BMW 325Ti (July 2002) Words - Chris Fincham Words - Mike Sinclair BMW Has Added Six-Cylinder Power to the 3 Series Compact Range with the $63,900 325Ti

BMW 325ti (July 2002) words - Chris Fincham words - Mike Sinclair BMW has added six-cylinder power to the 3 Series compact range with the $63,900 325ti. BMW sees its 'mini-M3' as a cheaper alternative to the bigger 325Ci coupe, we see it as a competitor for Audi's hot-shoe S3 and other European quickies

The red-hot 325ti Compact introduces BMW's six-cylinder engine to its entry-level range of small hatchbacks. It joins the 316ti and 318ti, which are powered by four-cylinder engines. BMW's corporate communications manager, John Kananghinis, described the 325ti as a 'mini M3' and a car that will attract mostly male driving enthusiasts.

A cheaper alternative to BMW's 325Ci, which has the same engine, it will compete against other European hot hatches like the Mercedes-Benz C200 Kompressor and Audi S3. BMW set the five speed manual 325ti price at $63,900 when launched in August 2002.

The 2.5-litre, in-line six-cylinder engine in the 325ti is equipped with BMW's latest VANOS technology, and produces 141kW of power at 6000rpm, and 245Nm of torque at 3500rpm. Drive reaches the rear wheels via a short-ratio five-speed manual transmission or optional Steptronic five-speed auto.

The spirited six cylinder engine combined with the Compact's lightweight body makes for rapid progress. BMW says the 325ti manual will sprint from 0-100km/h in 7.3 seconds, and reach a top speed of 230km/h. Acceleration is brisk to around 4000rpm before the sweet six hits a higher note and really starts to sing.The five-speed manual 'box with its short, crisp changes provides the best match for the willing engine.

Lowered and sportier suspension settings on the 325ti help generate high levels of grip, and produce flat and predictable cornering at high speeds. Tyre roar and a hard ride are the only letdowns for this sure-footed hatchback.

The 325ti offers an impressive list of standard features including 17-inch alloy wheels, front fog lamps, dual exhausts and bumper guards in dark silver. Inside, it gets Montana leather trim, climate control air-conditioning, CD-stacker, auto-dipping rearview mirror, front armrest and on-board computer. There's also sports seats, and a multi-function leather steering wheel with cruise control.

Safety has not been forgotten with eight airbags, anti-lock brakes, and electronic stability and brake controls such as CBC (Cornering Brake Control) and ASC+T (Automatic Stability Control and Traction). For looks to match the performance the M Sport package, which includes sports suspension, body kit, 'M' alloy wheels, and 'M' leather steering wheel and door sills, costs an extra $2400.

7 DAY TEST

Model tested: BMW 325ti Article by Chris Fincham Published September 2002

More powerful 2.5-litre, six cylinder engine turns 3 Series compact into a little screamer - a mini M3 at half the price. By Chris Fincham.

The three-door Compact is the sleeper in BMW's 3-Series range, the 1.8-litre, four-cylinder hatchback accounting for about 10 percent of 3-Series sales. But that could all change with the release of a rip-snorting six-cylinder version of BMW's chunky little hatch.

By slotting the 2.5-litre inline six-cylinder engine into the lightweight Compact body BMW has turned its mild-mannered runabout into a wild child and in the process created a prestige hatchback with true performance car credentials.

The smooth six, with extra punch provided by double VANOS variable-valve technology, produces a healthy 141kW at 6000rpm and 245Nm at 2500rpm. According to the company it's enough grunt to whisk the car from zero to 100km/h in a tidy 7.3 seconds, and on to a top speed of 230km/h.

From rest, the sporty six requires some clutch slip and decent revs for a swift getaway. Once up and running, though, the free-spinning powerplant has no qualms being pushed to its 7000rpm redline. It's certainly tractable at low revs for brisk city driving, but it's only when pushed beyond 4000rpm that the sweet six develops a real sense of urgency, accompanied by a growling exhaust note and induction roar.

The short-shifting five-speed manual is a delight to use, with crisp and positive changes and ratios matched to the engine's sporting tune. We only tried the manual version, but a five-speed auto is also available for an extra $2600.

Despite plenty of upper range urge, the 325ti is civilised and well-mannered around town. Strong low-down pulling power means there's usually plenty on tap for cut-and-thrust commuting. Even in stop-start traffic, the manual's tightly spaced ratios help keep the engine on the boil.

But it's on the open road that the spirited hatch really shows its stuff. The willing engine and smooth shifter is backed up by a taut chassis and superb grip courtesy of the multi-link rear suspension and big, low-profile rubber.

It's equally at home on tight twisters or smooth sweepers, remaining poised and predictable even when pushed in a race-like manner. Adding to the confidence-inspiring dynamics is the no-slop steering that's 2.8 turns quick, powerful brakes and a set of electronic driving aids that makes the 325ti a safe as well as entertaining drive.

Backing up the under metal changes are subtle changes to the standard Compact's exterior which gives the hot hatch an appropriately aggressive look, with twin headlights, Lexus-style rear lights, 17-inch alloys, and dual exhausts.

At $63,500 in manual guise the 325ti doesn't come cheaply, but for the money there's plenty of features and a rock-solid finish we've come to expect of BMW.

Inside the theme is classy and uncluttered, with plenty of leather and cool carbon-style trim. Both the supportive sports seats and multi-function leather steering wheel are fully-adjustable so finding the perfect driving position is easy. Other driver-friendly features include eight airbags, climate control air-conditioning, six-stack CD stacker, and trip computer.

Getting into the back seat is as good as can be expected from any tight two-door. The rear seats are hard and uncomfortable on longer trips, but there's enough room for two adults, or three at a pinch. The rear seats also fold back to provide more luggage space than that provided by the smallish boot.

For even more attitude the $2400 M Sport package includes a body kit, sports suspension, different alloys and M-Sport badges. The stiffer set-up, combined with low-profile tyres, further improves handling, but also contributes to a jiggly and less comfortable ride, particularly on country roads.

The 325ti adds yet another option to the already impressive 3 Series range. It's a sharply styled and nimble rear-wheel driver that when asked will show most cars a clean set of heels at the lights. Brisk acceleration, combined with great on-road handling and a sporty, mostly comfortable interior, make it a good value, albeit expensive, fun machine for those who don't need the extra space.

Model tested: BMW 325ti Sport Compact RRP: $64,550 Price as tested: $75,350 (see text) Road tester: Mike Sinclair Date tested: May 2004 Distance covered: 335km

Outside of it's home market, BMW's Compact has never set the world on fire. Seen by many as a decaf version of the iconic 3 Series, the shorty rear wheel drive hatch will shortly be replaced -- if not in reality then at least in the eyes of consumers -- by the all-new 1 Series.

In its most recent incarnation the Compact's been given a facelift that has seen it move further away from the donor 3 Series with a new quad light 'face'. It's unashamedly derivative of the mass market car but does have a character all its own.

Top of the Compact heap is the 325ti Sport. Loaded to the gunwales with standard M Sport kit, the 325ti comes equipped with sports suspension, M Aerodynamics Package, double-spoke M alloy wheels with wide, low-profile rubber, special interior trim highlights and leather, front fog lights and sport seats. Our test car also boasted a glass sunroof and BMW's CD/Nav/TV package for an eye-watering 'as tested' price of $75,350. Plus ORCs, naturally...

With all those goodies and BMW's glorious 2.5-litre 141kW six under the bonnet, this car should be the pick of the Compact bunch, at least for the spirited drivers out there. And it probably is -- in conventional manual or Steptronic auto form.

Unfortunately, equipped with BMW's Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG), now optional across selected 3 Series models, it falls short -- in our view not sharp enough in the twisties and never fuss-free around town in the manner of a good conventional auto.

Let's get one thing straight, the SMG offered in the 325ti, the 325i (sedan and coupe) and the 330i (coupe and convertible) is a different system to the SMG Drivelogic SMGII system which is fitted to BMW's bahnstorming M3 sportscar. Delivering three modes -- normal manual, sport and cruise (quasi automatic) -- the 3 Series SMG does not offer the tunable shift program options nor the boy-racer 'launch' mode of the M car's box.

Not that any of this would be missed if the SMG gearbox was rewarding to use. As delivered, it is disappointing slow to shift in auto and normal mode and not nearly sharp enough in sport. Indeed, even after a week's familiarization and judicious throttle feathering, smooth shifts were still evading us -- in every mode.

Having used SMGII in M3s on the racetrack, we can vouch for the effectiveness of the transmission in ten-tenths driving -- zero chance of a fluffed shift, maximum drive and minimum time off the throttle. Unfortunately these advantages don't transfer to the street -- least not for 95 per cent of purchasers 95 per cent of the time.

As tested the SMG box in the 325ti was jerky (at best) even during part throttle changes in cruise mode and was embarrassingly erratic if stop-start traffic called for you to feather the throttle in first gear. In the end we learned to get things smoother using both the wheel-mounted paddles and console gear lever but doing so required an inordinate amount of attention and finesse -- the opposite of what automation should require.

Offered as a $2400 option on the 325ti, SMG adds between $5500 and $7600 on the 3 Series listed above once the mandatory M Sport Pacakage II is also factored in. With BMW's 3 Series and Compacts blessed with some of the finest five and six-speed conventional gearboxes on the market, for the life of me, I can't imagine why anybody would spend the money.

Published : Monday, 1 July 2002