The 3 Series is the saloon every other saloon is still measured against, and the reason is the same as it was thirty years ago: it is rear-wheel drive, the weight sits between the axles, and the steering tells you what the front tyres are doing. In Los Angeles that translates into a car that is genuinely pleasant on a canyon road and completely undemanding on the 405 — quiet, comfortable and small enough to park.
Four adults fit, the boot takes real suitcases, and the eight-speed automatic is smooth enough to disappear. Honest hook: this is the standard 3 Series, not an M3. It is a well-judged, quick-enough saloon rather than a fast car.
- Rear-wheel drive, weight between the axles, steering that talks
- Four adults and real suitcases
- Undemanding on the 405, genuinely good on a canyon road
- Mineral grey with M Sport bumpers and dark alloys · $102 a day