BMW continues its
leadership charge adding more equipment to the in-demand 3 Series Coupé and
Convertible family, introducing a highly desirable Sport variant across the
two-door Coupé range.
The new and revised models arrive in Australia from June. In terms of price,
output and performance the BMW 3 Series Coupés and Convertibles comprehensively
outpace their nearest rivals .
Coupé models gain extra standard equipment while the Sport variants add a
distinctive body kit, suspension and interior upgrades in their 320Ci, 325Ci and
330Ci guises.
The M Sports Package II fitted to Sport models comprises: Sport suspension, M
Aerodynamics package II, 17-inch M light alloy wheels with mixed tyres, high
gloss satin chrome, Aluminium black cube interior trim (or Silver Aluminium Cube
as a no cost option- previously $470), Anthracite roof lining, Sport seats
(320Ci), M Sport leather steering wheel, shortened gearshift lever (manual
only), M badge door sills, oval design fog lights and a boot lid lip spoiler.
The 125 kW 2.2-litre six-cylinder 320Ci and the 141 kW 2.5-litre 325Ci Coupé
models add an On-board monitor with TV, while Professional Navigation is added
to the 170 kW 3.0-litre 330Ci and the M3.
Existing Coupé models rise in price by $1,100, while the new Coupé Sport
models are a further $2,500 more.
The 330Ci Convertible gains added specification in the form of an On-board
monitor with TV, previously a $3,000 option.
The M3 Convertible, boasting the best 3.2-litre straight six engine in the
world and delivering 252 kW is also upgraded with the addition of Professional
Navigation as standard, previously a $2,700 option.
Reflecting the extra standard equipment, the price of these highly desirable
vehicles rises by $1,500 to $110,500 for the 330Ci Convertible six-speed manual,
$111,100 for the 330Ci Convertible automatic and $159,500 for the M3
Convertible.
The BMW 330Ci Convertible has the strongest resale value of any vehicle sold
in Australia according to a Red Book survey published in January 2004.
The survey indicates a three-year-old 330Ci Convertible that has covered an
average of around 50,000 km would still fetch nearly 84 percent of its original
price, substantially more than any other vehicle.
The BMW M3 Convertible meanwhile is one of the most sought-after high
performance four-seater convertibles available in Australia. Limited production
means demand for M3 Convertibles is always extremely strong.
BMW recently announced it would add a third model to the 3 Series Convertible
family in the form of the powerful 325Ci Convertible, priced from $92,400 for
the five-speed manual and $95,000 for the five-speed automatic.
