Overview

BMW's convertible 3 Series follows well behind the arrival of the sedan version two years ago but it benefits from the introduction of a muscular new 3.0-litre engine.

It wants for virtually nothing in terms of equipment and acquits itself well in cut-and-thrust driving although it is really more a boulevard cruiser.

It suffers some rattles and squeaks that are a little out of place in a $100,000-plus car although there is never any suggestion of a lack of body rigidity.