Test drive BMW 3 Episode E46 1998 - 2002 Sedan

The keeper of traditions

Rumors about the appearance of a small BMW have been going on for a long time, since the mid -eighties. Experts predicted the appearance of cars in the 2nd series, front-wheel drive hatchbacks, magazines and newspapers were full of spy photos of these new products. And now it happened - the first hatchback (!!!) from BMW already in the series. True, in real life everything turned out to be much easier. The first car that has such a body type that has such an atypical for this company was the Compact model made on the BMW base of the third series. The first generation of compacts appeared in 1995 on the basis of model E 36 - five years later sedanov of the same series. And as practice shows, the decision on the production of the hatchback was not erroneous. To date, the share of the Compact model in the total number of the third series of the third series offered for the sale of used BMW is almost half. And even here, in the market, where sedans are best sold, this model has recently been increasingly meeting.
 
If, with the advent of the hatchback in the model range, I almost reconciled so revered by me, then the question of its appearance still remained open. Why is a more affordable and a priori a less prestigious hatchback in front almost indistinguishable from sedans and even more so the coupe of the third series? After all, the Bavarian foreigners have always been far from cheap cars, and the appearance of such a model could greatly affect the image of these thoroughbred high -speed cars. But on the other hand, what is considered more backwall - Compact in version 323TI or the basic 316th sedan? After all, even low -power ones, if such a concept is generally applicable to cars of this brand, versions of the Compact model in active traffic modes much more acute and give the driver much more pleasure than the seemingly slightly impressive sedans and station wagons. In general, it was difficult to determine the place of this model in the hierarchy of the company even to specialists, and even more so customers.
 
After all of the foregoing, I was not very surprised when I first saw photos of the new Compact model, the premiere of which again took place three years later than the usual versions of the model of the third series. Although now it is a little incorrect to call a compact model of the third series: despite the general aggregate base and interior details, externally both models now differ very significantly. Significantly to such an extent that at first glance it is impossible to determine that this is a three. Other headlights, the rear lighting technology, except that the silhouette of a car and the rear racks remind of the kinship of these models. It seems that, unlike the previous Compact, which, in fact, was just a three with another type of body, for this model, the company's marketers have prepared a completely different fate. It is no coincidence that its design only echoes other three -tires, but does not copy it by no means. Apparently, the three -door BMW is trying to turn into an independent model that is different from the prototype not only with design, but also with habits. The course is very thoughtful, now this hatchback will not be perceived by others as an inexpensive version of the three, and those who did not like ordinary triples may well be interested in more vivid in terms of designing compact. In the advertising of Compact, it is presented as a relatively inexpensive, so to speak, youth BMW, combining the best developments of company engineers, legendary sled qualities and, oddly enough, it sounds, relative accessibility. Even the color scheme of the car differs from the colors offered for ordinary triples - for example, we drove an olive -colored machine. It sounds a little wild, especially when recall that we are talking about BMW, but everything really looks very harmonious, because such a baby in color wet asphalt would look simply ridiculous. In addition, this is only from us a new car is bought in a complete bell and necessarily with the skin. For a Western buyer, such a model can easily become a less prestigious car, which is usually purchased there as a second vehicle in the family, but equal in terms of the cost of a middle -class car. .
 
If you can talk about designer delights for a long time, but at the same time not to come to any certain conclusion, because, as we know, there are no comrades to the taste and color of the comrades, then the revolutionary technology of Valvetronic, first used on the BMW Compact, certainly deserves attention. The Valvetronic system allows you to resolve a conflict generated by the desire for high power output while reducing the toxicity of exhaust gases and a further significant decrease in fuel consumption. In some way, it can be considered an alternative to direct injection system, which several companies have now decided to introduce into serial production. But Valvetronis, in the presence of the same advantages as the above system, has not only a simpler design, but also another very important advantage - the ability to work on fuel that has an increased sulfur content. Due to the high content of sulfur in fuel, the use of gasoline direct injection throughout the world with work on the depleted mixture is not possible even in a rather remote future, especially in our republic. The GDI engines used today by competitors are to one degree or another marketing engines, which actually work on a depleted mixture only in a very narrow range of partial loads. Therefore, the fuel saving parameters measured by specialized publications on comparative tests were significantly lower than the manufacturers themselves were declared.
 
What is the secret? But there is no secret as such. Just Valvetronic is the further development of the famous Baemwesk system of changing the phase distribution of Double-Vanos, which is still the most perfect. Only if the previous system provided the most favorable modes of operation of the gas distribution system only simultaneously for all valves, then Valvetronic regulates separately the course of each of the valves. The adjustable range of valves is realized as follows: a adjustable intermediate lever is located between the fist and roller roller roller roller cords. It is regulated using an eccentric shaft, which is driven by a step engine. The gas pedal controls the step engine and changes the opening course of the valves from 0.3 to 9.7 mm. While an ordinary engine works like a vacuum pump due to reduced pressure in the intake gas pipeline, the engine with the Valvetronic system freely takes the air thanks to a constantly open throttle. The throttle drops remains, as in the direct injection system on a diesel engine, completely open. The amount of the mixture in the combustion chamber is regulated by the height of the opening of the intake valves. Thus, there is no need for the work on the usual engine to fill out and empty the intake gas pipeline, and as a result the so -called losses during throttling disappear. As a result, fuel consumption is reduced, and engine reactions become more sensitive. In real life, this is expressed as follows: the smooth and unusually quiet operation of the engine, coupled with its excellent elasticity. For example, if on a regular car with a four-cylinder engine you try to drive at a speed of 35-40 km/h in the fourth gear, then in response you will receive either a knock of valves, or, at best, a low-frequency resonating sound. A complete illusion of a car with an automatic gearbox is also created here. You can move in a long time for a long time and in any gear, except that acceleration in this mode becomes too prolonged. Yes, and at the acceleration, when the gas pedal is drowned to the floor, it feels that the engine works in optimal mode - no jerks and undermining, only soft and assertive acceleration, without a characteristic rumble of the BMW of the BMW of the in -line six -cylinder motor. However, when you find out the average fuel consumption, and it is 6.9 l/100 km, the question of acquiring a six -cylinder version is in the air. Judge for yourself: the dispersal of the mixture to the coveted hundreds of this compact, and this, I remind you, is the most affordable version, and after all, on the way also others, takes 10.8 seconds. And this, by the way, is even less than some competitors with two -liter engines!
 
Having traveled to Compact, especially to the city crowd, I suddenly found it surprised that with such a body I like much more than an ordinary sedan or station wagon. Even after the super -powerful M3, the memories of the trip on which are still fresh in my memory, this compact BMW is perceived precisely as a full -fledged representative of its clan, without any discounts at a lower price or youth purpose. Increased mobility, fresh appearance, as always excellent quality - these are the terms that will allow the BMW Compact to find their buyer. Another word, this three-door hatchback offers everything that the BMW can please its owner, but does not require any superpet for maintenance or security.
 
As practice shows, the time of large cars slowly, but irrevocably leaves, and therefore I will not be surprised if someone, in addition to the flagship x5, will also buy Compact. After all, the car is terribly interesting, and who knows, maybe after several years, Compact will turn into the same cult car as the legendary mini.
 
Pavel Kozlovsky
 

Source: Auto -Gazeta / N 20 (323) dated 27.06.01