BMW 3 Series.
The definitive small executive car?
Take it from me, the 3 series is not necessarily the Ultimate Driving Machine.
Even the legendary 2 litre diesel doth not guarantee your 320 will be fun to drive.
In the last 6 weeks I’ve said goodbye to my plodding 320 D Efficient Dynamics Touring Auto.
I don’t miss it one bit.
The lack of driver involvement was simply shocking.In over 107,000 miles it never once felt happy going around a bend.
Over 53 mpg through the life of the car with a nigh on 700 mile range was good, but speccing my 3 series to achieve a low tax bill? That was a big mistake.
Whilst it was satisfying driving to some far flung spot like Swindon and getting 66 mpg on an empty motorway, it was never fun.
Change the alloys, add a manual gearbox and then your 320 ED should be fun? Er, no. Sombre black leather and a clutch pedal transformed a dull car into a horrid one!
Six hours after I was given the keys a nice man from BMW came and took it away. What a relief.
Instead I was given a 7000 mile 320d M Sport saloon. It was so good I even considered how I might juggle our finances, with the 125 M Sport and hang onto it after my new Hybrid company car arrived.
We all know that M Sport cars crash through all the potholes with all the subtly of a bull in a china shop. Except the old cliches no longer apply.
This eager beaver (beemer) was quite capable on the winter ravaged roads of Sussex.
The professional Sat Nav was way better than a Business version in my 2014 car. The extra 25 horse power made forward progress a pleasure.
Sports Seats felt more comfortable, and playing with the throttle/suspension set up heightened the driving experience.
Eventually my new company car arrived, but in the interim I’d covered 4000 miles in this bright red M Sport Auto.
A rear view parking camera, flappy paddles gear box, and go faster red made it a true BMW.
Can my next BMW get anywhere near the age old BMW strap line?
Watch this space to find out.
Why did you get rid of it? 
If you want fun – get a Fiesta! Drove a couple of Bentleys a couple of weeks ago and sandwiched in between was a humble Fiesta. Guess which was more fun blasting around the country lanes of rural Leicestershire?!
They’re even good on track! I once took loads of different Fords around Thruxton, and I liked the Fiesta the most as the marshals didn’t wave flags at me for excessive speed.