Test series “Autoquartett”: This BMW 3 Series is a car for green voters

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This BMW 3 Series is a car for green voters

Test series “Autoquartett”: This BMW 3 Series is a car for green voters-green

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At 4.62 meters, the new 3 Series Touring is just as long as the sedan. The typical, almost horizontal BMW side line is even more noticeable on the station wagon, the rear windows…ules are pleasantly filigree.

Source: BMW

Test series “Autoquartett”: This BMW 3 Series is a car for green voters-green

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Otherwise nothing has been added to the 3-series design – except for the roof rails, which, strangely enough, are not available as standard, but instead for an extra 230 or 350 euros, depending on the version.… Easily earned extra money for BMW, because almost everyone takes the railing for the station wagon.

Source: BMW

Test series “Autoquartett”: This BMW 3 Series is a car for green voters-this

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It cannot be seen from the outside at first glance, but the rear window of the Touring can be opened separately. BMW says this option makes high demands on the Ka…rosseriebau, which is why only a few other manufacturers offer such rear windows.

Source: BMW

Test series “Autoquartett”: This BMW 3 Series is a car for green voters-green

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Modern-Line touring interior (plus 1900 euros). The trim strips made of polished aluminum cost a further 190 euros, leather seats are available in the Modern Line package for 1210 …Euro.

Source: BMW

Test series “Autoquartett”: This BMW 3 Series is a car for green voters-green

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We commit ourselves: The automatic selector lever from BMW is the most beautiful of all, it should be exhibited in the Museum of Modern Art. To the left is the driving experience switch, with the ma…n can adjust the engine characteristics between sporty and economical.

Source: BMW

Test series “Autoquartett”: This BMW 3 Series is a car for green voters-this

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On the left below the steering wheel there are three buttons with which you can switch the driving safety electronics on or off: Monitoring the blind spot (left, 560 euros), collision warning (M…middle, 1550 euros, part of the radar cruise control), lane departure warning (520 euros).

Source: BMW

Test series “Autoquartett”: This BMW 3 Series is a car for green voters-this

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Welcome to the BMW 3 Series Touring. If you want to enjoy the best light show when you open the doors (including lamps in the footwell and lighting the floor in front of the doors), you pay …250 euros extra for the lighting package.

Source: BMW

Test series “Autoquartett”: This BMW 3 Series is a car for green voters-green

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The entire rear seat bench in the BMW 3 Series Touring cannot be folded down, but the backrest is divided into three segments as standard.

Source: BMW

Test series “Autoquartett”: This BMW 3 Series is a car for green voters-green

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40:20:40 is the width ratio of the individual parts of the backrest. If you only fold the middle part forward, long objects can be loaded from the trunk, and the like…nd two passengers can still sit comfortably in the back.

Source: BMW

Test series “Autoquartett”: This BMW 3 Series is a car for green voters-test

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As with so many station wagons, the following applies: A level loading floor cannot be achieved.

Source: BMW

Test series “Autoquartett”: This BMW 3 Series is a car for green voters-series

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The rear of the BMW 3 Series Touring is extremely convenient: it opens…

Source: BMW

Test series “Autoquartett”: This BMW 3 Series is a car for green voters-autoquartett

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… as standard at the push of a button. For an additional payment of 570 euros, there is not only keyless access to the car, but you also get a special sensor under the rear bumper…longer. If you move your foot there, the tailgate opens automatically.

Source: BMW

Test series “Autoquartett”: This BMW 3 Series is a car for green voters-this

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A special feature is the separately opening rear window, which is available at no extra charge. Small luggage can be stowed more quickly through the window and is suitable when the load space is full …the extra hatch is great for replenishing.

Source: BMW

With its economical diesel engine, the BMW 320d Touring is both bourgeois and eco-friendly. Therefore, it suits everyone who is interested in green politics – just not the party’s tax plans.

TThis car is yours, I have to say that. It not only takes people with taste and a certain sense of responsibility to drive a BMW 320d Touring, you also have to be able to afford this pleasure. The car costs at least 37,400 euros, and if, like the test car, it is equipped with an automatic system, then it gently scratches the 40,000 mark.

Despite the good standard equipment, you can take this hurdle with a relaxed swing because there are still so many attractive extras to order. To make a decision here: an annual income of 60,000 euros and more does not hurt if you want to finance such a BMW.

So it is precisely the people who have the Greens in their sights with their tax plans who belong to the target group of this car.

A 320d is nothing for the BMW cliche

At the same time, many of them are likely to have a certain interest in the political goals of the eco party: sustainability, careful use of resources – whoever drives a 320d Touring is not necessarily a cliched BMW bully who has his right foot on the floor pan and the left middle finger on the headlight flasher makes the motorways unsafe.

BMW may still have a more sporty image (and the cars may still look more aggressive than good), but the manufacturer from Munich has been on a different mission for a long time: the cars should drive economically and still be fun.

There is a contradiction inherent in these goals that all automakers are trying to resolve today. Many succeed at least as far as they can publish outstandingly low standard consumption values.

BMW does not spoil it either and gives an average consumption of 4.6 liters per 100 kilometers for its 184 hp mid-range station wagon. That sounds pretty good and, as usual, cannot be maintained in everyday driving practice.

The gear lever is worth an extra charge

But 6.2 liters are in it, and if you keep in mind that you are not rattling over the asphalt with a crappy renunciation mobile, but moving a touring, family and representative carriage of the very highest quality, then this real consumption is worthy of all honor.

The four-cylinder hums quietly to itself, despite the diesel principle, you can happily rev it up (then the 6.2 liters are of course quickly worn out again), but actually it is made to use its concentrated power of 380 Newton meters of torque at provocatively low engine speeds.

In cooperation with the eight-speed automatic, this works extremely well, and although this automatic assignment of the appropriate gear ratio is actually not BMW-compliant, it can still be enjoyed: it doesn’t jerk or twitch when shifting, and the cool selector lever on the center console alone is already there almost worth the money.

You can have more at BMW, more is practically always possible in the premium world. You can have a 325d with 218 hp (from 40,600 euros) and a 330d with 258 hp (46,500 euros, automatic as standard).

You drive more easily with electronics

But if the budget is so big, why not think about a little bit of equipment? Because everything that everyone is always talking about, all the electronic systems to prevent accidents – all of this costs an extra charge.

Adaptive cruise control: 1100 euros, tightening the seat belts and closing the windows in the event of an impending accident: 350 euros, lane departure warning and blind spot alarm each 560 euros.

You can talk about whether you have to have all of this, but at least for frequent drivers, the functions mentioned are no nonsense, but a welcome safety net against small inattentions.

You drive more smoothly with the electronics on board, but you shouldn’t make the mistake of being carefree. A difficult consideration, of course – but the BMW owner without assistance systems is not even able to think about it.

Tailgate with electric motor

If you look at the 320d Touring from the practical side, which is desirable in a station wagon, it actually only has one disadvantage: the cargo area is designed much too elegantly.

Especially with light-colored interiors, it is difficult to transport any kind of freight, and it is very doubtful whether you will ever see a BMW driver disposing of garden rubbish.

On the other hand, the cargo hold of the 3 Series Touring is excellently equipped for its tasks. The tailgate opens and closes electrically as standard, and if you pay an additional 570 euros, it does so as soon as you wave your foot under the rear bumper.

It looks weird, but it’s extremely practical when you’re lifting a sack of leaves with both arms and the key is deep in your pocket.

Luggage compartment cover is out of the way

It is pleasant to only open the rear window separately to stow smaller luggage. Unlocking also works electrically here, you then have to fold the window up by hand, but it is not difficult.

When the window and the entire flap are opened, the luggage compartment cover is automatically raised so that it is not in the way when loading. If it still bothers you, it can be removed with a flick of the wrist, the rear seat backrests (which can be folded down individually at a ratio of 40:20:40, as is customary with BMW) can be folded forwards with one movement from the trunk.

And if you have ordered the recommended Comfort package (990 euros), you will receive, among other things, aluminum rails on the floor, to which slippery luggage can be easily attached.

All in all, an excellent car – if you can still afford it in the case of green government participation.

"world"-Reporter Stefan Anker regularly tweeted spontaneous car news and observations from everyday driving and testing. He’s happy when you’re here click and follow him. Check out his blog too or on his Facebook page past.

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