Press Coverage :
The all-wheel-drive system on 325xi models use a planetary center differential to split drive torque 38/62 percent front/rear, preserving the rear-wheel-drive feel that BMW enthusiasts demand. All-Season Traction Control (AST) and a specially calibrated version of BMW's Dynamic Stability Control (DSC-X) enhance foul-weather safety.
This is an interior designed for the business of driving. Bucket seats provide fine support without feeling hard, and come standard with six adjustments. The manual controls work well, though they are best used when the car is stationary. The 10-way power seats that come with the optional Sport Package are superb, adding more side bolstering for winding roads. The back seat is roomy enough for two adults during a night on the town, but bear in mind that the 3 Series is a compact. If rear cabin space is a top priority, you can find more for your money elsewhere. The 3 Series cars are not class leaders when it comes to moving cargo, either. The trunk is small, the trunk opening is even smaller and the rear seats do not fold down.
Sport wagons seem the perfect solution for enthusiast drivers who need some cargo capacity. With the dog fence in place, the 325i sport wagon can carry 25.7 cubic feet of cargo and four passengers. That's more than twice the 10.7 cubic feet the sedan can handle.
Front and front side-impact airbags come standard. Also standard are head-protection airbags that deploy from the headliner along the length of both sides of the cabin. Rear side-impact airbags are optional. Xenon high-intensity discharge low beams offer much better visibility on stormy nights and we recommend them as an option, even at $500. BMW's Park Distance Control, a $350 option on the 325i Sport Wagon, uses an electronic beep to warn the driver of objects behind the car during parking maneuvers.
There's plenty of power here, and it's delivered smooth and linear with no significant dead spots or rushes. Just strong, gradual propulsion. The engine is so smooth, that it's easy to rev past the redline to where the rev limiter cuts back on the throttle. BMW's Double VANOS variable-valve timing helps both engines provide plenty of torque (the force that makes a car jump when you hit the gas) throughout the rev range.
Changing gears with the five-speed manual gearbox is a smooth, satisfying operation. The shifter uses longer throws than in a sports car, but it's a precise movement befitting a world-class sports sedan.
The automatic transmission works superbly, always keeping the engine in the optimal power range. All automatics are five-speed Steptronics. Shifting is smooth and precise and the driver almost always feels the transmission is working as part of the team, rather than fighting against driver and engine.
At highway speeds, the 325i is extremely stable. The suspension is tight, feeling like fine machinery. The stiff chassis structure allows the suspension to dampen irritating road vibration, reducing the chance of squeaks and rattles.
Steering response is more like that of a sports car than a luxury sedan. There's little play in the steering and the feeling is one of directness. This car goes exactly where you point it. Unlike the over-boosted power steering found on many other luxury sedans, the BMW's steering provides a real feel of the road. This car handles curves with aplomb, gripping through aggressive cornering maneuvers.
Brakes are even more important to going fast than horsepower, and the 3 Series provides excellent stopping power. The anti-lock braking system was hardly needed on the dry pavement because the tires offer good grip and the suspension does its job, keeping the car stable and minimizing nosedive, so that the rear tires can contribute to the effort. As a result, this car stops very quickly, and it's easy to control in a panic braking situation.
All 3 Series models come with BMW's Dynamic Stability Control. BMW positions this technology for its safety benefits: DSC helps stabilize the vehicle in severe cornering maneuvers by judiciously applying the brakes to individual wheels. In other words, it helps the driver maintain control when the tires lose grip. But DSC also enhances handling on winding roads, smoothing out minor errors, making adjustments when you hit a patch of sand in the middle of a tight corner.
The 325xi Sport Wagon with all-wheel drive felt like it was on rails on dry pavement. The only way we could tell we weren't driving the sedan was to glance into the rear view mirror. It's taut.
There's more to this 3 Series line than just BMW cachet. These cars offer a truly satisfying driving experience. They are equipped with rear-wheel drive and an available five-speed gearbox, and BMW's commitment to this combination speaks volumes about its priorities.
Nctd.com
History:
1999-2000 BMW 323xi
2,494 cc / 170 hp / 181 lb-ft / 3300-3570 lbs / 0-60 mph 8.0 sec.
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