2003 BMW 3 Series 320i review from UK and Ireland

No faults.

Great car to drive with superb quality interior and first class driving position.

Engine is very sweet, but lacks torque. Can be made to go pretty hard, but you have to really wring its neck. It really perks up over 5,000 RPM if you do so. That said, the car is not much quicker than my previous IS200 which is a mite irritating when Lexus were continuously panned for the IS being underpowered, and BMW are not for the 320i. It is quicker than the Lexus on paper, but doesn't feel it particularly on the road. Fuel economy plummets if you work it hard too, although it averages 32 mpg day to day.

Great handling and stacks of grip. Steering is a bit light. Superb traction when accelerating hard and a good, if slightly firm ride. Very thoroughly developed drivers car which is far more of a drivers car than the Audi A4 or Mercedes C-class which I test drove thoroughly at the time of purchase.

Dealer service is first class, but you pay for it. It's a great touch to get someone showing you the old parts and explaining why they changed them when you collect the car. The car is returned gleaming every time, and the work asked for is always completed to the letter. Not much to ask you might think, but we also have a (superb) Ford Focus as well, and Ford dealers cannot manage anything like it.

The BMW is wearing its miles well. Nothing squeaks or rattles, and there isn't a hint of wear and tear anywhere. Half an hour with a vacuum cleaner, a duster and some matt Armor All on a Sunday morning brings the interior up like new. Fantastic car overall. Just wish they weren't quite so common. I think I'll go for a 330 next time though - lots more grunt and similar economy.