BMW 3 Series Retains What Car? Best Executive Car for 8th Year. X3 Also Retains Title

The BMW 3 Series Saloon has once again crushed the competition to be crowned What Car? ‘Best Executive Car’ 2013, for the eighth consecutive year with the 320d EfficientDynamics.

The BMW 3 Series Saloon remains the vehicle of choice in the Executive Car category, for being the car that means you can have it all. In EfficientDynamics guise this ‘3’ is the most economical car in its class with its fast yet frugal 2.0 litre diesel engine, making it appeal to both business and personal buyers alike. However, it was not just the BMW 3 Series’ outstanding economy that put it ahead of the competition, the judges noted that its combination of refinement, comfort and agility put it leagues ahead of its larger rivals.

Chas Hallett, What Car? editor-in-chief, said: “When you consider its spacious, classy and user-friendly cabin, and its frugal running costs, there is no need to upgrade to bigger, more expensive executive cars.”

Continuing the success of the ‘3’, the BMW X3 took home the accolade of What Car? ‘Best SUV’ 2013 for the second year in a row. Despite the tough opposition from newer models in this sector, the BMW X3 xDrive20d reigns supreme thanks to its excellent residual values, practicality and superior quality.

Chas Hallett, What Car? editor-in-chief, said: “The winning X3 engine is one of the most refined available today and with its eight-speed automatic transmission it’s hard to beat. The X3 offers the driver and passengers top-notch luxury as well as great economy and extremely attractive residual values. The X3 works on paper and even better in real world.”
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I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 1/12/2013 11:39:18 AM

-3 Boost

I am currently driving one of these in the UK. 320d Modern with Nav. {Rental}

I swear the base models in these cars are getting worse each time they launch a new model.

This one even though it has Sat Nav and Auto Headlamps/Windshield Wipers has the most horrible Pleather seats, Pleather Steering Wheel, and the most annoying rear parking sensors ever installed in a vehicle.

This Parking sensor only goes to continuous bleep after you have hit the object behind, no matter how slowly you approach, and there is no off button anywhere on the console {can't find it either on the idrive menu} so you have to drive off again or switch off engine to silence the bleeping.

The other day i was putting Diesel into the car and got a really good look at the rear Roof-Window-Trunk setup, exposed weld seams and generally un-German in presentation, i have to say i was not the least bit impressed.

What i find odd is that the new gen 118d M-Sport i handed in for the 320d had a much better interior, Real Leather Steering Wheel, Alcantara Seats, Multi-Adjustable seats, only drawback was the size.

2ndbimmer - 1/12/2013 2:57:57 PM

+5 Boost

or, youre an idiot and cant find the simple "p" button next to the shifter to turn off the parking sensors. Why would there be a button in the iDrive menu to turn off the sensors? That would make no sense to go in to a system for a function like that.

dayday - 1/12/2013 10:45:37 PM

+2 Boost

Do you really understand what base model means?? Have you seen the base model for the e90 3 series? There is no leather! At least now BMW uses leather for base model. And there are different options for seats and steering wheel as well. By saying the M sport 1 series has better interior only shows how little you know about BMW. Why don't you have a look at the Base 1 series with no option ticked and then compare.

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 1/13/2013 12:23:09 AM

-2 Boost

2ndbimmer

Given that i have spent over 30 hours in the vehicle and cannot find any P button anywhere in that car i can guarantee that you are the IDIOT.

THE FUCKING BUTTON DOES NOT EXIST.

If you had bothered to read the post i added that i could not find it in the iDrive "Either" meaning i looked there as a last resort.

dayday.....
I fully understand what base models are, also Pleather = Plastic Leather so no, BMW does not use Leather in their base models. I should know, i am driving one right now.
My complaint was that the Base 118d M-Sport came equipped with Real Leather Steering Wheel, Multi Adjustable Alcantara Seats and even though it had no Auto Headlamps/Windshield Wipers, felt a tad better in terms of Driver Comfort.

JRobUSC - 1/13/2013 10:09:31 AM

+2 Boost

I95, look at this photo:

http://www.carbodydesign.com/gallery/2011/10/the-new-bmw-3-series/24/

See the little button to the left of the shifter that says "P" with the little lines coming off it? That turns the park distance control sensors on and off (they turn themselves on when you go into reverse). If the car has factory park distance control, it has that button. Period. If it doesn't have that button, it doesn't have park distance control, and that would explain it not beeping in time to stop you from running into shit. P.S. learn how to drive.

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 1/13/2013 10:23:38 AM

+1 Boost

Oh For Effs Sake.....

001 please let me know how i can post a picture up so i can show these guys that i am not blind.

JRobUSC, the only buttons i have on mine are the Driving Mode Adjustment Buttons and the DSC off Button.

NO P BUTTON.

S4quattro - 1/12/2013 3:26:14 PM

+3 Boost

I drove the new 328i sport, and thought the motor and ride were quite good.

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 1/13/2013 12:24:21 AM

-1 Boost

I agree the vehicle is nice to drive, just not too impressed with the Plastic Leathers and 3 Way Adjustable seats.

bmwm6 - 1/13/2013 9:05:55 AM

+2 Boost

There is a reason this car wins every award, b/c it is an amazingly complete package that is great to drive.

bmwm6 - 1/13/2013 9:09:00 AM

+2 Boost

A4, 3 series, and C class all come equipped with pleather or even cloth and minimal options in Europe its nothing new..i95 your 1 series, and 3 were obviously equipped differently, not sure why you are shocked, you can get an A3 with leather, and an A4 with cloth if you wanted. Also you cannot get the park assist without the p button next to the shifter..its not possible. Unless your car had a park option other than that which I am not aware of.

irishmike - 1/13/2013 12:50:49 AM

+1 Boost

As the economy and my own career has suffered, Bmw's have become SO less desirable. Thanks BMW !!

rumnyc - 1/13/2013 9:13:58 PM

+2 Boost

rental cars are not equipped as standard retail cars. they are configured as fleet models and its obvious this rental company decided to remove the ability of the drivers to disable the PDC beeps.

Get mad at the rental company not BMW.