2003 BMW 325i

It always irks me when people dismiss the BMW 3 Series as a status symbol. Its image as the car of choice for Daddy’s girls and neophyte stockbrokers (well, maybe a few years back) is unfortunate, but understandable . Having been the standard setter and winner of multiple prestigious awards in its class for some years now, of course it’s going to get picked on by the jealous second class.

But the fact remains the 3-Series continues to land on Car And Driver’s "10 Best" list or get named Automobile Magazine’s "Best Luxury Car under $40,000" or Autoweek’s "Best Sedan" (all recent awards) not because it happens to be Muffy’s compact fave.

It makes those lists because it continues to be the best all-around sedan in its class.

The Good News
The 3-Series sedans and sport wagon got some subtle physical changes and technological updates for 2002, so there are few headlines this year. Still, the 3-Series sedans continue to be the cars the rest are trying to catch, and that’s headline enough.

The 325i I tested is the lineup’s most basic and affordable. Its 2.5-liter twin cam 24-valive inline six-cylinder engine joins up with a five-speed manual transmission, producing 184 horses and 175 lb-ft torque. The engine uses "steplessly variable" valve timing and other features that ensure both strength and a silky delivery of power.

Unlike other manufacturers’ most basic and affordable entries, there is nothing second-class-citizen about the 325i. From its safety measures to its luxuries to its performance - especially its performance - this car is strictly head of the class. It satisfies both senses and sensibilities, combining practicality and seduction in a way no one else has yet accomplished. The compact 3-Series sedan is comfortable, accommodating and built to last, while also being beautifully finished, exquisitely designed and engineered to thrill even the die-hard driving enthusiast. With a 7.1-second 0-60, the most communicative steering I’ve found and rear-wheel-drive handling that’s almost impossible to scare, even this most basic 325i makes the daily commute something to look forward to. Point it where you want it, and it goes.

Yet there are no raw edges. To be able to react as sharply as this 3-Series does with such minimal ruffling of its passengers is the one thing I’ve yet to see matched by a competitor. It’s as much fun as driving can be without sports car discomfort.

The Bad News
I had trouble getting used to this 325i’s clutch engagement, killing the engine on more than one occasion. When I complained about its temperament, my husband suggested this was likely a simple matter of "operator error." He’s such a card.

BMW could definitely work on the 3-Series backseat. Although legroom isn’t bad, it doesn’t offer the passenger room and comfort competitors’ offer. Three adults would pack like sardines.

Gas mileage
EPA rated at 20 mpg city/29 highway.
And you thought BMWs were all guzzlers.

Price
Manufacturer’s base, $27,800;
Price as tested, $35,540

Is it worth it?
Jacking up the price on my test car were special paint; a $1,450 leather package; a $1,400 sport package that added sport suspension, tires, wheels, etc.; $1,050 for the moonroof and some other pricey incidentals, like a better sound system. You could dispense with them all and still have what makes this 325i such a great car to drive.

Keep that in mind when you look at others in this class and see a long list of fancies as part of their standard equipment. Certainly, you can buy more stuff for less money than you’ll spend for this 325i, but you won’t get more car.

That said, this 325i isn’t for everyone. As much as I love its driving dynamics, I understand there are those searching the near-luxury class who care more for ease, amenities and sumptuous leather, less for how fast you can whip through a turn. For these folks, there are other worthy choices.

For the rest of us, however, the BMW 3-Series continues to set the mark.

Beth Stein is a life-long car buff and free-lance journalist living in Nashville. She has reviewed new vehicles in print for 12 years as a weekly columnist for Nashville's daily newspapers and on television for Road Test Magazine and Motor Trend Television. Currently, her reviews appear nationally on Car And Driver Television.