The BMW 3-Series is a class stalwart. It was the class leader in so many ways for so long. But not now. The latest BMW 3-Series was too safe, and not considerably more advanced than the much loved previous model. This BMW is seen to be the real estate agent's car, the CPA's car - that sort of thing. Friend to businessmen everywhere. And not as cool looking or expensive looking as the pricetag suggests. In fact, the 3-Series looks quite boring - I can't really think of a reason why it looks good, actually. Oh wait, I know why that is! That's because it doesn't look good. The rear looks especially awkward, as if they tried to give is a tapered, coupe look, but couldn't because it'd ruin the boot space, so it just looks confused. And it's not like it is particularly spacious either - as one of (if not the smallest) in it's class, I would hardly recommend it as a family car. It isn't quite as well built as an Audi, but it will never leave you feeling shortchanged inside. The real appeal of the 3-Series is in the handling. That could be it's saving grace, to be honest, because I'm running out of reasons to like this car. Another reason not to like it is the trip computer system iDrive, which seems to be so complicated that it baffles me that it isn't considered a driver distraction and outlawed. I once asked a BMW representative at the Melbourne Motor Show to demonstrate the use of iDrive, and his mumbled response was that he wasn't very good at using it, so I'd have to ask someone else. True story. If BMW's own blokes can't use it, how do techno-idiots like me stand a chance?!?! Oh, by the way, you can get a wagon version of this car too, it's called Touring. But you wouldn't. Trust me, you wouldn't.

Would you buy it as a used car? Yeah, maybe, but BMW 3-Series cars very often have a high number on the odometer - well, of course they do. They get run around on business by real estate agents.

Effective October 2008
(Click Image to Emlarge)

YOUR CAR IN BRIEF: BMW 3-Series