Having an entry-level variant is usually a tough decision for many luxury car brands. Price it right and you gain access to a new market of buyers, spec it wrong however, and you risk diluting your brand and model.So how does BMW 316i fare?

The 316i is the entry-level variant for BMW’s legendary 3 Series range, slotting below the 320i.

While some might question the need for such a model when the 1 Series exists, I believe many would agree the 3 Series pulls off the familiar “traditional” BMW look better.

Externally, there is very little to distinguish the 316i from higher variants in the stable.

Other than the rear badging and some bumper details, there isn’t much to tell it apart, especially to the average Joe.

This means the car retains most of the elements of the 3, which is possibly one of BMW’s handsomest efforts of late, featuring understated lines with plenty of elegant details in the design.

The car has a neat overall silhouette and rolls on muscular-looking 17-inch five spoke alloys.

Vehicle lighting is also something BMW has mastered to perfection - quad daytime-running-lights adorn the front while light bars garnish the rear, and they certainly look gorgeous.

The main selling point of the 316i I believe, would be the propeller badge up front.

Many Malaysians may agree that image counts a lot here in our country, and driving the 316i is certainly a testament to that – people give way to you on the highways and when it comes to jockey parking service, you’ll even have the doors opened for you.

Step on inside and you’ll notice that there isn’t much cost cutting here either. Unlike some makes that give you a bare-bottom car for the entry variant, the 316i is quite generously equipped, with a 6.5-inch multimedia display, Driving Experience Control, iDrive, automatic start-stop, keyless entry, Dakota Black leather seats, rear air-conditioning vents and power-adjustable front seats, among others.

That’s a whole lot of kit and some features (like iDrive and other BMW-related gizmos) might be daunting at first, but isn’t something difficult to get used to.

The dash has a nice, sweeping shape with the touch screen panel at the top and climate control below the air conditioner vents - it’s nice, but its fellow German rivals have churned out better designs of late.Instrument panel layout is very Teutonic in design, simple and very legible.

The overall feel inside is rather upmarket and doesn’t strike as being entry level.

If I were to nitpick, it would be the driver seats, which could do with a little more bolstering for comfort.

Pop open the spring-loaded boot and you’ll find that the car comes with plenty of storage space, with a little more hidden under the boot floor.

Performance-wise, the equipped 134hp 1.6-litre TwinPower turbocharged engine is no slouch, and paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission provides sufficient power for the car.

Driving Experience Control gives three drive options - Eco Pro, Comfort and Sport - at a touch of a button.

The Eco Pro mode, while an almost numbing experience - does what it is expected to do and I managed to increase my driving range by12km.

The Sport mode sits on the other end of the spectrum, gave instant throttle response and a sportier drive, making the 316i feel more satisfying.

Handling is sharp at high speeds, and excellent dynamics means you’ll find yourself doing lots of spirited driving in this car.

Some may argue that performance might not be up to the level expected from the ‘Ultimate Driving Machine’, but honestly I feel its enough for the average driver.

At RM209,800, it might just tempt those in the market for a German-made car.