Test drive BMW 3 E46 2002 - 2005 sedan

The king is dead. Long live the king!

BMW 320 - quickly, stylishly, expensive
 
There is nothing eternal in our world. As you know, everything flows, everything changes, and this is the law. It is fair for everyone and everything, especially when it comes to a car, even if very successful. The old BMW of the 3rd series retired. Deserved, but maybe prematurely.
 
Without a doubt, she did not exhaust her potential, because the car was very well sold until her last day, but this is something yes. Nevertheless, modern life dictates its conditions, and there is nothing to be done here. However, enough about the sad, Treshka had a successor. And it seems very worthy.
 
Already in the process of waiting for the new BMW of the 3rd series, it was clear that the Bavarians would lead her appearance to the common denominator - a modern corporate style. Which was done - the body became more assembled, squat, the headlights that were running on the wings of headlights, which were rounded and slightly protruding from the lid of the trunk, appeared, large, passing through the entire body, stamping became more sharp. The treshka has changed noticeably, became even more aggressive, assertions, something truly predatory and evil now appears in her appearance. Nevertheless, perhaps, for the first time in recent years, in the next Venla, a car emerged from the pen, at least some kind of hint of the continuity of generations appeared. Changes in the appearance of the car are much less radical than those that at one time were included in the exterior, for example, seven, so that not only the brand, but also the model index is easily recognized in it. You can treat the creations of the BMW chief designer in different ways, but the fact that Treshka was a success is a fact. It turned out to be surprisingly holistic, harmonious and really beautiful.
 
The interior of the new items was brought to the modern style of BMW - clear, as in the line -spelled lines, a minimum of protruding details, everything is very strict and concise. The place of the embossed central panel was taken by fashion today, almost a flat and symmetrical windowsill, generously trimmed with inserts for aluminum. The central console became the same flat, it is still a little deployed towards the driver, although at a lesser angle than in the previous version.
 
The same minimalism on the instrument panel. In fact, the combination consists of two dials - a speedometer and a tachometer. They integrate the levels of fuel level and flow meter, the temperature of the antifreeze, however, as well as most other indicators, the computer now monitors on its own, in the event of a freelance situation, bringing the corresponding icon on the display.
 
As for ergonomics, everything is traditionally here - five points, at least for the driver and the front passenger. At first glance, nothing special is a moderately loaded central console, boxing in the center, a small three -spitting steering wheel regulated in two positions from which you can control the audio system and include air recirculation in the cabin, a starting key system and an activating button (as on a penny) . But here are the seats ... The front chairs of the front row (standard equipment performed by Dynamic) only look rustic - fabric upholstery, mechanical adjustments ... However, these adjustments are five (!) - In addition to the standard ones, there is a populated extender, as well as the ability to adjust the angle of inclination of the total The whole seats. However, there is a surprise - an electric drive of the side pillows of the back, so that a widespread stamp is a well -developed lateral support - now it is irrelevant for threek.
 
Even despite the increased (35 mm) in comparison with the previous generation of the wheelbase, the space is still not enough behind. A man of medium height will still sit down at himself, but only a child will fit behind a tall driver. The salon grew more significant into the width. In this plane, the body added 75 mm, which, of course, was reflected on internal size. So the two in the second row will not be closely, the main thing is that people of medium height sit on the front seats. Another significant change that occurred in a new three -ruler is the trunk. Not only did it become more than 20 liters, it can now also be increased due to the back of the rear sofa folding in a proportion of 60:40 (the car is still equipped with a hatch for long-breeders and a ski cover). Nevertheless, this option is intended only for a car in the performance of Dynamic, more affordable versions of Basic and Business are deprived of such amenities.
 
And now the time has come. The main trump cards of the Bavarians are engines and chassis, and they will be discussed. Today we can purchase three -sides in three performance (we have already mentioned them) and with three gasoline engines with a volume of 2, 2.5 and 3 liters. A pair of the latter - with a capacity of 218 and 258 horses, respectively - long -established in -line sixes. We got on the test perhaps the most massive 150-horsepower version with a two-liter 4-cylinder engine equipped with modern Double Vanos and in theLvetronic, aggregated by a 6-speed ZF automatic machine. We have already encountered the same power unit on the BMW 120. By the way, these cars are built on the same base, so they have much more common features, for example, suspension schemes are independent aluminum, also independent of five steel levers.
 
The treshka is 60 kg heavier than a penny, but this does not particularly affect the acceleration dynamics: the 320th accelerates quickly, efficiently, powerfully, without noticeable failures (and this is the weakest in the ruler of the unit, and if there were three liters under the hood?). And at the same time, it is perfectly controlled - to embroider a couple of stitches in a dense city stream is not a problem. But is it worth it? It is much more pleasant to check the sedan on an empty suburban highway. Not enough drive? Can add. It is enough to switch the automatic transmission selector to the DS sports mode and turn off the DSC stabilization system, holding the corresponding button on the central console for 5 seconds. Then the treshka starts more freaks, and allows much more liberties, while remaining very obedient and easily predictable. That's just the steering wheel will have to be kept stronger - the non -adapted sports suspension turned out to be too hard for our roads, and, falling into the rutor or pothole, the car is noticeably scouring. However, on the normal coating it is strikingly stable. In addition, do not forget that BMW is the car is primarily driver, which means that you need to steer, and not relax; If you want more comfort, then it’s easier to buy, for example, Mercedes C-Class.
 
At the end, it is customary to summarize. They will not be here. BMW is a diagnosis, and such a car you forgive everything, even its price. He is worth it. And the new treshka is another confirmation of this.
 
Text: Vladimir Zhidkov
 

Source: Mkobil magazine