Almost 10 million have been sold across four generations in the past 30 years, but that hasn’t stopped BMW attempting to make the fifth-generation 3 Series even more popular. Remarkably, despite being slightly larger inside and out, 25 per cent stiffer and more powerful across the range, the new Three brings no weight or fuel consumption penalties. Nor has its price increased. Is the E90 3 Series sedan to good to be true?

BMW E46 3 Series
Released: October 1998
Ended: May 2005
Family Tree: 3 SeriesThe E90 sedan’s direct predecessor is the E46 sedan, which arrived on sale here in 1.9-litre 318i, 2.5-litre 323i and 2.8-litre 328i guise in October 1998. Replacing the popular E36 3 Series, it was soon joined by the E46 coupe in June 1999. The 2.2-litre 320i, 2.5-litre 325i and 3.0-litre 330i went on sale in October 2000 – a month after the E46 convertible arrived. The E46 320i Touring arrived on sale here in June 2002, while a facelift upgraded the entire range in March 2003.
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