2008 BMW 3 Series Coupe

The BMW 3 Series is the car against which all other sports sedans and coupes are measured, say critics. Reviews claim the BMW 3 Series offers a combination of excellent handling, strong performance, ride comfort and quality craftsmanship that few competitors can match. Some lower-priced alternatives, however, such as the Infiniti G37 (*est. $34,900 to $36,200), come close and are frequently recommended based in part on their lower price tags. Reviews indicate that buyers who want more features and luxury may find some rivals more satisfying, such as the Mercedes CLK-Class (*est. $46,450 to $55,150) or the Audi A5 coupe (*est. $39,900 to $50,800).

Critics acknowledge that the G37 and higher-priced coupes simply can't beat the BMW's best-in-class performance. The 3 Series base BMW 328i coupe (*est. $36,425) is the best value, with its 230-horsepower inline six-cylinder, which reviewers say has plenty of power. More thrilling performance is found with the 300-horsepower BMW 335i coupe (*est. 43,825) or the 414-horsepower BMW M3 (*est. $57,325). On the downside, negatives such as a cramped rear seat and needlessly complicated controls are noted, especially the unpopular iDrive interface, which controls the sound system and climate.

The BMW 3 Series wins numerous "best" or "recommended" awards, but comparison tests and road-test reviews often give a better description of driving the various 3 Series coupe models. Edmunds.com has an excellent head-to-head comparison between the 335i and the Infiniti G37 coupe, as well as another interesting comparison against two other BMWs. Motor Trend pits a G37 against a 2007 BMW 335i coupe, which is the same as the 2008 model. TheTruthAboutCars.com compares the 135i with the 335i, and Consumer Reports provides valuable historical reliability data, safety information and an informative summary review. Seven individual staff reviews on the J.D. Power and Associates blog, Power Steering, provide an insightful range of opinions.