New Entry Level BMW 3 Series - 316i Saloon And Touring Enter The Market Now
Published: 27th March 2002
The facts
The former 316i ceased production in Summer 2001 and, due to production scheduling, did not receive the more efficient VALVETRONIC engine until now. It is, however, a timely introduction since the new company car benefit in kind taxation comes into force in April and with lower CO2 emissions rating the 316i slots into the second lowest (i.e. 16 percent BIK category).
The efficiency of the new BMW 316i makes it 15 gms/km and three percentage classes better than the Audi A4 1.6 and a huge 53 gms/km and 11 percentage classes better than the entry level Mercedes C180.
This difference will be seen in the salary slips of every company car driver from the end of April.
Standard specification remains the same as its predecessor and the insurance rating of 12E will ensure the BMW 316i is inexpensive to run. High residual values will make sure it stays that way throughout its life.
On the road prices are :
- BMW 316i manual £18,450
- BMW 316i automatic £19,685
- BMW 316i SE manual £19,470
- BMW 316i SE automatic £20,705
Touring too
For the first time in the new shape there will also be a 316i SE Touring as the entry model. Powered by the same 1.8 litre VALVETRONIC engine as the Saloon, the new model is only available in SE form due to the pattern of customer demand exhibited with other Touring models.
The 316i SE Touring accelerates from 0-62 mph in 11.2 seconds and reaches a top speed of 125 mph. Its combined fuel consumption of 38.7 mpg and CO2 emissions level of 177 gms/km confer a similar advantage over its petrol-engined competitors in the market place to that of its Saloon counterpart.
The prices of the new 316i SE Touring are :
- 316i SE Touring manual £20,440
- 316i SE Touring automatic £21,675
Like the 316i Saloon, the new Touring has an ABI approved insurance rating
of 12E and is available from April 2002.
