Coupe de grace

BMW widens the gap between four doors and two with the new 3-series coupe.Donn Anderson checks its pedigree in Spain.

BMW is raising the stakes in the luxury car sector with the exquisite looking, new 3-Series coupe. Unlike the previous E36 model 3-Series, the latest generation E46 coupe is much more than a two-door version of the popular four-door sedan.

New Zealanders have been enthusiastic buyers of the outgoing BMW coupe. Traditionally, 30 per cent of local demand for the 3-Series has been for the coupe, higher than markets like Britain, the United States, Japan or even Germany.

More than 470,000 coupes - or 18 per cent of total 3-Series production - have been sold worldwide since 1992.

BMW New Zealand sales and marketing director Mark Gilbert believes this percentage could rise with the new model, despite the lack of a four-cylinder variant for between 12 and 18 months.

"There is a clear distinction between sedan and coupe, something which we didn't have before," said Gilbert.
"I'm bullish about the coupe sales which are likely to be higher in percentage terms than the old model and could push to 50 per cent of 3-Series volume."

The new six-cylinder 323Ci and 328Ci BMW coupes, now on sale in Europe, will be launched here in July. The four-cylinder 318Ci, with its new-generation engine, will come later.

Coupe prices are up between 3 and 5 per cent over the sedan, with an expected $79,999 for the manual 323Ci ($83,000 for the five-speed automatic) and $99,000 for the 328Ci ($103,000 for the auto).

Apart from the door handles, indicators and logo, all exterior features on the coupe are different from the sedan. There's a wider kidney grille with chrome surround, flatter headlights and a new, front air dam. The changes make the two-door a different model in its own right.

The car inherits some of the coupe character of the 850i and old 6-Series models. Certainly the new 3-Series coupe is one of the best looking BMWs in years.

The elegant and well-proportioned lines look great from any angle. Compared with the sedan, the overall height is 46mm less, a combination of the lower sports suspension and the lower body height. The length is up 17mm and the car is 18mm wider, but weighs the same as its four-door brother.

The new car is larger and roomier than its predecessor and the load area is lower. Specific coupe features include a remarkably compact, leather-bound steering wheel with full-size airbag, lower mounted, electrically operated, front seats and revised tail lights.

To facilitate entry to the car in confined parking spaces, a double click on the remote key release fully retracts the side window. Once the door is closed, the window moves up again automatically.

Both the 323Ci and 328Ci are superb drivers' cars with strong, fluid performance from well-proven, straight six-cylinder 125kW and 142kW engines and have excellent handling.

The twin cam, 2.8-litre motor is smooth, flexible and willing, with large reserves of power.

Take-up on the adaptive Steptronic automatic transmission is likely to be high. The manual gearbox is light enough but the length of the changes, like other 3-Series models, is long.

With a 50:50 weight distribution, the rear-drive coupe is neutral and well balanced. Although the suspension is stiffer than the sedan, it didn't feel uncomfortable over Spanish roads during the preview drive route.

The New Zealand specifications for both models include ABS braking, four-wheel, ventilated disc brakes, electronic vehicle immobilisation, automatic stability control and traction, corner braking control, front and side airbags, and air conditioning.

The 328Ci adds 17-inch diameter, alloy wheels instead of 16-inch, park distance control, a remote anti-theft alarm, a six-stack CD audio, an automatic dipping interior mirror, a leather-bound M steering wheel and leather upholstery.