Insurance Group: 36
MPG: 35.8
CO2: 185
0-62 Mph: 8.1 secs
BHP: 218 BHP
Range: 496 miles
PROS: A sporty, convertible car with great power and driveability. The engine is efficient and the car handles brilliantly on winding, twisty roads.
CONS: The M Sport is quite a lot pricier than the SE version of the 325i, but comes with much of the same kit in the cabin. The suspension is often too firm and can be uncomfortable.
The convertible is not quite as good to drive as the tin-top but it's not far off. The 325i handles brilliantly thanks to its superb, finely balanced chassis and ultra precise steering.
The 325i engine is really powerful, with a great exhaust note. The engine delivers 218bhp and 199 lb-ft of torque at 2400 rpm and reaches 0-62 mph in 8.1 seconds with a top speed of 151 mph.
The 3 Series convertible is a fabulous looking car and you're sure to turn heads at the wheel.
The M Sport convertible comes with leather seats, power steering, stability control, cruise control, climate control, alloy wheels, stereo, MP3 connectivity and rear parking sensors as standard, with optional extras including Bluetooth for £250 and satellite navigation for £1,550.
The iDrive system is much easier to get to grips with than before and all the controls of angled towards the driver, with perhaps the only downside being how many generic looking buttons and controls there are for the stereo.
The 3 Series convertible should be reliable as BMW have an enviable repuation for the solidity of their cars.
Standard safety kit includes six airbags, dynamic stability control inclusive of ABS, corning brake control, dynamic brake control and dynamic traction control. An optional extra is the Active Security Package (with lane change and lane departure-warning systems), with an alarm as standard. The metal coupe-cabriolet roof is much more secure than a soft-top would be and this means the car has great security credentials - achieving the top five star rating in the NCAP crash tests.
The convertible has loads of room in the front, but the rear seat room does suffer thanks to the roof. The boot is smaller than other 3 Series models but there is a through-hatch for items such as skis and golf bags and the rear backrests fold down to provide extra space.
The 325i M Sport model costs £40,685 and has a combined economy of 35.8mpg and CO2 emissions of 185g/km.
This convertible offers great value for money, with a really powerful engine that also has great fuel economy and fairly low CO2 emissions. The diesel engine is a more economical option than the petrol, although it is pricier, because it offers better performance and has better efficiency.
There is quite a big leap in price between the M Sport and the cheaper SE version of the 325i, but not a lot to really justify the jump. The equipment is more or less matched, but the M Sport comes with sporty suspension, which can often be quite uncomfortable. If the sporty looks of the car are not important, the SE makes a much better choice in terms of value for money.
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