2010 BMW 3-Series

The 2010 BMW 3-Series ranks 2 out of 16 Upscale Midsize Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 100 published reviews and test drives of the BMW 3-Series, and our analysis of reliability and safety data. Many in the automotive press consider the BMW 3-Series the best sport sedan built today. If you're interested in an entry-level luxury sedan that will serve as a family car day-to-day, and a corner-hugging sports car when a winding road presents itself, the 3-Series may be the best you'll find.

Image by davipt via Flickr

The BMW 3-Series has won more awards that its trunk can hold. More than we can list. Put it this way - this car has been one of Car and Driver's "10Best" cars for 18 consecutive years. Nothing else has. This car loves a curvy road. It offers balanced handling that is almost unparalleled, with near 50/50 weight distribution and suspension tuning biased more toward the sporty end of the scale than most similarly-priced cars. It also offers a selection of powerful engines, allowing buyers to decide how much to spend on speed. There is even a strong twin-turbo diesel that offers tremendous off-the-line torque with good fuel economy.
That sporty suspension, however, is what shoppers need to think hard about before parting with upwards of $30,000. The automotive press tends to fall in love with cars that perform well in track testing - which means cars that are firmly sprung.

Image by jburns00 via Flickr

Image by jburns00 via Flickr

The result is a fast lap time and a car that will hold a hard turn while losing little momentum to body roll...but that can translate to a choppy ride in day-to-day driving. The 3-Series may not be the right car for those most interested in a luxurious ride. A softer-tuned alternative, like the Lexus ES, may make sense for buyers who don't actually like to drive hard.
Even those who do have alternatives. Reviewers now consider the Inifiniti G37 a viable alternative to BMW's car. The G's V6 offers more low-end grunt and feels a bit less refined that the BMW's base engine, but some say the Coupe version of the G37 actually outcorners the 3-Series coupe. The 2010 BMW 3-Series is available as a sedan, a coupe, a wagon or a hardtop convertible. Coupe and sedan models come in rear-wheel drive 328i and 335i models, and all-wheel-drive 328i xDrive and 335i xDrive editions. 335 models feature twin turbochargers not available on the 328s.
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