| Week at the Wheel | BMW 330d M Sport saloon |

Inside & Out:

The mid-life facelift applied to the 3 Series this year was subtle to say the least, though once you see the new car alongside the old it becomes apparent how much more modern it looks. The changes to the front are most obvious, with new lights and bonnet sculpting, while the M Sport cars look more aggressive than ever before. The extra body kit and sporting 18-inch wheels are likely to be part of the reason the M Sport models account for nearly half of all UK sales. Of note on our test car was the new 'Bluewater' metallic colour, which draws a lot of attention.

It'll take an owner of the pre-facelift 3 Series to notice what BMW has done to upgrade the interior, as the changes are so subtle; yet like the exterior, it has been effective. The overall result is a sense of better quality. BMW's switchgear has been praised for its tactility for some time now and nearly all the materials used in the cabin are solid and nice to touch. That's especially true of the new aluminium trim and the optional Dakota leather. However, the 3 Series is a less practical car than the best of the D-segment models, with less rear legroom and boot space than many competitors.

Engine & Transmission:

In the past we've described some of BMW's gearchanges as 'springy', but it turns out that the M Sport package includes a 'shortened' gearshift' and it's deliciously direct and mechanical in feel. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard in the 330d, though the optional automatic is a good companion for this engine too. The 3.0-litre turbodiesel unit turns the 3 Series into a highly desirable sports saloon. Figures such as 241bhp and 384lb.ft of torque are impressive in their own right, but it's the delivery of these stats that makes the 330d so attractive. A new high-pressure injection system, combined with a variable geometry turbocharger give the maximum torque figure from just 1,750rpm up to 3,000rpm, ensuring seamless low-rev thrust, while power peaks at 4,000rpm, giving the straight-six engine plenty of revs to use. We don't doubt BMW's claimed top speed of 155mph, or the 0-62 mph time of 6.1 seconds.

Ride & Handling:

BMW has traditionally held the edge on driver appeal over its German rivals and the updated 3 Series is better than ever. Body control is simply exemplary, regardless of how hard you push the car. The inherent balance of the chassis makes itself felt when you need to change direction quickly and with the grunt of the 3.0-litre engine even the keenest driver will enjoy himself on a challenging piece of road. The steering isn't the most communicative on the market; it's not bad though and has a nice linearity, while the brakes are reliable, fade-free and well weighted. The flip side to the iron clad body control is stiff damping, which results in a harder ride than some will appreciate. Non M Sport cars tip the balance more in favour of comfort.

Equipment, Economy & Value for Money:

This top-ranging 3 Series doesn't come cheap and standard equipment is generous enough, though some of the options are expensive, notably Bluetooth preparation and the satnav, which is admittedly excellent. The cost of ownership should offset any money spent on extras though, as for the performance, no rival gets close to the 330d's economy and emissions figures. Residuals are strong too.

Overall:

Thanks to its update, the BMW 3 Series continues to be the car to beat at the premium end of the D-segment. Powered by a new engine, the 330d ticks all the right boxes, with decent economy and emissions yet massive performance. The M Sport model may not suit all drivers, though for us its enhanced looks and equipment make it worth the premium and the small compromise in ride comfort. In all, the 330d M Sport is classy, well built and fabulous to drive.

- Euro NCAP results for BMW 3 Series
- First drive of facelifted 2008 BMW 3 Series
- Pre-facelift BMW 330i review