Test Drive: BMW means business with latest 320d edition

Date Posted 21st October 2016
Read Time 3 min read

The BMW 3 Series range seems to expand every time you blink. The variety of models and specifications can be overwhelming to those not too familiar with the range but the quality can also exceed expectations as well as the level of technology and gadgets on board.

We’ve taken a test drive inside a BMW 320D Sport Business Edition model but before we got going we spent some time taking a look at the pack that comes in the shape of the Business Edition. The pack was initially launched to add appeal to the 1 and 3 Series ranges as well as the X1 to small businesses and company car drivers.

The features within the pack and include a satellite navigation for easy journeys as well as live traffic updates directly to you. They also have pretty straight forward Bluetooth connectivity for safe hands free phone call. Another feature that you get is BMW assist which will connect you to the emergency services for assistance should you break down or have an accident. All in all a very handy and not overly complex collection.

On appearance the 320D is a beautiful looking saloon with, as they say, curves in all the right places. The front of the vehicle is well organised and smooth with the rear complimenting the rest of the vehicle.

Inside the business edition also gives you a full leather interior which is comfortable and more aesthetically pleasing than the standard half leather or full cloth seating. Not only are the seats leather, they are also heated which made our cold morning test drive much more luxurious.

You can also expect to feel right at home inside a new 320D with plenty of leg room for all your passengers, front and back. As the driver the audio controls on the steering wheel make light work of changing between your favourite music, controlling the volume and also accessing your Bluetooth.

The sat nav is within easy reach and at perfect eye level for viewing with a ledge over the screen to make visibility pristine in even the most difficult glaring conditions.

Other features include air conditioning, electric mirrors, climate control, power steering, CD player with MP3/iPod connectivity, cruise control and rear parking sensors which all come in useful. More standard features are all in place including airbags, alarm and immobiliser, central locking, IsoFix and front and rear electric windows.

On the road we found the performance great. Easy to control the vehicle at both urban driving speeds and on the motorways. The 2 litre engine provides the car with plenty of kick when you need to up your speed and smooth transition between gears. In terms of economy you are looking at a combined mpg of 60.1 and it you do mainly motorway miles you could see it rise to 70.6.

Overall we love the BMW 320d and the Business Edition pack makes the journey even more enjoyable and the car more useful outside of the standard remit. Everyone loves a gadget but some manufacturers make them too fiddly, poorly placed or add in fairly useless gizmos you won’t benefit from. The BMW has a nice balance of forward thinking technology as well as useful additions to add to the fantastic drive promised with the BMW 320d Sport Business Edition.

Car: BMW 320D Sport Business Edition
Engine: 2.0 litre
Doors: 4
Fuel Consumption: Combined 60.1mpg
Body Type: Saloon
Kit: Sat Nav


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