Evidenced by an overloaded trophy rack, there's something that BMW gets bang-on with their 3-Series lineup year after year- and if you've decided to get a used one, you can count on a premium features, exceptional agility and a choice of the silkiest engines on the road.
These include inline-six cylinder engines with displacements ranging from 2.2 to 3.0 litres on regular models, with horsepower rated from 168 to 230. The 2.5 litre straight-six was perhaps an optimal balance of performance and mileage, while the three-litre unit was an international award winner for its power, economy and refined character. It was available with slightly increased levels of horsepower for certain applications, too.
3-Series selection is impressive- with availability as a sedan, coupe, convertible or even wagon body styles- depending on the year you're shopping in. You'll find availability in either a manual or automatic gearbox on models across the range. Five speed manuals and automatics were the norm early on, though selected models gained six-speed boxes later.
All wheel drive was optionally available as well, and models carrying BMW's X-Drive system were designated as "xi". The all wheel drive system, like Mercedes Benz's 4-Matic and Audi's famous Quattro, is totally invisible and works without any driver interaction. This system could be had on the wagon models as well, an made them a fantastic choice for winter travelling.
If you're more after a summertime car and you like to visit race-tracks on weekends, don't overlook the potent and gorgeous M3. It's 3.2 litre, 330 + horsepower engine and specially tuned chassis put German engineering to work in the interest of going really, really fast. They're not cheap, but those after a street-smart, luxurious track-monster will find it worth every penny.
Even in regular models, 3-Series offered fantastic driving dynamics, every-day livability and a certain level of prestige. This generation won a spot on Car and Driver's Ten Best list every year of its production- so apparently BMW was doing something right.
These include inline-six cylinder engines with displacements ranging from 2.2 to 3.0 litres on regular models, with horsepower rated from 168 to 230. The 2.5 litre straight-six was perhaps an optimal balance of performance and mileage, while the three-litre unit was an international award winner for its power, economy and refined character. It was available with slightly increased levels of horsepower for certain applications, too.
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| 2002 BMW 3-Series Sedan |
3-Series selection is impressive- with availability as a sedan, coupe, convertible or even wagon body styles- depending on the year you're shopping in. You'll find availability in either a manual or automatic gearbox on models across the range. Five speed manuals and automatics were the norm early on, though selected models gained six-speed boxes later.
All wheel drive was optionally available as well, and models carrying BMW's X-Drive system were designated as "xi". The all wheel drive system, like Mercedes Benz's 4-Matic and Audi's famous Quattro, is totally invisible and works without any driver interaction. This system could be had on the wagon models as well, an made them a fantastic choice for winter travelling.
If you're more after a summertime car and you like to visit race-tracks on weekends, don't overlook the potent and gorgeous M3. It's 3.2 litre, 330 + horsepower engine and specially tuned chassis put German engineering to work in the interest of going really, really fast. They're not cheap, but those after a street-smart, luxurious track-monster will find it worth every penny.
Even in regular models, 3-Series offered fantastic driving dynamics, every-day livability and a certain level of prestige. This generation won a spot on Car and Driver's Ten Best list every year of its production- so apparently BMW was doing something right.
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| 2003 BMW 3-Series |