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By Sujesh Pavithran
The BMW F30, the sixth generation 3 series, is pleasing to the eye from every angle. And, it wasn't just me who thought so as my friends all agreed.
It retains the familiar low-slung roof, but this is a bit of a downer as it's as much of a hassle to enter the car as its predecessors, even for vertically-challenged drivers. Still, this is something one accepts as part of the 3 Series DNA.
My other issue with the car is a bit more than a niggle - the Stop-Start feature is somewhat crudely implemented, at least in the case of the 320d we took for a weekend spin.
This switches off the engine when you take your foot off the accelerator pedal, and step on the brake at traffic lights and in jam situations. Then, it restarts when you ease off the brake.
The aim is to conserve fuel (although the air-conditioning and electrical system remain operational) and it is indeed laudable. The system on the 320d, however, is jarring, and napping passengers are certain to be awakened at the restart.
Could it be the diesel engine? All in, a bit clumsy, I felt.
But if you overlook these distractions, then this is quite possibly the finest of the 3 Series steeds to have emerged so far.
 
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