Top 10 unforgettable cars

[E30 Cabrio]

http://news.en.autos.sympatico.msn.ca/sc/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4914132

BMW 3 Series (E30)


This is perhaps BMW’s most iconic car, by virtue of being the bedrock of the Bavarian carmaker’s current success. The beautifully-proportioned E30 3-Series is the archetypal small BMW; the four-headlamp, kidney-grille machine being the car that a whole generation of young, upwardly mobile professionals spent their money on. Following the E21 and 2002 models, the E30 was introduced in 1982, and ran through to 1991. It was a huge success too, being sold as a two and four-door saloon, an estate and convertible. The most prized, though, was the M3 racing homologation special: A modern classic.

[E30 Cabrio]

As I always tell people, the E30 is the car that BMW built their reputation on.

The list is flawed in that the Corvette is not on the list though. A pure American automobile icon.

[e304me]

e30 ftw!!!!!!!

[trent]

As I always tell people, the E30 is the car that BMW built their reputation on.

The list is flawed in that the Corvette is not on the list though. A pure American automobile icon.

The 2002 is actually the car BMW built their reputation on. It started the entire sport compact thing in the US.

[E30 Cabrio]

The 2002 is actually the car BMW built their reputation on. It started the entire sport compact thing in the US.

On the track - Yes.

But as "The Ultimate Driving Machine" I would say the E30

As the article states: "This is perhaps BMW’s most iconic car, by virtue of being the bedrock of the Bavarian carmaker’s current success."

[trent]

Lol. The 2002 started the slogan "The Ultimate Driving Machine"

[E30 Cabrio]

True dat, but the whole "Ultimate Driving Machine" slogan was used much more extensively by BMW marketing on the E30 than on the 2002 ad campaigns.

And like the article says, the E30 is "the bedrock of the car's current success"

BMW built their rep for quality automobiles on both platforms, but more so IMO on the E30 than on the 2002

Not saying that the E30 is a better car than the 2002 or vice-versa, but that BMW gained their reputation for quality automobiles more so on the E30, due partially to more aggressive marketing.

[-Javier-]

i have to go with you.

True dat, but the whole "Ultimate Driving Machine" slogan was used much more extensively by BMW marketing on the E30 than on the 2002 ad campaigns.

And like the article says, the E30 is "the bedrock of the car's current success"

BMW built their rep for quality automobiles on both platforms, but more so IMO on the E30 than on the 2002

Not saying that the E30 is a better car than the 2002 or vice-versa, but that BMW gained their reputation for quality automobiles more so on the E30, due partially to more aggressive marketing.

[E30 Cabrio]

No need to argue semantics. The fact is that the E30 is getting the props that it deserves as it was a great car then and still remains so even 20 or so years later.

How many other 20 year old cars do you see on the road today?

Especially unrestored "survivors" that aren't total piles of crap?

Very few, which is a testament to the quality of these cars.

[trent]

Naw. The article is wrong. The 2002 started the trend.

[Charlie]

Definetly gonna have to go with the 2002. It broke the reputation that the Bavarias and other "big" BMW sedans had had at the time. Big luxury cars with questionable reliability and no power, not "driver's" cars.

-Charlie

[Low Level E30]

2002, fo' sho'. It is the original BMW cult car.

[JasonC]

Where did they do the survay at? Cause most Americans propobly don't know what some of those cars are.

[Low Level E30]

Where did they do the survay at? Cause most Americans propobly don't know what some of those cars are.

Agreed.

That, and most of the cars in the list are SMALL cars - you know how Americans just LOVE small cars...

... or not.

[euroshark]

Trent is right... After the 2002, the 5 series and 6 series were definitely the most influential cars for the automobile world, followed by the E30.