BMW 3 series

We hear the pages of the history book turning as our fingers make their way back to the early 60s when BMW introduced the Neue Klasse (New Class), a range of compact sedans and coupes that basically set the foundation on which contemporary BMWs lay on. These were the common ancestors of both the 3-Series and the 5-Series and, if you ask us, it’s the first that’s stayed closer to their identity. A bit of dust raises in the cabin as we turn the pages again, this time to 1975, when the first 3er, codenamed E21, was introduced. From there on, the vehicle grew up similarly to a human being, with the E30, E36, E46 and E90 generations following. These are not just codes that make BMW fans dream, but also vehicles that can still be found in the automotive landscape today, proving just how fit they are for our world. Over the years, the 3-Series has earned a reputation of being a sporty premium saloon and much more. In fact, if we lined up a small group of cars that would have to be conserved in order to stand as a proof of our civilization, the 3er would certainly be included among them. We now close the dusty book and place it on the generous back seat of our brand-new F30 BMW 3-Series test car - it’s time to take replace the reading glasses with the sun ones and get down to business. Today, we shall test the sixth generation of the 3er, a vehicle that has quite a burden on its fenders, as it has to step up the aforementioned game. Now that the designers and engineers have done their job, it’s time for us journalists to do ours and tell you what this piece of Germany is all about. The vehicle we’re writing from is the one that will top the range’s sales, the 320d. However, our test car has been packed with lots of optional extras and when you check out its description you feel like someone has planned everything out for you. The fresh 3-Series seems to laugh at the challenge we mentioned above. Just take a look at it, it seems bold and self-confident, not for a second does it show any concern for the fact that it has to raise to a sky-high level of expectations. OK Mr. Three, let’s see what you’re made of!