I had an experience with a BMW 316i, just a base model of the E36 3series. It onced stayed at us for a whole week from father's office before.

Power is tepid, but beyond that handling is indeed good rolls but feels stiff and not tipsy yet aplomps with poise on bumps. Engine sound is very good. Transmission is crisp. Hammers down the road like a bigger car. Drives like one solid piece very rigid.
Features may be found lacking but i picked it cause it has what you just really need in point a to point b driving. Compared with the W124 230E i drove with 4 speed manual, i think its an older 86 model, but beyond the years, i think those cars are both solid pieces of metals. I like that the faster I drive over bumps, the lesser i feel it in the case of the Benz. I think the E36 is also like that but I feel its more pronounced in the Benz. I dont also think it handles better than the smaller 3series. Engine sound is horrible IMO, reminds me of an electric generator.