BY SAM MOSES
For the Tribune's Accelerate section
It would be overstating things to say I have a love-hate relationship with BMW,
but I continue to find it curious how different the models can be. Some of them
I love, and some of them I hate.
Maybe it’s me. When BMW wants to build a car that can go, stop and handle (not
necessarily in that order), no one can match them. When they want to build a
luxury car with every electronic function (un)known to man, they’re also in a
league of their own.
Do I really hate luxury that much? No, I just hate needing to have a geek along
as a co-pilot, to do everything in the car but go, stop and turn.
But I’m here to talk about one BMW I love, a beautiful machine, the 330i with
the “performance package.” It’s a gentleman’s M3 - hotter than the 330i, but
less radical.
If you enjoy precision execution and you’re going to spend the bargain price of
$35,200 for the 330i, the performance package for another $3,900 is a deal that
should make you happy.
Mechanically, all it includes is the sport suspension, which is eminently
comfortable and offers the ability to corner faster and more steadily than you
ever should on the street.
The sensual inline, six-cylinder engine is untreated at 3.0 liters and 235
gratifying and exhilarating horsepower. And the six-speed manual transmission is
the same silky gearbox used in the 330i without the package.
A lot of your $3,900 is for the sporty interior and if that sounds like a lot
of money, remind yourself that this interior is the best, bar none.
Half of it’s the black suede steering wheel. This is the perfect grip and the
best steering wheel I’ve ever had in my hands. It’s no coincidence the steering
wheels of grand prix and prototype racing cars are wrapped with suede.
The suede trim spreads down onto the special sport seats, otherwise made of the
best black cloth you’ll ever pay $3,900 for. The grip on your back, butt and
thighs is as perfect as on your hands.
The package also includes some subtle aerodynamic tweaks and terrific 18-inch
alloy wheels. With Xenon headlights, which are worth the money in my book, at
least on a car like this, you’re still under $40,000, including freight.
The gauges also were great, with understandable controls. If only I could write
that sentence about every BMW, that hate thing would go away.
I was surprised when a light came on at 2,800 miles, telling me the engine
needed oil. I suspect it was merely an oil change reminder, and not that the
inline six had burned a quart in its first 2,800 miles.
The brakes are very sensitive, but easy to get used to. I took the 330i out on
a back road and gave them a good workout and wasn’t surprised that they were
some of the best brakes I’ve ever felt under my foot. BMW’s brakes tend to do
that to a foot.
This is a driver’s car - that’s the bottom line. It gets there without making
any compromises in comfort or even convenience, unless you think a great
six-speed gearbox is inconvenient.
But how convenient is fun, ever? I sigh when I think about accelerating in this
car, upshifting when the engine nears red line, running through the gears, then
using the brakes for a corner and downshifting a couple of times.
I’m not one for comparing cars to romance, but thinking about the last great
drive in a BMW like this is kind of like being in love and thinking about your
last date.