Cyclical redesigns of cars are usually accepted and often celebrated. The team for BMW's 3-series, o

Cyclical redesigns of cars are usually accepted and often celebrated.
The team for BMW's
3-series, on the other hand, can't so much as pick up a pencil without the
automotive community throwing fits. To us enthusiasts, the passing of such a
sublime, rewarding machine is like a dear friend getting cruelly swept away
from our suddenly emptier lives. Besides, what's the point? When you stand at
the top, movement means descent - anyone notice some descension with BMW's
newer designs? - and believe you me, the 3-series was at the top.



But everyone wants something new, and this car is serious
business (as in half-of-BMW's-worldwide-sales serious) so another seven years
brings another 3. If the changes aren't drastic (visually or otherwise), some
rank as newsworthy. The first - perhaps you saw this coming - is that this
fifth-generation 3-series is longer, wider, and taller than before, making some
room for both passengers and the smaller 2-series rumored to be on its way
over. There have been minor suspension upgrades, changes to both the engine
roster and the engines themselves, and BMW threw all of its latest toys -
Active Steering, DVD navigation, and yes, iDrive - into the playpen.I believ its catalytics is as good as my Merkur catalytic converter, there'd be no doubt 'bout it...