BMW USED CARS

Another year, another round of subtle changes to make one of the most heralded automobiles ever made even better. For decades, the BMW 3 Series has been the benchmark in the entry-level luxury car market -- be it in sedan, coupe, convertible or wagon guise. Typically, this BMW has offered a magnificent blend of restrained luxury, top-notch build quality, just-right size, ample feature content and a ride/handling balance that other manufacturers have been unsuccessfully trying to copy for ages.

For the 2009 BMW 3 Series, a few changes have been made to keep its superior status intact. Some of the sedan and wagon's more questionable styling elements have been rectified. These models receive a new front fascia that's reminiscent of the sexier coupe and convertible, and their streamlined cabooses mark a return to the more attractive BMW tradition of L-shaped taillights. The coupe and convertible have been left alone this year, and that's fine with us, as the sedan and wagon were the only members of the family that needed some cosmetic surgery.

Some said it didn't make sense. When BMW brought the 1 Series stateside last year, skeptics said there wasn't really a place in the market for another compact performance two-door. Now into its second year, the BMW 1 Series is proving the pessimists wrong. As the company's entry-level model, the 1 Series turns heads, even amid much more rare and expensive cars. Although "cute" is often used to describe this coupe and convertible, don't let the 1 Series' diminutive dimensions fool you -- this car is anything but demure. Under the hood are the same powerful engine choices as in the marque's more expensive and larger 3 Series.