BMW offers a service and maintenance package that covers all servicing (or servicing as well as maintenance) over a period of five years (or 60,000 miles) for a one off payment. It’s certainly good value and adds up to a significant saving as BMW servicing isn’t particularly cheap. The majority of the engines are efficient and even the more powerful units are impressive when you consider the performance on tap.

Before EfficientDynamics the 3 Series Touring scored reasonably on the eco front but the introduction of this technology in September 2007 saw a dramatic improvement in efficiency. The greenest and most cost effective model is the 318d which is capable of 58mpg.

The previous 3 Series Touring models scored well in reliability surveys and this generation of model fared broadly as well.

BMW 3 Series Touring recalls

Some six years after this generation of 3 Series Touring was replaced, it became part of an extensive recall due to an electrical fault.

Affecting petrol and diesel 3 Series Tourings, the issue could cause engines to cut out while the cars were being driven.

Tourings built between March 2007 and August 2011 were among the models under scrutiny, so check with a BMW dealer to establish whether the necessary remedial work has been carried out.