BMW 3 SERIES COUPE 318Ci
BMW's latest 3 Series Coupe has quickly established itself as a definitive model in what is a highly fashion-conscious marketplace. Only the prices have provided cause for concern amongst those who must sign their own cheques. Hence the popularity of the entry-level four cylinder 318Ci version featured here.
Like its six cylinder stablemates, this car is longer, wider, safer and faster than its illustrious predecessor, setting a standard that potential rivals will find difficult to beat. Unlike the 320Cd, 320i, 325Ci, 330Ci and 330Cd models however, it doesnt come with a starting price tag of at least £23,000: £20,995 is the asking figure for the ES, quickly explaining why this is one of the best selling models in the Coupe line-up. Power comes courtesy of the same 143bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine also seen in the 318i saloon and the 318Ci Convertible. That output is a big improvement over the old 1.
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"No rival can quite duplicate the BMW's driving experience..."
To be fair, this still isnt the most sprightly of coupes, but it is a big improvement on what we had before. As is the refinement. Counter-rotating balancer shafts endow this car with a smoothness which could be mistaken for a straight-six. Go for the badge-delete option and your passengers will never know.
Otherwise of course, its just like any other 3 Series Coupe which means that its very impressive indeed. Unlike the original model, this current car really is a Grand Tourer, with plenty of space to take four adults and their luggage on almost any journey. All of which gives the 3 Series Coupe a huge advantage over restricted rivals like Nissans 350z and Audi's TT and means that the marque can also successfully challenge larger coupes like the Mercedes CLK. None of these cars, except perhaps the much smaller Nissan, can quite duplicate the BMW's driving experience, thanks to the German maker's continuing preoccupation with rear wheel drive and the achievement of a near perfect 50:50 weight distribution. Even the least experienced driver should appreciate this difference: indeed, in a recent customer survey, the importers discovered that nearly all owners did, though few actually understood the reasons why. It's rather like that when you come to compare the styling of this car to the previous generation 3 Series saloon on which it is based: subtly different but hard, unless you're in the know, to define exactly how or why. In fact, the only common external parts shared by the two cars are the door handles, the side indicators and the BMW badges. This is hard to believe at first, but the closer you look, the more the differences stand out. The Coupe is lower, wider and longer than the saloon which spawned it, with completely unique body panels, a lower roofline and a more steeply raked windscreen Out on the road, this car flatters your driving without overtly doing so thanks to two clever features - Automatic Stability Control + Traction (ASC+T) and Cornering Brake Control (CBC).
It's ASC+T you'll notice most, but only because of the yellow light on the dashboard that occasionally flickers as you hurl the car through the corner. Unless you've the driving reflexes of Michael Schumacher, this electronic safety device could quite literally save you from yourself. No matter how heavy your right foot, the system will only give the rear wheels as much power as they can take without spinning, so every time that little light flashes, you're avoiding a lurid tail-happy slide. If despite all that, you still go too fast into a bend and do exactly the wrong thing (slam on the brakes), CBC will help you out, applying firmer braking to the outside front wheel as the car corners and hugely reducing the risk of a spin. If you want to go even further, there's the option of DSC III, the latest version of BMW's Dynamic Stability Control System. Here, sensors positioned in the ABS and scattered around the car detect a possible loss of control before it actually happens and cortrect the situation automatically by individually braking all four wheels and reducing engine power. It's almost foolproof: almost. Don't run away with the idea however, that all these electronics take from the driving experience on offer: this is still a great car to hustle along, though now standard sports suspension may make the ride a little too hard for some. The same goes for the steering, which keeps you perfectly in touch with the road surface - rather too in touch perhaps for those used to less responsive set-ups. Inside, the extra shoulder, elbow, leg and luggage space makes all the difference, plus there are plenty of useful touches. Rear seat access is easier thanks to front seats that not only fold and slide forwards but actually lift off the floor to make entry even easier.
For the driver, a double press of the remote entry button on the key lowers the window automatically make it easier to wriggle in should the car be parked in a tight space. Equipment levels are high, including twin front, side and head airbags, a remote control alarm, electric seats, alloy wheels, air conditioning and 60/40 split-folding rear seats that can be unlocked from the boot. Trim levels run from ES, through SE to M Sport. In summary, it's hard to argue against the fact that the 3 Series Coupe is a class above most of its contemporaries, even in entry-level 318Ci form. As a real Grand Tourer that you can really enjoy driving, it's unique.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: BMW 318Ci Coupe
PRICE: £20,995 - £25,040 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 12E
CO2 EMISSIONS: 175g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 9.3s / Max speed 135mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (average) 36mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front, side and head airbags / ABS / CBC / ASC+T
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Heightmm 4488/1947/1369
