When we reviewed the then-new E46 BMW | #TBT | Art...

The New E46

The brand new 3 Sequence–designated the E46 chassis–appears only a bit higher than the automobile it replaces. Not 1,000,000 instances higher, nevertheless: when vehicles get this good, it’s exhausting to see large modifications.

For those who already personal an E36 3 Sequence, will the brand new automobile knock your socks off? In all probability not; the brand new automobile represents extra of a logical development of the design, quite than a radical new idea. The E46 is barely bigger, stiffer and safer than the E36, though there’s just about no enhance in weight as a consequence of additional use of aluminum suspension parts. The brand new automobile’s dealing with and energy are additionally barely higher than its non-M predecessor.

One of many E36 automobile’s only a few weaknesses, lack of rear passenger room, has additionally been addressed within the new automobile, which is extra comfy for these relegated to the again seat. BMW engineers inform us the E46 can be 50-percent stiffer and has 10-percent shorter stopping distances . Our testing confirmed that the automobile will cease from 60 mph in about 120 ft.

Engines have additionally been barely retuned. Energy is up two horsepower within the 323i and 323Ci fashions, (now 168 horsepower) and three horsepower within the 328i and 328Ci (now 193 horsepower). On the larger-engined automobile, you possibly can count on sub-eight-second 0-60 instances with no drawback.

The BMW press package says that the suspension has been “extensively developed,” which in laymen’s phrases implies that they picked up on the concept of aluminum decrease management arms from the E36 M3 and put them on all the brand new E46 vehicles. Efficiency tuners shall be saddened to listen to that, in accordance with BMW engineers, tuning gadgets like anti-roll bars, shocks and highway springs usually are not the identical items as these discovered on the previous E36 vehicles.

Sadly, as is typical of BMW, the plain vanilla sedans got here first. Which means that solely the E46 sedans debuted in 1998, however the coupes are already right here for 1999 as 2000 fashions. Each physique kinds are available in 323i and 328i guises. Whereas not formally introduced, count on to see an M model someday quickly.

Attending to Drive

Since their launch in the summertime of 1998, now we have spent numerous time with these vehicles. (In fact, not sufficient.) We completely exercised the 328i sedan round some desolate mountain roads in central California, then ran the brand new 323Ci and 328Ci coupes at BMW’s new South Carolina check facility in addition to up via the winding mountain roads round Asheville, N.C. Lastly, we sampled the sedan at our autocross check observe.

Energy from these child sixes is easy and easy–the shifting is smoother than on nearly any BMW ever made. The seats are comfy and supportive, whereas the controls are laid out completely. The dealing with and brakes actually make you’re feeling like you might be in an excellent automobile, simply with out the uncomfortable trip. There have been complaints that the brand new 3 Sequence is simply too plush, however we didn’t assume so.

Getting the E46 across the autocross course takes a fragile contact–this can be a automobile that may kill you with understeer in case you push it too exhausting. The chassis feels competent and whereas the automobile feels bodily large due to the expansive roomy inside, it truly proves to be fairly nimble and responsive when pushed correctly.

There’s lots of physique lean, which means that you may’t rush the transitions. Really, that’s the automobile’s basic nature–in case you rush it, it goes gradual. The secret’s to let the automobile work at its tempo. As soon as the E46 takes a set in a nook (once more, so long as it’s been allowed to take that set at its personal tempo) it’s fairly impartial. Including aggressive throttle may even get some late-corner rotation occurring, and the character of the inline six makes this rotation simply controllable.

In a slalom, the brand new BMW feels effectively balanced, with no pendulum motion and good transition restoration. As a result of aforementioned physique roll, transitions usually are not lightning-quick, however a light-weight contact on the wheel can get the automobile to alter instructions with some authority.

It did appear to have a bent to over rotate throughout path braking, which means that you just needed to brake a bit earlier and straighter to get the automobile slowed down. This was its solely actual detrimental dealing with trait.

Total the E46 3 Sequence is a rewarding autocrosser so long as the driving force is just not a monkey-fisted wheel-sawer. It ought to compete favorably in SCCA G Inventory Solo II class.

Each vehicles additionally did effectively of their straight-line checks. The 328i sedan took 7. 1 seconds to speed up to 60 mph regardless of a slipping clutch. Halting from 60 mph required 122 ft. Our 323Ci check automobile got here with BMW’s Steptronic computerized transmission, which wasn’t as horrible because it sounds. Zero-to-60 acceleration runs with the gear selector in Drive took 7.8 seconds, whereas within the Sport-mode took 8.2 seconds. Manually shifting the gearbox allowed 8.1-second 0-60 runs. Just like the 328i, the 323Ci did effectively beneath braking, requiring 118 ft to cease from 60 mph.

323i or 328i? Coupe or Sedan?

Good questions. Once we deliberate our 323i versus 328i comparability check, we figured that the two.8-liter automobile would destroy the smaller-engined 323i, however that didn’t occur. You wouldn’t make the fallacious transfer with both engine.

Each vehicles are powered by twin-cam, 24-valve, inline six-cylinder engines outfitted with BMW’s double VANOS steplessly variable valve timing system. The 328i and 328Ci have a 300cc benefit,

due to their engines’ 2793cc displacement, however this differential is just not as nice as you would possibly count on. Keep in mind, the 323i and 323Ci are powered by a 2.5-liter engine, not a 2.3 as indicated by the mannequin designation. Apparently BMW’s advertising folks determined that for the larger price ticket, you should get what appears like a a lot larger engine.

Horsepower and torque numbers between the 2 engines are considerably completely different, however one way or the other the 2 don’t really feel that completely different in day-to-day driving. The 323i and 323Ci engine places out a most of 170 horsepower at 5500 rpm and makes 181 ft.-lbs. of torque at 3500 rpm. The 328i and 328Ci engine has 23 extra horsepower on the similar 5500 rpm and 25 extra ft.-lbs. of torque on the similar 3500 rpm. Once more, although, whereas the 328 might look like the winner on paper, don’t depend out the 323, particularly in case you’re on a price range.

As for coupe or sedan, the selection is generally a matter of your individual preferences. In our opinion, the sedan is beautiful wanting; in contrast to so many different BMW lovers, we expect Mr. Bangle and his crew of stylists have hit close to perfection with this design.

They merely outdid themselves with the coupe. Whereas we perceive that the brand new styling of both of those vehicles is just not revolutionary glitzy, we recognize BMW’s conservative styling method with these vehicles.

Whereas there are two distinct trim ranges between the 323i and 328i sedans, each coupes undertake the upper trim degree discovered on the 328i. In widespread with the upscale sedan, each coupe fashions have the nicer chrome vertical grille slats, body-colored cowl air consumption, roof-seam strips and trunk grips, and chrome-outlined aspect home windows. In consequence, aside from the wheel kinds and mannequin script on the trunk, the 2 completely different coupes look almost equivalent. Coupe or sedan, the vehicles weigh the identical.

Each coupes additionally come customary with 16-inch wheels and tires in addition to the lowered, firmed-up sport suspension that’s a part of the sedan’s Sport Package deal. Seventeen-inch wheels are an possibility on each coupes, too

Ultimate Resolution

Whereas these vehicles are fairly spectacular, we nonetheless have two complaints: The trunks could possibly be larger, and at the very least one of many costs could possibly be smaller.

At 10.7 cubic ft for the sedan and 9.5 cubic ft for the coupe, neither trunk will swallow an additional set of tires.

As for the value, we really feel that in right this moment’s world, the 323i could be very realistically and pretty priced at $27,560. Actually, we would even go one higher and say that it’s a cut price. A loaded 328i, alternatively, strikes us as overpriced at almost $40,000. This value would possibly examine favorably to the competitors from Volvo, Lexus and Mercedes, nevertheless it appears a little bit stiff after you value the 323i. You simply don’t get into the 328i and say, “Rattling, this appears like $13,000 extra automobile.” (True, the 328i truly begins at $33,970, however that’s with out the moonroof and leather-based seats, gadgets often thought-about pretty customary on this class.)

We perceive that extra energy is best and that the 328i comes customary with extra gear than the 323i (nicer trim, largely). And sure, total, we just like the 328i higher than the 323i, however we simply can’t abdomen a minimal of $7000 extra for what is actually the identical engine, simply punched out a little bit extra. Apparently that is simply our opinion, although, because the vehicles are promoting like hotcakes.

The identical thought course of leads us to proclaim that at $29,560, the 323Ci coupe appears to be the new ticket: you robotically get the game suspension, large wheels and tires and nicer trim for under $2000 greater than the 323i. Add one other $1000 for the Sport bundle, and 17×8-inch wheels, 225/45ZR17 tires, energy Sport seats, fog lights and an M three-spoke sport steering wheel include the automobile. That’s mainly a child M3 for $30,560. Yeah, you hand over the bigger engine, however you pocket a number of thousand {dollars} within the course of.

Irrespective of the way you slice it, we actually like these vehicles in each manner, in each configuration, and for almost any objective.