BMW 3 SERIES COUPE RANGE
BMWs Definitive Executive Sporting Coupe Is Better Looking Than Ever. By Andy Enright.
Theres something reassuring about the
BMW 3 Series Coupe. Its a car that springs no nasty surprises. What you see is very much what you get - the benchmark executive sports coupe. Being a target for the rest of the pack to shoot at isnt an easy task and BMW have made the job of the chasing bunch that much trickier by continually moving the target.
So it is that the latest 3 Series Coupe benefits from a raft of improvements designed to keep it on the top step of the podium.
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To be truthful, not a lot needed remedial attention, but rather than stand accused of resting on the laurels
BMW have given the Coupe a mild makeover. Whilst the saloons remain much the same, the Coupes and their Convertible siblings feature a smoothed over front bumper with a revised front spoiler punctuated by light housings. The side indicators in the front wing are probably the easiest identifiers. The subtle facelift at the front continues with a kidney grille thats been widened by 60mm whilst LED rear lights improve safety by illuminating more quickly than a traditional bulb.
Studies have shown that the crucial fractions of a second that this saves can be the difference between a close shave and a remodelled rear end from a tailgating driver. The rear apron has come in for some attention, integrating the Park Distance Control sensors more discreetly. The final touch is a wider boot grab handle.
"No rival can quite duplicate the BMW's driving experience..."
The entry-level 318Ci model is powered by the latest British-built 143bhp 2.0-litre four cylinder unit also used in other 3 Series models, but most 3 Series Coupe customers choose six-cylinder power. Here, theres now a four-way choice which starts with a 2.2-litre 170bhp unit powering the 320Ci version.
Above this sit more potent 325Ci and 330Ci variants, the badging indicating the installation of an impressive 192bhp 2.5-litre engine in the 325Ci and a potent 231bhp 3.0-litre engine in the 330Ci. Both of these versions are available with BMWs six-speed Sports Sequential Gearbox (SSG).
A lightened Clubsport version of the 330Ci bridges the gap between it and the awesome 343bhp M3: a car that needs no introduction in standard or more focused CS form. BMW dealers can also offer the mighty 204bhp 330Cd diesel, a car that will accelerate to 60mph in 7 seconds flat and yet return a scarcely credible fuel economy figure of 43.5mpg. The 150bhp 320Cd coupe will sell in bigger numbers and at £24,950 it deserves to.
If youre wondering about the Ci tag, its supposed to evoke memories of the sporting CS and CSL coupes of the Sixties and Seventies. There are no Seventies links with the prices however, which remain at the premium end of the scale, despite recent adjustments. Expect to pay £23,180 for the entry-level 318Ci, with the range toppers starting from £29,640 for the 330Ci, £30,005 for the 330Cd, £33,465 for the Clubsport and £41,155 for the M3. The most expensive model is the £43,555 M3 CS.
If you want M3-style overtaking presence without M3-sized bills, BMW offer Sport versions of the standard Coupe priced from £24,355 (318i) to £31,955 (330Cd). These models add a shortened gear lever, sports seats, an M Leather steering wheel, upgraded upholstery and door sills with M badges. The exterior has come in for some attention too, to the tune of an M aerodynamics kit, 18-inch alloy wheels, sports suspension, a rear lip spoiler and high gloss exterior trim. Are these coupes worth the money? It's hard not to think so once out on the road, particularly in the six cylinder models with their dreamily smooth engine notes and exceptional refinement. At first, it doesn't feel as if you're travelling all that fast - a deceptive impression as it happens: against the stopwatch, a 330Ci will, for example, sprint from rest to sixty in well under seven seconds flat on the way to 155mph with mid-range overtaking power that disdainfully dispatches any B-road dawdlers. It's not only about sheer speed however. 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). No matter how heavy your right foot, the ASC+T 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. Further assistance comes from the advanced DSC III stability control system, standard on all but the 318Ci. 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. In summary, it's hard to argue against the fact that the 3 Series Coupe is a class above most of its contemporaries. As a real Grand Tourer that you can really enjoy driving, it's almost unique.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: BMW 3 Series Coupe range
PRICES: £23,180-£43,555 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 12-20
CO2 EMISSIONS: 153-287g/km
PERFORMANCE: [325Ci] 0-60mph 7.2s / Max speed 149mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [325Ci] (urban) 22.2mpg/ (extra urban) 40.9mpg / (combined) 31.4mpg
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
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