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2008 BMW 3-Series Quality Review

October 30, 2008

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

The issue is not one of material quality or craftsmanship, but of roominess
Cars.com

Cabin materials look classy
ConsumerGuide

high-quality interior materials
Edmunds

The 2008 3-Series sedan has firm, supportive seats that are good for long-haul driving, but the backseats are sorely lacking in legroom, and overall, the interior is rather tight.

According to Cars.com, the 3-Series seats five, but "the issue is not one of material quality or craftsmanship, which is mostly good, but of overall roominess." MyRide.com says that "despite gains in interior room, the 2008 BMW 3-Series is still an intimate car. It's difficult to get into and out of due to small front door openings and an intrusive rear wheel well, and once situated inside the cabin snugly envelops its occupants." Nonetheless, Edmunds reports "the front seats have enough firm support to ward off fatigue during a day's worth of driving, while the rear seats are adequately roomy for adults on shorter trips and plenty accommodating for children." Seats are excellent, notes Kelley Blue Book: "the 2008 BMW 3 Series remains a compact sedan that provides better accommodations in its firm but comfortably supportive front bucket seats." However, they contend that "six-footers are apt to feel a bit confined" in the rear. ConsumerGuide believes "headroom and legroom are good for all but the tallest drivers," pointing out that "standard manual tilt and telescopic steering wheel helps tailor a comfortable driving position."

Storage space is also at a premium in this 3-Series 2008 BMW. Edmunds observes that there is "not much interior storage space...trunk space is average in sedans." Cars.com gives the actual specs: "the sedan's trunk capacity is 12 cubic feet, and a folding rear seat is optional."

However, the cabin is a very refined place, with road and engine noise well muted, a very attractive instrument panel design, and impressive materials.
Edmunds notes that the "interior materials...are high in quality and build quality is exceptional; indeed, even the standard leatherette (vinyl) upholstery looks and feels better than one would expect." ConsumerGuide is in accord with this evaluation: "Cabin materials look classy and have a sturdy, soft-touch feel."

Driver and passengers will ride in this BMW 2008 model in peace and quiet. According to ConsumerGuide, this 2008 BMW's engines "sing under acceleration but cruise quietly," while "wind rush is evident at highway speeds...tire noise is subdued with base suspension but elevated with sport suspension."

Conclusion

The 2008 BMW 3-Series offers the usual excellent levels of comfort and quality, but larger people may want for something a bit roomier.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:The issue is not one of material quality or craftsmanship, but of roominessCars.comCabin materials look classyConsumerGuidehigh-quality interior materialsEdmunds The 2008 3-Series sedan has firm, supportive seats that are good for long-haul driving, but the backseats are sorely lacking in legroom, and overall, the interior is rather tight. According to Cars.com, the 3-Series seats five, but "the issue is not one of material quality or craftsmanship, which is mostly good, but of overall roominess." MyRide.com says that "despite gains in interior room, the 2008 BMW 3-Series is still an intimate car. It's difficult to get into and out of due to small front door openings and an intrusive rear wheel well, and once situated inside the cabin snugly envelops its occupants." Nonetheless, Edmunds reports "the front seats have enough firm support to ward off fatigue during a day's worth of driving, while the rear seats are adequately roomy for adults on shorter trips and plenty accommodating for children." Seats are excellent, notes Kelley Blue Book: "the 2008 BMW 3 Series remains a compact sedan that provides better accommodations in its firm but comfortably supportive front bucket seats." However, they contend that "six-footers are apt to feel a bit confined" in the rear. ConsumerGuide believes "headroom and legroom are good for all but the tallest drivers," pointing out that "standard manual tilt and telescopic steering wheel helps tailor a comfortable driving position." Storage space is also at a premium in this 3-Series 2008 BMW. Edmunds observes that there is "not much interior storage space...trunk space is average in sedans." Cars.com gives the actual specs: "the sedan's trunk capacity is 12 cubic feet, and a folding rear seat is optional." However, the cabin is a very refined place, with road and engine noise well muted, a very attractive instrument panel design, and impressive materials. Edmunds notes that the "interior materials...are high in quality and build quality is exceptional; indeed, even the standard leatherette (vinyl) upholstery looks and feels better than one would expect." ConsumerGuide is in accord with this evaluation: "Cabin materials look classy and have a sturdy, soft-touch feel." Driver and passengers will ride in this BMW 2008 model in peace and quiet. According to ConsumerGuide, this 2008 BMW's engines "sing under acceleration but cruise quietly," while "wind rush is evident at highway speeds...tire noise is subdued with base suspension but elevated with sport suspension." ConclusionThe 2008 BMW 3-Series offers the usual excellent levels of comfort and quality, but larger people may want for something a bit roomier.  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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