[JackMac]

Results are published: here http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=33&article_id=10354



"This is the 15th straight year BMW's bread-and-butter sports sedan has earned a place on our 10Best list, an achievement we celebrate on a couple of levels. First, it's an all-new 3-series, the fifth generation of a distinguished line that dates back more than three decades. Second, like most Bimmerphiles, we're relieved that this car has been spared the adventurous styling that has afflicted other recent BMW offerings. The smoother nose echoes recent updates to the 5-series, the going-away view is new, and there's a little more side sculpting, but the classic 3-series proportions have been preserved. It's unmistakably new but distinctly familiar.

This is a slightly bigger 3, with a little more rear-seat legroom and a bit more heft at the curb. However, the weight gain is offset by a new 3.0-liter DOHC 24-valve aluminum-and-magnesium inline-six with variable valve timing, variable lift, and up to 255 horsepower. It's also lighter than the previous six and complemented by a pair of six-speed transmissions, manual and automatic.

The new car's stability-enhancement and brake systems are more sophisticated, and a new front suspension—struts with two-piece lower control arms—helps preserve the supple ride and the balanced, agile handling that has endeared the 3-series to so many for so long.

The previous generation of the 3-series, code-named E46, was in production for six years. That's a long run for any car, and it gave the competition time to approach something close to parity. With the arrival of the E90, that competition is back to playing catch-up."
- C/D Jan 2006 issue

[LEDZEP]

By your use of first person pronouns are you indicating that you are affliliated with Car and Driver?

[JackMac]

LEDZEP,

No affiliation, although I will have a photo published in the 10Best issue (10Best never gonna happen project cars, look for red MGA)

This was a reprint from their website regarding the E90.