{"id":12,"date":"2017-10-09T09:41:48","date_gmt":"2017-10-09T09:41:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mediax.mcnika.com\/auto\/?p=12"},"modified":"2017-10-11T10:08:31","modified_gmt":"2017-10-11T10:08:31","slug":"new-mg-xs-crossover-becomes-the-zs-again","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/mediax.mcnika.com\/auto\/new-mg-xs-crossover-becomes-the-zs-again\/","title":{"rendered":"New MG XS crossover becomes the ZS (again)"},"content":{"rendered":"

That sharply-cut nose is already a familiar sight on the UK\u2019s roads, despite the latest BMW 3 Series<\/strong> only actually being launched a few years ago. The F30 range<\/em> is broad, with umpteen engines, trims and even a four-wheel drive version, dubbed 3 Series xDrive<\/strong> (which now outsells the Audi A4 quattro).<\/p>\n

BMW<\/strong> rolled out a new facelifted 3 last year to help it tackle the surprisingly fierce challenge from the Jaguar XE and Audi A4<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

At one time, the 3-series was the benchmark for all sports sedans, but its once uncompromised tactility has been slightly softened in this latest generation.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Visual changes are minor but there\u2019s an almost entirely new engine range and a lift for the interior.<\/p>\n

\"\"
BMW 528i Sedan comes equipped with 17-inch x 7.5-inch Star Spoke light alloy wheels.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What are the pros of a used BMW 3-series?<\/h3>\n
    \n
  • It is far one of the most fun cars to drive. If you don’t get red, the police don’t necessarily notice you.<\/li>\n
  • I bought mine with a manual 5 speed. It is absolutely much more fun than the automatic with the clutchless manual shift gear.<\/li>\n
  • I like the 330i much better than the 328 or 325,<\/li>\n
  • The maintenance on the 330i is intensive and much more the 325 or 328<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    What is it like on the road?<\/h2>\n

    Speak to BMW<\/strong> and this is where it believes it holds the biggest class advantage \u2013 which is saying something given that the previous 3 Series<\/em> was regularly hailed as the best car in its class to point down a piece of tricky tarmac.<\/p>\n

    \"\"
    BMW 528i Sedan boasts a impressive 35 hwy mpg.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    This one isn\u2019t necessarily more tactile than the older ones, but it\u2019s certainly smoother and more supple, particularly with the must-have optional Adamptive M Sport<\/em> suspension. The steering is nicely weighted and the front end is so accurate and responsive that you know exactly where you are with it at all times. It\u2019s smooth, enjoyable and exhibits deftness in all it does. What\u2019s more BMW<\/strong> seems to have nailed the relationship between supple suspension and run-flat tyres. This BMW 3 Series<\/strong> is more cohesive than ever, something that\u2019s only enhanced by this tweaked and even more near-perfect facelift.<\/p>\n

    Layout, finish and space<\/h2>\n

    \"\"Let\u2019s start by looking at the outside, which is longer than before. It\u2019s a big gain, but it only translates into an extra 15mm<\/strong> of extra knee clearance for those in the back. Disappointing though that sounds, it\u2019s enough to make a difference, the rear cabin now airier and more able to contain six-footers (it\u2019s certainly class-competitive, something older 3 Series could never claim). The boot volume\u2019s a pretty decent 480 litres<\/em>.<\/p>\n

    But it\u2019s the driving environment that most impresses. The materials have been carved into interesting shapes on the dash and console and there\u2019s ample optional equipment for you to shake your wallet at – pleasingly though, sat-nav is standard on all. It\u2019s even more tactile and better quality with the facelift, and the fiddly cubby by the gearlever is now a proper sliding tray.<\/p>\n

    <\/h2>\n

    <\/h2>\n

    Running costs and reliability<\/h2>\n

    \"\"The BMW 3 Series<\/strong> will be a fine car to own, especially if you go for the \u00a332,220 ED Plus Auto which combines 161bhp and 280lb ft with 99g\/km and 74.3mpg – figures only recently matched by the Jaguar XE<\/em>. Not that the other models are fuel hungry, the 320d still promising over 65mpg on the combined cycle. Just bear in mind that in practice 50mpg is what you should expect.<\/p>\n

    Considering the advances made in terms of drivability, design and overall feelgood factor, prices starting at \u00a325k surely make it a bargain. The 3 Series<\/strong> has it all \u2014 and as the range continues to expand further, the competition will have to work its socks off to get anywhere near. Especially as the facelift has made it better still.<\/p>\n

    Final thoughts and pick of the range<\/h3>\n

    BMW 3 Series review: The old one was the best car in the class… And so’s the new one. As you were.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    In general, ask a lot of people and locate one or two non-dealer BMW<\/strong> shops, The non-dealer BMW<\/strong> shops could be as much as half as expensive as a dealer BMW<\/strong> repair and most are as good or even better than the dealer mechanics.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    That sharply-cut nose is already a familiar sight on the UK\u2019s roads, despite the latest BMW 3 Series only actually being launched a few years ago. The F30 range is broad, with umpteen engines, trims and even a four-wheel drive version, dubbed 3 Series xDrive (which now outsells the Audi A4 quattro). BMW rolled out…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":52,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[12,10,11],"views":194,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/mediax.mcnika.com\/auto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/mediax.mcnika.com\/auto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/mediax.mcnika.com\/auto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/mediax.mcnika.com\/auto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/mediax.mcnika.com\/auto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/mediax.mcnika.com\/auto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/mediax.mcnika.com\/auto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/52"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/mediax.mcnika.com\/auto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/mediax.mcnika.com\/auto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/mediax.mcnika.com\/auto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}