IN THE past couple of years, BMW has expanded their model range by in- creasing the number of engine options available in each model. Greg Wilson | TEST DRIVE The entry-level 3-series sedan, for example, was introduced in mid-199! with a 2.5-litre inline six-cylinder engine. In 1992, both sedan and coupe offered a 1,8-litre four-cylinder engine, and this’ year-a 2.6-iitre © inline six-cylinder engine has been added. A more powerful six- cylinder engine in the new M3 is also in the pipeline. This greater variety of powerplants in one bods style has enabled BMW to attract a wider cross-section of customers, many of whom would normally not have considered a BMW. A base 318i sedan starts at a relatively affordable $28,000, and a top-of-the-line 325is two-door coupe can reach well over $45,000. The 325is coupe is considered to be the sportiest mode! in the 3- series range, and is well equipped with such standard features as jeather interior, alloy wheels, elec- trically operated sunroof, disc brakes. with ABS, and a_ 189- horsepower dual-overhead-cam inline six-cylinder engine. Still, the $41,500 base price of a 325is seems high compared to the $27,000 base price of the 318is, especially considering that both cars have the same ‘body, suspen- sion and transmissions. Essentially, the superior per: formance of the six-cylinder engine and the added standard equipment puts the 325is into a different class, which 1! would describe es exceptional rather than just ordinary. The improved performance can be measured numerically. Straight-line acceleration, for example, is much quicker. Zero to Base price $41,500. Type two-door, four-passenger coupe Layout longitudinal engine/rear-wheel drive Engine 2.5-litre six-cylinder engine, DOHC, 16 valves, variable valve timing, Bosch MH-Motronie fuel injection ; Horsepower [£89 @ 5,900 rpm Torque 181 @ 4,200rpm_—. Transmission five-speed man- ua front performance ary THOUGH IT looks similar to the 325/318 sedan, the 325is coupe is lower, longer, wider and sportier. Suggested base price is $41,500. 100 km/h comes up in 7.8 seconds compared to 10.2 seconds in the 318is. However, numbers can’t quite describe the benefits of the six- cylinder engine. Unlike most V6 competitors, the. strong 2.5-litre inline six- cylinder has lots of reserve power for passing and accelerating in just about any gear. It hums along effortlessly at cruising speeds, and never seems to work very hard no maiter how fast you go. It is an engine with “long legs.’’ A new engine feature for 1993 is a variable-valve timing system, which improves torque at low to medium engine speeds. Equipped with the manual five-speed transmission, the '93 325is doesn’t accelerate any faster than it did last year, but response is more instantaneous at low speeds. The variable-valve timing can ilso take credit for improving fuel economy by slightly less than i Curb weight 1,400 kg/3086 tbs. Wheelbase 2,700 mm/106.3 in. Length 4,433 mm/174.5 in, Width 1,710 mm/67.3 in, Height 1,366 mim/53.8 in, Tires 205/60VR-15 radials Trunk capacity 435 Ntres/15.4 cu. ft. Fuel economy City 12.1 1/100 kms, 23 mpg; Hwy 7.6 1/100 km, 37 mpg Warranty Four yrs/80,000 km tnquire about the 325is at Park Shore Motors, 1500 Fell Ave., North Vanceuver. [imation iaseieneieedeelaaionsions 1%, The best attribute of the 325is, like the 318is, is its superb hand- ling. The 325is offers stable, balanc- ed and forgiving handling without sacrificing ride, not an easy ac- complishment. The secret of its balanced handling begins with its rear-wheel-drive layout and an engine mounted longitudinally up front providing a virtually ideal 49/51 front-to-rear weight distribution. This reduces dive and pitch as well as side-to-side body lean, A fully independent suspension consists of tront MacPherson struts, arc-shaped lower arms, coil springs, (win-tnbe gas-pressure shock absorbers and anti-roll bar. In the rear is a multi-link system with upper and lower later arms, Vehicles? Pedestrians? Piease sund to North Shore News Editorlal Dept. 1139 Lonsdale Ave. North Vancouver, B.C. V7M 2H4 fet: 985-3227 Name: Address: Phone: coil springs, twin tube-type gas- pressure shocks and an anti-roll bar. The 325is also has a com- paratively long 2,700 mm (106- inch) wheelbase contributing to a smoother ride and more interior room. Extremely short braking distances are another highlight of the 325is. Disc brakes on all four wheels with an anti-locking brak- ing system are standard equip- ment. A smooth shifting Getrag five- speed manual gearbox is standard equipment and a four-speed automatic transmission is op- tional, The new 320i sedan, by the way, gets a five-speed automatic which will probably find its way into other 3-serics models in the salansionsloestiaestanstansteeiantoniententantentantententententanntentantmetantan WHAT INTERSECTION ON THE NORTH SHORE IS THE MOST DANGEROUS FOR: future. The interior is well laid out, but 1 find the large central ventilation outlet to be rather unattractive. The dashboard, with its easy-to- tead analogue instruments, is backlit in red and the console is positioned close to the driver for ease of reach. j The dash material has been upgraded for 1993 with a more at- tractive appearance. The new 10-way power front seats can be positioned lower, thereby improv- ing headroom. An air bag is available as an option. Interior room is generous for a coupe. Rear legroom and head- room is adequate for two passen- gers. Outward visibility is very good, See 325is page 32 pesn wot ecu od SY nich AOI eeu SEY mc ey wcll rae nowt cm omc sul