🕷️ Crawler Inspector

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Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 25 (from laksa177)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa025.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.jalopnik.com/2126256/favorite-bmw-3-series-reader-question/\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.jalopnik.com/2126256/favorite-bmw-3-series-reader-question/\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/2126256\/favorite-bmw-3-series-reader-question\/","crawl_time":1776162594,"first_indexed_time":1773841267,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,jalopnik!www,\/2126256\/favorite-bmw-3-series-reader-question\/ s443","src_root_hash":"13965510705455118625","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"What's Your Favorite BMW 3 Series?","meta_descriptions":["You can either talk about an entire generation, a certain body style, or get real nerdy and pick out a specific model or special edition."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"BMW\nThis morning\nBMW revealed the next-generation 3 Series in fully electric i3 form\n. It's the second model to use the automaker's state-of-the-art Neue Klasse platform, with styling that's a throwback to Bimmers people love from the 1960s-'80s and a range of up to 440 miles. I really love how the new i3 looks, and the upcoming gas-powered 3 Series will look nearly the same despite being on a different platform.\nIt got me thinking about my favorite 3 Series, which of course has lead to me posing that thought experiment to you. What's your favorite BMW 3 Series? You can either talk about an entire generation, a certain body style, or get real nerdy and pick out a specific model or special edition. Do you love\nthe E90 335i\nmore than anything else? Is your answer just \"all of the wagons?\" Are you going to go really obscure, with a choice like\nthe South Africa–only 333i\n? I'll even allow you to pick an Alpina if you want.\nIs anyone shocked by my pick?\nBMW\nInitially, I was going to talk about the E90-generation 3 Series as being my favorite. I'm a true Bangle head, and I've always thought the E90 is one of the best-looking sedans BMW has ever made. The coupe, convertible and wagon body styles look great too, and who doesn't love\nthe V8-powered E90 M3\n? I also almost said the E21, the first-gen 3 Series, as it has so much charm. And, of course, there's the iconic E46 M3 GTR from \"Need for Speed: Most Wanted,\" one of the greatest racing games of all time.\nBMW\nBut in my heart of hearts, my favorite 3 Series is a much stranger one: the E46 Compact. We got\nthe E36 Compact\nin the U.S. but were denied the follow-up model, and that's a damn shame. It's about as silly as BMW has ever gotten with 3 Series styling, and I just adore its four-eyed face, pert rear end and round greenhouse, and the fact that it's a hatchback. It came in some great colors, too, and with some weird interior fabric and trim options. I don't really care about how it drove (apparently well!) or how \"good\" it actually was; every time I see an E46 Compact, or even just a photo of one, it makes me grin. The Neue Klasse is giving it a real run for its money, though. Give it a year or two, and I bet the i3 will be my easy favorite.\nWhat about you, Jalopnik fan reading this? What's your favorite BMW 3 Series? I'll round up all my favorite answers later this week.","attrs_markdown":"[![Jalopnik](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/img\/jalopnik-RGB-logo-color.svg)](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/)\n\n- [Latest](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/latest\/)\n- [News](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/news\/)\n- [Reviews](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/reviews\/)\n  - [First Drive](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/first-drive\/)\n- [Brands](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/brands\/)\n  - [Audi](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/audi\/)\n  - [BMW](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/bmw\/)\n  - [Chevrolet](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/chevrolet\/)\n  - [Ford](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/ford\/)\n  - [Honda](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/honda\/)\n  - [Hyundai](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/hyundai\/)\n  - [Porsche](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/porsche\/)\n  - [Subaru](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/subaru\/)\n  - [Tesla](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/tesla\/)\n  - [Toyota](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/toyota\/)\n  - [Volkswagen](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/volkswagen\/)\n- [Car Types](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/car-types\/)\n  - [SUVs and Crossovers](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/suvs-and-crossovers\/)\n  - [Sedans](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/sedans\/)\n  - [Sports Cars](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/sports-cars\/)\n  - [Convertibles](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/convertibles\/)\n  - [Coupes](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/coupes\/)\n  - [Trucks](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/truck-yeah\/)\n  - [Hatchbacks, Minivans and Vans](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/hatchbacks-minivans-vans\/)\n  - [EVs and Hybrids](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/evs-and-hybrids\/)\n- [Buying](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/car-buying\/)\n  - [Advice](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/car-buying-advice\/)\n  - [Found For Sale](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/found-for-sale\/)\n- [Culture](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/car-culture\/)\n  - [Car Design](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/car-design\/)\n  - [Concept Cars](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/concept-cars\/)\n  - [Crashes and Safety](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/crashes\/)\n  - [Crime](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/crime\/)\n  - [Jalopnik Explains](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/jalopnik-explains\/)\n  - [Jalopnik Investigates](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/jalopnik-investigates\/)\n  - [Nice Price or No Dice](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/nice-price-or-no-dice\/)\n  - [Nostalgia You Can Taste](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/nostalgia-you-can-taste\/)\n  - [The Morning Shift](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/the-morning-shift\/)\n  - [Year In Review](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/year-in-review\/)\n  - [Entertainment](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/entertainment\/)\n  - [Wrenching](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/wrenching\/)\n  - [Unpaved](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/unpaved\/)\n- [Tech](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/tech\/)\n- [Beyond Cars](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/beyond-cars\/)\n  - [Motorcycles](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/motorcycles\/)\n  - [Spacelopnik](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/spacelopnik\/)\n  - [Transportation](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/transportation\/)\n- [Racing](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/racing\/)\n- [Events](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/events\/)\n  - [CES](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/ces\/)\n  - [SEMA](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/sema\/)\n  - [Detroit Auto Show](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/detroit-auto-show\/)\n  - [Frankfurt Auto Show](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/frankfurt-auto-show\/)\n  - [Geneva Auto Show](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/geneva-auto-show\/)\n  - [LA Auto Show](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/la-auto-show\/)\n  - [New York Auto Show](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/new-york-auto-show\/)\n  - [Tokyo Auto Show](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/tokyo-auto-show\/)\n  - [Rebelle Rally](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/rebelle-rally\/)\n- [QOTD](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/qotd\/)\n- [Features](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/features\/)\n\n- [Newsletter](https:\/\/subscribe.jalopnik.com\/newsletter?utm_source=jalopnik&utm_medium=side-nav \"Newsletter\")\n\n- [About](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/about\/)\n- [Editorial Policies](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/policies\/)\n- [Reviews Policy](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/reviews-policy-guidelines\/)\n- [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/privacy-policy\/)\n- [Terms of Use](https:\/\/www.static.com\/terms)\n\n© 2026 [Static Media](https:\/\/www.static.com\/). All Rights Reserved\n\n[![Jalopnik](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/img\/jalopnik-RGB-logo-color.svg)](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/)\n\n[![Jalopnik](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/img\/jalopnik-RGB-icon-color.svg)](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/)\n\nWhat's Your Favorite BMW 3 Series?\n\n[Latest](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/latest\/?q=latest)[News](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/news\/) [Reviews](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/reviews\/) [Brands](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/brands\/) [Car Types](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/car-types\/) [Buying](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/car-buying\/) [Culture](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/car-culture\/) [Tech](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/tech\/) [Beyond Cars](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/beyond-cars\/) [Racing](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/racing\/) [QOTD](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/qotd\/) [Features](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/features\/)\n\n- [Newsletter](https:\/\/subscribe.jalopnik.com\/newsletter?utm_source=jalopnik&utm_medium=top-nav \"Newsletter\")\n\n- [QOTD](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/category\/qotd\/)\n# What's Your Favorite BMW 3 Series?\nBy [Daniel Golson](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/author\/dsgolson-2\/)\n\nMarch 18, 2026 9:25 am EST\n\n![Front 3\/4 view of a beige BMW E46 Compact](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/img\/gallery\/favorite-bmw-3-series-reader-question\/intro-1773842941.jpg)\n\nBMW\n\nThis morning [BMW revealed the next-generation 3 Series in fully electric i3 form](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/2126092\/2027-bmw-i3-ev-electric-3-series-sedan-design-specs-reveal\/). It's the second model to use the automaker's state-of-the-art Neue Klasse platform, with styling that's a throwback to Bimmers people love from the 1960s-'80s and a range of up to 440 miles. I really love how the new i3 looks, and the upcoming gas-powered 3 Series will look nearly the same despite being on a different platform.\n\nIt got me thinking about my favorite 3 Series, which of course has lead to me posing that thought experiment to you. What's your favorite BMW 3 Series? You can either talk about an entire generation, a certain body style, or get real nerdy and pick out a specific model or special edition. Do you love [the E90 335i](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/2103613\/2013-bmw-335i-m-sport-for-sale-22995\/) more than anything else? Is your answer just \"all of the wagons?\" Are you going to go really obscure, with a choice like [the South Africa–only 333i](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/the-bmw-333i-was-the-most-special-e30-1822924319\/)? I'll even allow you to pick an Alpina if you want.\n\n## Is anyone shocked by my pick?\n![Rear 3\/4 view of a red BMW E46 Compact](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/img\/gallery\/favorite-bmw-3-series-reader-question\/is-anyone-shocked-by-my-pick-1773842942.jpg)\n\nBMW\n\nInitially, I was going to talk about the E90-generation 3 Series as being my favorite. I'm a true Bangle head, and I've always thought the E90 is one of the best-looking sedans BMW has ever made. The coupe, convertible and wagon body styles look great too, and who doesn't love [the V8-powered E90 M3](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/1861228\/bmw-e90-m3-224000-miles-for-sale\/)? I also almost said the E21, the first-gen 3 Series, as it has so much charm. And, of course, there's the iconic E46 M3 GTR from \"Need for Speed: Most Wanted,\" one of the greatest racing games of all time.\n\n![Blue interior in a BMW E46 Compact](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=)BMW\n\nBut in my heart of hearts, my favorite 3 Series is a much stranger one: the E46 Compact. We got [the E36 Compact](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/let-bmw-show-you-around-the-coolest-version-of-the-cool-1846935773\/) in the U.S. but were denied the follow-up model, and that's a damn shame. It's about as silly as BMW has ever gotten with 3 Series styling, and I just adore its four-eyed face, pert rear end and round greenhouse, and the fact that it's a hatchback. It came in some great colors, too, and with some weird interior fabric and trim options. I don't really care about how it drove (apparently well!) or how \"good\" it actually was; every time I see an E46 Compact, or even just a photo of one, it makes me grin. The Neue Klasse is giving it a real run for its money, though. Give it a year or two, and I bet the i3 will be my easy favorite.\n\nWhat about you, Jalopnik fan reading this? What's your favorite BMW 3 Series? I'll round up all my favorite answers later this week.\n\nEnjoyed this read? [Join our newsletter](https:\/\/subscribe.jalopnik.com\/newsletter?utm_source=jalopnik&utm_medium=article) for the top auto news sent straight to your inbox, and add us as a [preferred source](https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=jalopnik.com) on Google\\!\n\n## Recommended","attrs_readable_markdown":"![Front 3\/4 view of a beige BMW E46 Compact](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/img\/gallery\/favorite-bmw-3-series-reader-question\/intro-1773842941.jpg)\n\nBMW\n\nThis morning [BMW revealed the next-generation 3 Series in fully electric i3 form](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/2126092\/2027-bmw-i3-ev-electric-3-series-sedan-design-specs-reveal\/). It's the second model to use the automaker's state-of-the-art Neue Klasse platform, with styling that's a throwback to Bimmers people love from the 1960s-'80s and a range of up to 440 miles. I really love how the new i3 looks, and the upcoming gas-powered 3 Series will look nearly the same despite being on a different platform.\n\nIt got me thinking about my favorite 3 Series, which of course has lead to me posing that thought experiment to you. What's your favorite BMW 3 Series? You can either talk about an entire generation, a certain body style, or get real nerdy and pick out a specific model or special edition. Do you love [the E90 335i](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/2103613\/2013-bmw-335i-m-sport-for-sale-22995\/) more than anything else? Is your answer just \"all of the wagons?\" Are you going to go really obscure, with a choice like [the South Africa–only 333i](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/the-bmw-333i-was-the-most-special-e30-1822924319\/)? I'll even allow you to pick an Alpina if you want.\n\n## Is anyone shocked by my pick?\n![Rear 3\/4 view of a red BMW E46 Compact](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/img\/gallery\/favorite-bmw-3-series-reader-question\/is-anyone-shocked-by-my-pick-1773842942.jpg)\n\nBMW\n\nInitially, I was going to talk about the E90-generation 3 Series as being my favorite. I'm a true Bangle head, and I've always thought the E90 is one of the best-looking sedans BMW has ever made. The coupe, convertible and wagon body styles look great too, and who doesn't love [the V8-powered E90 M3](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/1861228\/bmw-e90-m3-224000-miles-for-sale\/)? I also almost said the E21, the first-gen 3 Series, as it has so much charm. And, of course, there's the iconic E46 M3 GTR from \"Need for Speed: Most Wanted,\" one of the greatest racing games of all time.\n\n![Blue interior in a BMW E46 Compact](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/img\/uploads\/embed\/it-sFNYXN-1773797712.jpg)BMW\n\nBut in my heart of hearts, my favorite 3 Series is a much stranger one: the E46 Compact. We got [the E36 Compact](https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/let-bmw-show-you-around-the-coolest-version-of-the-cool-1846935773\/) in the U.S. but were denied the follow-up model, and that's a damn shame. It's about as silly as BMW has ever gotten with 3 Series styling, and I just adore its four-eyed face, pert rear end and round greenhouse, and the fact that it's a hatchback. It came in some great colors, too, and with some weird interior fabric and trim options. I don't really care about how it drove (apparently well!) or how \"good\" it actually was; every time I see an E46 Compact, or even just a photo of one, it makes me grin. The Neue Klasse is giving it a real run for its money, though. Give it a year or two, and I bet the i3 will be my easy favorite.\n\nWhat about you, Jalopnik fan reading this? What's your favorite BMW 3 Series? I'll round up all my favorite answers later this week.","meta_canonical":null}

3. Robots.txt Check

Query:

Response:

4. Spam/Ban Check

Query:

Response:

5. Seen Status Check

ℹ️ Skipped - page is already crawled

📄

INDEXABLE

✅

CRAWLED

4 days ago

🤖

ROBOTS ALLOWED

Page Info Filters

Filter	Status	Condition	Details
HTTP status	PASS	`download_http_code = 200`	HTTP 200
Age cutoff	PASS	`download_stamp > now() - 6 MONTH`	0.2 months ago
History drop	PASS	`isNull(history_drop_reason)`	No drop reason
Spam/ban	PASS	`fh_dont_index != 1 AND ml_spam_score = 0`	ml_spam_score=0
Canonical	PASS	`meta_canonical IS NULL OR = '' OR = src_unparsed`	Not set

Page Details

Property	Value
URL	https://www.jalopnik.com/2126256/favorite-bmw-3-series-reader-question/
Last Crawled	2026-04-14 10:29:54 (4 days ago)
First Indexed	2026-03-18 13:41:07 (1 month ago)
HTTP Status Code	200
Meta Title	What's Your Favorite BMW 3 Series?
Meta Description	You can either talk about an entire generation, a certain body style, or get real nerdy and pick out a specific model or special edition.
Meta Canonical	null
Boilerpipe Text	BMW This morning BMW revealed the next-generation 3 Series in fully electric i3 form . It's the second model to use the automaker's state-of-the-art Neue Klasse platform, with styling that's a throwback to Bimmers people love from the 1960s-'80s and a range of up to 440 miles. I really love how the new i3 looks, and the upcoming gas-powered 3 Series will look nearly the same despite being on a different platform. It got me thinking about my favorite 3 Series, which of course has lead to me posing that thought experiment to you. What's your favorite BMW 3 Series? You can either talk about an entire generation, a certain body style, or get real nerdy and pick out a specific model or special edition. Do you love the E90 335i more than anything else? Is your answer just "all of the wagons?" Are you going to go really obscure, with a choice like the South Africa–only 333i ? I'll even allow you to pick an Alpina if you want. Is anyone shocked by my pick? BMW Initially, I was going to talk about the E90-generation 3 Series as being my favorite. I'm a true Bangle head, and I've always thought the E90 is one of the best-looking sedans BMW has ever made. The coupe, convertible and wagon body styles look great too, and who doesn't love the V8-powered E90 M3 ? I also almost said the E21, the first-gen 3 Series, as it has so much charm. And, of course, there's the iconic E46 M3 GTR from "Need for Speed: Most Wanted," one of the greatest racing games of all time. BMW But in my heart of hearts, my favorite 3 Series is a much stranger one: the E46 Compact. We got the E36 Compact in the U.S. but were denied the follow-up model, and that's a damn shame. It's about as silly as BMW has ever gotten with 3 Series styling, and I just adore its four-eyed face, pert rear end and round greenhouse, and the fact that it's a hatchback. It came in some great colors, too, and with some weird interior fabric and trim options. I don't really care about how it drove (apparently well!) or how "good" it actually was; every time I see an E46 Compact, or even just a photo of one, it makes me grin. The Neue Klasse is giving it a real run for its money, though. Give it a year or two, and I bet the i3 will be my easy favorite. What about you, Jalopnik fan reading this? What's your favorite BMW 3 Series? I'll round up all my favorite answers later this week.
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All Rights Reserved [![Jalopnik](https://www.jalopnik.com/img/jalopnik-RGB-logo-color.svg)](https://www.jalopnik.com/) [![Jalopnik](https://www.jalopnik.com/img/jalopnik-RGB-icon-color.svg)](https://www.jalopnik.com/) What's Your Favorite BMW 3 Series? [Latest](https://www.jalopnik.com/latest/?q=latest)[News](https://www.jalopnik.com/category/news/) [Reviews](https://www.jalopnik.com/category/reviews/) [Brands](https://www.jalopnik.com/category/brands/) [Car Types](https://www.jalopnik.com/category/car-types/) [Buying](https://www.jalopnik.com/category/car-buying/) [Culture](https://www.jalopnik.com/category/car-culture/) [Tech](https://www.jalopnik.com/category/tech/) [Beyond Cars](https://www.jalopnik.com/category/beyond-cars/) [Racing](https://www.jalopnik.com/category/racing/) [QOTD](https://www.jalopnik.com/category/qotd/) [Features](https://www.jalopnik.com/category/features/) - [Newsletter](https://subscribe.jalopnik.com/newsletter?utm_source=jalopnik&utm_medium=top-nav "Newsletter") - [QOTD](https://www.jalopnik.com/category/qotd/) # What's Your Favorite BMW 3 Series? By [Daniel Golson](https://www.jalopnik.com/author/dsgolson-2/) March 18, 2026 9:25 am EST ![Front 3/4 view of a beige BMW E46 Compact](https://www.jalopnik.com/img/gallery/favorite-bmw-3-series-reader-question/intro-1773842941.jpg) BMW This morning [BMW revealed the next-generation 3 Series in fully electric i3 form](https://www.jalopnik.com/2126092/2027-bmw-i3-ev-electric-3-series-sedan-design-specs-reveal/). It's the second model to use the automaker's state-of-the-art Neue Klasse platform, with styling that's a throwback to Bimmers people love from the 1960s-'80s and a range of up to 440 miles. I really love how the new i3 looks, and the upcoming gas-powered 3 Series will look nearly the same despite being on a different platform. It got me thinking about my favorite 3 Series, which of course has lead to me posing that thought experiment to you. What's your favorite BMW 3 Series? You can either talk about an entire generation, a certain body style, or get real nerdy and pick out a specific model or special edition. Do you love [the E90 335i](https://www.jalopnik.com/2103613/2013-bmw-335i-m-sport-for-sale-22995/) more than anything else? Is your answer just "all of the wagons?" Are you going to go really obscure, with a choice like [the South Africa–only 333i](https://www.jalopnik.com/the-bmw-333i-was-the-most-special-e30-1822924319/)? I'll even allow you to pick an Alpina if you want. ## Is anyone shocked by my pick? ![Rear 3/4 view of a red BMW E46 Compact](https://www.jalopnik.com/img/gallery/favorite-bmw-3-series-reader-question/is-anyone-shocked-by-my-pick-1773842942.jpg) BMW Initially, I was going to talk about the E90-generation 3 Series as being my favorite. I'm a true Bangle head, and I've always thought the E90 is one of the best-looking sedans BMW has ever made. The coupe, convertible and wagon body styles look great too, and who doesn't love [the V8-powered E90 M3](https://www.jalopnik.com/1861228/bmw-e90-m3-224000-miles-for-sale/)? I also almost said the E21, the first-gen 3 Series, as it has so much charm. And, of course, there's the iconic E46 M3 GTR from "Need for Speed: Most Wanted," one of the greatest racing games of all time. ![Blue interior in a BMW E46 Compact](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=)BMW But in my heart of hearts, my favorite 3 Series is a much stranger one: the E46 Compact. We got [the E36 Compact](https://www.jalopnik.com/let-bmw-show-you-around-the-coolest-version-of-the-cool-1846935773/) in the U.S. but were denied the follow-up model, and that's a damn shame. It's about as silly as BMW has ever gotten with 3 Series styling, and I just adore its four-eyed face, pert rear end and round greenhouse, and the fact that it's a hatchback. It came in some great colors, too, and with some weird interior fabric and trim options. I don't really care about how it drove (apparently well!) or how "good" it actually was; every time I see an E46 Compact, or even just a photo of one, it makes me grin. The Neue Klasse is giving it a real run for its money, though. Give it a year or two, and I bet the i3 will be my easy favorite. What about you, Jalopnik fan reading this? What's your favorite BMW 3 Series? I'll round up all my favorite answers later this week. Enjoyed this read? [Join our newsletter](https://subscribe.jalopnik.com/newsletter?utm_source=jalopnik&utm_medium=article) for the top auto news sent straight to your inbox, and add us as a [preferred source](https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=jalopnik.com) on Google\! ## Recommended
Readable Markdown	![Front 3/4 view of a beige BMW E46 Compact](https://www.jalopnik.com/img/gallery/favorite-bmw-3-series-reader-question/intro-1773842941.jpg) BMW This morning [BMW revealed the next-generation 3 Series in fully electric i3 form](https://www.jalopnik.com/2126092/2027-bmw-i3-ev-electric-3-series-sedan-design-specs-reveal/). It's the second model to use the automaker's state-of-the-art Neue Klasse platform, with styling that's a throwback to Bimmers people love from the 1960s-'80s and a range of up to 440 miles. I really love how the new i3 looks, and the upcoming gas-powered 3 Series will look nearly the same despite being on a different platform. It got me thinking about my favorite 3 Series, which of course has lead to me posing that thought experiment to you. What's your favorite BMW 3 Series? You can either talk about an entire generation, a certain body style, or get real nerdy and pick out a specific model or special edition. Do you love [the E90 335i](https://www.jalopnik.com/2103613/2013-bmw-335i-m-sport-for-sale-22995/) more than anything else? Is your answer just "all of the wagons?" Are you going to go really obscure, with a choice like [the South Africa–only 333i](https://www.jalopnik.com/the-bmw-333i-was-the-most-special-e30-1822924319/)? I'll even allow you to pick an Alpina if you want. ## Is anyone shocked by my pick? ![Rear 3/4 view of a red BMW E46 Compact](https://www.jalopnik.com/img/gallery/favorite-bmw-3-series-reader-question/is-anyone-shocked-by-my-pick-1773842942.jpg) BMW Initially, I was going to talk about the E90-generation 3 Series as being my favorite. I'm a true Bangle head, and I've always thought the E90 is one of the best-looking sedans BMW has ever made. The coupe, convertible and wagon body styles look great too, and who doesn't love [the V8-powered E90 M3](https://www.jalopnik.com/1861228/bmw-e90-m3-224000-miles-for-sale/)? I also almost said the E21, the first-gen 3 Series, as it has so much charm. And, of course, there's the iconic E46 M3 GTR from "Need for Speed: Most Wanted," one of the greatest racing games of all time. ![Blue interior in a BMW E46 Compact](https://www.jalopnik.com/img/uploads/embed/it-sFNYXN-1773797712.jpg)BMW But in my heart of hearts, my favorite 3 Series is a much stranger one: the E46 Compact. We got [the E36 Compact](https://www.jalopnik.com/let-bmw-show-you-around-the-coolest-version-of-the-cool-1846935773/) in the U.S. but were denied the follow-up model, and that's a damn shame. It's about as silly as BMW has ever gotten with 3 Series styling, and I just adore its four-eyed face, pert rear end and round greenhouse, and the fact that it's a hatchback. It came in some great colors, too, and with some weird interior fabric and trim options. I don't really care about how it drove (apparently well!) or how "good" it actually was; every time I see an E46 Compact, or even just a photo of one, it makes me grin. The Neue Klasse is giving it a real run for its money, though. Give it a year or two, and I bet the i3 will be my easy favorite. What about you, Jalopnik fan reading this? What's your favorite BMW 3 Series? I'll round up all my favorite answers later this week.
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