Test drive BMW 3 E46 2002 - 2005 sedan
Change of object
How to feel the difference of 4000 euros
BMW 320 Individual is, you know, a deficit. What we honestly warned about. So the three -month editorial trials begun in October had to interrupt in December and say goodbye to the chameleon loved by us. He was ruthlessly sold at the 14th thousand kilometers. And since we could not find flaws, then, we must think, for good money. In return, we took a new three -lacker with the same engine, and also from Kaliningrad. True, already standard, with a silver body - pretty, but to change color depending on the lighting is categorically unable. There are other differences expressed by a very specific amount. The first impressions
There is a special charm in a car with zero mileage. It is blank, fresh and in the cabin there is a unique smell, which, alas, disappears as quickly as the second arrow runs. But a person getting into a car from the conveyor must be ready for surprises. So, it was possible to start the car only from the fifth time. It turns out that this happens without pre -sale preparation until the gasoline that was flooded at the factory. Other features of the unnecessary 320th found out on the road. But before we felt the difference in the cabin.
It should be said that this treshka is also not a mistake, it is very well equipped. It's all about the nuances. Here is the skin, but - black and a little more loaded. A similar three -spoke steering wheel, but not from BMW M and noticeably thinner, without special grasp. The same convenient seats with magnificent lateral support - but already with mechanical, and not with electrical adjustments, and are located slightly higher. The back curtain disappeared. Everything else is the same - an electric package, a system of automatic inclusion of xenon headlights and wipers, heating seats and climate control. Outside, the differences from Individual are no less obvious. The point is not only in the usual silver color (for some reason such three-tires are especially popular). There are already standard bumpers, yellow turns indicators, iron 15-inch discs under the caps, which are worn by the studded rubber Continental Viking 1 dimensions of 195/65, chrome rim over the doors. It is curious to note that if Individual clicked his eyes on the road, then the standard 320th is perceived quite ordinary.
At first, not only the external difference between the models was felt: the new car behaved a little differently. The reactions to pressing the accelerator pedal are still confident and clear, as well as the work of the magnificent automatic checkpoint. But the car holds the road worse. The yellow light on the front panel lights up more often, signaling the operation of the stabilization system. And when moving in a straight line, it is necessary to adjust the trajectory by the steering wheel. Once in our place, a man who is not familiar with a three -year -old, he could be disappointed. In fact, there is nothing criminal in such an unusual behavior of the Bavarian machine, and the explanations of this fact are simple as twice two. There are two explanations. The first and most important thing is that the pendants should, as they say, settle. By the way, soon a little, but even seats settled. The second reason is not too successful, in our opinion, rubber. An non -focused tread pattern is also able to make a stabilization system more often and require increased attention of the driver. Nevertheless, such a car is worthy to have excellent rubber. But, be that as it may, this is BMW, so that under any circumstances it remains a machine completely predicted and controlled.
A few weeks later
The first hundreds of kilometers are rubbed, of course, not only the details of the suspension, but all the components and units of the car. For example, at first we were at first surprised by fuel consumption indicators - 16.2 liters per 100 kilometers. But literally every day they decreased. At the time when the test came to an end, and about one and a half thousand kilometers were on the odometer, the consumption almost returned to normal. By this moment, it has changed, more precisely, it came into full compliance with expectations - and the behavior of the car. She seemed to have passed accelerated driving courses, remembering what the engineers taught her, and stopped scaring any turn and speeds, excellently feeling the way and respond immediately to the driver’s commands. In general, the BMW 320 in the version, which costs 35900 euros. Want Individual? Then add another 4000 and wait until the desired modification appears in the interior of official dealers.
Text: Andrey Osipov, Oleg Osipov
Source: Newspaper "Automobile Izvestia" [No. 1-2 (26), 2003]
