I agree, we had a E90 320 for a few days as a loan car and it while there's no complaints with the car itself, the performance is most definitely uninspired/non-existent... the thing is they're far and away the most popular 3-series here (and I think the most popular BMW?) - I can see why they make sense for a lot of people because they allow people to buy into the brand who don't need, or want, a fast car - and I think removing them from the model line-up (or just not having them, as in NA) is a little short-sighted - not everyone who wants a BMW wants a rocket.