BESTesters: A theme Gallery to top all theme galleries! *Update* 01.17.06 BMW 330i

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BMW 330i '05

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The BMW 3-series has come a long way through the years and established a reputation as a fine car. It has turned heads, especially as the M3 version. Our test car today isn't the M3, but a bit more normal version with a 3-liter straight six, the 330i.

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This car lives up to the legend, the handling is very well balanced and the car goes where the driver wants, no need to fight with it. If you want to drive neutrally, be my guest. If you want to drift, no problem. The car could be a bit lighter but it's still good as it is. The cars are heavy today and we just have to accept it.

I had a hard time in the beginning trying to get the most out of it, there is so much grip that most corners can be taken faster than it seems. For example, at first I was taking a corner in 3rd gear, but then I found that it could be taken in 5th. Scary.

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The engine is as powerful as can be expected from a modern three liter powerplant, this one pumps out over 250 horses even without a turbocharger. The engine response is good and the torque is good, but the sound can get irritating after a while. I wouldn't drive this Bavarian road rocket in an endurance race just because of the sound.

The gearbox ratios are surprisingly good, without that enormous gap between the 1st and the 2nd gear found in many cars. It makes for good acceleration and the 0-100 km/h time is pretty good thanks to the 2nd gear ratio, it redlines at 102 km/h. :p

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The most argued-about thing in new Beemers is the exterior. It is modern and sleek, but a bit overdone in my opinion. The car is fast, but it looks like a child's toy that has been shaped so that the child can't hurt themselves. No sharp edges anywhere. I would like to see some of the aggressiveness in the outside too but I'm sure may people like the looks of the car. Anyway, it looks like a BMW and that is what counts to most of the buyers.

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The conclusion: a reasonably fast sports car for grown-ups.

Time on Deep Forest: 1'29.050

+ Engine power and responsivity
+ Overall handling characteristics

- Engine sound
- Body styling

Brought to you by Greycap
 
Bad news for the BESTesters team from me. :(

I'm going to quit this thing. I thought it would be good to end with a good one and the 330i was one of my best.

I've written 8 reviews out of 30 this far, 26,7% of the total. There are seven members in the review team so I've exceeded the amount of reviews expected from me comfortably.

It was fun as long as it lasted, but I have more important things to do now. No hard feelings, keep the ball rolling. :)

(I've deleted from my name from the members list)
 
Cool you made the most reviews, and some hope to keep this thing up and running. 👍 Pity that you have to leave though. :indiff:
 

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