A classy wagon
November 2000
There are those who looked on the previous BMW 3 Series Touring as being designed more for style and comfort than for any serious loadlugging abilities.
The German designers must have taken all this on board for in the latest third generation of their classy wagon they have injected more space, practicality, comfort and enjoyment.
Length is up 45mm, width by 41mm and it is 18mm higher than its predecessor – with nearly an inch more headroom than in the rear of the saloon. Reshaped from the front pillars back the rear doors have been squared off at the top edges and the roof line tracks are straight and flat to the tailgate.
There is now more head and kneeroom, a larger load capacity, seats up or down, and a wider boot floor. Which now does a fine job of taking care of family-sized cargo.
The perfectly flat load bay is wider – by four inches – and longer adding 2.3cu.ft. It pushes up capacity to 15.2 cu.ft. - 47.1 cu.ft. with the 60/40 split rear bench down. Lashing hooks and straps keep things in place and there are two concealed underfloor compartments. There’s a roll cover for luggage, a dividing net and, on top, roof rails.
The rear window lifts up independently of the easy to raise electrically-operated hatch door, which opens more than 10cms wider than before.
Inside the the cockpit area is identical to the saloon with clear, clean cut and quality dash and driver’s and front passenger’s seats.
The interior is bright and fresh, quiet and relaxing with plenty of room for five full-size adults.
The long list of standard equipment includes front, head and side airbags for driver and front passenger, antilock braking, auto stability control and traction, cornering brake control, car key with memory, centre locking including crash sensor auto unlocking and alarm, check control, electric front windows with anti-trap, ‘follow me home’ light function, overhead dash illumination, rear anti-roll bar, rear wash/wipe and steering wheel adjustment for height and reach.
POWER: The refined four-cylinder l.9 litre power unit develops 118bhp at 5,500rpm and maximum torque of 133 lb. ft. at 3,900rpm for a decently brisk performance – 0 to 62mph in 10.9 seconds and a top speed of 126mph. I returned an average 31mpg.
The Touring has kept the saloon’s brilliant rear drive chassis although it has been uprated to handle heavier loads. Body control is as good as the saloon and grip is superb. A delight.
The German designers must have taken all this on board for in the latest third generation of their classy wagon they have injected more space, practicality, comfort and enjoyment.
Length is up 45mm, width by 41mm and it is 18mm higher than its predecessor – with nearly an inch more headroom than in the rear of the saloon. Reshaped from the front pillars back the rear doors have been squared off at the top edges and the roof line tracks are straight and flat to the tailgate.
There is now more head and kneeroom, a larger load capacity, seats up or down, and a wider boot floor. Which now does a fine job of taking care of family-sized cargo.
The perfectly flat load bay is wider – by four inches – and longer adding 2.3cu.ft. It pushes up capacity to 15.2 cu.ft. - 47.1 cu.ft. with the 60/40 split rear bench down. Lashing hooks and straps keep things in place and there are two concealed underfloor compartments. There’s a roll cover for luggage, a dividing net and, on top, roof rails.
The rear window lifts up independently of the easy to raise electrically-operated hatch door, which opens more than 10cms wider than before.
Inside the the cockpit area is identical to the saloon with clear, clean cut and quality dash and driver’s and front passenger’s seats.
The interior is bright and fresh, quiet and relaxing with plenty of room for five full-size adults.
The long list of standard equipment includes front, head and side airbags for driver and front passenger, antilock braking, auto stability control and traction, cornering brake control, car key with memory, centre locking including crash sensor auto unlocking and alarm, check control, electric front windows with anti-trap, ‘follow me home’ light function, overhead dash illumination, rear anti-roll bar, rear wash/wipe and steering wheel adjustment for height and reach.
POWER: The refined four-cylinder l.9 litre power unit develops 118bhp at 5,500rpm and maximum torque of 133 lb. ft. at 3,900rpm for a decently brisk performance – 0 to 62mph in 10.9 seconds and a top speed of 126mph. I returned an average 31mpg.
The Touring has kept the saloon’s brilliant rear drive chassis although it has been uprated to handle heavier loads. Body control is as good as the saloon and grip is superb. A delight.