Sure, the critics are biased. They tend to put a high priority on performance, and BMW's 3 Series has always performed. The 328i's stock in trade is a sporting flair that few if any comparably priced sedans can match. For the price, the 328i comes about as close as you can get to a sports car with four doors.

But in today's competitive marketplace, "sport" isn't enough. So with its redesigned 1999 model, BMW tried to make the 3 Series more comfortable for passengers. The new 328i is roomier, smoother and quieter than ever. Indeed, BMW has done such a good job making the 328i a pleasant place to spend time that a few of those critics might say the car has gotten a little too refined. Yet they'll still tell you it's their favorite sedan for the money.