Error parsing XSLT file: \xslt\FacebookOpenGraph.xslt Our Fleet Test Drive: BMW 330d Touring Luxury Auto - Final Report
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Our Fleet Test Drive: BMW 330d Touring Luxury Auto - Final Report

Date: 22 January 2014   |   Author:

A 0-62mph time that matches a Porsche Boxster but combined with sensible estate car practicality and figures of 135g/km and 55.4mpg - our BMW 330d Touring is already being sorely missed because it's an incredible piece of kit.

 Although those performance and efficiency figures obviously can't be achieved at the same time, it's a car to suit any mood or circumstance.

The powered tailgate and separately hinged window section [1]  - both standard fit on all 3-series Tourings - made for a clever load area that was comfortable as family transport.

But when wife and child were safely at home, BMW's peerless driving experience is still there in abundance, and the 258hp 3.0-litre diesel, mated to the impeccable eight-speed automatic 'box [2], is an unbeatable combination.

We averaged a perfectly acceptable 44.1mpg, only once failing to break 40mpg for a tank, and achieved a high of 47.0mpg that I'll confess would have been better if I had driven with more eco-awareness.

But I'd just spent six months in a 320d Efficient Dynamics saloon, averaging 55.3mpg, so tended to enjoy the extra performance of the 330d. Interestingly, we ran a 330d saloon in 2009 that averaged 39.9mpg, so despite the estate being heavier, things have progressed to the tone of more than 4mpg, or about 10%.

Coming straight from the launch fleet, our car was specced up to the nines with £11,000 of options, on top of the £37,355 P11D price. I'd have missed the head-up display, front sliding armrest, sports seats and in particular the expensive £1995 BMW Professional multimedia package comprising Bluetooth, navigation and BMW Assist, although they are all technologies you could live without.

Much of the other options were things that enhanced the car's appeal, but not enough to justify shelling out for the price of the option and again on the BIK bill.

The multimedia pack also allowed me to get to grips with BMW's new Connected app, which popped up as a nice surprise when I plugged my phone into the USB socket halfway through the car's time with us.

Previously, it hadn't been able to play music from an iPhone 5, but one morning the system detected that the new app [3] was available and asked whether I would like to download it. Suddenly everything from playing music through to recording the most recent mileage - handy for those using fuel cards in particular - as well as other features including eco driving analysis, web radio player and navigating from the car to a destination on foot became available.

All are very useful. Which kind of epitomises the car as a whole: impressive, useful and performing above expectations, however high they are.

BMW 330d Touring Luxury
 
P11D price (without options) £37,355
Price range £23,185-£39,550
Depreciation cost £23,247
Fuel cost £6843
SMR cost £2645
VED £375
National Insurance £3608
Insurance £5115
C02 (tax) 135g/km (22%)
BIK?@?20/40% per month £137/£274

Verdict


  • Performance, economy, boot flexibility
  • Standard kit could be better

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