I can assure you the current 330i has little in common with the E46. It is now just a Toyota Camry with a german badge, unfortunately. Maybe the G20 (2019) will address that, but you similarly won’t be able to get anything but the auto with the premium engine.

Now if only they would put the same engine in the CX-5, they would really have a Audi Q3/BMW X1/MB GLA killer that would print money for them. Then they can bring to market something slightly larger (as in 3 series size) and much more premium than the Mazda 3 and eat the 3 series’ cake too...

I think there is merit to the argument. The average consumer (i.e. no one on this website) really just wants something that is reliable, comfortable for their daily commute, and has a badge they can show off to friends and co-workers. Reference the Camry-fication of the BMW 3 series. The engineers were quoted telling…