The point of owning a BMW - the reason people pay the tariff and put up with the theft risk - is that they're marvelous driving machines. Plenty of vehicles offer high-quality transportation and driving pleasure for less money, but they don't feel like a BMW. The heart of any BMW's personality is its front-engine/rear-drive layout. In a car the size of the 3-Series, this translates into a sporty, responsive, nimble package. The long wheelbase and stiff, well-engineered chassis help deliver a surprisingly comfortable and quiet ride, considering the car's athletic character.
The refined strut-type front suspension, multi-link rear suspension and balanced weight distribution provide exhilarating handling. The large disc brakes, combined with standard ABS, provide exceptional braking ability, stop after stop.
Our test vehicle's 1.8-liter 16-valve 4-cylinder engine, producing 138 hp at 6000 rpm, provided plenty of fun. But this is not a lightweight car, and the greater power of the 325i's 2.5-liter
6-cylinder engine would have been more satisfying.