The 3-Series has been BMW’s best-known and most well-respected model since it caught on in the United States back in the 1980s.  The formula has changed somewhat and the models available are far more extensive than its launch decades back, but the basic idea hasn’t changed–a compact sports sedan with enough appeal and value to draw in the masses and show them how a car is supposed to perform.  The E90 design, first introduced back in 2006, is nearing the end of its life on this planet, and as of now, I am unsure that this model, the station wagon, will continue in the United States.  With that in mind, I took the wheel of the white estate car seen here.

This particular car was optioned heavily with a price to match.  The wagon was finished in Alpine White with brown leather seats, and included the Premium Package, Convenience Package, and GPS navigation to top out at a staggering $47K, a good 12 grand or so higher than the Acura TSX and a good 7 grand or more than the Audi A4.  As the only entry in its market with an inline six, it does pack a bit more punch under the hood–230hp isn’t a lot compared to the bigger 335i, but it’s more than the Audi and the Acura.  It was also equipped with the xDrive AWD option and an automatic transmission with StepTronic manual capability–a necessity in a BMW without a clutch.  I’m also not the biggest fan of some of the 3-Series’s current lines, but the wagon does improve the looks a lot.  Of course, the question still remains–where does the extra money really go to?

On the inside, the interior is no surprises.  Quality is impeccable and the overall build feels centered to the driver (unlike the Audi).  BMW’s controls all fall right to hand, and the much-maligned (at first) iDrive controller is surprisingly easy to navigate on the move.  The seats feel much more substantial than those fitted to the Acura or Audi, and despite the runflat tires that BMW has been fitting for quite some time, the ride is still relatively comfortable.  The gauges aren’t overstyled and are easy on the eye, and visibility is excellent for the most part. There’s a good amount of cargo space as well, but not as much as the Acura.

BMW has announced very recently that the next 3-Series will not use a naturally aspirated inline six as the base engine, so this version may be the last to offer such an option.  The superlatives don’t lie–this is a very smooth operator at normal RPMs, and when I hit the gas hard up an onramp and again to pass a truck, the typical BMW attributes come through in a hurry.  It may only have 230hp, but it pulls healthily when asked and feels more than adequate on the highway.  Unlike the Audi and the Acura, I never felt the need to push the engine extra-hard.  Even when pushed, the engine is still quiet and unlike the others, interior boom from the extra space inside is kept to a minimum.  The steering feels heavy and full of feedback, and the brake pedal is well-coordinated and doesn’t feel soft for the most part.

If I have to find some problems, they’re not too important save for the pricetag.  It’s definitely more refined than the Audi or the Acura, and yet, at the price I saw, I’m still not going to say it’s worth the money.  The Acura, for example, has all the toys of the BMW for far less money, still drives smoothly for the most part, and has a bit more cargo room.  I would take it over the A4 Avant, however, because the BMW offers a better drive for similar money (as both are about the same when optioned up).  So, take away a few options (such as the navigation system and Convenience Package) and for about $42K, it’s a nice car, but at this price, it’s simply too expensive.  I like it, but I won’t pay this much.

-Al