Test drive BMW 3 E46 2002 - 2005 sedan

BMW 325xi: Separation is provided

Treshka with a new face and with an unusual character
 
I admit the idea that there are many people who like Bavarian cars, but do not like the rear -wheel drive. Or they are afraid to ride classics in winter, especially in Russia. First of all, for such in the model range, BMW always existed all -wheel drive versions. In any case, it is generally accepted, and this is wrong. Because the branded all -wheel drive is good for everyone: he will give additional confidence in an inexperienced driver, and the connoisseur of the brand is new opportunities and true pleasure from driving. I was convinced of this, for a few days rolling through wet Moscow and slippery suburbs. The updated treshka with the XI prefix is \u200b\u200blike an unexpected but pleasant surprise in a beautiful packaging. Packaging-a universal body after faces lifting.
 
Dynamics - there
 
A thin face raising operation, if you translate the English words Face Lifting literally, it is worth recognizing, it was successful. The 3rd BMW series was thoroughly transformed, adding, in my opinion, masculinity. I remember, in 1998, immediately after the appearance of the new version of the model, she was just accused of too feminine. Now all doubts have disappeared: we have a solid car with a sports character.
 
Family nostrils became more, the hood line has changed. The front headlights are sharpened, and the characteristic eyeliner is now less pronounced. The front bumper looks more massive thanks to the smaller number of horizontal lines in the lower part and the fog lights mounted in it. Fluttered front wings are completed, in the upper part of which the side indicators of turns migrated. All this gave the exterior of the 3rd BMW series more expressiveness, it began to look more aggressive and more dynamic. The back is also finalized: the segment of the overall lanterns lengthened, and the bumper received a new continuous lower apron.
 
But Bavarian experts, of course, were not limited to external innovations. Models of the 3rd series of 2002 received the so-called dynamic package. Without going into technical details, I will say that the package means more acute steering and sports adjustment of the suspension. Active driving is also facilitated by the new settings of the proprietary DSC stabilization system, from now on the driver more liberties.
 
If we talk about the car’s salon, then here I found several additional buttons, which were not there before. Now the headlight lever has another position - AUTO. It is easy to guess that we are talking about automatically turning on the light of near light, if it gets dark or the machine enters the tunnel. A button that activates the HDC (Hill Desert Control) system appeared on the central panel of the all -wheel drive version. It helps to maintain low speed on steep slopes. And finally, a pleasant trifle: now, using the button, you can lower (or raise) the glass of the lid of the wagon's trunk.
 
I can’t help but say at least a few words about the Harman/Kardon audio system. It sounds just great, and on the central console there is a special button that allows, in addition to create the effect of the concert hall in the cabin. You can control the system using all the same buttons on the steering wheel. By the way, the bagel itself is borrowed from the MZ model. Small diameter and thick in girth, it is the best suited for active driving. In addition, it is adjusted both vertically and horizontally.
 
The chairs are sheathed with creamy skin and have excellent lateral support. The latter is important, because it is, I recall, about BMW.
 
What is the whole highlight
 
For example, I’m sure: how many full -wheel drive cars are in the world, so many characters. There are no identical ones. And everything depends, of course, on the distribution of torque between the axes. Most of modern cars are equipped with floating systems - depending on the conditions of movement and the degree of grip of the wheels with the expensive power of the motor, it is redistributed in different proportions from one axis to another. The Bavarians went their own way, having arrived hard: 62% of the torque is always fed to the rear wheels, and 38% - to the front ones. As a result, we got a kind, to no other car, not like. However, there is still some similarities ... with a three -year -old BMW classic layout. And here is an example of how this type of drive acts.
 
An empty country road in the near Moscow Region. Under the wheels, rolled snow mixed with ice, in front - turn. I turn off the DSC stabilization system and remain one on one with 192 horses. I turn the steering wheel and squeeze the accelerator pedal. The result was not long in coming: the food went to the skid. But the car is still all -wheel drive. Therefore, without dropping the gas, I slightly turn the steering wheel towards the drift. The result struck me myself, forcing me to fall in love with the car: the body was instantly leveled away, heeded as it had, and the turn was almost the optimal trajectory.
 
I try again, already at greater speed and so that with gliding. No problem! Control over the machine is not lost for a moment. In general, the passage of turns with a controlled skid, slightly in the rear -wheel drive manner, can give great pleasure. At the same time, BMW all -wheel drive transmission, although it requires a certain addiction, is not able to frighten a beginner. Well, that the suspension is harsh, this is only a plus for a fan of a car with a sports character.
 
And the four-wheel drive combined with a 6-cylinder engine of 2.5 liters will provide the owner with a separation from any opponent, even under the wheels slippery. Automatic gearbox responds to gas supply without delay and quickly gets used to an individual driving style. If this is not enough, you can move the lever to the left and thus activate the sports regime. Now the electronics will not switch to increased gear until the tachometer arrow reaches the red zone. In addition, it, if necessary, will independently switch to low, maintaining engine speed. Not enough? Then switch the gears yourself, moving the lever up and down. True, as soon as the arrow of the tachometer reaches the red zone, the electronic watchman will still not allow the motor to overstrain and switch the speed.
 
Price
 
The car taken for the test is sold in the salons of official dealers for 48,900 euros. But there is essentially nothing to be added to the configuration for this money: there is nothing: skin, xenon headlights, there is even a hatch in the roof.
 
Dear? And you start the engine and do not rush to turn on the music - enjoy the sound of the exhaust system and pay attention to your pulse. If the sensations like it, then you will understand what you are asked to pay ...
 
Andrey Osipov
 

Source: "Automobile Izvestia"