BMW 3 Series Coupe 2006 Review

BMW 3 Series Coupe

Australian journalists had an early taste of BMW's svelte new 3 Series Coupe when the local launch was held prior to its official release in Europe. The E92 Coupe goes on sale in Australia in October, 2006, adding an enticing new twin-turbo engine and sharper driving dynamics to the two-door, four-seater variant of the 3 Series range.

With no panels shared with its sedan sibling, the 3 Series Coupe continues BMW's return to less fussy styling and is sure to please detractors of Chris Bangle's 'flame surface' design. But the biggest news is the introduction of an all-aluminium, twin-turbo, direct injection, 3.0-litre, straight-six, petrol engine, which delivers an intoxicating 225kW at 5800rpm and 400Nm of torque from as low as 1300rpm.

The range-topping 335i is priced from $108,500 and joins the 160kW/250Nm 325i (from $84,100) and the 140kW/230Nm 323i (from $69,900; on sale December), both powered by versions of BMW's 2.5-litre straight six engine. Australia will miss out on the two diesel models available in Europe.

With strong, seamless acceleration from just off idle all the way to its 7100rpm cutout, the 1525kg, twin turbo 335i rockets to 100km/h from standstill in just 5.5seconds, not far off the hard-core E46 M3 coupe. But while it delivers an exhilarating rush, with turbo lag virtually eliminated and instant response in most gears, it's more refined and subdued than the naturally aspirated M3.

Call it a 'poor man's M3' if you like but even a BMW executive admitted the 335i "doesn't have the metallic raspy scream of an M3, but this is not an M car." The twin-turbo powerplant pulls strongly from below 2000rpm but works best from around 3500-4000rpm, with either slick six-speed manual or super-responsive six-speed auto delivering the goods.

With its standard, lowered sports suspension set-up, 50:50 weight distribution and 25 percent stiffer body, the 335i also excels in the twisty stuff. It's remarkably agile and well-balanced close to the limit, with minimal body roll and superb grip in the dry from the standard 18-inch tyres. The standard steering is accurate and well-weighted for spirited driving, plus there's the reassurance of the larger brakes on the 335i and the raft of electronic nannies that will cut in if you take it too far.

Think of the 335i as a highly competent high speed tourer, rather than a sports car with track tendencies like the M3, and you'll get the picture.

Where the 335i disappoints however is on less than perfectly smooth roads, like those encountered during our 300km launch drive through Queensland's Sunshine Coast hinterland.

While CarPoint's international launch review (click here for details) praised the Coupe's ride on Euro-smooth roads, the story was not so good on the broken-up B-roads we encountered, with an annoyingly jiggly ride over rippled or lumpy surfaces.

Just as disruptive for occupants was the disconcerting 'boom' emitted into the cabin from the run-flat tyres over coarse-chip surfaces. The 325i with its 17-inch versions was slightly less harsh and more tolerable for everyday driving.

What's more BMW offers no factory-fitted alternative to the standard 'run-flat' tyres across the Coupe range; there's not even the option of a 'space-saver' tyre for those owners preferring to change to normal tyres. A can of tyre repair 'goo' and compressor is a $200 option.

BMW's claim of delivering 'V8 performance without the fuel consumption' for its hi-tech twin-turbo engine was right on the money, at least in the petrol-guzzling stakes. We managed a respectable 10.4/100km despite some spirited driving, not far off BMW's claims of 9.5lt/100km for average use.

The 335i's interior is a pleasant place to spend time, comfortable and well-equipped with many carry-over elements from the sedan. Rear occupants are less well off than those up front, with restricted head and leg space on the back bench, but just enough room to comfortably seat two medium-sized adults. The boot will hold a couple of medium-sized suitcases.

There's little to differentiate the 335i from its lesser siblings, apart from a rear badge, twin rear exhaust pipes and 'titanium' front grille highlights. That said, it's undeniably a good looker, with a sleeker, more road-hugging profile than the sedan.

But the main question mark lies over the price. At $27,000 more than the 325Ci, and a hefty $14,600 hike over the 170kW/300Nm 330Ci it replaces, the twin-turbo Coupe is an expensive leap and likely to appeal most to those with a penchant for the latest, greatest performance engines.

In comparison, the more affordable 325i offers almost as many features, better fuel economy and a level of performance likely to please 95 per cent of buyers. In a nutshell, it's better value and not just for those not able to afford -- or resist -- BMW's latest 'hero' engine.

But for those with even bigger bank balances there's the next-generation M3 Coupe, which promises even more when it arrives sometime next year with V8 power in lieu of the usual highly-strung straight six.