

BMW 3-Series Brand Reputation: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
see full BMW 3-Series review |
2009 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Acura = Honda Audi = VW Mercedes = Chrysler (still) Lexus = Toyota Infinity = Datsun BMW = BMW see full BMW 3-Series review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD |
BMW proved once again the 3 series is the ultimate driving machine see full BMW 3-Series review |
2008 | 2dr Coupe 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD |
well regarded by most enthusiasts see full BMW 3-Series review |
2008 | 2dr Hardtop conv. turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
BMW 3 series regularly makes lists as a "drivers car" and best in its class. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Looks are amazing. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD |
Built solidly and lasts see full BMW 3-Series review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
exclusivity see full BMW 3-Series review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD |
The 3-series is considered the benchmark for sporty sedans. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2007 | 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD |
the 3-series really seems to be the sport sedan icon to which all other brands are compared. It feels good owning the best-of-the-best. And did I mention great re-sale value? A truly great, dependable and well-handling car. see full BMW 3-Series review |
BMW 3-Series Brand Reputation: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2009 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 265hp 3.0L I6 Diesel 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
You know. But hey, you buy it because of how it drives, irregardless of others perceptions. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2002 | 2dr Coupe 225-horsepower 3.0L I6 5-speed manual RWD |
When you drive a BMW, everyone on the road assumes you're the biggest a$$hole on the face of the Earth. Sure there are some bad actors out there, but the majority of us are really nice people...I promise! see full BMW 3-Series review |
Mercedes-Benz GLK Brand Reputation: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2013 | The smaller the Mercedes, the more heavily it tends to trade on the three-pointed star. So the #1 reason to consider a GLK250 carries over from the GLK350 review (text from the previous review in italics): I don't personally put much stock in brands, with cars or anything else. But each time I have a Mercedes-Benz for a week the continuing power of the marque has been unavoidable. Audi and BMW now command similar prices, but haven't yet acquired the same mystique. They probably never will for people born before 1980. Until the final years of the twentieth century, Audis were largely ignored as troublesome, modestly upgraded VWs and BMW was mostly known for the compact, still semi-affordable 3-Series. Neither could hold a candle to the company that invented the mass-produced automobile and that has been strongly associated with large, top-shelf automobiles ever since. Gayla (the site's programmer, my wife) is not a car person. Her take on the GLK: "Of course it's a good car, it's a Mercedes." Some of my friends who are more into cars--and who own competing makes--similarly employ a different tone when asking about "the Mercedes." They could afford one, so why don't they own one? Partly because the brand's mystique cuts both ways. They're not interested in making such a strong status statement. Can even a compact crossover make a strong status statement? Mercedes-Benz has done its best to make this so--check out the size of the three-pointed star on the GLK's grille. see full Mercedes-Benz GLK review |
Mercedes-Benz GLK Brand Reputation: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 4dr SUV 268-horsepower 3.5L V6 7-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Trickle-down reputation from the more expensive M-Bs. see full Mercedes-Benz GLK review |