The BMW 3 Series is once and forever the car to drive up the corporate ladder. The car that defined yuppie-ism in the 1980s is now the focal point of the BMW lineup in the 2006 model year.
That's a good thing for BMW in more ways than one.
BMW has had a rough go of it with its new models. The 7 Series was roundly criticized for its avant garde styling and the controversial iDrive computer system that operated a number of functions.
The 5 Series, though still a sparkling performer on the road, also has been attacked by purists and others for its styling and its iDrive system. Consumer Reports, for one, has been unusually critical of it, and a number of car magazines have made no effort to conceal their disdain.
I still think the 5 Series is a superb all-around performer and one of the best road cars in the world. The styling takes some time to get used to, but it does look much better in darker shades.
But the 3 Series has been a different story. Its evolutionary styling has been warmly received, and it is now every bit the handling and performance champ that it always has been.
Click here for the full article