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flash: we here at RTM are big fans of the BMW 3-Series. And we're not alone. Most
members of the automotive press (and a good many sport sedan buyers, too) have
been lured into torrid love affairs of varying durations with the terrific 3-Series.
In the
extensive process of developing its sedans, BMW somehow manages to engineer astonishingly
intuitive qualities into the cars' reflexes. More specifically, components such
as brakes, steering and gas pedals are so communicative and predictable that the
whole car ends up feeling like an extension of you. It's a quality that all other
sport sedan manufacturers attempt to emulate, but none other has gotten it right. The
3-Series is available as a coupe, sedan or convertible with engines that range
from a 2.5-liter inline-6-cylinder (184 hp) to a 3.0-liter six (220 hp). There
is also a smartly styled 3-series wagon, although it is only available with the
smaller engine. Adding to the broad allure of the 3-Series is the availability
of all-wheel drive on sedan and wagon variants.
Regardless of body and engine
configuration, 3-Series models strike an ideal balance of sportiness and luxury.
Excellent
materials are used throughout, although some luxury items that are standard on
many others in this group are only found on the options list of the 3-Series,
making it quite easy to spec a 3-Series well in the $40K range. But although many
of its competitors cost less, or have more space, or feature more standard equipment,
none imparts the same level of driving joy when you step on the gas. And you can't
a price on that.
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