HANDS down, BMW’s most important model is the 3 Series with the least costly engine and a few expensive options thrown in. In the latest E90 guise that would be the 320i, the four-cylinder sedan that takes over from the hugely successful E46 318i. It’s been this way since the old E21 version released back in 1980. Twenty five years on, does the four-pot Three cut it in the fiercely competitive $50K-plus-prestige segment? (320i Executive sedan pictured)

BMW E46 318i sedan
Released: October 1998
Ended: May 2005
Family Tree: 3 SeriesThe E90 sedan’s direct predecessor is the E46 318i sedan, which arrived here with a weasy 87kW 1.9-litre SOHC four-cylinder in October 1998, while the E46 320i was actually powered by a 125kW 2.2-litre six. The base 318i only came good after BMW fitted its new 105kW 2.0-litre twin-cam multi-valve engine as part of a Series II facelift in October 2001. Besides gaining a far more fiery four-pot engine, a five-speed auto ousted the old four-speed gearbox while stability control joined the standard ABS and traction control systems in early 2003.
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