C O V E R     S T O R Y

To tell you the honest truth, I’ve never really loved BMWs.  Sure, they are great pieces of engineering—there is no doubt about that, but it’s just that I don’t find something special in one. The situation of BMW in my mind is being stuck on two particular segments: the luxury and the sporty. Somehow, I don’t really find it possible to really integrate these two opposing forces. Luxury automobiles dictate a sedate sensory experience where one is continuously pampered like having a back massage from a beautiful woman. On the other hand, sports cars are supposed to feel like whip—quick, agile and totally unforgiving, a type of car that suits sadomasochists, most probably. Anything else in between is considered half-baked for me. That is until I tried two different 3-series BMW. 

The E36 model (the previous one) was overly dull to look at. In some angles, even the Honda Accord looked like it was designed by Pinnifarina compared to the Bavarian car. Fortunately, after a long eight-year stint as the mainstay of the BMW family, the old boxy body is transformed into the svelte body shape we know too well today. Like what all German automobile makers do these days, the design is a carry over of the older model with new twists and improvements. 

Thankfully enough, the current BMW 3-series is not boring at all. In fact, the whole sheet medal is an understated work of art. The lines are all clean and yet give the car a muscular look. Overall, the car is a mixture of both angular and curvy edges that absolutely works on this design. The sloping C-pillar probably cuts the drag, but who cares? What’s more important is that the 3-series looks the part—and it very well got it damned right.

Upfront, the facia of the BMW looks absolutely stunning. Although it may look ordinary next say to the new Mercedes-Benz C-class, the 3-series sports interesting design cues that have been copied in the previous years. The downward drooping headlight cluster design that cuts into the metal is very original. Much more, it is a tribute to the classic 3-series with its independent headlamp design and the previous generation 3-series with the quadruple headlamps in a clear shell design. The front end of this Bimmer looks too good that even Honda couldn’t resist and just had to use it in their HRV. Something that couldn’t be copied even by Honda is piston headlamp design that makes the quadruple headlamps look like it were four pistons heads when looking at the car from an angle. This is just amazing detailing. 

Thanks to a revised and compacted McPherson Strut front suspension system, the 3’s front overhang is considerably short. It shouts out a message that says that this car is meant to go fast, very fast. The rear window cut is also very original and it increases the car’s meaty stature by reducing flab on the top part of the C-pillar, but gives it a nice form towards the trunk area when it meets with the body creases that run through the side of the car. Again, it seems Honda just can’t make an original design when they integrated the very same elements on their best-seller, the Civic.

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