BEEM MACHINE

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, May 3, 2009 | by Brian Twomey

SPENT a little time with the fabulous BMW 318i SE recently.

The up-spec 3-series with the entry level 143hp 2-litre four- cylinder engine is more representative of what most BMW customers will drive than the headline grabbing M3 but despite the considerably smaller price tag it is no less of a driving machine.

In keeping with all BMW products, especially their mainstream offerings, the basics are bang on. The styling has been improved with the recent facelift and Chris Bangle was right - it does still look fresh all these years on. It is handsome and beautifully detailed inside too with lots of carefully chosen materials and tactile surfaces.

The seats are comfortable, there is plenty of room and it is attractive to boot. Like I say there is lots to like. The 2-litre 143bhp four-cylinder engine is a smooth operator. It is good on fuel and BMW's efficient dynamics makes it easier to keep the fuel gauge off the red.

It is very smooth too, especially for a four-cylinder unit, and the refinement is all the more evident at speed. 120km/h in sixth gear belies a refinement that few cars can match.

The 318i performs well too although it requires revs to make meaningful progress, partly because of the long gearing that, while improving economy and refinement, requires the engine to be revved rather aggressively. In terms of handling there is little to complain about. BMW has built its reputation as the ultimate driving machine and it is not an idle boast.

From the first corner it is clear that the 318i is as much a driver's car as an M3; not as fast perhaps but every bit as engaging to the keen driver. The key element is the steering which is nicely weighted and alive with feel.

The helm makes it a really nice car to drive whether you are tackling an undulating country road or simply commuting to work.

The rear-wheel-drive chassis is a carefully honed effort with perfect weight distribution and fine tuning. The result is a car that simply refuses to body roll in corners yet also has a supple ride. Turn in is sharp and positive. The feedback is constant, the brakes are firm and sharp while the pedal has great feel.

The gear change is very slick and all in all the 318i is a superb car to drive; breeding and high-end engineering is evident everywhere. Okay some of the options fitted to the test car lift the EUR40,900 price up but the basic package does include a fine six speaker stereo, smart metal trim, cruise control and parking sensors as standard but it must be said that even in its most humbly power offering the 3-series is every bit as fine to drive as the BMW reputation would have you believe and it would prove an enjoyable and easy car to own to boot.