BMW 320i 2005 review

The new South African-built BMW 3 Series is now smoother, faster and bigger than the previous E46 model.

While the brawnier body style takes on the corporate look of the new 5 and 7 Series, it does not have the "taxi advertising hump" on the rear boot. It looks quite more muscular and significantly bigger when lined up against the previous body shapes.

I drove the "base" 320i model in six-speed auto and was immediately seduced by its refinement and sophistication.

Without recording lap times, I can only go by the manufacturer's power, torque and acceleration claims of improved speed because it doesn't feel faster.

In fact, it feels slower because it does everything with such smoothness that you are unaware of the speeds you are achieving — better make good use of the handy cruise control.

And around southeast Queensland's at-times atrocious road surfaces, it holds on so well you can be tempted into tackling the terrain at greater speeds than before thought possible.

The driving experience is obviously a lot different from the early E30 models but it is also a quantum leap in safety and dynamics from the E46.

But it is not as engaging. The driver almost feels isolated from the whole experience thanks to the intervention of traction and stability controls.

Despite winding the 320i up through the Blackbutt Range the two teenagers in the now larger rear compartment didn't make any of their usual complaints about car sickness.

Quite the contrary, they slumbered most of the way in the sumptuous leather seats that are like a pillow-top mattress — soft to the touch with a firm, supportive base.

They had been lulled asleep listening to their favourite songs on one of their iPods which was plugged in through the supplied connection kit.

It's a connector that plugs into the cigarette lighter to power the iPod through the base connection, then runs a wire to an auxiliary plug in the rear of the centre console.

It's all a bit of a messy gimmick with wires running all over the centre console. And only the volume can be the controlled through the multi-function wheel or the volume knob on the stereo.

The connector is standard in all new E90s and 1 Series. It is a $140 option suitable for E46 3 Series, E39 5 Series, E60 5 Series, E63 and E64 6 Series, X3, X5, Z4 and Mini.

There is also a $230 fully integrated iPod interface option available that allows full control of all functions including track selection while at the wheel.

It is not only available for the new 3 Series, but also the previous E46, Z4 Roadster, X3, X5 and Mini.

The new E90 sits on steel wheels "with full wheel cover in aluminium look" and there is no spare wheel as BMW opts for run-flat tyres.

Secondary safety features include front and side airbags, and head airbags for front and rear.