Test drive BMW 3 E46 2002 - 2005 sedan

Exemplary series

Before us is the fifth generation of the line of Bavarian cars with the 3rd series. Impeccable stylistically and technically medium -sized sedan of the classical layout. Maximum safety. Maximum comfort. The maximum of all ...
For some reason, I want to broadcast about the new 3rd series-with short peremptory phrases. Without a doubt, this is the best representative of his class. Somewhere in the distance, the ghosts of the new Alfa Romeo 159 and Lexus IS are loomed in the distance, having frowned, the updated A4 and the C-class are nervously smokes Saab 9-3 ... Perhaps someone will be able to give up a worthy call to the leader, But it is clear that BMW will always find what to answer ...
With the release of the 3rd series, the update of the passenger range of the company ended. The treshka came out the last, letting even a single one, and is the crown of the modern evolution of BMW. In it you can find the best from the arsenal of senior models, and here, in the compact shell, the presence of innovation is felt much more clearly. After all, the size of the 3rd series is the most suitable for the real Driver's Car, which is no doubt a car.
Design. The most calm in the entire model range. However, the impression depends on the color. There are plenty of faces and amazing bends of surfaces on this sedan. But how harmonious the car is! What dynamic sidewalls, what exciting wings, what hood, what lighting equipment! And what the quality of execution! There is everything in a three -lash - sports, grace, avant -garde and nobility. The sedan looks best in motion. The only claim is to disks. Here are the light spoke 18-inch wheels. For the completeness of the picture.
The car interior is concise. You have to get used to it. Pure, non -burdened lines of the central console. Suppiting plastic, aluminum decoration. The absence of IDRive (even in the top version of 330ia), uncomplicated keys for controlling the audio system, computer and climate control. After the pile of buttons and the intricacies of the surfaces of many modern machines, the eye is resting. (As for Idrive, I have never regretted its absence for all the time of the test. It’s another matter if satellite navigation could be used in Russia.)
The key is inserted into a special slot on the console, after which you must press on the start button. Electric chairs have an exhaustive set of adjustments. You can even change the position of the back relative to the pillow in the longitudinal direction! Last preparation before the start - pressing the button responsible for the side support; It grows out of the back, clasping the body with a comfortable bucket. The steering wheel is the same as at 545i: pleasant to the touch, chubby, three -spokes and perfectly lays in his hands. The console is slightly deployed to the driver. The devices are visual, ergonomics impeccable. At the back of the place is slightly larger than in the predecessor, but, as before, only two adults will sit down there with comfort. The huge tunnel that stretches through the salon is to blame - a tribute to the classic layout.
Structurally, the treshka largely copies the schemes used in the 1st series, but on the go it is different. Another mass, other settings of springs and shock absorbers. And, most importantly, other sensations. The suspension is great for active driving - quite comfortable, but at the same time allows you to squeeze everything out of the car without unnecessary stress. Smarts of the elastic chassis swallows easily, not annoying unnecessary information about the condition of the road. Thrill tells the driver more willingly about the larger irregularities, but at the same time, complete control over the situation remains.
It was necessary to decide with which motor to take the car for the test. Two options were offered - in -line two -liter four, as on 120ia, or a new three -liter six with a capacity of almost 260 horses. Mindful of insufficient excitement of the 1st series, we chose a three-liter version.
BMW 330i is equipped with familiar 6-speed automatic. The box can work in automatic mode, which can adapt to the driving manner. You can wield a lever in the manual version or to rely on electronics completely by choosing a sports algorithm. A manual mode is needed for a very active drive - in most cases, just just sports. But the potential of the threek is fully realized only with 6-speed mechanics, which, incidentally, gives a win of three tenths of a second when accelerating from a place to 100 km/h.
The steep engine with the Valvetronic system produces 260 hp. The motor is good in any modes. Great elasticity below and very peppy top. You can calmly stretch in the traffic, saving fuel, or you can twist the engine in the ringing by telling the car hurricane acceleration. Singing in a row six and configured release is a separate topic. The sound is excellent. By the way, the back is decorated with two stylish chrome -based pipelines of the exhaust system.
We have to again mention the Active Steering system, which is equipped with a sedan in the database. Twisting a threek is an unsurpassed pleasure. Any wish is fulfilled with lightning speed and implicitly. When you go around hatches and potholes, you pass at the speed of the ligament of steep turns, without removing your hands from the steering rim, you get very positive sensations. Light parking - as a bonus.
The feedback is great. 330ia does everything as it should. Slightly slopes out of the turn, if you overdo it at speed, it is screwed inside under the discharge of gas. The thrust is enough to tear the wheels into the slip and pass the turn sideways in a spectacular and fully controlled drift.
If it should be accelerated (the car easily goes out at the mark of 260 km/h along the speedometer), trajectory scribbles and departments are becoming noticeable, and the steering wheel makes attempts to break out of the hands. As for emergency slowdown at high speeds, not only magnificent brakes are helped out here, but also Active Steering, which is not averse to performing part of the driver, steering to extremely small angles if there is a different clutch coefficient under the wheels and the car begins to remove to the side.
BMW 330ia offers the driver a number of useful options. For example, it can dry the pads herself if the street is wet. The machine monitors the condition of the brake mechanisms and for a short time brings the pads to the disks, eliminating the water film. For this, by the way, the DSC dynamic stabilization system is responsible, which also helps the driver touch the slide, not allowing to slide down.
The treshka has two-stage stop-signals, like the 1st series. With emergency braking, additional sections light up in the headlights. On the display of the on -board computer, various kinds of information can be displayed - up to the degree of wear of the brake pads or the level of oil in the engine. Passive safety is not forgotten. Already in the basic configuration, the machine is equipped with six eirbegs. For a surcharge, you can install bixenon rotary headlights.
In general, the Bavarians built another standard for the C. Car class - almost without flaws. The true BMW of the 3rd series is fast, obedient, gambling, beautiful. As the British say, Value for Money. In other words, you can’t imagine better for this money. At least for now.
 
BMW 3 prices and equipment
The most affordable treshka with an index of 320i, equipped with a 4-cylinder engine and a 6-speed manual box, will cost 29.900 euros. The car will have a fabric salon, 16-inch steel disks, alarm with remote control, heating the front seats, parking lots in the rear bumper, air conditioning, execution for countries with cold climate, ABS, DSC, CBC control system, steering wheel control, amplifier , tires with the possibility of driving, front and rear electric windows, Active Steering.
320ia business involves the presence of a 6-speed machine and costs 32.900 euros. There is also a sports settings of suspension (other shock absorbers and enhanced reptile stabilizers), leather multifunction steering wheel, alloy wheels 205/55 R16, rain sensor and automatic turning on headlights.
320ia Dynamic is estimated at 35.500 euros and has a sports steering wheel, 17-inch alloy wheels with rubber 225/45, a system of folding rear seats with a hatchet and skis coffee, sports chairs for a driver and front passenger, bixenon headlights, an audio system BMW Professional.
325ia Business with a 2.5-liter six power of 212 hp It costs 39.900 euros. The salon is leather. But there are also disadvantages compared to 320ia Dynamic. For example, ordinary 16-inch wheels and the lack of a sports steering wheel and seats. But there is a rear-view mirror with automatic obscenities, decoration of the cabin with wood, an armrest between the rear seats, a complete parking sensors, dynamic cruise control and preparation for installing a CD changer.
325ia Dynamic costs 43.900 euros. The sports steering wheel, 17-inch wheels returned. There was a protective curtain of the rear window with electric drive, sports seats, but dynamic cruise control disappeared. But there is a Bluetooth CD and technology.
The top version with a three-liter engine 330ia is proposed only performed by Dynamic. It costs a car 52.900 euros. In the list of additional equipment: 18-inch alloy wheels with rubber 205/40 in front and 255/35 from behind, electroregulation of the front seats, Hi-Fi audio system.
Text: Leonty Tyutelev
 

A source: Magazine Motor