|
Beaming in the sunlight
BMW 330Ci Cabriolet a classic, yet muscular machine
By Stacey Morrison
Thursday, September 11, 2003
As an automotive journalist it's very difficult to retain your unbiased integrity when a shiny new and strikingly muscular BMW 330Ci convertible arrives in the office parking lot on a sun-kissed summer afternoon. If there's such a thing as automotive amour at first sight, it's safe to say I was immediately smitten. It was all I could do to maintain an air of professional dignity as I nonchalantly sauntered out to my ride at the end of the day (okay, I may have skipped out a few minutes early with a spring in my step). Determined as I was to have an open mind, however, there was no reason to feel guilty about my initial impression; the 330Ci lives up to its svelte outside wrapping.
The third generation of the successful 3 Series Cabriolet was launched in 2000. It has undergone very few cosmetic changes since and yet still looks as good - or better - than many of its newer rivals. The sporting lines of the hood and supple front apron house redesigned headlights and a generous air intake grille. The restyled rear, more muscular than the coupe's, ends in bright and stylish LED taillights. Our tester also had adaptive headlights, a worthwhile option ($490) that help illuminate the road ahead around bends in the road, and good looking 18-inch double spoke alloy wheels - tacking an additional $1,200 onto the price tag.
Inside it's all about German efficiency. BMW consistently produces the most user friendly and comfortable interiors without sacrificing luxury or sportiness. All controls are logically laid out with large, fumble-proof buttons. The M Sport Package (M designates BMW's Motorsport division) added well-bolstered and firm power sport seats, a multi-function, leather, 3-spoke steering wheel with controls for stereo and cruise and black, carbon fibre-look trim, which gave the dark leather interior an edgy and stylish appeal. A Harmon Kardon stereo system with 12 speakers produces concert quality sound.
One of the selling features of the 330Ci is its ability to carry four passengers in reasonable comfort. Although legroom is on the squishy side for back seat occupants and headroom is reduced with the top up, the 330Ci still coddles those in the rear with snug and comfortable body hugging seats and a large centre armrest. Trunk space is decent (for a convertible) at 300 litres when the roof is up.
The electrically operated, lined soft top is easily raised and lowered with the touch of a button and all the windows, including the quarter panels in the rear, can be operated using one universal button, handy for convertible driving when the wind gets too blustery. With the top up, the 330Ci is snug and insulated from exterior noises.
Interior noises, on the other hand, are a different story. The top rattles and squeaks when driving over moderately uneven surfaces or small bumps. It's also not as refined as many other comparable soft tops, especially when moving from open to closed or vice versa. It stops with a clunk in mid-air and dangles limply before fully lowering itself into its storage compartment. At least there are no hooks to unlatch and once stowed it is completely out of view, creating lovely, clean, cabriolet lines.
Under the hood is a 3.0-litre inline six producing 225 horsepower at 5,900 rpm and 214 lb-ft of torque at 3,500 revs. Power is delivered to the rear wheels through a buttery smooth, short-throw 6-speed transmission or an optional 5-speed automatic. It's a refined and powerful motor, providing ample "go" when passing or merging is required. BMW pegs the 330Ci's zero to 100 km/h sprint at 7.5 seconds with the manual transmission. But to get optimum performance, premium fuel is required.
Driveability is excellent, with a fully independent suspension consisting of a double wishbone construction up front and cross struts at the rear. Front and rear stabilizer bars keep the car well planted in the corners, resulting in minimal body roll. Steering is tight and precise, while the clutch-shifter combo provides for exuberant drives, especially on winding two-lane highways, though the clutch's long travel makes driving in stop and go traffic tiring.
On the safety front, the 330Ci comes well equipped. In addition to rollover protection, 4-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock, plus traction and stability control systems are standard, as are driver and passenger front and side airbags.
A BMW convertible is a nice way to travel. But with all the options tacked onto our tester - the M Sport Package added $5,200, the Premium Package $1,300 and other stand alone options rang in at $1,690 - it would have to be true love to justify the soft top Ci's $72,090 sticker. Especially when you consider this: If you ponied up an extra $12,000, you could be resting your tush in the automaker's asphalt ripping M3 drop top, which comes with more than 100 extra horses and a host of other racing-inspired goodies.
Immediate competition:
Audi A4 Cabriolet,
Mercedes-Benz CLK320,
Saab 9-3, Volvo C70
|
