27,775.

Richard Crosthwaite, prestige car editor at Glass’s, said: "Values of prestige roadsters and cabriolets have traditionally outperformed those of most other segments, but latterly they have been hit hard by the decline in consumer spending."

He added that the vehicles are widely regarded as "luxury items" with trade values falling as a result of low demand and high supply.

A review of the above mentioned BMW by Channel Four stated that drivers would benefit from "exceptional refinement" and "build integrity".

06/03/2009 Lily forced to sell her used BMW 3-Series

The used BMW 3-Series that belonged to Lily Allen has now got a new owner after the singer has had to sell the vehicle because she has no money.

Allen has held the credit crunch responsible for the need to get rid of her £35,000 BMW 320 convertible, a vehicle that she only bought last year.

The musician, who recently topped the charts with The Fear and whose album ‘It’s Not Me, It’s You’ also made it to number one, said: "I just had to sell my car because I’m so broke.

"I bought a car last year and that was probably my biggest extravagance. I’m completely skint. I can’t even spend on credit cards."

Allen is also known to be a big clothes shopping fan, while she also recently invested in a beach in Jamaica.

What Car? has previously written a review on the BMW 3-Series convertible and concluded with "it’s remarkable how well it drives, how well it looks, and how well it’s built".

The review also commented upon the vehicle’s impressive speed, quality and reliability.