2006 BMW 3-Series Road Test

Passing the Torch

Keeping up with the Joneses is hard enough, but being the Joneses and therefore expected to be the best year after

Keeping up with the Joneses is hard enough, but being the Joneses is even tougher. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

year must be a real pressure cooker.

Just the same, it's not like the territory is particularly new for BMW. Ever since its 2002 was announced in 1968 and quickly proved its potential by winning the European Touring Car Championship at the hands of Dieter Quester, the Bavarian brand has been the sport sedan builder to beat.

After a mid-cycle update that ran until 1976 the 2002 was replaced by BMW's first 3-Series in 1977, the 320i - codenamed E21. The car was a runaway success, selling over 1.3 million globally during its seven year lifespan.

The somewhat boxy 1984 through 1991 E30 was the best selling BMW before the outgoing E46 came along, with more than 2.3

After years of benchmark accolades, BMW has definitely nailed down the sports sedan formula. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

million produced. The E36, which ran from 1992 through 1998, was extremely popular too, upping performance with a sophisticated multilink rear suspension and increasing output to a healthy 192-horsepower in top-line 325i guise.

But it was the E46, arriving in 1999 and currently still available new from the automaker's showrooms, albeit in limited supply, that sent the brand over the 3 million mark. BMW has definitely nailed down the sports sedan formula.