The latest addition to BMW's Compact range is the six-cylinder 325ti hatch. It's the least expensive ticket to six-cylinder BMW power, and with the optional M kit fitted is a fine sports drive at a very reasonable - by German standards - starting price.
Value for money
Pricing
The 325ti is priced at $63,500 for the five-speed manual, or $66,100 for the five-speed sequential automatic. This compares with $67,700/$70,300 for the 325i sedan, and $72,400/$75,000 for the 325ci coupe.
Warranty
Two years/unlimited kilometres, which is below average for years - most companies offer three.
Standard features
Standard equipment in the 325 includes eight airbags, leather upholstery, automatic airconditioning, trip computer, data dot security and a six-stack CD changer.
The test car's specification was enhanced with an optional M Kit, which costs an extra $1,956. This buys wide, low profile Continental rubber - 245/40 rear and 225/45 front - on different pattern 17-inch alloy wheels, lowered and stiffened independent suspension, an upgraded body kit/interior trim and an M steering wheel.
You can also get the wheel/tyre package alone for $1,120.
Retained value
The 318ti Compact retains 66 per cent of its new price after three years, which is average.
Design and function
Ergonomics
The 325's interior, done in very light greys, is open, minimalist and functional. Buttons and switches are few and easy to find. Vision is excellent around the car.
The leather-wrapped M wheel, adjustable for height and reach, is a lovely thing to hold. Duplicate audio switches and cruise control are located on either side of the centre pad.
The M sports driver's seat has several adjustment levers. Once you work out which one's which, you can adjust the cushion length, tilt, height and travel. It's a hip-hugging number, with knee-to-shoulder bolstering and good lumbar support.
Innovation
The 325ti has many high tech BMW features, including double VANOS, which provides variable timing on the inlet and exhaust camshaft, and the latest engine management technology.
Safety
The 318i sedan scored four stars out of five in Euro NCAP crash tests, and it is reasonable to expect a similar result from the 325ti. Active safety features include ABS brakes and traction control; automatic skid control is optional.
Security
The Compact is well protected against theft, with sophisticated immobilising and data dot component identification, which means that the car, or parts of it, can easily be traced. This is a major deterrent to thieves.
Comfort
The driver's seat is firm, snug and supportive and is excellent on a long drive, but some larger people may find that the cushion is a bit narrow and tightly bolstered.
Space and practicality
The new Compact is larger than the previous model; this is particularly noticeable in the back seat and the boot.
The back seat's deep cushion may be a bit hard for some, but head and leg room are generous by hatch standards and a couple of average sized adults can travel comfortably.
Entry and exit is also relatively easy - by the restrictive nature of the breed - with the front seats moving forward sufficiently to leave plenty of room for climbing in and out. The rear windows are hinged and can be opened for ventilation.
The boot floor is long, wide and shallow, with three child restraint anchors immediately behind the rear seat. The seat back is split 60/40; with either side folded you have a long 1.6 metres of floor space. The front seats do not have to be pushed forward in this configuration, and the rear seat head restraints can be left in place.
A load cover and 12 volt power socket are provided; the battery lives under the floor, while the space saver spare is carried externally.
Build and finish quality
Outstanding, particularly the body which is extremely rigid.
On the road
Fuel efficiency
The 2.5 litre BMW engine returns good economy, given its relatively high power output. On the highway, the auto used 7-9 litres/100 km, while in town the figure was 10-12 litres/100 km.
Performance
The 2.5 produces 141 kW of power at 6000 rpm, and 245 Nm of torque at an accessible 3500 rpm.
Its in-line configuration, once almost universal among six-cylinder engines, is little used today because its sheer length requires much more space up front than a V6, and it can't easily be faced east west in a front drive layout.
It is beautifully smooth, responsive to the pedal and possessed of sparkling top end performance. It also sounds like a six should in the 5500-6500 range, when the Vanos system opens the valves up and it breathes freely.
It launches the 325 swiftly, partly due to a relatively low first gear ratio in the auto. Though lacking the outright midrange punch of its 3.0 litre counterpart, the 2.5 is nevertheless surprisingly tractable for its relatively small capacity by six-cylinder standards.
At 100km/h, the 325ti auto is humming along at only 2000 rpm in fifth. BMW's Steptronic five-speed automatic is one of the better adaptive sequential transmissions. It takes a while to get the hang of flicking the lever back to shift down, and forward to shift up, but otherwise it moves between ratios with speed and precision. That said, the 2.5's eagerness to rev means that it delivers its strongest and most enjoyable performance with BMW's manual gearbox attached.
Ride
The low profile tyres, plus the lowered M suspension, do little for ride comfort. Around town the modified 325 was unforgiving and hard. Compliance improves as speeds rise, but if ride comfort is a priority than the standard 205/55 tyres are probably worth retaining.
Handling and steering
The compact's rigid body and 50:50 weight distributions are the basis for great handling.
The Three's chassis requires top of the line tyres like the Contis to properly complement its ability; thus equipped, you will notice a more taut, tactile, responsive character to its dynamics, along with increased grip.
The Three's fine balance means that it just goes around a corner with no sensation of pushing or pulling from either end, or any variation of line. If you want to know what "neutral handling" means, this is it.
The steering is pin sharp, but meatier and more tactile than some other 3 Series test cars, an impression also accentuated by the Continentals. At high speeds it is a touch over-assisted. The 325 feels solid and firmly planted on rough roads, where the suspension's control over wheel and body movement is impeccable.
Braking
The anti-skid brakes - with traction control and individual pressure monitoring - respond strongly and progressively to light pedal pressures. When you want maximum stopping power, they emphatically provide it. Smoothness and quietness - First class. The 325ti is a very refined car, and the 2.5 litre straight six is as smooth as they come.
Summary
The Compact range has been improved in many areas and is now worth considering as an alternative to the 3 Series sedan and coupe. The 325ti in particular is one of the best value for money European cars in town.
The writer of this report does not necessarily represent the views of the NRMA and this report is provided for you as an alternative to our own NRMA car reviews.
