There are times when you have to ask yourself what you did to deserve such wonderful treatment…driving any BMW will get such a response. Us auto reviewers get to drive a lot of nice cars and trucks but when we get something like a new BMW, it makes us giddy. Why, you ask? Because, when BMW calls its cars the "Ultimate Driving Machines", they aren't kidding. From the Mini up to the new 7-Series, BMW makes the most driver-oriented, fun-to-drive, best handling cars this side of the racetrack.
The only downside is paying out the wazoo for the privilege…but we digress.
The last 3-Series Bimmer we tested was the new-for-'99 328i sedan. It was a
remarkable car with excellent road manners and good looks to boot. This time
around, we got a chance to sample the all-wheel-drive machine called 330xi.
From its
tight steering and quick responses to the way it coddles you in any of the seats
to its striking lines and muscular haunches, the BMW 3-Series is more a piece
of art than mere automobile.
Topping out at over $43-large, our tester was well appointed and never left
us with anything less than a huge grin every time we got out after a drive.
Nothing less than a spectacular car can produce such emotion and vigor.
BMW is a favorite of many enthusiasts and for good reason: The company builds
the best road-going cars available. As an example of this, we were driving about
one wet day and went to take a corner, which the Camaro SS we recently drove
coerced us to slow down through. The Bimmer begged us to go faster than we thought
possible through this particular corner and got us in and out with no drama
and had us wanting to drive all the really twisty roads Greater St. Louis has
to offer.
Inside,
BMW made a comfortable, luxurious cockpit into a thing of beauty. The leather
on our test car was perfect without so much as a stitch out of place. The seats
were European comfortable (read firm) and were infinitely adjustable. The rear
seat was a bit small and wouldn't be very comfortable for those over 5' 10"
or so.
The quality of the materials and switchgear was impeccable; as well it should
have been for the price and for the reputation. For, you do not purchase a Bimmer
for its price. You purchase a Bimmer for its status and pedigree. Or, you purchase
one because it makes the seat of the pants a happy place.
The seats
were European firm, but with a softness that made long drives comfortable. All
switches were easily reachable and felt substantial to the touch. You really
feel the luxurious quality of this car in every facet.
In normal, everyday driving, the 330xi is docile except for lurching from a
complete stop, despite every effort. Talk about a touchy throttle! We did find,
after spending a few days behind the wheel, that if you wait a second or two
after releasing the brake that you can control this lurching a bit better, but
it didn't clear up totally.
German engineering has been celebrated for many, many years and the 3.0-liter in-line six-cylinder engine in our tester was one of the best in the world. It's silky smooth and produces plenty of power to move this one-and-one-half-ton car to 60 mph in less than 7 seconds (according to manufacturer specs). It sure felt that fast and there was plenty of power on tap to pass on tight two-lanes or to hurry out of any corner.
Needless to say, we drove our test loop twice in this car, just for the grin-factor.
Our 2002
BMW 330xi tester topped out at $43,035.00, which included $645 for the destination
charge.
Base price for the 330xi is $35,740.00. For that much money, you get a whole
lot, including the sweet engine; four wheel ventilated and ABS-equipped disc
brakes; Dynamic Brake Control, which intervenes during emergency braking to
help achieve the shortest stopping distance; all-wheel drive; Dynamic Stability
Control, which helps the driver maintain control of the car when he or she gets
a little out of hand in the corners; 17-inch alloy wheels; and all the luxury
appointments you can stomach.
If you need more stuff and have the money to burn, we'd suggest starting with the option our tester was equipped with: For starters, we had Topaz Blue Metallic paint (a beautiful shade, to say the least) for $475; a cold weather package that includes heated front seats; headlight washers, a split fold-down rear seats, a ski bag and a rear arm rest ($1000); and the premium package that includes leather upholstery, power glass moonroof, "Myrtle" wood trim, auto-dimming interior mirror, rain-sensing wipers and automatic headlights ($2900). The automatic transmission (sans manumatic control since BMW doesn't offer it) was an extra $1275, along with $300 for run-flat, all-season tires, $700 for xenon headlights, which we highly recommend.
For what you pay, the BMW 3-series is the best thing going. There are a lot of new, and some old, competitors out there, but they never really seem to hit the mark in quality materials, solid engineering or fun-to-drive factor.
The 330xi is one amazing machine that truly adds flavor and grace to the 3-series
lineup. Now, if we could only get them to put a manumatic in it…