Test drive BMW 3 Episode E46 1998 - 2002 Sedan

Back to the roots

The appearance in 1997 of the new generation of the BMW of the third series, which replaced the most popular model, produced for more than eight years, many fans were perceived as an attempt to bury all the glorious traditions of the Bavarian company. The new three appeared before potential buyers at the same time unusually attractive and repulsive. On the one hand, the new model simply fascinated with its rapid silhouette and design in the style of a larger five, which also had recently appeared on the market, but, on the other hand, it was not at all what active drivers and adherents of the famous Bavarian Skorhoders awaited. There was everything in the three, starting from the nostrils company that had already become a hallmark to a no less humble angle of inclination of the rear rack, but there was no main thing: the new generation significantly regretted that driver, for which the BMW of the previous, third series loved so much. Nevertheless, the car went - the volumes of its production became almost record for the entire existence of cars of this brand, and the new three took root well in almost all the markets of the world, including ours.
 
Everything could continue according to a pre -planned plan, and the new three would have successfully won the hearts of more and more buyers, if not for the notorious public opinion. A significant part of the fans of the brand, automobile journalists and experts unanimously, as if having conspired, did not speak very well about the running qualities of the new three. More precisely, not even about them, because the car still remained one of the best, but about the disappearance of many, characteristic only for BMW, and in particular only for the three, features for which customers loved this model. After all, BMW is primarily a car for the driver, and the corporate slogan - with pleasure at the wheel only confirms this. That is why the restyling of the entire family of the third series, held this year, touched not only the appearance ...
 
Of course, everyone can distinguish the old BMW of the third series from the 2002 model year. While preserving almost all lines and body elements, the designers somehow managed to make a new car at the same time fresh, but at the same time recognizable from afar. And not only in front, because the wide nostrils can be seen from afar, but also in any other angle. Updated lighting equipment, bumpers, some small details - all this helped turn the car, whose age is almost five years, into a completely fresh model. And much more prestigious- from afar the three looks like a more expensive and large five, although the younger model does not look just a reduced copy of the flagship, as is done in Mercedes S- and C-class. On the contrary, in the appearance of each model there are only features inherent in it, which allows even amateurs to almost accurately determine the models.
 
But external changes, despite the fact that they helped to significantly refresh the appearance of the most popular model of the concern, are not so important here. It is much more important how the car has transformed in terms of running qualities. Nothing revolutionary happened, just the car became a little sharper, more sporty, more dynamic. In general, he became exactly as the owners of the triples and all the admirers of the brand are used to seeing sedans, station wagons, coupe and convertibles of this series. And if the prerestyling cars from the very moment of their appearance were reproached for the absence of peppercorn in character, and automobile publications were almost unanimously recognized as a direct competitor - Mercedes C -class - more athletic and groovy, now everything has returned to their own circles. Having timely reacted to the reproaches of customers, the BMW company introduced a more advanced three, at the same time returning it to all the traditional advantages. Cars produced before restyling had too soft, in comparison with other sports sedans, the suspension, and only the most powerful and expensive versions like an all -wheel drive 330xi had a sports package. Of course, it was possible to order a sports suspension at the factory, when buying a car, since the BMW system allows the buyer to practically build a car for himself, but it was necessary to pay extra for this. Now all the triples, regardless of the power, engine volume or type of drive, are equipped with a sports suspension, which gives the car the character traits inherent only in this brand.
 
The car itself, as in the previous generations, sets up in a combat model, imperceptibly provoking the driver to go faster and more actively than he used to do this in cars of other brands. In general, everything returned to its own circles, and the most massive BMW again became the way we used to see, hear, feel. For fans of the brand, this will be good news, because now to give the sports for any modification of the new three for it will not need to order an M-package or other additional equipment. As before, this car has become an excellent option for active drivers who prefer a slightly aggressive driving style and at the same time give preference to confident and clear reactions of the car than comfort and smoothness.
 
Text: Pavel Kozlovsky
 

Source: Autogazet / N 18 (364) dated 05.22.02