• The E30-generation 3-series was the brand-defining sports sedan for BMW in the late ’80s and early ’90s.• This 1990 four-door was just listed on Bring a Trailer.• The auction ends on Thursday, July 1.Car enthusiasts might have been aware of BMW as far back as the days of the 2002, but the brand really entered the public consciousness in the 1980s with the emergence of yuppies. To save our younger readers the task of Googling: Yuppies were Young, Upwardly-mobile Urban Professionals and were typically derided for their materialistic outlook and acquisitive behavior. They were major purchasers of premium-priced European cars, most stereotypically BMWs. It turns out they were onto something, because the yuppie-favorite BMW 3-series of that era is pretty great.

We’ve called the E30-generation (1987–1993) 3-series “some of the purest driver’s cars of all time.” They’re so good to drive that most have been driven into the ground, which makes nice examples hard to find. That’s why this 1990 325i just listed on Bring a Trailer—which like Car and Driver is part of Hearst Autos—caught our eye.

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First of all, you want the six-cylinder 325i, because the earlier four-cylinder cars were considerably slower. Secondly, this one is equipped with a five-speed manual, which is much preferable to the four-speed automatic, being far better for wringing out the rev-happy 168-hp straight-six. According to the seller, this one was sold new in the Bay Area and remained with its original owner until his passing in 2013. His surviving spouse eventually donated it to charity in 2021.

Bring a Trailer

The seller acquired the car from the charity and proceeded to undertake a recommissioning that included replacement of the timing belt, oil pan, water pump, motor mounts, tires, hoses, and more. The body is presentable, although bumps and bruises are evident. The leather interior appears in equivalent condition, with wear on the driver’s seat upholstery but no cracks in the dash. The overall condition is about what you’d expect after 127,000 miles in a gentle climate.

Bring a Trailer

Bring a Trailer

At this writing, bidding is just getting started, so there’s still time to put in a lowball offer and hope this listing flies under the radar. But this 1989 325i sedan that sold for $19,000 back in December probably represents a reasonable barometer of the likely hammer price—it was the less-desirable automatic but had slightly lower mileage. Regardless of the selling price, the negative yuppie connotations have been consigned to history, leaving the winning bidder with a standout driving experience unencumbered by cultural baggage.

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Land Rover’s ultra-rugged SUV has returned, and it’s coming to the U.S. in 2020. Source: Motor – aranddriver.com More

The eighth-generation Volkswagen Golf GTI hot hatchback is here. It has a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four with 241 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. Europe will get the new GTI this fall, but Americans will likely have to wait until the fourth quarter of 2021 for it to arrive. As the former owner of two second-generation […] More

The legendary Mercedes SL roadster has reached its seventh generation, and there are big changes in store for the 2022 SL55 and SL63 models. For one, they’re exclusively offered as AMG models, and the old model’s retractable hardtop has given way to a softtop. Positioned as a competitor to the Porsche 911, the new SL is far more expensive than before, so we figured we’d take to the online configurator tool to determine our favorite ways to spec the new car. Here are our builds, from the “base” model to nearly $200,000.

Drew Dorian’s $151,700 SL55

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz

I’d start my build with the SL55 in the base Touring trim. The 55’s 469-hp version of the twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 is plenty of power for me, especially since we estimate this model will hit 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds. With the money I’d save by skipping the more expensive SL63, I’d load up my new Mercedes with tasty options such as the Burmester stereo system, a microfiber headliner, and a set of handsome 21-inch wheels. I’d go with the Moonlight White metallic exterior paint, and the optional red softtop helps my SL stand out. I’m disappointed that I can’t choose the red Nappa leather with the red roof, but the black interior is classy so I’ll make that concession. Lastly, I’d splurge on the optional head-up display, the driver-assistance package, and the performance steering wheel with Nappa leather and microfiber wrap. My SL55 carries a price of $151,700, a lofty sum, certainly, but one that’s nearly $40,000 cheaper than an identically outfitted SL63.Joey Capparella’s $184,950 SL63

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz

The SL makes the most sense to me as a cushy cruiser, so I’m not entirely sold on the idea that AMG has taken over the latest generation and turned it into a sportier, more performance-focused model. That said, I think the new model looks fantastic. Even though I don’t want the sportiest model possible, I still want power in a vehicle like this, so I’d splurge for the 577-hp SL63. Opting for the Performance trim doesn’t mean what you think, as the 63 model has most of the performance goodies standard anyway; instead, this version adds a front-axle lift system that I think would be useful. The only other options I chose were the subtle $3250 Monza Gray Magno paint and the $750 Dark Shadow interior trim. I stuck with the base 20-inch wheels for the sake of ride quality. My car totals out at $184,950, which is 911 Turbo territory. Hmm.Caleb Miller’s $194,660 SL63

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz

For my 2022 Mercedes-AMG SL, I started off by choosing the more powerful SL63 model, which produces 108 more horsepower than the SL55. I then selected the Performance trim, which adds a front-axle lift system—necessary on Michigan’s pockmarked roads—for $1800. To spice up the already gorgeous roadster’s looks, I splurged on the vibrant Hyper Blue metallic paint for $1750 and 21-inch silver 10-spoke “Y-design” wheels for $1100. I also added the AMG Aerodynamics package for $2850, which includes an active carbon-fiber underbody element that increases downforce on the front wheels above 50 mph. Inside, I thought the Sage Gray and black Nappa leather combination matched the exterior well, and I went for the carbon-fiber trim for an extra $2850. I also chose the AMG Performance steering wheel in Nappa leather and microfiber ($500) and front and rear floor mats for when winter hits ($160). My final excessive add-on was the Burmester surround sound system, which costs an insane $4500. All told, my SL63 rang in at $194,660.
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The Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven is a futuristic concept with a design inspired by the classic C111 prototypes.The One-Eleven packs an axial-flux electric motor that Mercedes says is lighter and more compact than equally powerful radial-flux motors used in today’s EVs.The cabin features an unusual LED pixel dashboard, an unorthodox rectangular steering wheel, and flashy silver seats.The Mercedes-Benz C111 prototypes of the ’60s and ’70s served as test beds for emerging powertrain technologies, fitted with an array of turbo-diesel and Wankel rotary engines. Now, as the automotive industry shifts away from combustion engines towards electric power, Mercedes has unveiled the Vision One-Eleven concept, which like its forebear, acts as a predictor for the how the brand will adapt to changing automotive landscape. The Vision One-Eleven’s sleek supercar looks are clearly inspired by the original C111 prototype, painted a vibrant shade of orange and fitted with dramatic gullwing doors. The concept’s silhouette features one line running in a shallow curve from front to rear, echoing the cab-forward aerodynamic designs of Mercedes’s current EV offerings like the EQS and EQE. At its peak the roof measures just 46 inches tall, and the design is grounded by chunky black side skirts, a front splitter, and a cavernous rear diffuser with blue backlighting. Mercedes says this makes the One-Eleven look like it is “fused with the road surface,” and it also references the C111’s black accents.Instead of a grille, the One-Eleven’s front end features an oval panel with pixelated LEDs that mimic the C111’s fog lights and can also display messages to pedestrians and other drivers. A similar panel is found on the rear end and a similar pixelated pattern appears on the opaque windows, a feature we’ve seen on other Mercedes concepts like the Vision AMG. The intricate design of the massive wheels is meant to emulate the windings inside of electric motors.Surprisingly Spacious InteriorAlthough the One-Eleven’s exterior screams high-performance supercar, the cabin can transform into a lounge, a common theme among future-gazing electric concepts. The interior is spacious considering the low-slung body, with loads of room for the seats to recline rearward since there is no engine taking up space behind the driver. A “race” mode sees the seat backs raise to an upright position.The distinctive orange hue appears inside the One-Eleven as well, with the brightly colored leather—which Mercedes says was tanned using coffee bean husks—contrasting with the white dashboard material, made from recycled polyester. That dashboard is simplistic, with a full-width LED pixel display meant to recall old-school news tickers that displays important information like speed. It also shows QR codes that link to digital art pieces that will then appear on the touchscreen; don’t ask us why. The shiny silver seats look reminiscent of retro astronaut suits and are complemented by polished aluminum on the dials and switches as well as the accelerator and brake pedals. The leather-wrapped steering wheel, in an unusual rectangle shape, features a small touchscreen sprouting off the steering column and angled toward the driver. Mercedes also mentioned an augmented-reality headset that turns the entire interior into the user interface, with 3D controls, icons, and maps for navigation. The AR system will also make the A-pillars and hood of the One-Eleven appear transparent, improving outward visibility.Motor and Battery Details Powering the One-Eleven concept is an axial-flux motor that Mercedes vaguely describes as “exceptionally powerful” and is built by a British battery company called YASA that the automaker completely purchased in 2021. Mercedes says this technology is being developed for its next generation of EVs, explaining that axial-flux motors weigh one-third as much as an equally powerful radial-flux unit, the motors currently used by most EVs. It also takes up one-third the amount of space. The battery is composed of “liquid-cooled cylindrical cells with a novel cell chemistry” that Mercedes says drew on learnings from Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrain, which is responsible for the power units in the company’s Formula 1 racers. While the Vision One-Eleven certainly isn’t bound for production, the snazzy design should inspire future Mercedes cars, and we expect the axial-flux motors to find their way into the brand’s EVs within the next several years.This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Associate News EditorCaleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan. More