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3 Series - e46 (1999 - 2005) |
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Page 2 of 4
Six appeal:
A brand new six-speed version of BMW's F1-style paddle-shift transmission system
and a new six speed manual gearbox are added to the new Coupé and Convertible,
increasing the flexibility and driver-oriented feel of the 3 Series.
The latest version of BMW's Sequential Sports Gearbox (SSG) is now closer to the
Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG with DRIVELOGIC) technology of the M3 and, therefore,
takes the SMG title to a wider range of BMW owners. Available on 325Ci and 330Ci
Coupé, Convertible, Saloon, Touring and 325Ti Compact, the new SMG costs
£1,150 and offers F1-derived gear changes via steering-wheel paddles and
a shortened, sporty gear stick that can be 'blipped' forward and back. Though
not as 'extreme' as the M3 SMG with DRIVELOGIC, the new SMG still provides a truly
rewarding experience that brings driver and car ever closer.
For the more traditional driver, a six speed manual transmission (as on the
new 5 Series) is now standard on the 330Ci Coupé and Convertible. Top
speed of an electronically limited 155 mph is achieved in fifth with sixth,
now, a refined cruising gear that also improves fuel consumption at high speeds.
You could say a BMW 330i Coupé or Convertible is quite the caring, sharing
performance car!
Where performance is being challenged however, active safety remains of principal
concern to BMW?s engineers and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) is now standardised
across the 3 Series range, rather than limited to the six cylinder models.
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