Undeniably sexy and very refined, The 330 takes it to the next level...

When BMW changed the 3 series coupe body style to this latest design, they really turned up the heat - the car was an instant winner, had gobs of style, an excellent suspension and just looked the part of a super star...However at that point, top notch was a 2.8 liter, and given the demand for more performance, BMW had no choce than to nix the 2.8 and shift to a 3.0 liter, 6 cylinder slammer. This engine has garnered fame and popularity since 2001, and this year the 3 liter continues as the top of the 3 series coupes (except for the M3 of course).

Half a liter costs quite a bit these days...A half liter of poland spring water costs 1.75 in some places...WOW! In BMW terms its no different, and in this arena, half a liter costs you 6 grand! This year marks an even bigger price-up comparing 325 to 330... Nevertheless, while there may not be too much difference between tap water and poland spring, there are light years seperating the 325Ci and 330Ci - and this is where 6 grand is money well spent! The horsepower and torque differences are noticable immediately upon driving, 184/175 HP/Tq vs. 225/214 respectively. This may not sound like an earth shattering difference - but put your ears aside and go test drive both vehicles and then get your brain wheels turning - the 325 drives with confidence, but the 330 drives with absolute authority.

As for raw specs, other than half a liter, a slightly lower profile tire and a hundred extra pounds, not too much else seperates the two cars on paper... However one test drive is all it takes to reveal where your extra cash is going and exactly why it should. Let me continue by saying since you MUST take a package, the sport package is absolutely the way to go - luxurious, but still aggressively styled interior and seats make 1000% difference and this car is meant to run, so doing it in a well equipped cockpit is the way to do it! The sport package is essential to keeping the luxurious feel even when drivin hard, and still manages to feel more luxury then sport, despite the extra fun-factor...

Suspension wise, the 330 is tuned sharply and aggresively- there is virtually no body roll in hard corner entrances, drift is comfortable around apexes and is still minimal, but simply adds to creature-comfort factor...unlike the M3 which is set up balls-to-the-wall suspension wise (in comparison) the 330 keeps its eyes focused on luxury performance - and I cannot strees this enough, this car exemplifies LUXURY PERFORMANCE. Many people I encounter are too concerned that by taking the 330 over the 325 means forgoing some kind of luxury- however I find it is quite the contrary - the 330 takes this much more horsepower and manages to still maintain a very plush yet secure ride - the car oozes comfort, which is one feature that the old style 3 series didn't always have (at least to this degree) On the other hand, the M3 is probably too sport for someone that wants to keep the luxury factor - this is why the 330 is an ideal vehicle in this situation...I'm not saying the 325 is not a wonderful car, but I am saying that it is no where near the car that the 330 is...

Driving wise, the 330 is a blast - I bought mine with the standard 5 speed manual transmission - personally, I love the control of a stick-shift and much prefer it over an automatic, although BMW makes an ultra reliable, great shifting automatic STEPTRONIC tranny available for a little more than a thousand dollars extra... Unless you are very against driving a 5 speed, I wouldn't take this car in any other form - despite the luxury, this is a driver's car and without the clutch something would be missing. The manual transmission shifts very smoothly and the clutch grab is superbly progressive - excellent feel and smooth operation on the clutch. Without this, driving the car would be a little empty for me. Additionally, the extra power goes seamlessly with this transmission - unlike the 325, which tends to need to be churining higher revs to produce real power, the 3 liter's midrange chimes in much earlier, and spins up ponies at much lower revs- the car gets-up-and-goes without being revved out, nevertheless, downshifting and on the gas, the car really moves on the highway - the stiff suspension means excellent feedback and steering input is sensitive and precise..yet still the ride is plenty plush enough to be called luxury-performance - EXACTLY what this superb automobile is all about.

COntinuing with interior, the back seat is quite roomy - and compared to the Infiniti or Lexus competition, spacially, the Bimmer continues to lead the pack. There are some things that bother me however, about BMWs marketing and cockiness in sales appraoch, for example - while every japanese car comes standard with fold down seats, why should BMW be able to charge an extra 500 for it???!!! At least this was the case in 2002 - happily 2003 marks and end to this - the fold down seats are free! Don't think you can get away without it either - while the M3 pushes practicality aside, the 330 doesn't have too huge a trunk, so the fold down seats are critical (atleast they're finally standard equipment)

you can check the equipment list of the 330 below
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3.0-liter dual overhead cam (DOHC), 24-valve inline 6- cylinder engine
Electronic throttle control
Double-VANOS steplessly variable valve timing
Dual resonance intake system
5-speed manual transmission
5-speed STEPTRONIC automatic transmission with Adaptive Transmission Control (optional)

Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), with All Season Traction
Strut-type front suspension with forged-aluminum lower arms
Multi-link rear suspension with cast-aluminum upper transverse arms
Front and rear anti-roll (stabilizer) bars
Twin-tube gas-pressure shock absorbers
Engine-speed-sensitive, variable-assist power steering
4-wheel ventilated anti-lock disc brakes with Dynamic Brake Control
Sport suspension calibration

M Double Spoke (Styling 68M) alloy wheels, 17 x 7.5 front, 17 x 8.5 rear; 225/45ZR-17 front, 245/40ZR-17 rear performance tires (with sport package)
Halogen free-form foglights
Retractable, high-intensity headlight washers
Heated dual-power mirrors and heated windshield washer jets
Titanium-finish trim on headlight panels and front bumper air inlet

Harman Kardon AM/FM stereo/CD audio system with 12 upgraded speakers (including 2 subwoofers), upgraded amplification, and vehicle-speed-sensitive equalization; pre-wired for 6-CD changer and auxiliary input

8-way power front sport seats with 2-way manual headrests and thigh support; 3-driver memory for exterior mirror and seat positions; automatic tilt-down of passenger's side-view mirror when vehicle is shifted into reverse gear (sport package)
Leatherette upholstery
3-spoke leather-wrapped multi-function sport steering wheel with fingertip cruise, audio, and accessory phone3 controls
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Summary - the 330Ci is a phenomenal car - is combines total performance and handling with plenty of power from the 3.0 liter 6 - nevertheless, the car does not miss a beat in terms of luxury and for this reason, it is absolutely top of its class in Luxury-performance coupes. 2003 marks an additional 1000 difference in price between 325 and 330 - however at least you get the formerly-500 dollar fold down seats for free now!!! Since you have to take a package, forget the cold weather and premium package, go right for the sport package- you already get a great stereo and plenty of suspension goodies, the sport package gives you the better rims and tires, remarkably better sport seats - ideal for luxurous yet aggresive driving and a gorgeous exterior earodynamics package with attractive exterior accents.. My opinion is that the 3 liter engine is one of the best things to ever happen to the 3 series - and basically what you have is a car that fits perfectly in between the more humble 325 and the practicality-be-damned M3...The 330Ci has found a perfect niche in between these two other fine cars, and given the sharpness and feel, the car is still priced very reasonably.

Yet again, in the 2003 model year, there still is no better way to spend 43 grand in the luxury-performance class than on the 2003 BMW 330Ci - well done guys, still the king!