BMW 323is coupe balances sporty performance and fair pricing
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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PORT JERVIS, N.Y. -- Right, then quickly left, then right again around a wide bend the blacktop route wound through folds of New York's Kittatinny Mountains, as a sporty new compact coupe from Germany's BMW -- hunkering low against the road and hugging hard through each tight curve -- cut a crisp and controlled line at a rather fast clip.
Actually, it flew through that twisty course.
Big wheels, floating independently at each corner, rolled down the road on speed-rated rubber which felt sticky through all turns, while Bimmer's engine growled as driver pawed a short manual shift lever through upshifts and down to play the gears.
And, as only BMW can do, there's so much playfulness available with this new sports coupe, the 323is.
Steering it, hard and swift and aggressive, amounted to such excitement that at Port Jervis, perched on the Delaware River overlooking Pennsylvania's shore, one driver pulled into a parking lot for time-out just to catch a breath.
The new coupe comes off BMW's compact platform and replaces 318is, which drew from a 4-cylinder engine that continues in the 318ti hatchback and 318i sedan, price-leading entry points in BMW's line. Coupe and convertible issues now split from hatchback and sedan primarily due to the application of a 2.5-liter in-line-6 engine previously not used in Bimmers shipped to our market.
What a lively plant it is: Output reaches to 168 hp, or 22 percent more than that produced by the 1.9-liter four. More significantly, torque skews decidedly toward lower engine speeds, extending to 181 lbs/ft at 3950 rpm to best the 4-cylinder plant by 36 percent.
Such hearty muscle explains the enthusiasm found in BMW's 323is coupe -- it's almost as lively as Big Brother 328is, which packs a 2.8-liter six that hits 190 hp.
It's also quick, running to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds.
And it's so perfectly balanced, with weight distributed precisely at 50.2/49.8 percent on front/rear wheels, which makes it controllable and so predictable in motion.
That's what I discovered in my test romp through mountains in a tri-state swatch of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania: Uncanny control by driver for such important tasks as steering, accelerating, braking and all other linear actions of the automotive kind.
Of course, BMW has built a considerable reputation on delivering cars that appeal to an aggressive driver. With the new 323 series -- available in both coupe and convertible variations -- this appeal extends further with the lure of reasonable price points.
The convertible 323i comes in at $35,270, but 323is coupe lists for $29,270 (including delivery fee to a dealer), which marks the first time in five years that BMW has offered a 6-cylinder model for less than $30,000.
I tell you: Time spent testing 323, including coupe and convertible versions with manual and automatic transmissions, regular and sport suspension packages, turned into the most exciting driving day of my year.
Challenging curves in a hilly route?
Sure, says 323 as rear-wheel muscle pushes the mass through each apex in cat-claw tightness. The independent suspension system and speed-sensing power rack and pinion steering combine for quick action which requires little wrist movement from an alert driver at the wheel.
Nuisance bumps on a washboard road?
Don't sweat: This thing remains rooted to pavement, despite a quick clip or those invariable pavement dips.
The suspension -- struts up front and multi-link system in back with twin-tube gas shocks at all corners and anti-roll stabilizer bar fore and aft -- works like magic when zipping over road irregularities and implies that any lesser course, like city freeways and boulevards, becomes simply so many hors d'oeuvres for pleasure driving.
For reins, BMW installs ventilated rear discs to match those up front, then links all via vacuum power to a multi-channel anti-lock system and adds Bimmer's All Season Traction system, which ties rear brakes to rear-wheel power flow through sophisticated electronic controls to stem wheel spin on slippery roads.
Although a sport-minded driver may prefer rear-wheel traction on dry pavement, a rear-drive vehicle often fails when snow or rain transforms pavement to glass. The AST control, standard item in the inventory of safety systems for 323, delivers optimum traction with strong control regardless of road condition.
Still, a control button allows driver to turn off the device when desired for specific performance situations.
The 323 series also stocks more safety gear, like front as well as door-mounted side airbags that appear in all BMW models above the level of 318.
In addition, the 323i convertible can be equipped with an optional roll-over protection system ($1,450), which automatically deploys twin structural bars positioned behind rear seats when on-board sensors detect the vehicle moving away from a stable right-side-up position.
Pick the optional sport suspension package, listing for an extra $990 for coupe but only $750 on drop-top, and you'll get bonuses like fog lights, stiffer shock tuning, 16-inch cross-spoke alloy wheels and 225/50ZR-16 tires.
Premium gear puts $2,125/$2,750 more on coupe/convertible. The package applies leather upholstery, remote entry and alarm systems, fold-down center armrest between front bucket seats, plus a power sunroof for coupe or automatic power operation to the folding convertible top.
Even without the premium package, both 323 versions contain luxury features.
The interior, seating two in front buckets divided by a wide console, squeezes up to three more on a back bench.
Driver's seat features 6-way manual controls, and equipment in the cockpit flows from power sources, such as the heated exterior mirrors, windows and central locking.
Instruments are analog of course and highly legible.
Power windows have a 1-touch down feature with toggles set on the console.
The locking system installs an interior lock-out button on console, plus door and trunk lock mechanisms. Insert key in any lock and turn it once to deactivate all locks; turn twice in a nifty trick that lowers or raises all windows.
1998 BMW 323 SERIES
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| 1998 BMW 323 COUPE VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS |
| Description: |
Compact coupe, convertible |
| Model Options: |
Compact coupe, convertible |
| Wheelbase: |
106.3 inches |
| Overall Length: |
174.5 inches
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| Engine Size: |
DOHC 2.5-L I6
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| Transmission: |
Manual/5, Auto/4 |
| Drive: |
Rear |
| Braking: |
Power 4-disc/ABS/TCS |
| Airbags: |
4 |
| Gas Mileage: |
M/5: 20/30 mpg |
| MSRP Price: |
$ 29,270 to $ 42,000 |
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