The sleek BMW 328Ci coupe blends the functionality of a four-seater with the manners of a sports car.


Not only do they sit firmly on the road and knife through corners with the precision of plastic surgeon performing a face lift but their engines speak to you through the seat of your pants and the bottom of your right foot. It's no wonder driving enthusiasts gather at the BMW altar to pay homage to their marque.



The popular 3-Series underwent a major redesign in late 1998, when it appeared as a 1999 model, but only in sedan form. As BMW often does, it introduced one model at a time, and coupe lovers had to make do with the old design for one more year. Now, for 2000, the new coupe, clad in its own unique sheet metal, finally hits the streets. The convertible will be out next spring.





Despite the fact that most body panels are different, the coupe has a strong family resemblance to the sedan. Dimensionally, it is roughly 1 inch lower, 1 inch wider and nearly 2 inches longer. The windshield is raked back at a steeper angle for a rakish profile and a sportier stance, befitting its intended customer.

The sleek coupe blends the functionality of a four-seater with the manners of a sports car. Most coupe buyers use the back seat on rare occasions, and when they do their passengers will appreciate a slight improvement in knee room. Being able to fold down the back seat and create a sizable cargo space is one of its most appealing aspects.

In the past, the rear quarter windows opened manually, which meant that most people never used them because reaching clear to the back of the car was inconvenient. This year, they are power operated, which is great.