Pros :
- Award-winning smooth inline six engine.
- Confident all-wheel-drive handling.
- High build quality.
- Precise shifter and steering.
- Great automatic transmission with manual shifting capability.
Cons :
- Expensive base price.
- Long throw clutch.
- Sport Package causes slightly harsh ride.
- Back seat not for tall adults.
- Although steering feel is heavier than 2001 model, it's still too light.
Press Coverage :
Spurred by a single-minded attitude towards refined drivability, BMW has created a sedan that feels like a fine Swiss watch and handles better than all but the most exotic sports cars. And our test car, with its all-wheel drive system, handles the elements as well. This 330xi is an amazing engineering achievement that takes the already excellent previous 3-series, adds an extra dose of power in the form of a larger 3.0 liter straight six and marries it to the all-wheel drive system of the BMW X5.
BMW offers the 330xi as either a 5-speed stick or a STEPTRONIC automatic. The STEPTRONIC is a five speed automatic transmission that adapts to your driving style. It also provides a manual mode that you can access by moving the shift lever into a special gate, then tapping the shifter forward or back to select individual gears.
The 3-series challenged my ongoing quest for the ultimate driving experience with a car that seemed to read my mind, combining agility with stability, excellent throttle response with smooth power delivery, tenacious cornering grip with a compliant ride. When I turned into a corner, the car "wanted" to turn, casting inertia to the wind. The razor-sharp steering allowed me to position the car exactly where I wanted it without affecting my ability to drive down a dead straight interstate and take my hands off the wheel with nary a twitch toward either side of the lane's center.
The interior of the 3-series is all business with a dash panel that gently wraps around the driver. The feeling is that of a cockpit, with all controls placed within easy reach. Each switch and button has an expensive feel and is logically placed. Finding the right position behind the wheel is easy. The seats are firm and hold you in place comfortably. The steering column is adjustable for height and reach with the flick of a single, manual control. The shifter for the five speed stick feels smooth and is perfectly positioned. The self adjusting clutch requires some getting used to, engaging rather abruptly and sooner than expected.
There is an internal ventilation system in the front seats that uses the car's ride motions to generate a "pumping" action as the occupant moves up and down sending fresh air through the seat to remove moisture. The optional seat heaters work quickly and have 3 heat levels.
Its highly refined 3.0 liter in-line six cylinder engine has steplessly variable intake and exhaust valve timing and electronically controlled engine cooling. This is a liquid-smooth, free revving power plant with a wonderful exhaust note.
The bottom line is that this technological wizardry produces an engine that is smooth, torquey and responsive throughout its rpm range. On our test car, this power is delivered to the road through a 5-speed stick into an all-wheel-drive transfer case with planetary center differential. From there, the torque is split 38% to the front wheels, 62% to the rear wheels.
On the road, the all-wheel-drive 3-Series feels every bit as good as the rear-wheel-drive models with the added advantage of all-weather capability. Handling predictably right up to the limits of its very capable all-season tires, this car is an absolute pleasure to drive fast on winding roads. This vehicle's brakes are large for a car of this size with 12.8 inch ventilated rotors up front and 12.6 inch ventilated rotors in the rear. 17-in. wheels and 205/50HR-17 tires are standard on all 330s with several optional wheel-tire combinations beyond that.
There was plenty of technology on hand to make all this goodness possible, like Dynamic Stability Control (DSC or DSC-X on our all-wheel drive model) which combines all-speed traction control on all four wheels with cornering/avoidance stabilization. The computer determines whether the car is following the course intended by the driver by monitoring sensors that detect steering wheel angle, individual wheel speed, throttle position and inertia in all directions. If the feedback indicates that the car is beginning to slide, the system applies individual brakes and modulates the throttle, coaxing the car back into the driver's control.
Since this is a small sedan, it is nimble and easy to park in a tight spot. The compact interior is somewhat tight but usable for four average sized adults. You may be able to fit a willing fifth person in the rear seat, but depending on their size, this may require someone on the outside of the car to push the rear door closed. The trunk is well shaped with a reasonable 10.7 cubic feet of space. If you need more room for "stuff," the split rear seat folds down to expand the trunk capacity into the rear passenger area.
Rough pavement may be transmitted to the interior, but not nearly as much as you would expect from a suspension that performs such magic at speed. Sure, wind and road noise are well controlled at any double digit speed, but let's be honest: this is a sports car that happens to have room for 5.
Familycar.com
History:
2001-2002 BMW 330xi
2,979 cc / 225 hp / 214 lb-ft / 3483-3671 lbs / 0-60 mph 6.9 sec.
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