2010 BMW 3-Series
- 2009 BMW 3-Series
- Used BMW 3-Series
Based on analysis of 100 3-Series reviews and test drives.
BMW 3-Series - What the Auto Press Says
The 2010 BMW 3-Series ranks 2 out of 15 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.
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. 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.
- "Subtle styling updates and an available broad-shouldered diesel power plant put a layer of icing on our favorite entry-level luxury car, the 2009 BMW 3 Series. The 2009 BMW 3 Series is poised to remain America's best-selling luxury car, and for good reason -- it's an honest-to-goodness driver's car that's nonetheless comfortable and stylish enough to appeal to a wide range of consumers." -- Edmunds
- "With dynamic capabilities second to none, the 3-Series remains the benchmark for sporty compacts. A full complement of body styles and available all-wheel drive add to the appeal. Base prices are reasonable for this class, though BMW charges extra for popular amenities many competitors include as standard equipment." -- Consumer Guide
- "We're happy to report that the car remains just as delightful in this newest iteration." -- Car and Driver
- "Thanks to BMW's fanatical pursuit of driving excellence, not to mention increased pressure from the likes of Infiniti, the 335i has a death grip on Automobile Magazine's back-road crown." -- Automobile Magazine
- "With streamlined aggression and more power and performance, the 3 is clearly stronger than ever, so much so that there may be no competition at all." -- Motor Week
- "Maybe we should give it a lifetime achievement award. We didn't set out hoping to give the 3-Series another All-Star award-this is the car's thirteenth-but then we got in the car and started driving ... The 3-Series is the car that instantly makes any mope who slides behind its wheel a better driver." -- The Auto Channel
3-Series Performance - 9.3 (Excellent)
The appeal of the 2010 BMW 3-Series is easy to state bluntly: sports car handling in a family car package. Shoppers can choose from several engines, depending on where straight-line speed ranks in their priority list. But all versions of the 3-Series come with exemplary handling. "No matter which model you choose, the 3 Series' world-class suspension, steering and brakes will provide hours of entertainment on twisty two-lane byways," raves Edmunds. Read More
3-Series Exterior - 9.0 (Excellent)
The 3-Series received a slight styling update last year, and carries into 2010 unchanged. It wears a tailored look, with the classic BMW twin-kidney grille flowing into a balance of graceful curves and sharp creases. Motor Week calls the sleek look of the BMW 3-Series "streamlined aggression." Read More
3-Series Interior - 8.2 (Very Good)
The interior of the BMW 3-Series is comfortable and built from materials that luxury car buyers expect. But reviewers say it lacks some of the comfort of a Lexus or Acura product, and is short on storage space. BMW interiors have always emphasized the driver's position, and this one is no different - passengers might be more comfortable in several competitors, like the Infiniti G37. The 3-Series also features several quirky technologies that Cars.com characterizes as "answers to questions nobody asked." Read More
3-Series Safety - 9.4 (Excellent)
The BMW 3-Series earns five out of five stars in government side-impact crash tests, but only four stars for frontal-impacts -- in a class where perfect scores are taken for granted. It offers a full suite of safety equipment, including a unique wet-weather braking system that only BMW has ever offered. Read More
3-Series Reliability - 7.0 (Good)
The 2010 BMW 3-Series reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). All 3-Series cars are covered by a four-year or 50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. Read More
