The BMW 3 Series is one of the most regarded BMW->ke178 models in history. It’s also one of the most enduring cars on the road, a distinction it has earned through an existence that has lasted for 40 years. Today, the 3 Series->ke290 is in its sixth-generation after having spawned numerous versions and iterations in the past. It’s an incredible achievement for a car that has etched its place in the annals of BMW lore.

Carfection’s Alex Goy recently took the time to talk about the history of the 3 Series. The nostalgic trip down memory lane was probably prompted by the fact that he was test driving the new BMW 320d, but motives notwithstanding, Goy gives a pretty in-depth account on the life of the 3 Series. It’s pretty enlightening, especially if you haven’t seen any of BMW’s own string of episodes documenting the life and times of its most iconic model. I’m not going to dive too deep into the details of this episode because it deserves your full attention. What I will tell you thought is how important the 3 Series has become for BMW.

Sure, it might not have the performance capabilities of its bigger siblings. it doesn’t even have the same amount of refinement as, say, the 5 Series->ke317 or the 6 Series.->ke320 But, the 3 Series had one thing that no BMW car could offer. It had a personality that was compatible to its market, especially to people who wanted to buy a BMW without having to spend too much money on it. That’s one of the biggest reasons why the BMW 3 Series is BMW’s best-selling model in history, accounting for -- at one point in time -- over 30 percent of BMW’s total annual sales, not including motorcycles.

That’s what the 3 Series is all about and that’s why the car, to this day, remains as one of Bavaria’s most popular and most important models.

BMW 3 Series

Read our full review on the BMW 3 Series here.