2007 BMW 3 Series Review discusses the latest from BMW.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

2007 BMW 3 Series Review

The BMW 3 Series was first introduced in the 1970s and still features the German maker's cheapest and best selling vehicles. It has seen some changes over the decades with major upgrades during the mid 1980s and early 1990s. The third generation lasted until 1998. The current generation debuted in 2006 with the new 3 Series sedan. The 3 Series has won numerous awards, including Canada's "Best New Sports Sedan" in 2006, and also "World Car of the Year" at the New York Auto Show that year.

The BuyingAdvice Team Says:

For decades, the BMW 3 Series has set the standards for the sporty, near-luxury car market. It remains a wonderful driver's car, with impeccable power and handling. However, new competitors have opted for more interior luxury and standard features. Though never the cheapest option, the 3 Series is still setting the standards for its class.

What's New For 2007:

The 3 Series coupe has been remodeled and restyled for 2007, with a lower suspension than the 3 Series sedan. The 328i coupe features a new 3.0 liter 6 cylinder engine and the 335i coupe, which replaces the 330i, comes with a twin-turbocharged, six-cylinder engine capable of 300 horsepower.

What is the Predicted Reliability:

The new 3 Series is too young to have long-term reliability history, but J.D. Power and Associates give it four and a half out of five stars for initial reliability. However, the previous 3 Series had a number of recorded issues and recalls. Recorded issues include: engine knock from 2001-03, and faulty crankshaft position sensors, steering noise, transmission leak and transmission slippage all in 1999. The 3 Series was recalled nine times between 1999 and 2003. Expect average reliability. BMW's basic warranty lasts for four years or 50,000 miles.

Analysis Of Safety Ratings And Features:

The 3 Series earned four out of fives stars in government frontal crash tests, and five stars in side tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 3 Series its best "Good" rating for front and side impacts, with the 3 Series earning "Acceptable" marks in rear impact tests. The 3 Series is loaded with safety features, including anti-lock brakes, side airbags, dynamic brake control, and an advanced stability control system.

Pros and Cons:

Pros
+ Loaded with safety features
+ Affordable
+ Fun to drive

Cons
- Questionable reliability history
- Poor features-to-price ratio
- Mediocre interior comfort

Head-To-Head Competition:

While BMW sets the performance standard in this category, it faces a growing list of competitors. The Audi A4 offers similar handling and features, but less horsepower, for several thousand dollars less. The Infiniti G35 offers a more luxurious interior, slightly better gas mileage and more horsepower than the 328i at a similar price.

What Others Are Saying:

"BMW has long been unchallenged in the performance arena, and that used to be enough to get by. But times have changed, and virtually every car magazine has the Infiniti vehicles beating the BMW models because people want more than just performance. They want comfort and value, too. Maybe it's time for this company to start looking beyond the end of its own hood." - About.Com

"Despite the uglification and over-technification, the new 3 still seems like the best BMW, the one truest to the sport-sedan concept that nobody else has done as consistently well." - USA TODAY

"The 2007 BMW 335i Coupe isn't the most practical of automobiles. After all, it has no rear doors, making the rear seat useless to all but the slim and limber. Who needs that when BMW has a perfectly acceptable 3-Series sedan? I mean, really, where's the logic in that?" - Carbuzzard.com

Read more about the 2007 BMW 3 Series at the BMW manufacturer web site.

Published on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 - Email to a friend

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