EVER WONDERED WHY WISHES ARE ALWAYS GRANTED IN THREES? Among all the possible permutations in the numeric kingdom, every book or movie has always put ‘three’ on a special pedestal of respect. From Lord of the Rings to Star—it seems that ‘three’ is the number of perfection. From any culture that you could muster, you probably can’t recall an instance where ‘two’ or ‘four’ meant anything significant. On the other hand, there are the three little pigs; the three Matrix movies; three divine people in the Holy Trinity, and of course, the BMW 3 Series.
Like the prefix that connotes its place in the BMW line-up, the 3 Series is also the German company’s most important product. We’re talking about 50 percent of its annual more than 1.2 billion euro sales figure. It is so important that there just about the same number of trim choices available for the 3 Series as there are for the 1, 5 and 7 Series combined. In the Philippines alone, there are at least 14 choices ranging from the base 316i to the range-topping 330i, and you’d bet that there’s a 3 Series that’s just right for you. Although everyone would simply lust over the 258-horsepower 330i, perhaps the more attainable goal would be the 320i. Though it doesn’t have a straight-6 under the hood, the 320i by most standards, is an excellent car.
The moment you step inside, the extremely high levels of fit and finish is evident. Absolutely everything is lined in soft-feel plastics and top notch leather. Even small details such as the front seat backs (often neglected in other cars) are built to last a lifetime. The aluminum trim on the center console is well textured and fits well with the 3 Series’ sporty motif. Though BMW designers deserve a pat on the back for keeping the cockpit fighter feel intact, you can’t help but gripe that the dashboard feels plain. This is especially true with the absence of the i-Drive’s screen interface and when compared back-to-back with the previous 3 Series.
Adjusting to the BMW control layout may take a couple of minutes, but after that, this car hits the bull’s-eye when it comes to the perfect driving position and ergonomics. For starters, the three-spoke steering wheel is a joy to hold, especially with its built-in thumb rest on the 3 and 9 o’clock positions. Then, there are the seats, which are adjustable (manually, at least for this model) every which way including the side bolsters—perfect for gripping any body frame during hard cornering. Likewise, the ventilation controls are easy to understand, and are quite adept to Manila’s midday heat. People in the back seat will revel in the 3 Series’ large accommodations. Though the central tunnel will still make squeezing five difficult, the space is actually quite comfortable for four even during out of town drives.
Though the main soundtrack of any BMW should be its engine, you can’t help but love the BMW Business Radio on the 320i. In fact, I find it to be one of the car’s biggest strengths. Equipped with high-fidelity speakers, it can transform humble FM tunes into a concerto. So, imagine what it can do for your Sting CD. Using the revised head unit is surprisingly simple. Unlike BMW audio units of yore, this one requires no advanced reading. Perhaps its only nod to yesteryear is the location of its 6-disc CD changer, which is still in the trunk. For a company driven by technology, you would have expected an in-dash changer with MP3 capability, but you get neither on the 320i.
While it’s easy to get upset with the CD changer, there’s no such quibble from the 320i’s driving dynamics. Though the push button is a bit “why-tech” given that you still have to insert the key before firing the ignition (new Comfort Access changes this), it does heighten the anticipation of the drive. The new 3 Series is noticeably quieter and more comfortable, while still maintaining 90 percent of the previous model’s sporty nature. The E90, as this model’s referred to, scores a ten as it exhibited flawless steering which communicates the right feedback to the driver without being too ragged. The 320i does without any active steering gimmickry, which is just as well, since it may mar the pinpoint driving experience. Aside from the fluid steering, it has a well-balanced chassis. It’s neutral on the corners and exhibits almost no body roll. There’s absolutely no drama even when tackling twisty and rut-filled roads. Pleasantly surprising too are the run-flat tires. A bit of a jolt was expected with the stiffened sidewalls, but ride comfort is every bit as good as on conventional rubber. The remaining 10 percent of the handling equation though isn’t so desirable as the new 3 Series feels heftier than its size and stance would suggest. Don’t get it wrong, it responses almost telepathically, but it just doesn’t feel as quick as 3 Series used to be.
As much as wishes are granted in threes, it seems that not-so good news also comes in threes. In this case, after 72 hours of fun and excitement, it was hard to hand the keys of the 320i Sport back to BMW Philippines. Be that as it may, the three days spent behind the wheel of this car is pure bliss. While its rivals have all gone wayward—getting fatter, bigger and softer than before; the 3 Series for the most part, remains true to its fundamental design philosophy. Be it ‘sports sedan’ or ‘luxury sports car’, this Bimmer is both. And after more than 40 years from its 2002 origins, you can say that the BMW 3 Series is any man’s dream granted.
By Ulysses Ang | Photos By Ulysses Ang
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