Since 1983, Car and Driver has been running an annual “10Best” list, which features, you guessed it, the ten best cars on sale for that year. In 1992, the BMW 3 Series made the list, in its E36-generation (Yay, E36!). Since then, the 3 Series has been the second most featured car in C&D 10Best history, being featured on the list 22 times. The only car to beat the 3 Series on the list is the Honda Accord, with 31 features, which is hard to argue against.
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In 2015, the 3 Series famously fell from the list, for the first time since 1992. It was a pretty big shock to BMW fans and sort of brought to light the brand’s decline from its Ultimate Driving Machine roots. However, in 2015, there was some solace taken in the fact that the BMW M235i made the list, proving that the Bavarians did still know how to make a proper sports car, even if it wasn’t the venerable 3 Series.
This most recent C&D 10Best though, the 2018 edition, completely lacks a BMW altogether. That’s right, for the first time since 1992, the C&D 10Best list is devoid of any BMW product. No 3 Series, no 2 Series, nada. That’s big. It’s a big statement of how far BMW has fallen from its once stratospheric heights.
It’s quite shocking, actually, as there are still some really good cars in BMW’s lineup. The 2 Series is still an excellent car, especially the little BMW 230i, which is a tremendous riot to drive at an affordable price. Also the new 5 Series is a stunning all-rounder. But the reason those cars didn’t make it is simple — other competitors in their segments were deemed better.
Rather than the BMW M2, which made the cut last year, the Audi RS3 Sedan is part of the list. Knock the RS3 for not having the same rear-drive dynamics as the M2 but the there might not be a better all-weather point-and-shoot rocket on the market than the little Audi. And rather than the BMW 5 Series, C&D went with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Admittedly, the E-Class has the benefit of the E63 AMG being part of it, while the F90-gen M5 isn’t out yet, but it still won nonetheless.
The biggest news, though? Rather than the BMW 3 Series, literally one of the hsitoric kings of C&D’s 10Best list, is a newcomer — the Alfa Romeo Giulia. Having driven the Giulia Quadrifoglio and BMW M3 back-to-back, it’s hard to argue against the Italian. Sure, reliability issues might end up dooming the new Alfa but that’s yet to be seen and, in terms of pure driving dynamics and style, the Alfa is the better car right now.
This is a pretty big blow to BMW, as it’s been one of the longest running brands on C&D’s famous 10Best list (fifth all-time). One car I can see possibly putting BMW back on the list next year is the BMW X3. Until next year, then.
[Source: Car and Driver]
Not surprised. The latest BMWs are bland, boring and lack the premium qualities of previous years.
Ha, I’m not even surprised at all. BMW really “F”ed it up (no pun intended) with the F generation cars.
Too bad they can’t make cars like E46s or E39s anymore. Sad to see them slipping away.
I’m not terribly surprised either but the G30, specifically the M550i is very much an E39 540i (sport) successor.
It’s more about eligibility. Neither the M3 or M240i are eligible because the are not “…a returning winner, all-new, or significantly revised.” It is following the trend of C&D’s displeasure with the current fleet of BMWs specifically regarding steering feel.
A good sports coach will tell you a real loss cannot be defended by an explanation. It simply sounds like an excuse. BMW has lost its way and this is just more evidence.
No worries, BMWs upcoming product line like a FWD 2 series GC will bring BMW back into the top 10… ha!
You mean like the Golf & Audi? On VW’s fwd. platform? Or the Civic? On Honda’s?
sure, if BMW priced them low like the rest of the FWDs. well, maybe even then they won’t.. cuz how many minis make the top 10 ;)
List price of the 3 fwd. hot hatches on this 10 Best range from $35k to $55k. Price-wise, BMW are already competitive with the awd. UKL X1, it’s low end of this range & called Best in Class by C&D, even if didn’t make 10 Best. BMW will be competitive.
Not surprised as well. BMW chose to take the luxury and tech overload path rather than its driving dynamics route.
exactly. what we’re seeing is BMW slowly turn into Acura :D
Luxury and technology can coexist with driving dynamics. What doesn’t work is building cars that try and be all things to all people (numb over boosted steering).
Companies grow and often lose their focus in the interest of gaining more market share which leads to a downward spiral but this often makes room for another player to come in and fill a vacated niche.
It all has sence. BMW in the sales leader in premium segment. All other competitors need to make a much better car to catch them. I’m sure with G-generations BMW restores its positions.
Don’t be silly.
You have the lock on that.
Well the G gen sedans are proving duds already. Though, we can attach some hope with crossovers.
That may be true for the G11/12 but not the G30. On the US sales side, sedans are on the death spiral in favor of SUVs.
It is not a big surprise. BMW gambled and try to do a Porsche and kept feeding its customers the same old bland cars while others are pushing the envelope and making better cars. I Sat in 5 different BMW today and I swear all the interiors are a copy and paste of each other and it is not in a good way.
BMW’S have always been the most overrated cars on the market,, having bought in and unfortunately having to sell them on with a warranty,,, there is absolutely no doubt that they have the softest engines of all cars and by 60.000 miles which is nothing,, their best days are well and truly over,, and they give you nothing but trouble from then,
Welcome to bmwtrollblog.
You need to be vaccinated.
Unnecessary to prove my point.
I was wondering for sometime whether this article would be covered here as C&D’s recent few reviews of BMW haven’t been given the coverage.(Nothing new on those articles though as they were more about lamenting BMW for straying way to far from its core competencies).
I am a bit hurt but not surprised at all. Either i can act as BMW’s blind fan and rant that it was the need of the hour or i can remain logical and accept that its BMW who hasn’t been able to figure out what it wants to be and are playing way too safe.
I still stick by my opinion that current BMWs are extremely bland, mediocre appliances of transportation. Thats it. Those who love BMW for roundel may continue to love it and those who loved BMW for their primary love of driving pleasure are in a hopeless situation.
It’s time to move on from BMW and German cars. They will be back in 2060 though. They are passing on the torch to America brands – to take on the market position of desirable, attractive, tech forward, enthusiast driven American cars. The German position in the auto industry is one that will be like Japanese cars from 2000-2020, that is, mainstream transportation cars that are great values and the default choice for most but continue to get uglier and less and less enthusiast focused.
I don’t surprise at all. And the bad part is this is caused by bmw themselves. And the worst part is bmw still hasn’t woken the hell up.
Oh, the ignominy of having your hero model beaten, by an Alfa no less. BMW, hang your head in shame. This is what happens when you take your eye off the ball and let the competition catch up. Stick to your core values and stop making dopey cars like the X6.
[…] Car and Driver’s 2018 10Best cars lacks a BMW for first time in ages – Since 1983, Car and Driver has been running an annual “10Best” list. […]