BMW 3 series 2007 $21,995

Muscular Good Looks When developing the new retractable-hardtop 3 Series, BMW made sure it had the clean lines of previous 3 Series ragtops, according to Thomas Plucinsky, BMW product and technology communications manager. It was well worth the effort, as the 335i is one of the best-looking retractable hardtops available today. While a number of less expensive models have a tall rear quarter, the 3 Series doesn't, and that makes a big difference in terms of the car's aesthetic appeal. With the roof up, the convertible could easily be mistaken for the coupe they're that similar. The 3 Series coupe is one of my favorite designs. There's a seriousness to its front end that helps communicate the car's performance ambitions, but more importantly, the coupe's proportions are right on, and the convertible has these attributes, too. Top-Down Performance The retractable-hardtop roof is made of steel, and its three sections stack on top of each other in the trunk. Operated by a simple switch in the center console, BMW says it takes 22 seconds to lower the top and 23 seconds to raise it. The convertible is very good at managing wind rush at high speeds. There's very little wind buffeting at 70 mph with the top and side windows down, even without the optional wind diffuser in place. Occupants also get to enjoy a louder version of the 335i's engine soundtrack when the top is down the twin-turbo inline-six, in tandem with the dual exhaust system, makes a sweet sound. The convertible's structural rigidity, however, is slightly disappointing. It weighs about 400 pounds more than the coupe, and even though some of that mass goes toward chassis-stiffening efforts, rougher roads make the convertible's A-pillar shudder slightly when the top is down. It's not terrible, by any means, but I expected a stiffer body from a company like BMW. BMW's Automotive Yin and Yang BMW does ride quality better than most other performance luxury automakers. Its cars are handling benchmarks in the industry, yet their compliant suspension tuning makes them comfortable for everyday driving. The convertible retains the coupe's confidence-inspiring moves in the corners, but my test car's sport suspension and 18-inch run-flat tires part of the optional Sport Package had little patience for potholes if you hit one, you'll pay for it with a loud thump. A Winning Engine We've raved about the power and flexibility of BMW's twin-turbo, 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder engine based on our experience with it in the 3 Series coupe, and the sentiment is much the same in the convertible. The inline-six makes 300 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 300 pounds-feet of torque at a low 1,400 rpm. BMW says a manual-transmission convertible can go from zero to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds. Those are impressive numbers, for sure, but without a rewarding driving experience to match, they aren't worth much. The 335i convertible doesn't have to worry about that, though, as the engine feels strong all over the rev range without any turbo lag. The engine's power can catch you by surprise, too before you know it, you'll be doing 80 without even trying. Buyers get a choice of a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission with BMW's Steptronic clutchless-manual mode. The convertible I tested had the six-speed manual, and while it is a slick-shifting transmission it pops from gear to gear and is paired with a forgiving, easy-engaging clutch, the shifter itself is rather tall, which discourages the kind of quick shifting a BMW-buying enthusiast is likely to engage in. The Inside The convertible cabin is nearly identical to the coupe's, with premium materials throughout and a clean-looking appearance. The headliner fully conceals the top's mechanical components from view, and in addition to the various trim schemes featuring real wood, aluminum and leather, buyers can decide whether or not they want BMW's controversial iDrive, a knob-based control system that operates audio and navigation feat

• PREMIUM PKG
• DAKOTA LEATHER SEAT TRIM
• ACTIVE STEERING
• 6-SPEED STEPTRONIC AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
• SPORT PKG
• COLD WEATHER PKG
• SATELLITE RADIO
• HEATED FRONT SEATS
• HIGH-DEFINITION RADIO
• IPOD & USB ADAPTER
• PADDLE SHIFTERS
• GRAY POPLAR WOOD INTERIOR TRIM
• Chrome grille w/vertical slats
• Fog lights
• Daytime running lights
• Rain-sensing windshield wipers w/heated washer jets
• Exterior door handles w/ground lighting
• Leatherette seat trim
• 8-way pwr front bucket seats
• Split-folding rear seats
• Front center console
• BMW door sills
• LCD main & trip odometers
• On-board computer
• Service interval indicator w/miles-to-service readout
• Tire pressure monitoring system
• Coded driveaway protection
• Pwr front windows
• Central locking system
• Multi-function remote keyless entry
• Dynamic cruise control
• Pwr trunk release
• Rear window defroster
• Prep for alarm CD changer satellite radio & cellular phone
• 3-channel FM diversity antenna
• Dual front/rear cupholders
• Dark burl walnut wood trim
• Pearl-gloss galvanic door handle trim
• BMW ambiance lighting
• Courtesy lights
• Welcome Light (automatically activates interior & exterior lights when locking or unlocking vehicle)
• Volume-controlled oil pump
• Electronic throttle control
• 6-speed manual transmission w/OD
• Dynamic stability control (DSC)
• Rear wheel drive
• 5-link rear suspension w/coil springs
• Sport suspension
• Front/rear stabilizer bars
• P225/45R17 run-flat all-season tires
• 17 x 8.0 star spoke alloy wheels (style 185)
• Engine speed-sensitive pwr steering
• 4-wheel ventilated pwr disc brakes
• 4-wheel anti-lock braking system (ABS)
• Dual exhaust system
• Dual front 2-stage airbags w/occupant sensor & indicator light
• Front/rear side curtain head protection system
• Automatic safety belt assistant (driver & front passenger can reach & fasten safety belts w/ease regardless of seating position or backrest angle)
• All-position 3-point safety belts
• All-passenger automatic locking retractor (ALR)
• LATCH attachments for rear seats
• Rollover protection system
• Interlocking door anchoring system
• Advanced crash safety management
• Battery safety terminal (BST)