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Test Drives:
2002 BMW 320i
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Built as an affordable entry-level luxury sedan for the Canadian market, the BMW 320i is
aimed squarely at the Mercedes-Benz C240 Classic (another Canadian-only marketed
German sedan). The 320i can be had for under $40,000 which, when you consider a
fully loaded Camry or Accord costs damn-near $40K, seems pretty cheap! The
light-weight rear-wheel-drive sedan isn't a thrill to drive, but it handles better than your
average mid-$30K family sedan. The small inline-6 engine is a little loud but does the
job pretty well. The exterior design goes along with the rest of the BMW family: kidney
grilles, short overhangs, and proportionate to the rest of the sedans. Interior
appointments are of good quality, although the 325 and 330 offer better seats, quality
leather, wood trim, and HVAC buttons instead of dials. The steptronic transmission
offers a touch of sportiness and responds well to driver input. All-in-all, this sedan is a
unique alternative to the high-end Altima, Camry, Accord, or Acura TL. If the owners
seeks a driver's car, the BMW is the obvious choice.
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