- Doors and Seats
2 doors, 4 seats
- Engine
3.0DT, 6 cyl.
- Engine Power
180kW, 520Nm
- Fuel
Diesel 6.2L/100KM
- Manufacturer
RWD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
3 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
BMW 3 Series Review & Road Test
BMW's new 330d Coupé blows the diesel myth to smithereens
- V8-like torque
- impressive fuel economy
- confident handling
- excellent fit & finish
- A hint of wind & tyre noise
- rear legroom & access a little tight
- smallish boot
BMW's new 330d Coupé blows the diesel myth to smithereens
Model Tested:
- 2010 BMW 330d; 3.0-litre, six-cylinder, turbocharged diesel; six-speed automatic; two-door coupé: $94,050* (as tested: $107,059*)
Options:
- Metallic Paint (Space Grey) $1840; M Sport Package $3700; Sunroof $2920; Satellite Navigation $1600; Voice Recognition $700; TV Function $2249
CarAdvice Rating:
Words by Matt Brogan | Photos by Brendan Nish & BMW Australia
Forget everything you thought you knew about diesel-powered cars. Forget the embarrassing rattle at idle. Forget the cloud of sooty black smoke every time you stand on the throttle. And, forget the supercilious looks from other motorists as they notice the 'diesel' badge on your boot lid, because when it comes to the BMW 330d coupé, thankfully, those days are long gone.
Far from being just another Euro-oiler with frugal fuel consumption figures, and equally frugal performance, the 3.0-litre turbocharged six-cylinder engine powering this classy two-door blows the diesel myth to smithereens.
Developing 180kW of power at 4000rpm, this in-line six is a brawny, athletic and enthusiastic performer with a linear pulling power that would shame some V8s. Torque, acres of it, is available from very early in the rev range (520Nm @ 1750rpm), meaning turbo lag is a non-event, and acceleration is nothing short of scintillating.
Driving the rear wheels via a slick-shifting six-speed automatic transmission, with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifts, the 330d wastes no time in propelling its 1500-odd kilogram tare mass to 100km/h, the sprint managed in a whisker over six seconds. In-gear acceleration is just as impressive with the speedo' climbing northward at a rate of knots BMW M3 owners would have raised an eyebrow to not that long ago.
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But more than being a straight-line scud missile, the 330d coupé is equally comfortable pandering around the suburbs. Impressively smooth, the mid-size Bavarian bullet is a placid and classy luxury cruiser with a quiet, well appointed cabin splendidly masking the potential paroxysm that lies beneath your right foot.
Highway cruising too is an absolute delight, the 330d coupé effortlessly eating kilometre after kilometre, proving just as strong in the fuel economy department as it is in performance.
Utilising the latest technologies of BMW's Efficient Dynamics program, the 330d coupé features such fuel saving amenities as Electric Power Steering, Brake Energy Regeneration, common-rail fuel injection technology and a variable geometry turbocharger to manage an official ADR combined fuel economy figure of just 6.2L/100km.
Breaking free of the urban sprawl, the 330d coupé's well sorted suspension and purposefully firm steering combination make a meal of winding back roads. Cornering is flat, settled, the grip levels tenacious in keeping the rear wheels from breaking traction as you squeeze on the loud pedal for that push-in-the-back drive from the apex.
Grab a foot-full of brakes and the confident stoppers see equally quick stopping times, the large diametre all-wheel disc brakes assisted by a raft of electronic aids including ABS, CBC, EBA and EBD. The braking aids are further assisted by ESP and Traction Control, front, side and curtain airbags for a maximum possible five-star ANCAP safety rating.
But far from being a pure performance coupé, the 330d does have a softer side, offering a sumptuously comfortable and generously appointed cabin with adequate accommodation for four adult passengers.
Liberal legroom up front isn't quite matched in the rear, and access for taller back-seat passengers may be a little tight. But on the plus side, because the 330d coupé is a dedicated four seater, rear passengers are afforded a relaxing 1318mm of shoulder room.
An ample array of mod-cons see the 330d coupé offer a lot of smaller touches many rivals would do well to take a look at. Ergonomics and instrumentation are blissfully simple, the revised console-mounted iDrive controller a cinch for the technologically challenged.
Perhaps best of all, the 330d coupé offers an electronic arm to eliminate that long reach to the seatbelt, a traditional nemesis of the two-door coupé. The nifty device retracts out of sight once the seatbelt is clicked in to the buckle.
With stunning looks, a dynamic drive and the perfect blend of power and economy, the BMW 330d coupé is a hard car to fault. If we had to be picky, there is a little wind noise off the wing mirrors at highway speeds and the low-profile tyres can howl somewhat on coarse chip 'B' roads, but that's to be expected. The boot too could be a little bigger, but at 440-litres is enough for two sets of golf clubs, or two medium suitcases.
At nigh-on 100-grand, the 330d is one of the best value for money -- and most unassuming -- sports coupés on the market. What better way to convince your other half!
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*Pricing is a guide as recommended to us by the manufacturer and does not include dealer delivery, on-road or statutory charges.
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