Having had my new 3-series for a month now, one thing I cannot doubt is that the handling and drivability are top notch.
For a car this size, it is impressive and feels better than the Golf GT I had previously, as the ride is also much smoother.
However, every time I drive it, I can't help but feel disappointed with the build quality. Rattles and squeaks seem to be produced from every corner of the cabin, and for a car that is supposedly built to the highest standards, it doesn't really feel much better than a company Vectra I drove a few months ago.
Bimmer die-hards will blame you for this poor quality. Real world people will admit these short comings. Keep that in mind.
I am a BMW die hard but do share the original reviewer's comments about the quality of BMW's latest offerings.
The current line up just does not feel as well built as the previous generation models, with noticeable cost cutting readily apparent in terms of trim materials.
Personal experience with a new 120d and various other models obtained as courtesy cars while this was in to be fixed on numerous occasions also tend to confirm this concern.
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