SINCE BMW first produced a sedan that could be luxurious and good-looking but also fun to drive, many key rivals have flocked to the sports sedan arena, but since its introduction in 1975 the German car-maker has remained true to the 3 Series recipe.

BMW has always sold the mid-sized luxury car on its driving enthusiast appeal with a combination of rewarding dynamics, typical German build quality and sporty styling – a recipe that has drawn a loyal following in Australia.

Now in its sixth generation, the F30 is three years old and it is time for an update, but with the all-new Audi A4 looming, a recent fresh version of Mercedes' C-Class and the Jaguar XE new kid, is just an update enough to keep the competition from the door?

We jumped into the refreshed 3 Series to see if its range of new engines, subtle restyle and chassis revisions are enough to keep the iconic brand as attractive as it has been for 40 years.

Click here for the full review...