Fun With Only Two Doors...The 2000 BMW 328Ci
Ben Miller
Contributing Automotive Writer
Despite the proliferation of sport utility vehicles, minivans
and luxury sport sedans, manufacturers haven't given up on people
who just prefer coupes. If you don't have a burgeoning family and don't need more than
two doors, you still have choices.
Last year, BMW introduced its all-new 3 Series models with two
new sedans. This year, the 3 Series coupe models arrive.
There are two 2000 coupe models; the 323Ci, which is powered by
a 2.5-liter 170-horsepower engine and the 328Ci, which is powered
by a 2.8-liter, 193 horsepower engine.
The 328Ci has a lot more standard stuff than the 323Ci, and a
328Ci was tested last week on nice, dry, warm Nebraska Panhandle
streets.
One of the first features you'll notice getting into the 328Ci
is the door sealing system. When you open the door, the window
lowers slightly. When you close the door, the window raises slightly
to seal you in tight and allow you to have an aerodynamically-sealed
high-speed trip on the autobahn.
High-tech German engineering doesn't end in the windows. When
the car senses that the air is really polluted outside (such as
driving through cities like Gary, IN.), it automatically turns
on the climate control recirculating fans on inside, and turns
them off when you're outside of Gary.
The warm, dry roads of the Panhandle were nice to drive on last
week, but how many times does the thermometer nudge the 80-degree
mark in the middle of November? What about snow? It is expected
to make a return sometime this winter, and although the 328Ci
is a rear-wheel drive car, it does have a standard traction control
system. And the German engineers must believe that the car can
be driven on snowy, mountainous roads; why else would BMW offer
a ski sack option on the car?
A German auto magazine, "auto mund und sport" (your
subscription hasn't run out, has it?) tested the car on wet roads
and with the 328Ci's "Dynamic Stability Control" system,
rated the car "very good" on moist surfaces.
Driver and passenger are surrounded by air bags. There are standard
"dual threshold deployment" front air bags (more severe
crashes trigger more protection) and side air bags, as well as
a "Head Protection System" in the front.
The 328Ci's engine is zippy. The test model had the optional automatic
transmission ($1,275) that has something called "Steptronic,"
which allows the driver to simulate driving with a manual transmission.
(Why not just save the $1,275 and buy the car with a manual transmission
if you're going to want to shift the car manually?) With the automatic
transmission, gas mileage is rated at 18 miles per gallon in the
city and 27 mpg on the highway.
Inside, the car is quite impressive. Standard is an onboard computer
that measures outside temperature, gas mileage and miles to go
before the car runs out of gas. Gauges light up at night with
a cool, easy-to-read reddish glow.
The base price of the 328Ci is $34,560, which includes destination
charge. The tested 328Ci had options including a "Premium
Package," ($2,900), which included power sunroof, wood trim,
something called "Montana" leather (what's the matter,
BMW, afraid that calling it "Nebraska" leather isn't
as macho-sounding?), and "rain-sensing" windshield wipers.
The test car also had a silver metallic paint ($475), the fore-mentioned
automatic transmission, Xenon gas headlights ($500), and a CD
player ($500), for a total price of $39,910.
For those who don't have a bevy of little ones to haul around,
BMW is building you a coupe that's powerful, luxurious and fun
to drive.
