##BMW 3 saloon--left##WHAT is it about BMW that its cars are so sought-after? Take the 3-series, for example. Ever since the introduction of the current model back in 1998, leading motor industry cost analysts, CAP Motor Research, have consistently awarded it class-leading residual value predictions, and the car has always held a reputation as the most desirable middle-ranking executive model on the market – for both fleet operators and drivers. What's more, with competition stiffening with new models from Mercedes, Lexus, Volvo, Audi and – shortly – the new Jaguar X-type, its performance still doesn't appear to diminish.