This whole generation of the 3 series is a bust. It didnt make the 10 best last year. The 2 series was the last bmw on this list and got displaced by the RS3. Lets hope this is a wake up call for BMW to get back on top of the enthusiast list.

 

The 3 Series had been on the 8 best list consecutively and one less time that the Canadiens won Stanley Cups. The 3 and Accord were like China, Russia, Great Britain, United States, France, at the UN. So now we have a 9 best list. Taking the Accord off the list (the last gen did not deserve to be there) would be like doing what NBC did yesterday with the Today show. People would be heartbroken and advertising revenue would wane.

As an owner of a 2007 335i, in a way it's sad to think first BMW/last BMW. I drove a 2016 loaded 328i with the adaptive LED blah blah blah for 4 mos. as a loaner, sure I liked the features, but the way it drove was awful. Who wants to spend almost $60k for awful...

 

Giulia is a great driver's car but sucks everywhere else. Cheap interior materials, poor build quality, poor reliability, subpar infotainment system, terrible residuals, etc. Unless you only care for driving dynamics, you have to be an idiot to get one.

The new Audi S4 was a better choice.

 

100% agreed. I have an '09 E90 3-series which drives like pure magic. The feeling of the road through my fingers is beautiful and cannot be found on any modern car irrespective of brand. The interior has held up perfectly and gets compliments as it is brown and looks one of a kind. The F30 generation took a step back in interior material quality and 5 steps back in driving dynamics. The F30 is one of the worst and most forgettable BMWs of all time. Pretty much every F-platform model (save for the 2er) will end up on that list. There is no reason to choose one over the competition anymore. Needless to say, my fanboyism has moved to other brands.

 

Let's see what 2017 or 18 loaner they give me Mon. Last year was a 428i Gran Coupé, awful. I get my car inspected at the dealer because they only charge $68 and provide a loaner (Toyota charges $73 and sit in the lounge and wait). The car was brand new, and had a dent on the hatch/trunk. My wife pointed out look, there is an "x" on the paperwork. WHEW, I didn't want to get charged for something I didn't do (they did not walk me around it).

Anyway, having done the ABS/DSC pump on my 335i, when I had the F30, I decided to look under the hood to see how it would be done on the F. All the material under the hood is cheap, it really is, to the point of not fitting that well (I should not have removed the pieces, it wasn't my car, but they should have easily gone back in place).

We autocrossed the new 540's, and they still have light steering!!!! BMW is not stupid, their brand/marque is or was as strong as Apple. They have likely shifted their focus to selling cars to more people, i.e. FWD based cars like the X1.

edit: p.s. I fear that if we gave up our E9x's, we'd never have the same steering feel ever again, on any car, not even new Porsches....

 

car and driver is completely irrelevant.

 

It's a shame cuz the 4er Gran Coupe is a 10/10 in looks. And yeah the new 5er is disappointing to drive but otherwise it's best in class. Anytime I see one of those midsize luxury sedans they are always driven by people in their 40s and 50s anyway. i just wish the smaller cars would still stay true to the brand roots.

My E90 just cost me $3K in unscheduled maintenance over the past month. It may be on its way out unfortunately. It's in mint condition and brings my joy everytime I drive it, maybe I'll hang on...

 

In what way? They manage to stay in business with a lot of competing publications out there, so it looks like somebody is reading them.

 

^I think he's referring to their credibility. All these magazines have a history of handing out awards to crappy cars and being biased. C&D's anti-BMW vendetta is overblown but they keep it around as it generates clicks and magazine sales. They aren't as critical of other brands whose cars are just as disappointing to drive. Very subjective/emotion-driven reviews rather than objective.

 

And the X1 is the most un-BMW car that they make. mini-based FWD hatchback, essentially. A less-fun Ford Fiesta with a roundel on the hood.

 

Most of these magazines, of course, emphasize sport, power, and handling. Though not exclusive (sometimes the most sport-oriented vehicle in a comparison-test will not always win)...in general, that's the case.

 

As you mentioned, the X1 shares its platform with the Mini Countryman. Quite a change for the brand. On the other hand, not too long ago C&D did a comparison test that included the X1, Q3, NX, GLA and QX30 and in their words the X1 "ran away" with the test so maybe in that segment it's competitive.

 

I drove a Countryman not long ago. Quite impressive....especially compared to the scooter-like road manners of the regular Minis.

 

Definitely nice to see some new blood on the list. The top end Guilia looks better and perform better than some luxury car companies’ entire line up. No need to hate….The new Honda is no beautiful queen. But it’s simply a better car than the Camry. Check the reviews.

 

Well my ABS/DSC pump failed which is $4100 at the dealer, it is a DIY job costing < $500 to include tools and software.....I can see that being a big turn-off....pretty sure I'm going to have to consider a walnut blast soon and I have not had the water pump go yet. The shame of it all, is we are used to how these cars drive, and they at one time were considered to be excellent. Today, a driver may get one of these cars and dump them right away, because they are so annoyed at how the car won't stop communicating with them. If that's what you want, zero road feel, then get a LS430 and drive your sofa onto the highway! (that is me 4/5 days week commuting)