The winner of this award must meet and exceed the following criteria:
1. It must be fun to drive (what's the point in driving, if the car's no fun)
2. It must be affordable (not costing some Zillion dollars)
3. Have Decent MPG value. Yes, as much as i am a petrol head, I'm also aware of the rising Fuel prices and damage to our dear planet green house gases cause)
4. Have at least 1 previous model (I'm not interested in some one off flukes)
And the award goes to the BMW 3 Series.
The 3 series spans through 5 generations, 34years and the current line up has at least 6 engine types (316i,318i,328i,335i, 335d &M3 combine that with all wheel drive, estate, coupe and convertible body forms and you have an almost infinite combination) available, ranging from 143Hp to a mind boggling 414Hp M3 which by the way now comes in 4 doors.
At a time quality is dropping with the likes of Toyota, and rising costs are causing a lot of Manufacturers to dilute the souls of their cars just to join the mainstream, the 3 series in what ever form you have still has the power to put a smile of your face.
Its a class leading and defining car. A class which includes some stiff competition in form of: Audi A4, Cadillac CTS, Lexus ES, Acura TL, Passat CC, Lexus HS (a Pumped up Toyota Avensis), Mercedes C Class. Every Car Manufacturer in the Class seeks only one thing to Topple the "king 3".
The 50:50 weight distribution is really what sets the 3 Series apart for me; if you were to place the 3 series on a knife edge it would not tilt forward or backward. it would lay still like 'Zoro' balancing his Knife on His tongue. Small wonder round a corner it feels so planted?
And for those who would be so quick to say how about the Fuel consumption? the 316 puts out an impressive 34MPG (BMW official figures) the corrola puts out 30MPG (fueleconomy.gov)
Please bear in mind also that the 3 Series channels its power to the rear wheels (as nature designed it) while the likes of Corrola sends power through the front wheels. (mechanically you cannot attain maximum balance this way). BMW however is the only car manufacturer in the world to do this exclusively!!!!!!!!!!!
For a company which started off by making Aircraft engines (the BMW Logo represents 2 propellers turning against the blue and white skyline), the 3 series still represents that pure engineering perfection.