SINCE THE BMW 1600-2 was in-
troduced in 1966, BMW has had a
‘tradition of building nimble but
practical sports sedans. The 1800
TI, 2002, and 3-series models have
all offered sports car-like handling
and performance, yet each had
seating for five and plenty of

BMW 325i

transmission is a typically com-

trunk space.

For the family person who
couldn't afford both a sports car
and a family sedan, the small
BMW has always been a good
compromise.

The new 3-series has improved
on these traditional attributes and

added something new as well. In
response to a growing demand for
a cleaner environment, new
BMW’s are designed to be easily
disassembled and recycled at the
end of the car's life. BMW claims
80% of the 325i is recyctable.

In addition, BMW _ has paid
particular attention to safety. A
more tigid passenger cell, pre-
formed crumple zones to absorb
severe impacts, driver’s side air
bag, seat belt tensioners, and
padded interior surfaces help to
protect occupants from injury in
an accident.

The new 325i is slightly longer
and wider than the current boxy
sedan. The new model (currently
available only as a four-door,
six-cylinder sedan) borrows the
basic styling concept of the larger
S-series and 7-series BMW's: a
low, rounded nose with four
round headlamps (now under glass
covers); a kidney-shaped grille: a
steeply raked windshield; tall, airy
cabin and a very high rear deck
cut off sharply at the rear end.
BMW’s family styling theme is
easily identifiable, but personally
I would have preferred a design
with more individuality.

A new dual overhead cam inline
six-cylinder with 189 horsepower,
borrowed from the 525i, gives the
325i smooth and torquey perfor-
mance. This car has so much
low-end pulling power, it can be
driven at 50 km/h in fifth gear at
just 1000 rpm and accelerate
smoothly up to highway speeds.

The standard five-speed manual

Technical data:

fortable, easy-to-change BMW
gearbox. A four-speed automatic
transmission is also available, al-
though I have not tried it.

In my opinion, the 325i’s most
impressive attribute is its han-
dling. Unlike front-wheel-drive
sedans, the rear-wheel-drive 325i
has a better front-to-rear weight
balance, 50% front/50% rear.
Combined with a sophisticated
independent suspension system,
wider track, longer wheelbase and
wide 15-inch radial tires, the 325i
is very safe, predictable and
forgiving.

For example, if the driver at-
tempts to drive through a corner
too fast, the 325i is designed to
understeer gradually (push to the
outside), and will remain stable
even if drivers suddenly take their
foot off the accelerator or apply
the brakes. In addition, big
four-wheel disc brakes with an an-

Price as tested $37,300

Base price $34,900

Type five-passenger, four-door
sedan

Layout longitudinal
engince/rear wheel drive
Engine 2494 cc inline six-
cylinder, DOHC, 24-valve w/
Bosch MH-Motronic fuel injec-
tion

Horsepower 189 @ 5900 rpm

front

a Lb

NEWS photos Nell Lucente

ti-lock system provide excellent

stopping power.
For those who may scoff at
See New page 34

Greg
Wilson

TEST DRIVE

Torque 181 ft-lbs @ 4700 rpm
Transmission five-speed man-
ual (four-speed automatic)
Tires 205/60R-15 radials

Curb weight 1370 kg/3020 Ibs
Wheelbase 2700 mm/ 106.2 in.
Length 4433 min/174.5 in.
Width 1698 mm/66.9 in.

Height 1393 mm/54.8 in.

Trunk space 435 L/15.4 cu. ft.
Fuel economy City 11.6 L/100
km, 24 mpg: Hwy 6.9. L/100
km, 41 mpg

Warranty 3 yrs/66,000 kms