The 330i has taken to summer in Cape Town like a speedo-clad German tourist to Clifton 4th beach. For once the family decided they’d love to spend the summer vacation in their home town instead of fleeing the annual invasion by the moneyed classes north of the Vaal.
I was slightly concerned. I was driving a Beemer with GP plates at the height of silly season, a time when tempers fray in the unrelenting heat and parking is non-existent. How would the handful of Capetonians left in the Mother City tolerate yet another %*^%# Vaalie looking for the Waterfront?
Hats off to the locals then. The vibe was relaxed, the weather good, the ocean sparkled and the 330i had a chance to exercise its lungs on some great roads leading through the mountains to Ceres and around the spectacular Peninsula. On these roads our BMW was sublime.
The merits of the straight six 3.0-litre become more and more apparent to me the longer I drive the car. The fact that it has 85Nm less torque than its turbocharged 335i brother bothered me at first, but you have to drive it differently. Don’t expect a turbo kick up the backside low down in the rev range.
Instead, don’t be shy to rev past 4000rpm, and even up to 6000rpm where maximum power of 190kW resides. And use your shifter to get into that range. Your reward is a truly engaging drive.
So the many facets of this Beemer were put to the test over the summer, segueing from driving machine to family sedan to wedding taxi when a bridal couple needed ferrying to a photo shoot in the winelands. The 330i looked good at the wedding. Sharp styling, a steely demeanour and hidden strength are traits a partner appreciates when making a lifelong commitment.
UPS | Falling in love with the engine
DOWNS | Nothing ... the glow hasn’t faded yet
ODO READING AT START/NOW
465/8763km
DISTANCE COVERED
8298km
FUEL CONSUMED
946.32ℓ
AV. FUEL CONSUMPTION
11.4ℓ/100km
SERVICE INTERVAL
Determined by OBC
TOTAL FUEL COST
R7194.02
RUNNING COST
87c/km
SERVICE COSTS
Covered by 5-yr/100 000km Motorplan
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Comments
BMW
I would appreciate it more if not for its price..
I wondering if its good to
I wondering if its good to invest on a BMW car. Im dealing with my ford f-150 4wd actuator problem. Its a pain in the ass so I want to replace it. I want to buy a new car.
BMW Entertainig dynamics everytime....
No one beats BMW at this level...the proof is in the pudding!!!!!
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