Price OTR Mumbai: Rs/ 44,35,331/-
BMW’s old tagline ‘The Ultimate Driving Machine’ was so apt in the last decade. However things have changed since then and BMW has moved from exciting the driver to creating joy on the face of passengers (the new BMW’s are more comfort oriented). However there is still one car in BMW’s line up which can make do with the old tagline. Its the top end variant of the 3-Series in India. Known as the 330i Sport, the driver oriented 3-Series is just Rs. 4 lakhs cheaper than the entry level 5-Series (520d) diesel. But where would you rather put your money, its time to burn some rubber and find out.
Exteriors – The current generation BMW 3-Series was launched in 2005. The design of the E90 was subtly altered in 2008. At the front, the 330i features double circular headlights with chrome tubes and corona rings. The kidney grille is typical of all BMW vehicles and the bold moulds on the bumper and large bonnet are the highlights of the front. At the side, the edges of the side skirts have been set higher and modelled in a more distinctive fashion. The exterior mirrors with two distinctive character lines, echoing the interplay between the convex and concave shaping of the surfaces, helping in an enlarged field of vision. The dual section rear lights are now the characteristic BMW L shape. The two LED rear light clusters and the direction indicators in LED technology are designed to create a quality appearance.
Interiors – Step inside the 330i and the first thing you will notice is the car is really low. Once inside, the high-quality materials and optimised ergonomics are immediately obvious. The black coloured dashboard features dark brown wood inserts along with Dakota Beige leather seats (optional) and door pads. The M leather steering wheel feels a joy to hold and maneuver the car. The seats are very comfortable and front legroom is decent, the same can’t be said about the rear, where space is at a slight premium.
Performance – The only reason for opting for the 330i variant from the 3-Series line up would be its performance. For starters, the N52B30 engine in the 330i is the lightest engine in the world. Powered by a 2996cc, 6-cylinder producing 255 hp of power at 6600 RPM and 300 Nm of torque at 2500 RPM, the initial torque is decent but nowhere close to the diesel BMW’s. There is no kick in the rear (of the driver) feeling in the 330i and power delivery is quite linear. BMW claims a 0 – 100 kmph time of 6.6. seconds and a top speed of 250 kmph. There is a manual mode (M) which lets you take control of things but just. If you don’t upshift or downshift, the electronics knows that the car won’t be able to cope up with the wrong gear, it immediately takes things in its own hand an accordingly shifts. You can even use DS (Drive Sport) mode which immediately changes the engine characteristics to make the 330i hold up to the redline in each gear before upshifting.
BMW 3-Series Specifications : -
* Engine: 2996cc, 24-valves, in-line 6
* Power: 255 hp @ 6600 RPM
* Torque: 300 Nm @ 2500 RPM
* Transmission: 6-speed auto
* Top Speed: 250 kmph
* 0-100kmph: 6.6 seconds
* Fuel Consumption: 4-5 kmpl (City), 5-6 kmpl (highway)
* Fuel Type: Petrol
* Tires: 225/45/17 (Front), 255/40/17 (Rear), Runflats
* Safety: ABS, DTC, CBC, Six Airbags, Immobilizer
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 63 litres
* Kerb Weight: 1495 kgs
BMW’s old tagline ‘The Ultimate Driving Machine’ was so apt in the last decade. However things have changed since then and BMW has moved from exciting the driver to creating joy on the face of passengers (the new BMW’s are more comfort oriented). However there is still one car in BMW’s line up which can make do with the old tagline. Its the top end variant of the 3-Series in India. Known as the 330i Sport, the driver oriented 3-Series is just Rs. 4 lakhs cheaper than the entry level 5-Series (520d) diesel. But where would you rather put your money, its time to burn some rubber and find out.
Exteriors – The current generation BMW 3-Series was launched in 2005. The design of the E90 was subtly altered in 2008. At the front, the 330i features double circular headlights with chrome tubes and corona rings. The kidney grille is typical of all BMW vehicles and the bold moulds on the bumper and large bonnet are the highlights of the front. At the side, the edges of the side skirts have been set higher and modelled in a more distinctive fashion. The exterior mirrors with two distinctive character lines, echoing the interplay between the convex and concave shaping of the surfaces, helping in an enlarged field of vision. The dual section rear lights are now the characteristic BMW L shape. The two LED rear light clusters and the direction indicators in LED technology are designed to create a quality appearance.
Interiors – Step inside the 330i and the first thing you will notice is the car is really low. Once inside, the high-quality materials and optimised ergonomics are immediately obvious. The black coloured dashboard features dark brown wood inserts along with Dakota Beige leather seats (optional) and door pads. The M leather steering wheel feels a joy to hold and maneuver the car. The seats are very comfortable and front legroom is decent, the same can’t be said about the rear, where space is at a slight premium.
Performance – The only reason for opting for the 330i variant from the 3-Series line up would be its performance. For starters, the N52B30 engine in the 330i is the lightest engine in the world. Powered by a 2996cc, 6-cylinder producing 255 hp of power at 6600 RPM and 300 Nm of torque at 2500 RPM, the initial torque is decent but nowhere close to the diesel BMW’s. There is no kick in the rear (of the driver) feeling in the 330i and power delivery is quite linear. BMW claims a 0 – 100 kmph time of 6.6. seconds and a top speed of 250 kmph. There is a manual mode (M) which lets you take control of things but just. If you don’t upshift or downshift, the electronics knows that the car won’t be able to cope up with the wrong gear, it immediately takes things in its own hand an accordingly shifts. You can even use DS (Drive Sport) mode which immediately changes the engine characteristics to make the 330i hold up to the redline in each gear before upshifting.
BMW 3-Series Specifications : -
* Engine: 2996cc, 24-valves, in-line 6
* Power: 255 hp @ 6600 RPM
* Torque: 300 Nm @ 2500 RPM
* Transmission: 6-speed auto
* Top Speed: 250 kmph
* 0-100kmph: 6.6 seconds
* Fuel Consumption: 4-5 kmpl (City), 5-6 kmpl (highway)
* Fuel Type: Petrol
* Tires: 225/45/17 (Front), 255/40/17 (Rear), Runflats
* Safety: ABS, DTC, CBC, Six Airbags, Immobilizer
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 63 litres
* Kerb Weight: 1495 kgs
