2006 BMW 3-Series Road Test

Whoa! Hold on their Mr. Auto Journalist, them's fightin' words. OK, I've read the message boards that have some people still

The design naysayers are few and far between compared to the cumulative gasp of relief heard when the new 3-Series was unveiled. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

bellyaching that the new 3 shares too many design cues with other Bangle/Hooydonk styling exercises, but these naysayers are few and far between compared to the cumulative gasp of relief heard when the new design was unveiled.

Personally, I like what BMW's design staff has done with the new 3. I was getting pretty bored of the outgoing car, and the new look is fresh and exciting, and dare I say, quite graceful on the open road.

And the open road is not only where the new 3 looks best, but also where it feels best when at the wheel. After a circuitous drive through Pittsburgh's suburban countryside, where the car's near perfect suspension setup soaked up rutted roads without pounding its occupants into submission, but rather snaked through winding and undulating roadways with confidence-inspiring precision, we ended up at Beaver Run MotorSports Complex in Wampum, PA.

C'mon, does it get any better than this? Brand new 3-Series BMWs in various levels of trim on a thoroughly engaging road

The open road is not only where the new 3 looks best, but also where it feels best when at the wheel. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

course, it was dreamy. I can't say if it was the car that made me a better driver or if I just happened to be spot on when it came to nailing my braking zones, carving the optimal apex and then bleeding off steering input while exiting the corner, but I felt pretty good about myself when the afternoon was over. I needed a dozen good laps on the track to boost my tortured ego too, after messing up the autocross course so brutally, orange cones flying and tires screeching.