Review Car

2011 BMW 3 Series

The 2011 BMW 3 Series is top-seller in the U.S., and for good reasons that are unmatched in the entry-level luxury class and, indeed, unmatched by most cars at any price. With a host of new models for 2011 and a number of available 3 Series body kits, BMW cars feed power to the rear wheels, giving you point-and-go handling, unfettered by understeer and steering inertia. When the road throws up something you weren’t expecting, you can rest easily in the knowledge that safety systems such as CBC and DSC will give The 2011 BMW 3 Series help maintaining control. With features like these, it’s no wonder these cars are so popular. Included on every model are four-wheel antilock disc brakes, stability control, dynamic brake control, front side-impact air bags and head curtain air bags (convertibles get rollover protection) for the front and rear; rear side-impact bags are optional.

The 2011 BMW 3 Series earned a “Good” rating (the highest) in IIHS frontal offset crash testing, as well as four stars for the driver and five stars for the front passenger in government frontal impact testing.

Lest you think this adroit handling comes at the expense of ride quality, rest assured that BMW still realizes the importance of comfortable cruising. Whether you choose the standard suspension or the optional sport-tuned setup, you’ll be able to go about your weekday routine without feeling that you’ve sacrificed ride comfort for the sake of weekend thrills.

Luxury inside the cabin is understated compared with peers like the Audi A4, but it’s dignified and laden with most of the requisite features (among others, automatic climate control, one-touch windows and a tilt/telescoping steering wheel). However, leather upholstery and power adjustments for the seats cost extra on all but the 330Ci convertible. Moreover, on the whole, The 2011 BMW 3 Series CAR tend to cost more than the competition, but if you go easy on the options, we think you’ll find that the price of admission is well worth it. Standard features on 2011 BMW 3 Series models include 16-inch wheels, automatic climate control, leatherette (vinyl, that is) upholstery, one-touch power windows, automatic headlights, heated mirrors, a CD player and keyless entry. Additionally, coupes have a sport-tuned suspension and coupes and wagons have a split-folding rear seat (optional on sedans).

The 2011 BMW 3 Series models add 17-inch wheels, a sport suspension , and a Harman Kardon sound system. The 2011 2011 BMW 3 Series convertible also gets power leather seats and a power-operated cloth top. You can get any of these features in one form or another on other models; a DVD-based navigation system, bi-xenon headlights and parking sensors are stand-alone extras for the entire lineup.

All 2011 BMW 3 Series models are powered by a 2.5-liter inline six that makes 184 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque; all 330s use a 3.0-liter engine that generates 225 hp and 214 lb-ft of torque. On 330i models with the Performance Package, output goes up to 235 hp and 222 lb-ft. Transmission choices include either a five-speed or six-speed manual, depending on the model; and a five-speed automatic. BMW’s Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG) is also available this year on rear-drive models equipped with the Sport Package. (Note that the 330i with Performance Package takes only the six-speed manual or five-speed automatic.) Either engine is more than ample for everyday travel, though the 3.0-liter is by far our favorite as it’s able to propel a manual-shift 330i to 60 mph in just 6.3 seconds.