2012 BMW 3-Series Preview

Still the car that best embodies BMW's premium sport sedan image, the 3 Series provides car buyers with one of the purest, most sporty driving on the road that few other car makers have become. Available in coupe, sedan, convertible, station wagon and configurations, the BMW 3-Series offers a convincing all-round package that melds sporty character a practical line-up of the luxury people-movers.

Available with naturally aspirated and turbo 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engines in addition to a turbocharged 3.0-liter diesel six-cylinder engine, the 3-series lineup consists of fast, faster, and economical. At the top of the range is the world-beating 4.0-liter V-8 M3, elsewhere in our vehicle listings to find.

Most models, including 328i station wagon, can be taken a six-speed gearbox in addition to the automatic or dual clutch transmission depending on the engine configuration. All-wheel drive is also available on most models, allowing the BMW 3-Series is one of the most complete top-to-bottom line-ups of a car sold today.

Bodystyles: Coupe, sedan, wagon, convertible

Engines: 3.0-liter inline-6, 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6, 3.0-liter diesel inline-6

Transmissions: six-speed automatic, six-speed manual, seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual

Models: 328i, 328ix (coupe, sedan, convertible, wagon), 335i (coupe, sedan, convertible), 335d (sedan)

Heading into what is its last model year before a full redesign, the BMW 3 Series receives little in the way of new features. For 2012, the once-optional automatic transmission is now a no-cost option on all models except for the 335d on which it already came standard. On the 335is coupe and convertible, the DCT transmission option has been lowered in price. Seventeen-inch wheels with all-season tires now come standard on all all-wheel-drive models. And on coupes and convertibles, the sports package has been replaced with the M Sport package as optional equipment.

The 3 Series has always been a little boxy and upright, conservative, and tasteful. In this generation, which debuted for the 2006 model year, the coupe and convertible took on a sleeker look that differentiated themselves from the sedan and wagon. With unfussy styling and classic good looks plus a light facelift in 2010, the 3 Series has managed to avoid looking dated many years into its model run.

The 3 Series' interior has always looked Spartan next to many of its rivals with its pumpkin-orange interior glow and modest appearance. Yet, with a variety of wood and aluminum trims on the dash and a choice of either leatherette or Dakota leather, the 3 Series has plenty of luxury on which to build a strong foundation. In addition, BMW offers many optional packages that can quickly bulk of the price of the 3 Series to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars if you're not careful.

Whether choosing the 230-horsepower naturally aspirated inline six, the 300-horsepower turbocharged variant, or the 265-horsepower turbocharged diesel, the 3 Series has plenty of power to offer brisk acceleration. And with BMW's 50-50 front-to-rear weight distribution, the 3 Series is able to tackle roads with ease when they start to bend. The BMW 3 Series has long been considered a benchmark for the entry-luxury class, and the current model is no exception to that.

The 3 Series' two-stage adaptive brake lights increase in intensity during a full ABS stop. Driver and passenger front airbags are standard, along with frontal side impact and front and rear head curtain bags. Traction and Stability Control are standard.

328i: 18 mpg city/28 mpg highway

328i convertible: 17-18 mpg city/33 mpg highway

328i sports wagon: 17-18 mpg city/26-27 mpg highway

328i sports wagon xDrive: 17 mpg city/25mpg highway

335i: 19 mpg city/28 mpg highway

335i: convertible 19 mpg city/28 mpg highway

335d: 23 mpg city/36 mpg highway