subject: Bmw 3 Series Estate [print this page] BMW has joined its German compatriots in offering a small estate with the of the 320i touring.
So these days, if it's a five door practical family car a maker is about to launch, it's more likely to be described as a lifestyle vehicle, if it comes out of Europe.
BMW is the latest to enter the market in the latter category with the new 3 Series Touring, is still a welcome addition. The company has had a small estate variant in its 3 Series lineup in Europe for a long time.
And this is probably what most customers will be looking for with the added versatility of the back end. The touring is just 7mm longer than the saloon so it is greater flexibility rather than capacious luggage space that you are getting with the estate. The boot space is very well finished and comes complete with a standard luggage cover and cargo safety net that locks into two positions in the roof, depending on whether the rear seat is up or down. The rear glass can also be opened separately to the hatch, giving easy access to the luggage space in confined parking spaces.
Accommodation for people is reasonable with plenty of room in the front and although adults in the back benefit from a slight increase in headroom over the saloon, the legroom is very tight. A large center armrest hides a ski-port and incorporates a storage compartment and a couple of cup holders, bound to be appreciated by the kids on a long haul journey.
Other standard equipment includes full leather, power windows and mirrors, remote locking, climate control, cruise control, CD sound, ABS, traction control and eight airbags.
With the Touring added to the lineup, BMW now offers 14 different 3 Series models and with its increased versatility and sporty styling, it could be the one you have been waiting for.
