BMW 3 Series Touring (2012-2019) Review

The BMW 3 Series Touring isn’t the cheapest or most practical car in its class, but we suspect it’s the one you want. We’d argue that it looks more stylish than the 3 Series saloon, with a classy and upmarket look that isn’t too dissimilar to the larger 5 Series Touring.

Thanks to BMW’s famed rear-wheel-drive handling, it’s also brilliant to drive, although four-wheel-drive is available if you’re after some all-weather reassurance.

Inside, the 3 Series Touring boasts a high-class cabin, with a range of options on offer if you’re prepared to dig deep. That’s one of our criticisms of the 3 Series Touring, because some of the must-have features can add a wedge of cash to the otherwise affordable list prices.

Not that this will concern you when buying used. Decide on the engine, spec and colour you desire, then select from the many examples available on the second-hand market. Put simply, this is one of the best all-rounders you can buy.

We’d be tempted to opt for the ubiquitous BMW 320d. The four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine delivers a terrific blend of performance and economy, with 190PS and 400Nm of torque on tap. This is enough to deliver a 0-62mph time as low as 7.2 seconds, with a top speed in excess of 140mph.

If you’re more interested in fuel economy, the EfficientDynamics (ED) tech introduced in 2015 is hard to ignore. Although the power drops to 163PS, you get the same amount of torque from the 320d ED, with only a marginal penalty in terms of performance. Crucially, up to 74.3mpg is available.

With our sensible hat on, we’d say that the BMW 3 Series Touring SE with a few tasty upgrades is arguably all the 3 Series Touring you could ever need. Having mislaid our sensible hat, we’d suggest going for the M Sport, but we’d resist the temptation to upgrade to 19-inch rims.

The Audi A4 Avant and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate are the two most obvious rivals. Each one offers similar levels of German build quality, although we’d argue the A4 boasts a higher-quality cabin and the C-Class feels more luxurious. Neither car can rival the 3 Series Touring in terms of driver appeal.

There are other challengers, many of which offer better value for money. The Mazda 6 Tourer is just as stylish and almost as good to drive, the Ford Mondeo Estate is a terrific all-rounder, while the Volvo V60 is safer and, in the case of the current version, comes with a delightful cabin.

Predictably, the quality and finish are pretty high. Although the 3 Series Touring isn’t quite up to the standards of the Audi A4 Avant and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, it comes very close to the stellar standards set by its rivals.

There’s a timeless quality to BMW dashboards, with the rotary dials turning with the reassurance of a combination lock and the buttons and switches managing to feel solid yet deft. The soft-touch plastics on the dashboard and doors feel upmarket, although some of the materials in the lower part of the cabin are a little cheap.

It’s not difficult to add a touch of class. Lower trim levels get a sophisticated satin silver trim running along the lower half of the dashboard and the centre console. Upgrades include gloss black, aluminium, pearl chrome and coral red. Each one feels upmarket and classy.

Although all versions get a multi-function steering wheel, it’s not leather-trimmed on the basic 3 Series Touring. You also need to progress from entry-level to get sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors, ambient lighting and BMW door sill finishers. Small details that add up to rather a lot.

All versions of the BMW 3 Series Touring get a 6.5-inch colour display perched atop the dashboard. Unlike a touchscreen, it’s controlled using the rotary iDrive controller, which is located on the centre console between the front seats.

In standard form, the BMW Navigation System features satellite navigation with multiple map views and 3D city models, along with DAB digital radio and settings for the car. It’s easy to use on the move, aided by the iDrive controller and a clear display.

Some models will feature the upgraded Professional Multimedia system, which includes an 8.8-inch widescreen display, a USB interface and automatic updates. There’s a definite wow-factor associated with the 8.8-inch version, with the widescreen doing a great job of filling the space.

Other options included an online entertainment system providing access to millions of songs, enhanced Bluetooth preparation with voice control, and a Harman Kardon premium audio upgrade. These were expensive options when new, so finding them on a used 3 Series Touring will be a bonus.

Later versions could also be equipped with a Digital Cockpit, which replaced the traditional dials with a 10.25-inch display. It mimics the analogue dials but provides a greater degree of customisation. Apple CarPlay was also an option on later models.

The BMW 3 Series Touring doesn’t offer the largest boot in its class – the Volkswagen Passat estate, for example, is more practical – but a 495-litre boot is reasonable for a car of this size.

This increases to 1500 litres with the rear seats folded down, but although the 40/20/40-split folding bench is practical, it doesn’t fold entirely flat. Space is also restricted by the rear wheelarches, which might pose a few problems if you’re trying to load bulky furniture into the boot.

There’s also a small lip at the back, but the independently opening window means that it’s possible to load smaller items without lifting the tailgate. Speaking of which, all models get an electric tailgate, while the optional Comfort Access enables contactless opening of the boot lid via a sensor beneath the bumper. Simply wave your foot to open it.

Other handy features include storage nets in the boot, tie-down hooks on the floor, bag hooks on the side and a folding floor dividing mechanism.

There’s room for two adults along the rear seats, with plenty of headroom and legroom on offer. However, the middle seat is only suitable for occasional use, with the transmission tunnel restricting the amount of legroom. A central rear armrest is standard across the range – this is a better use of the middle space.

In the front, there’s a large glovebox, good size door pockets, a storage area for your smartphone at the bottom of the centre console, two cupholders and a large central storage bin. 

Look out for cars with the optional extended storage kit. This comprises a range of practical compartments and 12v power sockets in both the rear centre console and luggage compartment.

If you’re after more boot space, the BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo could be worth a look. However, the Touring’s roof height and length make it the most practical option if you want to fit a roof rack or carry bikes. We’re sure your dog would prefer the estate…

The BMW 3 Series Touring dimensions are 4624mm in length, 2031mm width and 1429mm height.

The BMW 3 Series Touring is powered by a wide range of engines, from fuel-sipping four-cylinder diesels to a snarling six-cylinder petrol. If you can’t find an engine to suit you, you’re not looking hard enough.

We’d suggest buying one of the revamped 3 Series Touring models on sale from July 2015. Not only did the car receive a subtle styling update, but BMW also introduced a range of new engines, including the EfficientDynamics family.

The diesel engines offer a terrific blend of performance and economy. Take the BMW 330d Touring, which happens to have one of our favourite diesel engines. The six-cylinder diesel offers 258PS and a mighty 560Nm of torque to deliver a 0-62mph time of 5.6 seconds and a top speed of 155mph.

Alternatively, the BMW 335d Touring packs 313PS and 630Nm of punch, reducing the 0-62mph time to 4.8 seconds. The 335i and 340i six-cylinder petrol engines offer a similar level of performance, albeit without the fuel economy. Both cars can sprint to 62mph in a little over five seconds.

Back in the real world, the BMW 316d engine is best avoided, but the 318d and 320d offer enough performance if you spend most of your time on the motorway. The 190PS 320d will complete the 0-62mph sprint in a respectable 7.2 seconds, but it’s the mid-range punch that’s most impressive.

The efficient BMW 318i Touring petrol is worth a look if you don’t fancy a diesel. It uses the same three-cylinder engine you’ll find in the likes of the Mini hatchback and BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, and it does a surprisingly good job of powering a large estate car. The four-cylinder 320i and 330i petrol engines complete the range.

Predictably, the BMW 3 Series Touring offers a masterclass in refinement and noise levels. The cabin is whisper-quiet on the move, with only the merest hint of wind noise when you reach motorway speeds.

For maximum refinement, opt for the eight-speed automatic transmission. Although it takes a small chunk out of the fuel economy – and the six-speed manual gearbox is more satisfying – the auto ’box offers seamless changes and smooth acceleration. The manual gearbox remains the default choice for keen drivers, mind.

It’s not all good news. The diesel engines, while impressive, are a little coarse under acceleration and tend to idle like a taxi. Things improved when BMW updated the engines in 2015, but they’re not perfect.

It’s also worth noting that the 318i model, introduced as the entry-level petrol variant in 2015, is a three-cylinder unit. While that might be fine in the Mini hatchback, it feels a little out of place in the 3 Series Touring. It’s noisy when pushed hard, with some vibration transmitted into the cabin.

Oh, and the stop-start system in the 3 Series isn’t up to class-leading standards. The car shakes when the engine stops and starts again. Not good.

The BMW 3 Series saloon was awarded a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating when it was crash-tested in 2012. The individual scores were impressive: 95% for adult occupant protection, 84% for child occupant protection, 78% for pedestrian safety, and 86% for safety assist systems.

Although the 3 Series Touring offers the usual array of safety equipment as standard, you have to pay extra for many of the systems. For example, the Active Safety package, comprising anti-dazzle exterior mirrors, lane changing warning, dynamic safety and driving assistant, was a costly option.

Alternatively, the driving assistant was available as a cheaper option. The kit comprises city collision mitigation, forward collision mitigation, forward collision warning, lane departure warning and preventive pedestrian detection.

Even the likes of a speed limit display and active cruise control were optional on all models, while the automatic high beam was optional on all but the most expensive models.

In fairness, many of the items mentioned are designed to keep you out of trouble, rather than to keep you safe should the worst happen. It just proves how far safety technology has progressed in a decade.

The BMW 3 Series scored a somewhat disappointing 8.91 out of 10 for reliability in the HonestJohn.co.uk Satisfaction Survey, which is lower than several other BMW offerings and lower than its key German rivals.

Also BMW as a brand came 20th out of 30 manufactures overall, which is no doubt lower than BMW was aiming for. That's still one place above Audi, but much lower than 13th-placed Mercedes-Benz.

The BMW 3 Series Touring isn’t a cheap car to insure, so you’ll need to factor this into your budget calculations when searching for a used example. Take the 335d xDrive in Luxury or M Sport trim. An insurance group rating of 43 puts it on a par with some seriously quick performance vehicles and sports cars, so cover will be expensive.

If you don’t want to pay over the odds for insurance, your best option is the 316d, as some versions slot into group 18. If the prospect of ‘slumming it’ in a 316d doesn’t appeal to you, the 318d and 320d are likely to be your best options.

The rate of Vehicle Excise Duty (VED, or road tax) for all BMW 3 Series Touring models registered on or after 1 April 2017 is £165 a year. This is regardless of the engine size or CO2 emissions.

There are different VED bands for BMW 3 Series Touring models registered on or before 31 March 2017. For example, the rate of VED for a 2016 320d EfficientDynamics could be as low as £20 or £30 a year. In most cases, the automatic transmission tends to mean a higher rate of tax. Buy a 2014 335i M Sport and you’ll pay £355 a year.

The BMW 3 Series Touring ES was the original entry-level trim on the BMW 3 Series Touring. Standard equipment included 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic air conditioning, Bluetooth, BMW Professional radio with a CD player, keyless start, a 6.5-inch colour display, cruise control and an electric tailgate.

For an extra £850, BMW 3 Series Touring SE trim added automatic dual-zone climate control, rear parking sensors, automatic headlights, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, an eight-speed automatic transmission (six-cylinder cars) and metallic paint (six-cylinder cars). The slightly more expensive Efficient Dynamics upgrade offered a slightly tweaked list of features.

Meanwhile, as the name suggests, the BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Business was designed for company car drivers. It featured 16-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery, heated front seats and an upgraded BMW Business media package.

Other trim levels offered during the production run include Sport, Modern, Luxury and M Sport. A lavish M Sport Shadow Edition was offered towards the end of production.