Review
Introduction
Last year, more than 140,000 people bought a 3-series BMW, making it America’s bestselling luxury vehicle. Yes, that’s right—more than any high-end truck or car from either the Japanese or domestic automakers. And those 140,000-plus people all had extremely good taste, because the 3-series is a wonderful vehicle. BMW sells the convertible version only in rear-wheel-drive form, but the wagon, the sedan, and the coupe are also available with all-wheel drive, designated by an “x” in the model name. The wagon comes only with the naturally aspirated 230-hp, 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine in 328i and 328xi models, whereas all other variants can be ordered with a 300-hp, 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged six, in which case it is designated either 335i or 335xi. Buyers can choose a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. For 2008, BMW reintroduced the super-fast M3 sedan, coupe, and convertible—all powered by a 414-hp, 4.0-liter V-8 mated to a six-speed conventional manual transmission or a new, seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual.
Verdict
The BMW 3-series is a perennial winner of Car and Driver’s 10Best Cars award and has won every comparison test in which it has competed since the E90 series was launched in 2005. Apart from its slightly controversial styling, relatively high price, and infuriating iDrive interface, the 3-series is almost flawless. It is the best to drive in its class—fast, fairly fuel efficient, smooth riding, and roomy.
Click here to read our full review of the BMW 3-series.
Click here to read our latest comparison test involving the BMW 3-series.
What’s New for 2008
The big news is the reintroduction of the top-of-the-line performance model, the M3, in coupe, sedan, and convertible versions. This high-tech autobahn stormer features a 4.0-liter V-8 engine making 414 horsepower, along with all sorts of electronic gizmos. The elegant 3-series convertible, which features a folding hardtop roof, was introduced in 2007 as a 2008 model. On all 3-series models fitted with the optional six-speed automatic transmission, steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters are available with the Sport package. New 16-inch wheels are standard on the 328i and 328xi sedans. The most significant change for the coupe for ’08 is the addition of an all-wheel-drive model, the 335xi, to the lineup. All sedans, coupes, and wagons now have chrome tailpipe tips.
