THAT WHICH WE LIKE: Just about every thing. After investing two successive weekends in the vehicle, attributes editor Jeff Sabatini summed it up thusly: "I 'll happily sign this out anyday till we reach 40,000 miles. Things I like regarding the 3: Seat heaters that remain place where you left them after you turn the vehicle away, the info-tainment system's obvious and intuitive interface, excellent ergonomics, a shifter that goes almost telepathically, and steering and pedals which can be totally balanced. This auto is merely so serene, so soothing and pleasurable to operate a vehicle, it is nearly meditative."

THAT WHICH WE DON'T LIKE: Given that laundry listing of likes, our disadvantages column is unsurprisingly shallow--both when it comes to the variety of items on it as well as the value of the things. One motorist believed the tires were a little loud, and still another wished the 12-volt power outlet were at the foot of the centre stack instead of in the bin in the rear of the console, so your wire for his radar detector did not interfere with the shifter.

WHAT WENT WRONG: Leaving a restaurant one morning, one of us--who could quite clearly promise to be insufficiently caffeinated--backed right into a place. He reviews viewing the place looming in the backup digicam and turning his head to find out where it was, which ought to let you know it was not one of the young whippersnappers, who would not have believed to need more info than the engineering was supplying. The influence arrived in the second between when his eyes left the cam and when they located the very top of the post--now all-too near the rear-window. A fresh fender cover set us again $1423.

WHERE WE WENT: Nowhere. Aside from one excursion to southern Indiana and 2 to western Michigan, the 3 continues to be stuck in a infinite commuting loop (which nevertheless could not quit our observed fuel-economy from climbing by 1 mpg, to 2-9). It is nothing against the 3, it is simply our fleet is thick with more thrilling route-trippers--BMW M-3, Chevy Corvette, Porsche Cayman, Tesla Design S P85D. The 3 did go to the dealer once, for its first support at 9940 miles. Just like the remaining vehicle, that was a low key matter, only an oil-change, tire rotation, and review, for $99.

Months in Fleet: SIX MONTHS months Present Mileage: 11,499 miles Typical Fuel Economy: 29 mpg Fuel-Tank Size: 13.2 gal Gas Range: 380 milesService: Regular Wear: Repair: Injury and Destruction: $1423