2001BMW3-SeriesBMW 3-Series2001 BMW 330Ci ConvertibleConvertibleConvertibleRWDRegensburg, GermanyA boost in engine displacement and technology, plus an available all-wheel-drive system keeps BMW's venerable 3 Series at the top of its game in the competitive entry-level luxury market. Larger wheels and brakes are part of the engine upgrade. Two-stage front airbags, reduced steering effort, a Cold Weather package and Dynamic Brake Control round out the major changes for 2001.Luxurious, powerful, exceptional road manners, available all-wheel drive.Pricey for their market segment, limited rear seat and cargo capacity.In typical BMW fashion, the 3 Series lineup is being introduced in stages. The first models to change were the sedans, followed by the coupes, the convertible, and the wagon. This allows BMW to maintain customer interest in their best-selling platform over the course of several years. Sedan buyers can choose from an upgraded 2.5-liter inline six (models with this powerplant will now use the numerical designation of 325) that now makes 185 horsepower, or a new-for-2001 3.0-liter inline six (330 models). The latter engine, which debuted in the X5 3.0i, replaces the 2.8-liter engine across BMW's entire product line. Bumping horsepower and torque from the former engine's 193 and 206, respectively, to 225 and 214 in the 3.0-liter adds some noticeable punch to the 3 Series and helps keep it ahead of rivals like the Audi A4 and new Lexus IS 300. Riding on the same platform, the 3 Series sedans, coupes and convertible receive a standard five-speed manual transmission, a sport-tuned suspension, and ventilated front and rear disc brakes. Two versions of the coupe are available: the 325Ci, with the aforementioned 2.5-liter inline six, and the 330Ci with the more powerful 3.0-liter engine, larger brakes and standard 17-inch wheels. The more powerful 330 coupe reaches 60 from zero in just 6.4 seconds and features a broad torque band. Both engines meet low-emission vehicle (LEV) standards. A five-speed Steptronic automanual transmission is available for those who don't want to shift their own gears. Another new option for 2001 is all-wheel drive. Derived from the all-wheel-drive system found in the X5, "xi" models split 38 percent of the engine's power to the front wheels and 62 percent to the rear. The AWD package also includes a 0.7-inch increase in ride height and is available on both 325 and 330 sedans as well as the 325 wagon. If you opt for the 325Ci convertible, you'll have to lower the top manually unless you pop the extra cash for the power top, but 330Ci consumers get this perk standard. All convertibles come with a glass rear window and rollover protection. Wagon buyers will appreciate the touring models standard roof rack and rear window wiper, but, as with the sedan, don't expect to carry full-sized adults in the backseat for long periods of time. Safety equipment on all 3 Series models includes All-Season Traction (AST) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), along with dual front airbags, door-mounted side airbags and BMW's patented Head Protection System (HPS). New for 2001 is Dynamic Brake Control, which reinforces the driver's effort during emergency braking. Rear side airbags and xenon headlights remain optional. With the arrival of all-wheel drive and more powerful inline six cylinders, only one 3 Series model still offers superior performance; the all-new M3. Audi TTFord MustangMercedes-Benz CLK-ClassSaab 9-3450,000450,000450,0006UnlimitedNANANA63 litersInline225 hp @ 5900 rpm214 ft-lbs. @ 3500 rpm176.7 in.69.2 in.54 in.3627 lbs.107.3 in.38.3 in.36.9 in.54.5 in.45.9 in.NANA41.7 in.32 in.14.5 cu.ft.StandardStandardNot AvailableStandardNot AvailableStandardStandardRating = Not TestedRating = Not TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot Tested16.6 gal.20 mpg / 28 mpg18 mpg / 26 mpg332 mi. / 465 mi.299 mi. / 432 mi.Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not.$38,320$42,4007.35%$645N/ANo Holdback325Ci COUPE (5M): 2.5L I6 DOHC SMPI 24-valve engine with variable valve timing (requires premium unleaded fuel); 5-speed manual transmission; 120 amp alternator; rear-wheel drive, traction control, 3.07 axle ratio; stainless steel exhaust; sport-ride suspension, electronic stability control, front independent strut suspension with anti-roll bar, front coil springs, gas-pressurized front shocks, rear independent multi-link suspension with anti-roll bar, rear coil springs, gas-pressurized rear shocks; rack-and-pinion power steering with engine-speed-sensing assist; 4-wheel antilock disc brakes; 16.6 gal. capacity fuel tank; side impact bars; front and rear body-colored bumpers; body-colored bodyside molding rocker panel extensions; clearcoat monotone paint; aero-composite halogen headlamps with daytime running lights, delay-off feature; additional exterior lights include front fog/driving lights; driver's and passenger's power remote body-colored heated folding outside mirrors; 16" x 7"silver alloy wheels; P205/55HR16 BSW A/S tires; full-size alloy spare wheel; manual air conditioning, air filter, rear heat ducts; AM/FM stereo radio, seek-scan feature, cassette player, CD changer pre-wiring, 10 speakers, theft deterrent, window grid diversity antenna, steering-wheel-mounted radio and cruise control controls; heated power door locks with 2-stage unlock, remote keyless entry, power remote trunk release; cell phone pre-wiring, 1 power accessory outlet, front lighter element(s), driver's foot rest, retained accessory power, smokers' package; instrumentation display includes tachometer, water temperature gauge, in-dash clock, exterior temp, systems monitor, check control, trip computer, trip odometer; warning indicators include oil pressure, water temp, battery, low oil level, low coolant, lights on, key in ignition, low fuel, low washer fluid, bulb failure, door ajar, trunk ajar, service interval, brake fluid; driver's and passenger's front airbags, driver's and frontpassenger's door mounted side airbags, overhead airbag; ignition disable, security system; tinted windows with front and rear 1-touch down function, power 1/4 vent windows; variable-speed intermittent front windshield wipers with heated washer fluid jets, sun visor strip, rear window defroster; seating capacity of 5, front bucket seats with adjustable headrests, center armrest with storage, driver's and front passenger's seats include 6-way adjustment, easy entry; 60/40 folding rear bench seat with adjustable headrests, center armrest; height-adjustable front seatbelts with pretensioners; leatherette seats, leatherette door trim insert, full cloth headliner, full carpet floor covering, aluminum dashboard insert, aluminum door panel insert, aluminum console insert, chrome interior accents; interior lights include dome light with fade, front and rear reading lights, illuminated entry; leather-wrapped steering wheel with tilt and telescopic adjustment; leather-wrapped shift knob; dualilluminated vanity mirrors; day/night rearview mirror; full floor console, mini overhead console locking glove box with light, front cupholder, instrument panel covered bin, 2 seatback storage pockets, driver's and passenger's door bins; carpeted cargo floor, carpeted trunk lid, reversible cargo mats, cargo tie downs, cargo light; chrome grille, chrome side window moldings, black front windshield molding, black rear window molding and body-colored door handles.
325Ci CONVERTIBLE (5M) (in addition to or instead of 325Ci COUPE (5M) equipment): 3.46 axle ratio; manual convertible roof with lining, glass rear window, roll-over protection; compact steel spare wheel; seating capacity of 4, power adjustable headrests, driver's and passenger's seat includes 14-way adjustment (6-way power), easy entry; driver's seat memory includes settings for exterior mirrors.
325i SEDAN (5M) (in addition to or instead of 325Ci COUPE (5M) equipment): front and rear body-colored bumpers with black rubber strip; black bodyside molding rocker panel extensions; child-safety rear door locks; black side window moldings.
325i SPORT WAGON (5M) (in addition to or instead of 325i SEDAN (5M) equipment): Roof rack; rear step bumper; compact steel spare wheel; fixed 1/4 vent windows; flip-up rear window, fixed-interval rear wiper, cargo cover, cargo net and cargo tie downs.
325xi SEDAN/SPORT WAGON (5M) (in addition to or instead of 325i SEDAN/SPORT WAGON (5M) equipment): Full-time all-wheel drive, 3.07 axle ratio with traction control.
330Ci COUPE (5M) (in addition to or instead of 325Ci COUPE (5M) equipment): 3L I6 DOHC SMPI 24-valve engine with variable valve timing; 2.93 axle ratio; 17" x 8" silver alloy wheels; P205/50R17 BSW A/S tires; aluminum trim on console, aluminum trim on dashboard, aluminum trim on door panels; driver's and passenger's seat includes 6-way power adjustment; driver's and passenger's power remote body-colored heated folding outside mirrors with tilt-down feature; easy entry, center pass-thru armrest and memory on driver's seat with 3 memory settings; chrome tailpipe finisher; security system pre-wiring.
330Ci CONVERTIBLE (5M) (in addition to or instead of 330Ci COUPE (5M) equipment): Power convertible roof with lining, glass rear window, roll-over protection; seating capacity of 4, driver's and passenger's seats include 6-way adjustment; leather seats, and leather door trim insert; black side window moldings; compact steel spare wheel.
330i SEDAN (5M) (in addition to or instead of 330Ci COUPE (5M) equipment): Front and rear body-colored bumpers with black rubber strip; black bodyside molding rocker panel extensions; P225/50HR17 BSW A/S tires; trunk mounted full-size steel spare wheel; child-safety rear door locks; adjustable headrests, center armrest with storage, driver's seat includes 6-way adjustment, leather-wrapped gearshift knob; carpeted cargo mats.
330xi SEDAN (5M) (in addition to or instead of 330i SEDAN (5M) equipment): Full-time all-wheel drive, 2.93 axle ratio; P225/50HR17 BSW A/S tires.