- convertible
- Wilson, NC
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- autoshopper.com
2002 bmw 3 series review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. The 3 series is composed of sedans, coupes, convertibles, and wagons. They vary in price, power, and packaging, but all are superb cars. Each is a great driver's car within its respective price range. all 3 series models are highly refined machines that corner, accelerate and stop swiftly. These cars put drivers in touch with the road instead of isolating them. Their interiors are well-equipped and comfortable. styling revisions freshen the sedans and sport wagons for 2002. it shouldn't be a surprise that the bmw 3 series continues to serve as a benchmark for other automakers. lineupthe current generation of 3 series cars debuted in 1999 and has since grown to 10 models. All 3 series models are based on the same chassis and all ride on the same 107. 3-inch wheelbase. As the nomenclature indicates, 325 models get a 2. 5-liter engine, while 330 models get a 3. 0-liter engine. Wagons are only available with the 2. 5-liter engine; sedan, coupe, and convertible are available with either engine. the 184-horsepower 2. 5-liter engine is used in the 325i sedan 27,100); 325i sport wagon 29,500); 325ci coupe 29,100); 325ci convertible 36,100). the 225-horsepower 3. 0-liter engine is used in the 330i sedan 33,990); 330ci coupe 34,990); and 330ci convertible 42,400). In addition to the increased power, 330 models come with more standard equipment and design upgrades. One example: 17-inch wheels with v-rated tires in place of the 325's standard 16-inch wheels with h-rated tires. all-wheel-drive 325xi 28,850) and 330xi 35,740) sedans and the 325xi sport wagon 31,250) offer much better traction and control in slippery conditions. For 2002, these all-wheel-drive models, denoted by the x, get hill descent control added to the upgraded dynamic stability control system. the higher price of coupes and convertibles includes a slightly higher level of luxury equipment than what comes standard on sedans and wagons. all models come standard with a five-speed manual transmission. Automatic transmissions are available: a superb zf-built five-speed steptronic 1275). for 2002, bmw has added functions to the standard dynamic stability control system, including a new traction-control mode. New optional run-flat tires with a monitor are available for 330 models. Also optional are new wheel designs and 18-inch wheels and tires. smart front and front side-impact airbags come standard. Also standard (on all but the convertibles) are head-protection airbags that deploy from the headliner along the length of both sides of the cabin. Rear side-impact airbags are optional. which model? The sport wagons add space and versatility and the only way we could tell we weren't driving a sedan was to glance into the rear view mirror; it's taut. Coupes add sports appeal with their two-door styling, while split rear seats offer some versatility. The 330 models add a lot of performance to the equation. Bmw's park distance control 350) works great, beeping to warn the driver of objects behind the car during parking maneuvers. related to the 3 series are the m3 coupe 45,900) and m3 convertible 53,900), which boast much higher levels of performance and handling. (look for separate review of the bmw m3 at newcartestdrive. Com.). walkaroundthe 3 series cars sport bmw's classic look. They look elegant and refined, but purposeful. The roofline is long and gracefully integrated into the short rear deck. These cars are striking in appearance with their bold grilles, exotic-looking headlamps, and short front and rear overhangs. Their wheels fill the fenders and the body work seems wrapped tight, like it's stretched over muscle. The 3 series sedans have the look of a true sports sedan. And the other models take full advantage of that. traditional quad headlamps are enclosed in aerodynamic covers. For 2002, bmw has upgraded the optional xenon headlights to bi-xenon lights, which include both low and high beams. The outer lamps provide high-intensity discharge illumination on low and high beams, while the inner lamps augment the high beams with halogen lighting. Auto-leveling of the bi-xenon lamps is included. introduced for model year 1999, the sedan was the first of this latest generation of 3 series cars; it shares its styling and most of its body work with the sport wagon. Subtle changes to the design of the 3 series sedans and sport wagons this year has freshened their appearance. Most people won't notice the differences, but park a new 3 series sedan or sport wagon next to a 2001 model and the details are readily apparent. for 2002, the sedan and sport wagon feature redesigned front fascias, front and rear bumpers, grilles, headlamps, tail lamps, hoods, and fenders. Similar to the theme set by the new 7 series, the headlamps now tilt up at the trailing edges of the wraparounds rather than tilting down as they have traditionally. Bmw also redesigned the shape of the cutouts below the headlamps. When equipped with the aerodynamic package, the front fascia looks like more of an air dam than before with round integrated fog lamps instead of small, thin rectangular lights. This year the lower grille is split all the way across. Bumpers, front and rear, have been given a simpler, cleaner look and the taillight units' functional segments reapportioned to give the main taillights greater illuminated area. The grilles, continuing bmw's dual-kidneys tradition, have been widened. The hood's character lines now sweep outward and rearward from the grilles' upper outer corners back to the body's a-pillars. Front fenders are also modified, with more prominent wheel-opening flares that interrupt the side character lines for an additional element of design interest. coupe and convertible models were introduced for 2000 with updated design cues and go into 2002 without any significant styling changes. Their headlamp cluster wraparounds taper down rather than up. well-designed exterior door handles are easy to grab. interiorthe 3 series interior is designed for the serious driver. Power adjustments come standard on all models except 325i sedans. The manual controls on the 325i sedan 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, and slide-out thigh support. the leather-covered steering wheel tilts and telescopes for optimum adjustment. Its slim design is a benefit of the latest in compact airbag packaging. Audio and speed controls on the steering wheel work well and add convenience. Two different steering wheels are used depending on body style and model. dashboard and door panels are rich in appearance, and appealing to the eye. For 2002, a new titanium finish on the instrument panel, console, and doors comes standard. Genuine myrtle wood inserts are optional. The instruments themselves feature soft orange lighting, which help reduce glare at night; some people find orange instrument lighting easier on the eyes than other colors. most switches fall intuitively to the driver's fingertips, but the 3 series interior is not without its faults. Window controls are located on the center console, requiring a glance down to open or close a windows. Having the controls on the doors would make them much easier to use. Auto up/auto down is available for all windows and the sunroof, which is a nice feature. automatic climate control and a microfilter ventilation system are standard. For 2002, automatic headlamps are available. the in-dash single-cd player that now comes standard is easy to operate; the previous cassette deck is available as a no-cost option. The harmon kardon stereo with 12 upgraded speakers sounds great. Available steering wheel audio controls work well and add convenience. i don't particularly care for the center console. The flip down armrest is a bit in the way when shifting and unattractive shallow cup holders in the center console seem like an afterthought. the back seat is roomy enough for two adults during a night on the town, but it's not as roomy as some of the other cars in its class. The trunk is small, and the trunk opening is even smaller. However, the cold weather package 1000) adds split fold-down rear seats with a ski boot and armrest, plus other features. sport wagons seem the perfect solution for enthusiast drivers who need some cargo capacity. When the car is unlocked, the rear hatch can be opened by touching the electric release above the license plate; or just the rear glass can be opened by pressing a button under the rear wiper. The rear cargo cover is nicely designed with a vinyl panel that easily slides out and hooks into pl. Bucket Seats✔ Power Seats✔ Climate Control✔ CD Player✔ Sport Package✔ Sunroof/Moonroof
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