40 Years Later BMW's 3 Defines Still The Segment - Why Can't Anyone Knock Them Off The Perch?

In 1975, BMW introduced the 3 series, a sporty sedan that became synonymous with the brand's performance image.

Forty years later, despite intensifying competition and changing customer tastes, the 3 series still dominates its segment. Competitors openly benchmark the 3 series and target it in their advertising. Buff books lavish it with praise. Dealers love the repeat business.

In many ways, the 3 series is BMW, the brand with the enviable mystique built on German engineering and uncompromised performance.

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xjug1987a - 11/30/2015 3:54:26 PM

+2 Boost

Its hard to hit a moving target. The 3 keeps getting better and better.

mre30 - 11/30/2015 5:36:53 PM

+1 Boost

I think that, sadly, that 3-series years of domination may be coming to a close.

Best 3-series were (in declining order) -
(a) E30 - 1982 to 1993
(b) E90 - 2005 to 2013
(c) E46 - 1998 to 2006

The current 3 series, the F30, sort of sucks. It drives like a sporty Camry and the interior looks perhaps even less premium than the Camry. A Honda Accord is nicer than the F30, though the M3/M4 is pretty sweet.

Hawk - 11/30/2015 6:12:17 PM

+4 Boost

Take the M235i for a test drive and see if that doesn't put a big grin on your face.

MDarringer - 11/30/2015 7:03:24 PM

+1 Boost

The 2 Series is inhospitable if you're tall and has some pretty crude touches for such an expensive car.

MDarringer - 11/30/2015 6:48:24 PM

-2 Boost

No one has knocked them off their perch because the competition does not value that. The Mercedes C Class is it's own icon in this class and we could ask why the 3 Series isn't as good at the C Class. Mercedes and BMW have different priorities. The Alfa Giulia is playing the role of a crass Italian whore rather than 3 Series killer. Jaguar thinks a Camry is how to be in the segment. Cadillac thinks forgettable is how to win the segment.

MDarringer - 11/30/2015 8:05:07 PM

-1 Boost

The 3 Series is easily out-handled for the dollar and that's always been the case.

F1_Driver - 12/1/2015 12:49:24 AM

+1 Boost

BMW used to be known for performance and handling. Not anymore, there are other options out there for less $$$$$.

phantom330 - 12/1/2015 10:11:45 AM

+2 Boost

I've always been a huge "3 series" fan, having owned several each of them has been a great drive for the price. When my e90 became a little tired it went and looked at the new 3.....and it just bored me. No passion at all, can't describe it but it was not even remotely appealing to me. Ended up with an S4 and I preferred it to any BMW I've ever owned. I do hold a special place for M models in my heart, but I think they have diluted the lineup so much (I mean c'mon, 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 series in all of the X and i varients. Did we really need a 2 series? Did we really need an X1? BMW's are now a dime a dozen......I can't even begin to bring myself to get excited about a 3 series anymore. I may own another BMW at some point, but for right now, no thank you.