Now I'm going to have to find a previous generation 3-series to drive. I finally got around to driving the new 3-series, and it was an excellent car. Much smoother and much quieter than I expected it to be. But less fun. The previous gen car supposedly had an edge to it that made it a blast to drive. In the pursuit of refinement (read: in order to better compete with Lexus for the mass market buyer) that edge is now hard to find.

The car I drove was a 323i (four door) with a manual transmission, leather, and the premium package (somewhat larger wheels, sunroof, power seats, wood interior trim, and a few other goodies). I would have preferred to drive the 328i, but only the 323i was available with a manual transmission at the event: the Komen drive to benefit breast cancer research.

This was not all bad. I've sometimes thought of my own car, a 1996 Ford Contour SE, as a cheap BMW alternative. Since both my car and the 323i have 2.5 liter, 170 hp sixes, I thought this would allow for an interesting comparison. Is the Contour comparable to the real deal?

Well, not really. But the cars differed in more ways than I expected. The Contour is a bit rough around the edges, but these edges are what make it a blast to drive (at least in 5-speed, DOHC six form--see my review of this car). The new BMW, as I have already mentioned, has nary an edge to be found.

The first thing I noticed after getting into the car and starting it was that there was nothing to notice: I had to check the tach to make sure the engine was even running. I actually checked it a few times. It's that silent at idle. Like, well, a Lexus.

The second thing I noticed was a bit of an embarrassment. I'm at this event, with dozens of people lined up waiting for cars, and I cannot find first. Three times I got reverse instead (it's just to the left of first). Each time the car backed up a few more feet. It seems I've gotten spoiled by the reverse lock-out on my car. I finally managed to get under way without backing into anyone or anything, and after that all was fine. So just a matter of unfamiliarity.

I've never cared much for the driving position in BMWs, and this one is no exception. I prefer a low cowl and beltline, such that you sit well above the bottom edge of the windshield and side glass. BMWs have tended to mount the instruments high so that they are just below your line of sight, and to have high beltlines. The new three is faithful to that formula. You sit down in this car. Some people prefer this seating position, but I'm not one of them. For this reason alone I'd probably go with an Audi A4/S4 if I was spending this kind of money.

Update: I have since driven a 330i. Usually I set the seat as low as it will go. This time I raised it a touch. This substantially improved the driving position for me. The higher position didn't feel too high, I still had plenty of headroom, and it made the interior feel airier. I still would like the instrument binnacle to be a bit lower, though.

Aside from this seating position, you can generally see out of the car well. Well, I felt I couldn't see over my shoulder well at first, but then I lowered the rather large headrest. Much better after I did that.

Once underway the dominant impression is smooth, quiet luxury. Lexus is currently trying to copy BMW with its GS and IS series. But I think BMW may be doing an even better job copying Lexus. The shifter and clutch operate smoothly and with little effort. After my initial difficulty finding first, I never have trouble executing flawless shifts.

The ride is fluid and hushed. You feel the road a bit through your seat and the wheel, as you should in a driver's car, but the sensations are desirable communication. They are never harsh, at least not during my drive.

The steering is nicely weighted and responsive, combining with the well-tuned suspension to make the handling...well, what was the handling like? BMWs are known to be the best handling cars there are, and I'm sure this one lives up to that rep. It always went where I wanted it to, hung in there in hard turns even with my foot to the floor on the exit, and presented no surprises. But I didn't fall in love like I expected to. I suspect this car's handling gets the adrenaline flowing on very challenging roads at quite substantial speeds. In regular driving, the high level of refinement makes the dominant sensation a lack of sensation. Can a car be too good? BMW used to criticize Lexus for depriving the driver of sensation, but was this only a ploy to buy time?

Note to buyers: strongly consider one of the Sport packages, with a stiffer suspension and higher performance tires, if you're into exciting handling. This car didn't have one of these, and they might have made a significant difference. OTOH, if you're cross-shopping a Japanese brand, the car I drove is probably the one for you.

The engine only makes itself heard when given quite a bit of gas, and then its a refined, high-pitched, mechanical whine. The sort of sound I associate with fine European engines. Though this is the 323 and not the 328, power is easily sufficient. The surge is not quite invigorating, but the needle on the speedo climbs fast enough. Actually, you had better keep an eye on that needle, because the lack of any strong sensation even at full throttle makes it hard to sense how fast you are picking up speed. Like in, yep, a Lexus.

Update: This could change in 2001. The 330i's engine was quite a bit noisier. For details see my review of that car. The smaller six is supposed to get many of the same changs to the intake and exhaust for 2001, so it could also make more sporty sounds. Depending on your tastes, this could be a good thing or a bad thing. Overall, I like it. While the louder, raspier exhaust could get tiring around town, it does make the 330i much more fun to drive. It will also gain 14 horsepower, for a total of 184. I hope to sample a 2001 323i, which will then be called the 325i (see 330i review for details) when it is available.

This is the smallest BMW, and a small car by any measure except weight--it's just a touch larger than a Honda Civic on the outside. But this is the size I'd want. The driver has plenty of room now. All of the controls are easily within reach, but you don't feel closed in like you did in some earlier BMWs. And a rear passenger up to about my size, 5'9", does OK. You'd want a larger car is you regularly need to haul 6-footers back there in comfort, but the same can also be said about the 5-series. (Checking the stats, the 3 and 5 have about the same rear seat head and leg room now that the 3 has grown a bit.) The trunk is a bit on the small side, but at least its usefully shaped.

I'll close with a few words about the styling. The previous 3-series had very distinctive exterior styling. I wasn't crazy about the grey endcaps it sported at first, but over time it really grew on me. The new 3 looks like what you'd get if you took the previous car and either inflated it a bit or threw it in the ocean to get the edges worn off. It looks like it drives, like the previous car with the edges smoothed off. Actually, that might be too charitable. It looks like the previous car would if it put on a few pounds. You know, pudged up a bit. And guess what? The new car is about 150 lbs. heavier. Maybe just truth in styling? (I will grant that the two door and convertible managed the transition better. These comments largely only apply to the four door.)

Finally, the interior styling. The previous three always seemed a bit cheap and hard inside. You know, too German. (While I never drove one I sat in a number over the years at car shows.) Not anymore. The new interior both looks and feels much higher in quality. It may even have a few things to teach the 5-series. I suspect BMW feared being trampled by the Japanese in this area. Now it doesn't have to.

You should be sensing a consistent theme here. This car is a much better car than a Ford Contour, as it should be at nearly twice the price. It's probably also a better car than any of its direct competition. But it was not more fun to drive in typical conditions than my cheapo Contour. I did not come away wanting one, like I did after I drove an Audi S4. Maybe the new M3, with a 330 hp engine and hardcore suspension, will be closer to what I expected? Maybe so, but that's another pile of bills on top of this one.

I realized some years back that the more refined a car gets, the more extreme its powertrain and suspension have to be to make it exciting to drive. And the resulting machine still isn't all that exciting when driven at legal speeds on typical roads. I for one would like a car that's exciting to drive to and from work at a reasonable price. With cars getting more and more refined, courtesy of the example set by Lexus, such a car will be harder and harder to find...except maybe in the classifieds. Perhaps a late model M3? Or maybe, just maybe, BMW will offer an entry-level 3 once again stripped to its essence? One can only hope.

Reliability

People often email me asking about the reliability of the cars and trucks they are considering. Existing sources of reliability information just aren't helpful enough.

In response, my website, truedelta.com, will more clearly identify what difference it will make if you buy a 3-Series rather than something else by providing "times in the shop" and "days in the shop" stats (among others). Those who help provide the data--which will require just a few minutes a year--will earn free access to the site's reliability information. To encourage participation, this access will otherwise cost $24.95.

For the details, and to sign up, visit www.truedelta.com.