BMW 3 Series Touring vs Mercedes C-Class Estate vs Audi A4 Avant: 2012 group test

The ever-growing glut of crossovers, SUVs and MPVs means that traditional compact family estates are often overlooked. Yet these practical and handsome machines are every bit as family friendly and desirable as their fashionable rivals – especially when they feature a premium badge on the bonnet.

BMW is certainly hoping its all-new 3 Series Touring can make a big splash in this market. The car has a bigger boot and more spacious cabin than its predecessor, and should build on the class-leading success of its saloon brother. As with every BMW, the Touring also aims to be great to drive, well built and cost-effective. We test it in range-topping £37,200 330d Luxury guise.

However, before BMW can start popping the champagne corks, the Touring must face a pair of talented rivals. First up is our current favourite in the upmarket compact estate class: the Mercedes C-Class. It’s spacious, comfortable and beautifully built, and is the latest in a long line of fine Merc estates.

Finally, there’s the facelifted Audi A4 Avant, which promises lower emissions and sharper handling than before. It’s also the only car here with the security of four-wheel drive.

First place: BMW 3 Series Touring

Given the brilliance of the 3 Series saloon, it’s no surprise to find that the new Touring version has jumped straight to the top of the class. The 330d is fast, great to drive, roomy and cost-effective to run – this hugely talented estate is the ultimate all-rounder.

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BMW has a surprisingly long history of compact estate models, with the first 3 Series Touring making its debut 25 years ago. While it has never been the most spacious wagon money can buy, the desirable BMW has always delivered sharp handling, strong straight-line performance and top-notch build quality.

Now, this latest fifth-generation Touring promises to finally match the best in the class for practicality, while retaining the engaging dynamics and classy kerb appeal of its predecessor. So, has it done enough to take the plaudits here?

Well, it certainly looks the part. BMW’s designers have done an excellent job of grafting an upright estate rear end on to the 3 Series saloon. In fact, to our eyes the well proportioned Touring looks even more handsome and upmarket than the slightly mundane four-door version. Our range-topping Luxury test car was given a visual boost courtesy of its eye-catching 18-inch wheels and extra chrome trim.

All versions get BMW’s trademark opening boot glass, which allows you to easily drop small items into the boot, while the Luxury has a powered tailgate, too. With the seats in place, the BMW provides a useful 495-litre carrying capacity, and folding the 40:20:40 rear bench flat liberates 1,500 litres of space – enough to rival the Mercedes C-Class Estate.

Although the 3 Series lacks the Audi’s optional sliding load-securing kit, it does benefit from several securing eyes, shopping bag hooks, a 12v power supply and a handy underfloor storage compartment. There’s also a retractable load cover that automatically lifts out of the way to aid access to the boot.

Elsewhere in the cabin, there’s little to separate our three contenders for practicality. Those sitting in the back of the BMW get a decent amount of head and legroom – although the transmission tunnel means foot space is a little restricted if you’re the middle seat passenger.

Up front, there’s plenty of space to lounge about in, plus loads of seat adjustment to ensure the driver will easily be able to find a comfortable seating position. And as with the 3 Series saloon, interior quality is first rate. All the materials have an upmarket look and feel, while the fit and finish is easily a match for the Audi.

The wraparound dashboard is slickly styled and logically laid out, plus the controls and switches operate with the sort of precision you would expect of a high-end luxury car.

There’s also loads of equipment fitted as standard, including leather upholstery, climate control, rear parking sensors, Bluetooth and USB connectivity.

Unfortunately, some key desirable items like xenon headlamps, satellite navigation and heated seats are relegated to the expensive – and extensive – options list.

Yet while the BMW doesn’t get many of the gadgets you’d expect to find in a £40,000 car, it certainly isn’t short of performance. The smooth 255bhp 3.0-litre straight-six doesn’t have as much torque as the C-Class’ engine, but that didn’t stop the 330d blasting from 0-60mph in just 5.8 seconds – a tenth faster than even the four-wheel-drive Audi. And thanks to a slick eight-speed automatic transmission, the 3 Series extended its advantage in our in-gear tests. Yet what’s really impressive is that this blistering pace is combined with a remarkable 40.4mpg.

As you’d expect, the BMW led the way away from the track, too, where the engaging rear-wheel-drive chassis and beautifully weighted controls make it the keen driver’s choice. Our car also benefitted from the £750 Adaptive Sport Suspension, which allows you to choose Sport+, Sport, Comfort and EcoPro modes.

In the raciest setting, the 3 Series Touring gets sharper, weightier steering, faster throttle response and firmer dampers, while selecting Comfort allows the car to effortlessly smooth out bumpy roads. Yet despite a remarkably supple ride, the refinement suffers as it generates more wind and road noise than the Mercedes.

Still, this is one of the few chinks in the BMW’s armour. It matches the best in the class for space, plus it boasts remarkably low CO2 emissions of 135g/km, strong residuals and a great-value pre-paid servicing pack. Factor in excellent fuel returns and sparkling driving dynamics, and the 3 Series is looking a strong contender for victory.

Second place: Mercedes C-Class Estate

It’s starting to get on a little, but in estate guise the Mercedes C-Class still has a lot to offer. Its boot is roomy and well shaped, while refinement and comfort are both top notch. However, the cabin is starting to feel a little old-fashioned.

Whether in saloon or estate guise, the battle between the Mercedes C-Class and BMW 3 Series has raged for decades. And last time they met as estates, the Mercedes took victory over the old 3 Series.

The question now is whether the C-Class Estate can repeat the feat with the all-new 3 Series Touring. It might be a little old-fashioned to look at, but its elegant proportions still have plenty of car park kudos, especially in the AMG Sport Plus trim tested here. This racy range-topper features a neat bodykit and two-tone 18-inch alloys, xenon headlamps and LED daytime running lights.

Inside, the Mercedes’ age is more apparent. The square, low-set dash is dated compared with the swish designs in the Audi and BMW. And while build quality is generally excellent, a few materials aren’t quite up to scratch. Features like the foot-operated parking brake and single stalk for the lights and wipers don’t take long to get used to, but the BMW’s infotainment screen is bigger and clearer.

The cabin’s cramped feel is more of an issue. There’s less wheel and seat movement, while the shortest wheelbase on test hurts rear legroom, and a large transmission tunnel means the middle seat is cramped.

However, a large, well shaped boot has always been a key advantage for the C-Class estate, and that’s still the case here. A low load lip and load-securing eyelets are also plus points and, although the BMW’s luggage area is 10 litres bigger with the seats up, the C-Class matches it with the rear bench folded.

The Mercedes does without the Touring’s handy opening rear screen, though, and the standard-fit powered tailgate is too slow. With no handles in the boot you can’t fold the seats from the rear, either.

But while the BMW has edged ahead in the boot volume race, there’s no disputing the Mercedes’ advantage under the bonnet. With a whopping 620Nm of torque (more than a C63 AMG), the C350 CDI delivers effortless performance matched to decent refinement.

The 7G-Tronic box works smoothly in auto mode, keeping the CDI engine at its most refined. And while the C350 trailed the 330d at the track (despite delivering 60Nm more torque), all our cars have performance to spare and won’t leave you feeling short-changed.

Unfortunately for Mercedes, the C-Class is the dirtiest model on test. Despite carrying a similar price tag to the BMW, it sits five tax bands higher, making it a costly company car choice. This could be a deal breaker in such a closely matched market, especially as the C-Class isn’t as sharp or engaging in corners as the new 3 Series Touring.

Thanks to standard adaptive dampers, it rides better than the stiff A4 S line. Yet despite its performance and refinement, the Mercedes’ slight shortcomings in space, cost and driver engagement are highlighted by the BMW. So, can it hold on to its crown?

Third place: Audi A4 Avant

A sleek shape and classy cabin give the Audi lots of showroom appeal, while the four-wheel-drive chassis and strong engine make it good to drive. Unfortunately, the boot isn’t as big as its rivals’, while the S line version suffers from a stiff ride.

Few manufacturers can rival Audi’s tradition for producing classy, versatile estates. The brand’s sleek Avant models have been setting the standard for decades with their mix of style, desirability and practicality – and the latest A4 is no exception.

A recent facelift has helped keep the Audi A4 Avant looking fresh, with the revised grille and new-look headlights the most obvious changes. Eye-catching 18-inch alloys and a subtle bodykit are standard on the sporty S line, as are the LED daytime running lights.

As you’d expect, the A4’s cabin is beautifully crafted. It’s not as stylish as the BMW inside, but the fit and finish is first rate. It’s easy to get comfortable, as there’s plenty of seat and steering wheel adjustment, while standard kit includes leather, Bluetooth and a 10-speaker stereo – although an iPod connection is £255.

There’s little to separate our trio for cabin space, but passengers in the Audi’s rear get a bit more head and legroom than in the Mercedes. With the rear seats in place, the A4’s 490-litre carrying capacity is only five litres down on the BMW. However, once its 60:40 rear bench is folded, the Audi’s 1,430-litre load area is 70 litres shy of the 3 Series’.

Still, the boot is well shaped, with a low loading lip, plus there are lots of handy shopping bag hooks, a 12v power socket and extra underfloor storage.

Our test car was also fitted with the optional load area fixing kit, which features a telescopic load fixing bar and belt that slot into rails in the boot floor. The set-up costs £155, but it’s well worth the extra outlay.

Elsewhere in the cabin, there’s plenty of family friendly storage, including the deep door bins, cavernous glovebox and lidded cubby between the front seats.

Just like the BMW, the Audi serves up equal measures of practicality and performance. Its 242bhp 3.0-litre V6 diesel is the least powerful here, but the four-wheel-drive traction and a seven-speed gearbox meant the A4 needed just 5.9 seconds to sprint from 0-60mph.

The Avant feels equally responsive in-gear, although the dual-clutch gearbox isn’t as smooth as the 3 Series’ eight-speed auto.

Away from the track, the Audi is poised and planted in corners, its quattro all-wheel drive providing plenty of grip. However, the direct steering doesn’t seem as natural and well weighted as the BMW’s, while the suspension thuds into potholes and fidgets on motorways – the supple C-Class is a more comfortable companion. Still, the Audi’s cabin is well insulated from wind and road noise.

The car’s Achilles heel is its high price and running costs. At £38,395, it’s the most expensive of our trio, while its residuals of 39.7 per cent are the weakest. Factor in high servicing costs and less-than-brilliant fuel economy, and the A4 faces an uphill battle.

Verdict

On paper, these three desirable estates are evenly matched. It doesn’t take long with a tape measure and calculator to realise that each has been carefully benchmarked against the other. Yet in the final reckoning, the BMW takes a surprisingly comfortable victory.

While it’s barely any bigger than the Mercedes or Audi, the 3 Series is faster and sharper to drive, plus it uses much less fuel, is cheaper to tax and costs less to service.

Factor in desirable details such as the separate-opening glass tailgate, and the Touring takes a well deserved win.

Separating the Audi and Mercedes is tougher. The A4 is more engaging and boasts a brilliant four-wheel-drive system, but it also has a smaller boot and is hobbled by a firm ride – and when it comes to family friendly estates, hardcore driving dynamics should take a back seat to comfort. As a result, the refined and roomy Mercedes edges into second place.

Yet both have to give best to the BMW, which in 330d form is all the compact estate you’ll need.

Facts and figures