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2008 BMW 3-Series Review

October 30, 2008

STYLING | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

a dynamic flair that reflects common styling cues with the larger series
Cars.com

Plain-Jane interior design
Edmunds

Clean, elegant look
Kelley Blue Book

The 2008 BMW 3-Series wears sculptured lines that please most reviewers around the Web, while its cabin is more sedate.

Cars.com dishes more specific details for the outside of this 2008 BMW, pointing out features such as "a long hood and short front overhangs," as well as the "prominent twin-kidney grille" that have been part of BMW automobiles almost since the beginning. Kelley Blue Book offers the following description, highlighting "a relatively long wheelbase coupled with short front and rear overhangs, plus a slight wedge shape...[giving] the compact 3 Series [BMW 2008] a dynamic flair that reflects common styling cues with the larger 5 Series and 7 Series." Edmunds remarks, “The current model, which represents the fifth-generation 3 Series, is now slightly larger, heavier and faster than the previous model,” while observing its “bolder look.” USA Today had harsh words for the new lines—“Not as ugly as the similar look on the bigger 5, 6 and 7 Series BMWs, but way ugly nonetheless”—but despite its “slightly controversial” styling, as Car and Driver called it, most car reviewers felt the new 3-Series’s look was an improvement over the previous edition. MyRide leaves it up to you to decide if it’s better—only, they ask, you judge it after seeing it in the sheetmetal because “the car looks much better in person than in photos.”

We observed some mixed reactions to the BMW 2008 3-Series' interior. Cars.com makes simple, objective observations: "simulated leather seats are standard and real leather is optional. Burl walnut, poplar and aluminum trim are available." Edmunds and Kelley Blue Book offered contrasting value judgments. The former described the cabin of this 2008 BMW as having a "plain-Jane interior design," while the latter praised its "clean, elegant look...highlighted by standard leatherette upholstery set off by [the] wood or aluminum trim." MyRide.com dislikes the “Austere, business-like interior,” but Automedia thinks “3 Series' cabins artfully blend luxury and sporty elements befitting a modern BMW.” Edmunds says the emphasis is on “driver comfort and involvement” in the 3-Series, thanks to a “clean, clear analog gauge cluster dead ahead.”

Conclusion

This BMW 2008 is a mixed bag; most Bimmer fans will appreciate the 2008 BMW 3-Series's outward styling, but whether or not they like the interior will be a matter of individual taste.

STYLING | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:a dynamic flair that reflects common styling cues with the larger seriesCars.comPlain-Jane interior designEdmundsClean, elegant lookKelley Blue Book The 2008 BMW 3-Series wears sculptured lines that please most reviewers around the Web, while its cabin is more sedate. Cars.com dishes more specific details for the outside of this 2008 BMW, pointing out features such as "a long hood and short front overhangs," as well as the "prominent twin-kidney grille" that have been part of BMW automobiles almost since the beginning. Kelley Blue Book offers the following description, highlighting "a relatively long wheelbase coupled with short front and rear overhangs, plus a slight wedge shape...[giving] the compact 3 Series [BMW 2008] a dynamic flair that reflects common styling cues with the larger 5 Series and 7 Series." Edmunds remarks, “The current model, which represents the fifth-generation 3 Series, is now slightly larger, heavier and faster than the previous model,” while observing its “bolder look.” USA Today had harsh words for the new lines—“Not as ugly as the similar look on the bigger 5, 6 and 7 Series BMWs, but way ugly nonetheless”—but despite its “slightly controversial” styling, as Car and Driver called it, most car reviewers felt the new 3-Series’s look was an improvement over the previous edition. MyRide leaves it up to you to decide if it’s better—only, they ask, you judge it after seeing it in the sheetmetal because “the car looks much better in person than in photos.” We observed some mixed reactions to the BMW 2008 3-Series' interior. Cars.com makes simple, objective observations: "simulated leather seats are standard and real leather is optional. Burl walnut, poplar and aluminum trim are available." Edmunds and Kelley Blue Book offered contrasting value judgments. The former described the cabin of this 2008 BMW as having a "plain-Jane interior design," while the latter praised its "clean, elegant look...highlighted by standard leatherette upholstery set off by [the] wood or aluminum trim." MyRide.com dislikes the “Austere, business-like interior,” but Automedia thinks “3 Series' cabins artfully blend luxury and sporty elements befitting a modern BMW.” Edmunds says the emphasis is on “driver comfort and involvement” in the 3-Series, thanks to a “clean, clear analog gauge cluster dead ahead.” ConclusionThis BMW 2008 is a mixed bag; most Bimmer fans will appreciate the 2008 BMW 3-Series's outward styling, but whether or not they like the interior will be a matter of individual taste.  2008 BMW 3-SERIES STYLING | [9 out of 10] Cars.com: "a dynamic flair that reflects common styling cues with the larger series" Edmunds: "Plain-Jane interior design" Kelley Blue Book: "Clean, elegant look" The 2008 BMW 3-Series wears sculptured lines that please most reviewers ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The 2008 BMW 3-Series remains the benchmark in the hotly contested field of mid-size sport sedans, though the G35's handling is arguably superior with its very communicative steering response. Driving dynamics and the aesthetic experience behind the wheel are still 3-Series strengths; it's the best in its field. The latest C-Class is sportier and a good compromise between performance and comfort, but its interior materials feel skimpy compared to the 2008 BMW 3-Series. Also peeking inside, the new stunning interior of the new Cadillac CTS ranks at the top, and the A4's interior looks more interesting. In addition, the Audi A4--an IIHS Top Safety Pick--beats the 3-Series in safety. And finally, if you're willing to put down a lot more dough, there are more exclusive, high-performance alternatives for most of these sedans--the S4/RS4, CTS-V, IS-F, and C63 AMG--to ponder.

Next Steps:

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See the BMW 3-Series in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997

Comments (2 total)

  1. By mike #1, Posted: 7/24/2008

    Mr

    2000 BMW 323i is the worst car on the market. Today is July 2008 and I got 67000 miles on my car. I have had many repairs done to it. I guess total is about $8000.00. climate control, power steering, transmission. Of course all this is out of warranty. within warranty was many, many window motor replacements and just added fluid to power steering, etc, etc. Tom Bush of Jacksonville, fl is the worst. I suggest going with the cheap cars and great quality of Toyota. I will never buy another european car or american car. European cars are more junk than american. You better be smart, bmw, volvo, etc will charge you out the yang yang to fix.

  2. By Ron Stopfer #2, Posted: 8/13/2008

    Mr.

    I have owned a 1995 BMW M3 since Dec 1994. I have 115,000 miles on it and it is a dream to drive. I have had this car to the driving schools in Heartland Park, Topeka, KS for aggressive driving 3 separate times....NO PROBLEMS! I still have the original brakes on this car (pads and rotors)! It is, literally, without flaw. I think the person who posted the bad post on the BMW is a jokester. I have had multiple Porsches, and British sports cars, plus a current 2003 Mustang SVT Cobra. None of them even comes close to the comfort, style, luxury and problem-free ownership of this BMW!

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