2001 BMW 3-Series

Some of the improvements to the 2001 BMW 3 Series include an engine displacement increase as well as an optional all-wheel-drive feature with the 2001 BMW 325xi. Other additions to the 2001 BMW 3 Series include two-stage front airbags, a redefined power steering system for less required elbow grease, an optional cold weather package, and dynamic brake control for more efficient braking.

The outside of the 2001 BMW 3 Series differs among the four trim options. To start, the sedan measures in at 176 inches by 68.5 inches by 55.7 inches. The convertible model comes in at 176.7 inches by 69.2 inches by 54 inches to make it slightly larger around the body than the sedan. The coupe measures in at 176.7 inches by 69.2 inches by 53.9 inches, making it bigger all around than the sedan and slightly taller and wider than the convertible. To top it off, the wagon trim falls in with 176.3 inches by 68.5 inches by 55.5 inches, putting it somewhere in the middle of all of the different trim options. Of course, a number functions remain available for the outside of the 2001 BMW 3 Series with power heated mirrors, a full-size spare tire, and speed sensitive wipers.

The inside of the 2001 BMW 3 Series presents a number of different features which remain pretty standard among the four different trims. Just some of the interior features include air-conditioning, cruise control, a front console with storage and cup holders, and interior air filtration. All versions of the 2001 BMW 3 Series also come with vinyl bucket front seats and front and rear reading lights for optimized viewing. The trims show some differentiation. The sedan and wagon provide 38.4 inches of headroom and 41.4 inches of legroom. The coupe of gives 37.5 inches of headroom and 41.7 inches of legroom. BMW provides the convertible with 38.3 inches of headroom and, equal to the coupe, 41.7 inches of legroom.

The performance of the different engines obviously differs among the 2001 BMW 3 Series. The 2.5-liter, six-cylinder engine puts out 175 lb-ft of torque and 184 horsepower, making it the weaker of the two engine options. Of course, the three-liter, six-cylinder engine puts out more torque and horsepower with 214 lb-ft and 225 hp, respectively. The fact that both engines are inline six-cylinders accounts for the torque being so close to the horsepower. To handle the amount of power put out by both engines, BMW includes a number of handling features.

The only strict handling feature found on the 2001 BMW 3 Series is the four-wheel independent suspension. While models include other handling features, they fall under the safety features moniker. The handling capabilities of the 3 Series seem less extensive than those found on the faster models both in the 3 Series and in the more powerful 7 and 5 Series.

The 2001 BMW 3 Series includes a number of features to protect the occupants of the vehicle. Some of the features include four-wheel anti-lock brakes, stability and traction control, electronic brake force distribution, front side-mounted airbags, and an engine immobilizer to assist in theft prevention.

• Relatively cheap for BMW
• Plenty of safety features

• Not as powerful as other BMWs
• Other entry-level luxury cars for less

• Infiniti G35
• Mercedes-Benz C-Class