Used Car Extended Warranty Ratings
Used Car Spotlight: BMW 3-Series (2005 - Present)
Although the Ford Model-T might be the car that brought "motoring to the masses" in this country, it was not until BMW unveiled its iconic 3-series that we as a nation finally understood the concept of "automotive nirvana." The 3-series redefined what drivers expected from their vehicles-it taught people that a practical sedan could be made up of a multitude of exactingly engineered parts to create a sedan that sounded, handled, drove and felt like no other.
History-The first truly great 3-series was the "boxy" E30 variant that was built until 1991. During its heyday in the 1980's, this stellar driver's car got a bit of a bad reputation for being favored by "yuppies" that only drove them because they were "status symbols." The fact that the character of "Kelly" on TV's "Beverly Hills 90210" drove a red convertible E30 only solidified the notion that the 3-series was a car purpose built for rich posers. Thank heaven then for the appearance of the M3 in 1989. The first M3 was based on the two door 325i model which came with a straight six cylinder engine rated at 168 horsepower. (Note: An engine that is referred to as a "straight six" is one where the six cylinders are all in a row. Some also call these "inline" six cylinder engines. This layout improves smoothness and helps lower the center of gravity for the engine when compared to "V6" engines where the cylinders are set-up in a V-formation. BMW continues to use "straight" cylinder setups for its engines to this day.) The E30 M3, in addition to boasting a host of suspension modifications, shoehorned a race tuned straight 4 cylinder engine with 193 horsepower into the engine bay. It was built just as a "homologation special"-these are built solely for the purpose of fulfilling rallying regulations that demand all race cars be based on "mass produced models." During the short life of that first generation M3 only a few thousand were built but even today used ones command top dollar. Just as with any "halo" performance model, the goodwill from the M3 erased all memories of "yuppie stigma" from the minds of the public. This was all just in time for BMW to introduce a more grown up 3-series, also known as the E36. Sold until early 2000, this 3-series was the most luxurious, powerful and sporty 3-series that BMW had ever produced. They sold like the proverbial hot cakes year in and year out. The E36 expanded on the traditional coupe, sedan and convertible body styles with the introduction of a wagon version. Never a huge seller in the United States, the 3-series wagon is much more popular in Europe. Handling on this model was a revelation when compared with its competition at the time thanks to a revolutionary "Z-Axle Multi-link" design. The M3 returned yet again, this time with a straight six engine (rated at 240 horsepower and 225 pound feet of torque for U.S. variants) that emitted noises unrivalled by any car of the era not made in Italy. To quantify it in real terms, the M3's engine didn't make noise as much as sing in an operatic falsetto. M3 engines even today continue this tradition of making beautiful metallic melodies out of the racket caused by internal combustion. By James Hamel - I live near Laguna Beach, CA and am a full time freelance auto journalist who got his start on this very website. Now I work for 3 sites full time reviewing and road testing new cars. Contact me via twitter...Next page: Cadillac Extended Warranty
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