2013 BMW 328i, mass-market perfection: Motoramic Drives

In the past couple of decades, no luxury sports car embodied BMW’s famous “the Ultimate Driving Machine” mantra more than the segment-defining 3 Series. In 2010, enthusiasts panicked as the company tried to reach a broader range of bourgeois consumers with the “Story of Joy” campaign for the flame-surfaced Z4. BMW assured its purist fanbase then that nothing would change — iconic phrase included — to alienate them. But driving the 2013 BMW 328i M Sport, I’m not so sure.

It's not that the sixth generation 3 Series is bad; on the contrary, it’s brilliantly honed and refined to mainstream perfection. There’s nary a bad crease nor awkward character line to be found on the sculpted exterior. Moreover, the upsized body means improved practicality, with an increased wheelbase providing adequate legroom that's no longer cramping your knees. The front seats decadently coddle you like a high-end office chair while still offering adequate bolstering for the twisties, and the Bavarian-chic fit and finish makes the Audi A4's cabin seem outdated by comparison. I’d still opt for the base model without the all-show-no-go M Sport aero kit and trim, and save the $3,500.