| Introducing the 2007 BMW M3-light by Thom Blackett | |||
| BMW 3 Series Coupe – Overview | |||
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| Starting at $35,995 including a $695 destination charge, the rear-wheel-drive 328i provides a long list of desirable features, including heated mirrors and wipers, fog lights, keyless entry, push-button ignition, a tilt and telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel with auxiliary controls, power front seats, 17-inch alloy wheels with run-flat tires, and leatherette upholstery complemented by real wood or aluminum interior trim. That’s in addition to dual-zone climate control, an expansive power sunroof, and an audio system that plays MP3s and includes dual subwoofers. Safety is addressed by standard side-curtain and front-side airbags, adaptive brake lights, cornering lights, and BMW’s Dynamic Stability Control system. | |
BMW 3 Series Coupe – 328i Options
| There’s a good deal of equipment on the base 2007 BMW 328i, but there are multiple options available, such as the Steptronic six-speed automatic transmission ($1,275), active steering ($1,250), a power rear sunshade ($350), three-setting heated front seats ($500), rear park assist ($350), intelligent cruise control that slows but does not stop the vehicle ($2,200), a navigation system with iDrive ($2,100), leather seats ($1,450), an upgraded Logic 7 sound system ($1,200), and much more. Various packages can also be ordered, including a Sport Package with 18-inch alloys wrapped in 225/40 front and 255/35 performance rubber. | |
| Aside from its xDrive full-time all-wheel-drive system, the first to ever be offered on a 3 Series Coupe, the content within the 328xi differs little from that of the 328i. Priced at $37,795, the 2007 BMW 328xi adds only a headlight cleaning system as standard equipment, while deleting active steering from the list of available options. | |
| Priced from $41,295, the rear-wheel-drive 335i is the premium model within the 2007 BMW 3 Series Coupe lineup. In addition to its 300-horsepower twin-turbocharged engine, the 335i adds memory settings for the front seats and mirrors and the Logic 7 surround sound system. Options mirror those of the other models, though paddle shifters are included when the automatic tranny and Sport Package are selected. | |
| With the 2007 BMW 3 Series Coupe’s new model designations come more potent powerplants under the hood. Each version starts with an aluminum 3.0-liter, dual overhead cam, 24-valve inline six-cylinder engine with variable valve timing mated to a standard six-speed manual transmission. But that’s where the similarities end. In 328i and 328xi guise, normal aspiration results in output of 230 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 200 lb.-ft. of torque at 2,750 rpm, whereas the 335i uses twin turbochargers and direct fuel injection to reach 300 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 300 lb.-ft. of torque available between 1,400 and 5,000 rpm. | |
| Fuel economy is estimated to be as high as 30 mpg on the highway for the 2007 BMW 328i while the 335i is rated at only 19 mpg in the city; while piloting the 335i, we averaged 17.5 mpg with the manual and about 21 mpg with the six-speed automatic. Premium fuel is required. BMW boasts a 0-60 mph range of 5.3 seconds for a manual-equipped 335i to seven seconds for a 328xi wearing the automatic gearbox. Top speed peaks at 155 mph. | |
BMW 3 Series Coupe – Suspension
| Curb weights for the four-passenger Coupe range between 3,351 pounds to about 3,600 pounds. It’s all suspended by a double-pivot front suspension with coil springs and double-tube gas shocks, complemented by a five-link setup on the rear. 328i and 335i models feature sport tuning and an aluminum front subframe; the 328xi features a steel front subframe in addition to its xDrive all-wheel-drive system with traction control. Speed-sensitive, variable-assist, rack-and-pinion steering ensures the 3 Series Coupe travels along a certain path. Optional on 328i and 335i models is BMW’s active steering technology, allowing for less steering wheel movement when parking or maneuvering in tight spaces. | |
| Basic stopping power is courtesy of a four-wheel ventilated disc setup, though there’s a bevy of standard technology that aids in the effort. Also included on the 2007 BMW 3 Series Coupe is Brake Fade Compensation, which increases pressure when the brakes get hot and possibly lose effectiveness; Brake Standby readies the pads against the rotors when the driver comes off the gas quickly; Brake Drying is used in wet conditions by occasionally brushing the pads against the discs to eliminate moisture; Dynamic Brake Control supplements the driver’s brake pressure in the event of a sudden stop; and Start-off Assistant briefly prevents rolling back on hill starts. Antilock brakes are also standard. | |
| Talk to a BMW designer and you’ll quickly learn that the 2007 3 Series Coupe shares but one exterior component with its four-door counterpart: the door handles. Given the different body styles, that may not seem terribly significant, yet consider that even the details have been tweaked for the Coupe. For example, the wide taillights with their horizontal LED displays are unique, the headlights have been slimmed down with the now familiar rings serving as daytime running lamps, and the front fenders are constructed from a plastic composite to save weight. | |
BMW 3 Series Coupe – Style
| In BMW terms, what the public may see as a sleek body with artful side creases and a pronounced power dome hood is a “flowing silhouette with large prominent wheel wells and a sleek and elegant roof line.” However you put it, the fact is the 2007 3 Series Coupe is a looker. Except, possibly, for the rear chrome exhaust tips on the 335i – from certain perspectives, they appear a bit long and lack a tapered contour to blend in with the curved lower fascia. | |
BMW 3 Series Coupe – Interior
| Interior design in the new BMW 3 Series Coupe is a fine example of concise precision. Controls are clear and logically placed; the materials, from the upholstery to the real aluminum or wood trim, feels top-notch; and all controls are within easy reach. Most plastics are padded or at least soft-touch, the doors feature fold-out lined pockets suitable for a variety of items such as wallets and cell phones, and there’s even an electronic arm housed in the rear side panel that extends the front passenger seatbelts to within easy reach. Front seat comfort is a plus, aided by multi-adjustable buckets, plenty of room, a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, and padded armrests and door sills. | |
BMW 3 Series Coupe – Rear Comfort
| Rear seat comfort is acceptable for a coupe, though access is somewhat hampered by front seats that don’t automatically slide forward. Once seated, riders in back of the 2007 BMW 3 Series Coupe will appreciate the supportive buckets, fold-down center armrest, and generous headroom, though they just might offer some complaints about the limited knee and foot room, not to mention the hard seatbacks. | |
BMW 3 Series Coupe – Cargo
| Thanks to a split-folding rear seat back, the 2007 BMW 3 Series Coupe provides some versatility for transporting cargo. The basic trunk area measures about 11 cubic feet, yet with the benefit of standard run-flat tires, a lower cargo well is destined for storage rather than temporary housing for a spare wheel. That brings total cargo area up to 12.9 cubic feet. Liftover height is about mid-thigh for a driver five-feet-eight-inches tall, and the lined lid includes two pull-down handles. The folding seatbacks feature release levers below the rear parcel shelf in the trunk. | |
BMW 3 Series Coupe – Free Maintenance
| BMW is one of the few companies continuing to offer a free maintenance plan, serving as a beneficial marketing tool and an incentive for any shopper considering the 2007 3 Series Coupe. The plan spans four years or 50,000 miles and covers all scheduled maintenance, oil changes, brake pads, wiper blade replacements, and more. Also provided is a four-year roadside assistance program, as well as a four-year/50,000-mile new car warranty. Rust protection covers 12 years with no mileage restriction.
Photos courtesy of BMW | |
Source : http://www.autosite.com
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