3 Series (including the newly minted 4 Series coupe) sales were back up to 142,232, but persistent whispers/blasphemy of the 3 Series cutting costs and that it was no longer "The Ultimate Driving Machine" flourished.įor its class, the power output of the new 330i engine (248 hp/258 lb-ft of torque) is middle of the road. The strategy seems to have been effective. The company, determined to increase the appeal and thus the sales of the 3 Series, began a phase where these BMW-hallmark driving dynamics were allowed to stagnate in favor of model diversity (by last count there are now 11 variants), competitive pricing (with materials/packaging choices and decreased standard feature content), improved ride comfort (at the expense of handling response), and the aim of greater fuel efficiency across the entire series. Sales peaked in 2007 at 142,490 but slipped to a low of 90,960 by 2009. Its dynamics and driver feedback were noticeably better and more rewarding, but its comfort wasn't necessarily sacrificed in the process. ![]() The 3 Series has so dominated its segment and comparisons for these past 40 years because, unlike those that tried to copy the winning formula, BMW's sport sedan adeptly walked the tightrope between being a luxury car and a sporty car that set several benchmarks.
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