Current Generation

Per BMW tradition, the replacement for the E46 3 Series, dubbed "E90," was introduced a couple of body styles at a time. 2006 saw the arrival of the new sedan and wagon models, while the unchanged but still quite competitive E46 coupes and convertibles (including the M3) continued to be sold as '06 models. The nomenclature became more complicated for this redesign, as E90 technically referred only to the sedan, while the wagon was known as E91 and the forthcoming coupe and convertible were designated E92 and E93, respectively. This was also the first 3 Series to be designed on controversial BMW stylist Chris Bangle's watch.

Initial reactions to the new 3 Series' look were mixed. Most agreed that it had mercifully been spared the full Bangle treatment, but some grumbled about odd styling touches such as the sedan's pinched rear taillights. The real question, though, was whether it possessed the superior driving dynamics for which the 3 Series had historically been known. The E90 3 Series quickly served notice to inquiring enthusiasts that the answer was a resounding "Yes," thanks to attributes like an all-new five-link rear suspension, class-leading steering feel and a downright magical ride/handling balance.

While the 3 Series' sporting character had been left intact, notable changes were made to other aspects of the car. In addition to the revamped exterior styling, the E90 3 Series rode on a 1.4-inch-longer wheelbase and had a 1.2-inch-wider track than the E46. The increased dimensions yielded a passenger compartment that was 2.2 cubic feet larger, as well as a trunk that was more capacious by 1.3 cubic feet. These gains resulted in a slight penalty at the scales, as the E90 was about 100 pounds heavier than its predecessor.

Inside, BMW's oft-reviled iDrive interface was available but thankfully not mandatory. There were also plenty of traditional 3 Series traits like accessible, driver-centric controls and a near perfect driving position. Although changes in dashboard design compared with the E46 were mostly evolutionary, one notable difference was the inclusion of a second, mid-dash binnacle atop the optional navigation system. (Models without the nav had the more familiar flat-topped dash.) Rear-seat accommodations remained snug, but there was noticeably more knee room than in the E46.

Like its E46 predecessor, the 2006 3 Series was offered in either 325 or 330 trim and with standard rear-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive; however, all '06 E90 models were powered by 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engines. The 325's version was rated at 215 hp, while the 330's engine was endowed with a three-stage induction system and other modifications that yielded an impressive 255 hp. Newly optional was BMW's Active Steering system, which promised such tricks as greater maneuverability at low speeds and electronically activated countersteer in the event of wheel slippage; nonetheless, observant drivers decreed that this system gave the steering an un-BMW-like artificial feel. Both sedan and wagon came standard with a six-speed manual transmission, while a six-speed automatic was optional.

For 2007, the rollout of the E90 3 Series continued with the introduction of the E92 coupe and the E93 convertible, the latter being BMW's first vehicle ever with a retractable hardtop. Although the elongated proportions of the new coupe and convertible were not quite as tight as 3 Series past, seductively sleek sheet metal -- much of it unique to the two-door models -- made these models highly desirable for those who didn't require the functionality of four doors. Also of note was the addition of BMW's excellent twin-turbocharged inline-6 to the 3 Series lineup. Models equipped with this silky-smooth and nearly lag-free power plant enjoyed performance rivaling that of the old E46 M3. Thanks to 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque, the 0-60 sprint required only about 5 seconds.

With the advent of the twin-turbo mill, the 330 model with its 255-hp inline-6 was discontinued after just one year of production, as was the 325 model with its 215-hp unit. As a replacement, a new "base" 328 model was introduced, featuring a 3.0-liter inline-6 making 230 hp and 200 lb-ft of torque, while models with the turbocharged engine were designated 335. The E90 3 Series lineup now consisted of sedan, wagon, coupe and convertible models in either 328 or 335 form, with all-wheel drive available on all body styles but the convertible. With a new E90-based M3 due in '08, no M3 was offered for '07.

2008 saw few changes to the ordinary 3 Series lineup. Serious enthusiasts, however, will long remember '08 as the first year of production for the E90 M3. Many who had driven the sublime E46 M3 wondered how on earth BMW could raise the bar even higher this time around. On paper, the company succeeded in grand fashion -- the E90 M3 was numerically superior to its E46 forefather by every relevant measure, and it was also available in sedan form for the first time since the E36 generation.

Bristling with 414 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque from its high-revving 4.0-liter V8, the E90 M3 warped to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds and dispatched the quarter-mile in 12.7 seconds at 112 mph. Pulling a supercar-level 0.95g on the skid pad, our M3 tester (a coupe) snaked through the slalom in a barely believable 75.0 mph. Available with a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed automated-clutch sequential-shift manual gearbox, there was no doubt that this M3 had the goods to be the best high-performance 3 Series model ever. The question for enthusiasts to debate was whether the car's historically vibrant soul had been diluted.

Some purists opined that steering feel had dropped a notch or two compared with the E46 M3. There was also debate about whether the E90 M3's V8 was a worthy successor to its predecessor's 333-hp inline-6. Performance testing aside, it was suggested that the V8's mechanical engine note proved no match for the glorious turbinelike smoothness of the six, particularly at higher engine speeds. For more than a few dyed-in-the-wool enthusiasts, the E46 M3 just felt right -- and the E90 M3 felt a bit too encumbered with cylinders and