Feature: BMW 3-series

The BMW 3-series cars are definitely not refrigerators! They appeal to the car enthusiast as driver's cars and also to those who like a nice car in their driveway to show off to the neighbors. Motor Trend says that they were the 9th selling car model in California in 2001. These range from the 325 to the fire-breathing M3 that's been awarded "best handling" car here in the U.S. (Car and Driver) as well as England (Autocar). We love this wonderful car as one of the best all-around cars you can own.

The 3-series was delivered to the U.S. for the first time in the 1977 model year. It replaced the even then venerated 2002. It was definitely an improved car over the 2002, but some enthusiasts refused to see that -- and still don't!

There have been four generations of 3-series since then, each one a better car than the one before. They have gone from the single car 320i 3-series of 1977 to a full line today. There are 325s, 330s, and the M3. There are 4-door sedans, 2-door sedans (I refuse to call it a "coupe" because it really isn't), convertible and station wagon.

The current 3-series is an "ultimate driving machine" like no other. Lexus and Mercedes have tried and Lexus even over did it with their IS. Mercedes, however, can't seem to make a car that involves the driver like BMW. Nor can Audi for some reason, though their excuse might be front-wheel-drive.

The real enthusiast 3-series car and most distant from being a refrigerator is the M3. The first generation M3, known as an E30 M3, was introduced into the U.S. in 1998. It was a "homologation special". That's a car designed to be raced in a series that needs a certain number of production cars to be raced in that category. This made it the most focused car BMW has ever produced. It was not only successful on the track (the European Touring Car Championship), but also as a production car much to BMWs surprise. The second generation M3 was more of a GT road car and far less a race car, but again was a popular seller. The current generation M3 is much more of a driver's car, but still not a race car underneath.

With the "Banglized" BMWs being introduced these days, I wonder what the fifth generation one will look like. Regardless of looks, I predict that it will continue to be a driver's car of the first order.