BMW twin test special

Spare a thought for the engineers at BMW. The 3-Series has been a huge sales hit, so how can they make it even more appealing?

With its classy saloon, sporty Coupé, elegant Convertible and practical Touring bodystyles, plus BMW’s clever EfficientDynamics hardware, there’s hardly a chink in its armour. Despite this, the firm has tweaked its Coupé and drop-top offerings to see off the latest competition. Do the changes improve matters?

To find out, we put both to the test in a pair of twin tests. Facing the Convertible in the battle for cabriolet honours is the Volvo C70. It has been given a major boost with a glamorous new look, but can the D5 diesel match the 320d?

The tussle for the Coupé crown sees the 335i M Sport up against the Mercedes E350 Sport in our second shoot-out. They’ve never met before in Auto Express, and there’s little to separate them...

Verdict

Cabrio test

The question here is simple: which of our contenders best combines wind-in-the-hair thrills with four-seater practicality? With a cosseting cabin, sleek new looks and plenty of standard kit, the revised Volvo is a strong contender. But it can’t match the all-round appeal of the BMW. With its sharp chassis, eco-friendly powerplant and surprisingly low running costs, the 3-Series is a convertible that’s virtually without compromise.

1. BMW 320d SE
Blend of elegant looks, strong performance and sharp driving dynamics makes the 3-Series a worthy winner. Factor in its lower running costs and solid residuals, and the German car consolidates its place on top of the podium. Only the high purchase price counts against the BMW.

2. Volvo C70 D5 SE Lux
The latest C70 is a big improvement on its predecessor, and the stylish four-seater is at its best when you want to cruise and soak up the sun’s rays. Better still, it’s cheaper and better equipped than its rival. However, its high CO2 emissions, lacklustre dynamics and lower residuals mark it down, and the BMW is a more engaging drive.

Coupe test

Despite similar on-paper credentials, our two coupés have very different personalities. The Mercedes is stylish, relatively green, comfortable and deceptively capable when you up the pace. But the BMW wins this bout by a whisker. Its new single-turbo engine provides blistering performance, the interior is well equipped and the chassis has lost none of its magic.

1. BMW 335i M-Sport
The star of the show is undoubtedly the 335i’s new turbocharged engine, which provides smooth but powerful performance. And although some parts of the overall package are beginning to show their age, the 3-Series is both faster and more fun to drive than the slightly softer Mercedes.

2. Mercedes E350CGI Sport
ON the road, the Mercedes feels as though it could be the BMW’s dad. It can do pretty much everything the 335i does, but at a slower and more relaxed pace. In fact, as a stylish and relaxing cruiser, the Mercedes is the better car, but when driving appeal is as important as looks and comfort, the dynamically softer E350 can’t quite match its rival.