Test drive BMW 3 E46 2002 - 2005 sedan

Fifth time third grade

The Americans have a rather visual system of classification of cars. For example, the overseas version of the European Honda Accord, sold there under the Acura brand, is assigned to the Sports segment; Mercedes-Benz C-class is defined as luxury-sedan, and recently reincarnated Ford Mustang belongs to the class of the so-called Maskl Cupa (that is, a muscular compartment). But when you see a new 3rd series from BMW in front of you, it becomes clear that none of these definitions suit it. Most accurately this car can be described as Maskl-Lux-Sport-Sedan.
From the first glance at the future Bavarian bestseller, it became clear that engineers from Munich decided not to enter the dispute with their Wolfsburg and Cologne colleagues for the largest dimensions. That's right: Bavarian cars do not love for centimeters in front of the knees of passengers of the second row and not for the opportunity to put an extra suitcase in the trunk. In BMW fans in honor, lean sports forms with widely placed wheels, a long hood and are emphasized by a bonded superstructure. Such proportions are not so much a tribute to tradition as a necessity due to the classical layout (the engine is in front, the drive wheels are the rear).
Having settled in the cabin, we were convinced that with centimeters here everything is in order now - compared to the predecessor, the car was heard in almost all directions and the lion's share of this increase went to the back. This is not quite Passat with Mondeo, but even a person will not be very taller than the average from the middle behind. And in front, even more so - the spaces and range of adjustments of the seats here in abundance. The manufacturer generally states that the new treshka is not inferior to the previous 5th series in terms of the comfort of placing passengers in the cabin.
Particularly vivid memories of the five (though the last generation) are overwhelmed when you get behind the wheel: a slightly convex facade of the torpedo without any hint of a reversal of the central console, which is also slightly trimmed at the junction with a floor tunnel; the second visor over the IDRive system of the system; The joystick sheltered near the parking brake lever. All this leaves no place for doubts about the stylistic community between different models of the Bavarian brand. (Regarding the exterior, this statement is true to a much lesser extent.)
For freshly baked threek, four variants of power units are provided: three gasoline with a volume of 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 liters, as well as a two -liter turbodiesel. Only the latest six with a block of magnesium alloy cylinders with a return of 258 hp were presented to the court of journalists. and 163-horsepower diesel turbo engine.
To say that the 3rd series of the last generation has sophisticated manners is to say nothing. Her behavior is impeccable. This is the merit of a well -tuned chassis, and the ideal (50/50) weightlifting, and steering with a variable gear ratio of the Active Steering of the second generation. We gladly prescribed ligaments of mountain turning on this machine.
The three -liter version was especially pleased, which, among other things, had a sported suspension in its asset. Ah, how exactly it follows the wheel, how it is chopped under the gas, but predictably begins to revenge its tail! The dynamic stabilization system intervenes in the process precisely when you wait for this. By the way, active steering also helps to align the position of the car, slightly turning the controlled wheels towards the drift. The powerful engine, which, thanks to the presence of Dual-Vanos and Valvetronic systems, is excellently pulling from the bottoms and picks up a hurricane after 3500 rpm, almost instantly twisting up to 7000. A six-speed mechanical gearbox with a perfectly working switching mechanism allows you to optimally implement all This nonsense.
True, as soon as mountain serpentines are replaced by endless motorways, problems arise, although, of course, they cannot be called criminal. All the same sports chassis and Active Steering are to blame. The fact is that the machine, when moving directly excessively, reacts sharply even to the slightest deviation of the steering wheel from the neutral position. At high speeds, the car behaves somewhat nervously and strains.
Another thing is a turbodiesella modification. The nerves calmed down, and the car remained as accurate when passing turns. But in the ligaments of the turns, it is no longer so convincing. At first, we sinned on tires, but in fact it turned out that the rubber products on both versions are the same - pirelli Euforia, specially designed for the BMW 17-inch tires, made using Run-Flat technology and allowing to drive from 50 to 250 km in case of puncture at a speed of not more than 80 km/h. In this connection, the spare wheel is absent here. Just like on a unit, a vacuum and boxing box took the vacated place in the 3rd series. Here it is, a tribute to the ideal weightlift on the axes. Therefore, in the end, we decided that the whole difference in car behavior lies in the suspension settings and the type of steering. As a conclusion: the Bavarians kindly provided us with the opportunity to choose the character of the machine.
A boost diesel power unit with a Common Rail system and a variable turbine geometry is also good: a painful, without any pronounced turboyam and, as it should be like a motor, is very economical. We drove more than 200 km with a fairly high speed, and the fuel indicator arrow deviated by only half a dump.
This is a considerable merit of a well -proven six -speed sequental machine of STEPTRONIC, which was carried by the aforementioned motor. He makes switching extremely smoothly and, most importantly, on time. The automatic transmission is in no hurry to twist the transmission down with minor and smooth operation by the accelerator, but at the same time it instantly throws it to the transmission, or even two down, as soon as the leg dries the gas pedal a little deeper or does it a little sharper.
The sectral regime was somewhat puzzled by the algorithm of his work. I wonder who in Munich came up with the idea to make it such that, wanting to switch up, you need to pull the selector to yourself and, accordingly, when trying to lower the transmission to the step down - push it forward? Extremely illogical. Not everyone drives at speeds at which overload would be so tangible to tell the direction of movement of the selector. And those who practice aggressive riding will surely prefer ordinary mechanics.
According to the press release, the fresh treshka completed the formation of a new model range, launched by Chris Bangle with the 7th series back in 2001. In our opinion, this statement is only partially true. Although the last generation of the 3rd series and the traces of the American designer are noticeable, for the most part its stylistic solutions are based on the deep BMW traditions. A similar symbiosis gave a positive result: the machine turned out to be surprisingly beautiful. And in combination with excellent technical characteristics and sled properties, the car is practically doomed to commercial success. The start of Russian sales is scheduled for the end of March of this year. Along with this, prices are determined, and they will begin somewhere from 29,900 euros.

Text Fedor Makarov, photo BMW AG

BMW
330i
320d
 
Engine gasoline turbodiesel
The number of cylinders 6 4
Working volume (cubic cub) 2996 1995
Power (L.S.) 258 163
Moment (Nm at rpm) 300/2500-4000 340/2000
The rear drive
The gearbox is mechanical
6-speed
Length/width/height (mm) 4520/1817/1421
Wheel base (mm) 2760
Equipped mass (kg) 1525 1490
Maximum speed
(Km/h) 250 225
Acceleration 0-100 km/h (c) 6.3 8.3
Fuel consumption city/highway
(L/100 km) 12.7/6.4 7.8/4.5
The price in Moscow from 52,900 has not been set

 
 

 

Source: "Autopilot"