Used BMW 3 Series Coupe (1999 - 2006) review

The BMW 3-series Coupe is a car at the quality end of the Grand Touring class without ever feeling the need to overplay the marque's considerable motorsports heritage. Having seen the M3 model which sits at the top of the range, there's perhaps little need. As a used buy, the Coupe could never be referred to as a bargain, as demand has kept residual values healthy to say the least. Nonetheless, as a long-term proposition, a 3-series Coupe works out quite reasonably. Swallow the high initial asking price and you should own a durable, reliable car that can still command a decent fee when the time comes to sell on. At the moment the 323Ci looks to be the pick of the range, but the 330Ci has to be earmarked as one to watch. In short, as long as you don't intend to satisfy the urge to drive pedal to the metal on every journey, the 3 series Coupe is about as good as it gets.

If asked to identify how the BMW 3-series coupe differed from its humbler saloon origins, most would point to the obvious - a deficit of doors. In fact BMW go to great lengths to point out that the BMW badge, the door handles and the side indicator lenses are the only visible parts shared with the saloon. Sure enough, park the two cars side by side and the differences become apparent. It's just this sort of attention to detail that have given BMW their reputation as one of the most bulletproof used car purchases around, with correspondingly implacable residual values. The Coupe is in high demand, so you'll have to be prepared to fork out for your fun.

BMW 3 SERIES HISTORY

Coupe versions of the BMW 3-series stretch right back to the model's birth in the early seventies, and before that to two-door versions of the '02 series in the sixties. With this generation of 3 Series, designated E46 by BMW, the company delved into its heritage to revive the 'Ci' moniker, first used in 1965 to denote BMW's sports coupes. Upon launch in April 1999, the range consisted of two models, the 170bhp 2.5-litre 323Ci and the 193bhp 2.8-litre 328Ci. Both cars featured the silky-smooth straight six-cylinder engines that, despite the increasing prevalence of V8 and V12 engines, still represent something of a trademark for BMW. An entry-level 318Ci model was introduced shortly afterward, powered by the same 1.9-litre four-cylinder engine that buyers had been used to in the previous generation 3 Series and the Z3 roadster. In summer 2000, the Coupe range was fundamentally reconsidered, with a new selection of engines being ushered in. The entry-level 318Ci remained largely unchanged, but most 3-series Coupe customers seemed to be opting for six-cylinder power. Hence there was now a four-way choice which started with the 2.2-litre 170bhp unit powering the 320Ci. The previous 323Ci and 328Ci models were replaced by 325Ci and 330Ci variants, the new badging indicating the installation of an impressive 192bhp 2.5-litre engine in the 325Ci and a potent 231bhp 3.0-litre engine in the 330Ci. The range received an additional injection of panache with the unveiling of the awe-inspiring 343bhp M3 model, marking a return to the M-car's early days of big spoilers and even bigger attitude. A 330Ci Clubsport model was introduced in early 2002 to bridge the gap between the M3 and the rest of the two door range. A 360bhp M3 CSL was introduced in summer 2003, saddled with a monster £58,445 price tag. The £ Series Coupe took a new tack in summer 2003 with the launch of the diesel engined 320cd. Although Mercedes had some track record in coupes that drank from the black pump, this was BMW's first effort, paving the way for the 330cd model.

WHAT DO I GET FOR MY MONEY?

Despite the initial similarity, there's a myriad of differences between the coupe and its saloon sibling. The Coupe is lower by 46mm, longer by 17mm and wider by 18mm than the saloon. The windscreen has been raked back a further two degrees and the rear window slope is steeper, making the Coupe's roof both shorter and flatter. The front grille is more purposeful, bigger intakes reside in the deeper front spoiler, and even the headlights and bonnet show subtle differences. The mirrors are broader and lower in profile, with five knuckle-like fins atop each, designed to reduce wind noise. At the back, the bootlid has been reprofiled, robbing the Coupe of 30 litres of boot space compared to the saloon. As well as cosmetic alterations, the suspension has come in for a rethink, with the optional Sports pack offered on the saloon standard fare on the Coupe, dumping the ride height by 15mm. Standard suspension can be specified as a no-cost option or M-Technic suspension as a considerable-cost option. Inside, the generous shoulder, elbow and legroom mark the Coupe out as a proper four seater. Rear seat access is easier thanks to front seats that not only fold and slide forwards but actually lift off the floor to make entry even easier. Equipment levels are high, including twin front, side and head airbags, a remote control alarm, electric seats, alloy wheels, air conditioning and 60/40 split-folding rear seats that can be unlocked from the boot.

WHAT PRICE AM I LOOKING AT?

The 3-series Coupe has proved popular with British buyers. For the first time in many years, the 3-series range has started appearing in the top ten UK best sellers, and the coupe models are making up a significant proportion of those sales. Unlike the saloon, where most of the models sold are of the smaller-engined persuasion, coupe buyers like a bit of power, and the early 323Ci is the model you're most likely to encounter. Starting at around £8,800 for a manual car on a 1999 T-plate, the 323Ci has held its value rather well. If this seems a bit steep, try hunting down a 318Ci, available from £7,400 on a 1999 T-plate. This model is also offered in two automatic forms, a regular auto box, or with the sequential Steptronic variant, commanding premiums of £750 and £1,000 respectively. If you hanker after more horsepower, the 328Ci is a decent bet, with 193bhp and two doors starting at £9,000 for a manual or £9,700 for an automatic. Despite being equipped with some good manual gearboxes, many buyers of the Coupe are still prepared to pay quite big premiums to relax with a self-shifter, making the mainstream coupe's sporting credential appear a trifle forced.

WHAT SHOULD I LOOK OUT FOR?

The E46 3-series Coupe is too new for any significant faults to appear, but BMW's incremental changes to engines and electronics systems has proved a good hedge against unreliability. The usual BMW attributes of excellent build quality and durability look set to be maintained by the Coupe. The on-board diagnostics system which indicates when the car is due for service can give errant messages, and you'll need to inspect cars for signs of a hard life, with shot rear tyres being a significant area of expense, as are kerbed alloy wheels. Think long and hard before buying a car in dull colours, with wood veneer interior trim (go for brushed aluminium instead) or with noticeable after-market extras.

HOW DOES IT DRIVE?

Exacting a significant price premium over used coupe rivals is all very well, but does the 3-series coupe cut the mustard on the road? It's hard not to think so, particularly in the six cylinder models with their dreamily smooth engine notes and exceptional refinement. At first, it doesn't feel as if you're travelling all that fast - a deceptive impression as it happens: against the stopwatch, a 330Ci will, for example, sprint from rest to sixty in well under seven seconds flat on the way to 155mph with mid-range overtaking power that disdainfully dispatches any B-road dawdlers. The 323Ci is deceptively quick too, its 2.5-litre engine almost whisper quiet but capable of despatching the sprint to 60mph in less than eight seconds. It's not only about sheer speed however. This car flatters your driving without overtly doing so thanks to two clever features - Automatic Stability Control + Traction (ASC+T) and Cornering Brake Control (CBC). No matter how heavy your right foot, the ASC+T system will only give the rear wheels as much power as they can take without spinning, so every time that little light flashes, you're avoiding a lurid tail-happy slide. If despite all that, you still go too fast into a bend and do exactly the wrong thing (slam on the brakes), CBC will help you out, applying firmer braking to the outside front wheel as the car corners and hugely reducing the risk of a spin. Don't run away with the idea however, that all these electronics take from the driving experience on offer: this is still a great car to hustle along, though now standard sports suspension may make the ride a little too hard for some. The same goes for the steering, which keeps you perfectly in touch with the road surface - rather too in touch perhaps for those used to less responsive set-ups. Despite these sporting touches, the 3-series coupe isn't really as exciting to drive as a Honda Integra Type-R, a Ford Racing Puma or even an Audi TT. Better to pitch it against more sedate opposition such as the Peugeot 406 Coupe and Mercedes-Benz CLK. If you want real thrills, you'll have to work out a way to get behind the wheel of the BMW M3 Coupe.

BY ANDY ENRIGHT

PARTS INFORMATION

(based on a 318Ci) A clutch assembly is around £130. Front brake pads are around £40, a full exhaust about £360, an alternator around £100 and a tyre around £40. A starter motor is about £120. A headlamp is about £185.

TOP 5 3 SERIES DEALS

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BMW 3 Series 320d Luxury 4dr Step Auto Diesel Saloon
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