2001 BMW 330Ci

Base Price: $34,990
Price As Tested: $41,360
Engine Type: 3.0L I-6
Transmission: Tested 5-speed Steptronic
Drive Type: rear wheel
Curb Weight: 3,395 lbs
Horsepower: hp @ rpm 225 @ 5,900
Torque: lb-ft @ rpm 214 @ 3,500
Redline: 6,400 rpm
Top Speed : 150 mph
0-60 mph: 7.0 sec
¼ mile: 15.3 sec
EPA mpg: (city/hwy) 19/27

MICHAEL SHARTSIS
“The 330Ci is a spirited sports coupe dressed in sheep’s clothing. Nothing says stare at me on this BMW, but get behind the wheel, wind the motor past 5,000rpm, and you will get plenty of attention. The steering is quick and nimble, making the tightest of turns effortless. Unfortunately, the sunroof leaves six-footers in despair due to a reduction in headroom.
Unlike others on staff, I loved the Steptronic option, especially sport mode—I must be getting old! The 225hp version of BMW’s 3-Series will make you want to own a piece of BMW heritage, but the price tag may be too much for such a small sliver.”

PHILIP ROYLE
“My first thoughts were something like, ‘An automatic transmission? This sucks.’ So I proceeded to abuse the car, somehow attempting to punish BMW for such a crime against humanity. Unfortunately, while turning a fairly successful brake stand into a rolling burnout and then into a very impressive launch, I began to smile. Although the Steptronic tranny isn’t ideal for precision track driving, as the shifts are slow and unpredictable, it is great for daily driving. I spent most of my time in sport mode, not manual, and was fairly happy with the shifting response. But, for the $1,275 asking price of the Steptronic option, I’ll take a stick.”

CULLEN CLUTTERHAM
“I’ve got exactly three bad things to say about this 330Ci: First, I don’t like the color combo—it’s too middle-age wife-ish. Second, that auto-tranny takes a little getting used to; it is a Godsend in traffic, but not in manual-shift mode. Third, the sunroof is too close to my head, and I definitely would neither want nor need it. And that sums it up. Give me this car in another color combo with a manual transmission and no sunroof, and I’ll be happy… at least until my bank account recovers from the blow. Let’s see, how much does a supercharger cost?”

MARIA BROWN
“I’m power hungry. I like cars with tons of power, and I absolutely adore cars that don’t require the driver to do anything to access it—and that completely describes this 330Ci. The 3.0L inline-six supplies ample horsepower, but the beauty of the little engine is the 214 lb-ft of torque smoothly propelling me around town (often times too fast) with minimal effort from my right foot. The interior is so soft and luxurious, despite the odd black stripe across the tan dash, that I briefly considered giving up my cushy beachfront apartment in order to pick up one of these—maybe I will. Who needs to eat, anyway?”