Used Car Spotlight: BMW 3-Series (2005 - Present)

What to Look for when You Want to Buy the Best BMW 3-Series for Your Money

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.