I couldn't take it any more. After telling my salesman that I would wait to test-drive a coupe, since that's what I have on order, I went down today and test drove a 330i. The i and Ci with SP should be dynamically the same. Anyway, I am coming out of an E36 M3, so I understand I am giving up some performance going to a 330Ci. The only other E46 I have driven was a 328i Steptronic, since I was curious about the transmission, so my primary comparison is to the older generation. So -- rides a lot smoother than the M3 (duh...) yet, on my limited drive where there really wasn't an opportunity to push the car hard, didn't feel imprecise or sloppy to me. Overall great. Max speed was 70 mph and did not have any steering complaints. Yeah, I guess it felt a little light, but really subtle. Seats, wheel, controls -- all felt good. It had plenty of power and yeah, the exhuast sounds a lot like my stock '98 M3 when you kick it -- nice sound! I still haven't seen a coupe, but there was a black/black/ sand 330Cic on the lot (loaded -- SP, PP, Xenons, etc.) and the silver lower grille just about gagged me. Maybe it won't look so bad on my Steel Blue Ci. Repeat after me: "BMW, what the %$@#$ were you thinking?" The sedan aero pkg is very nice, though -- very ///M-looking! Sort wish I'd gone for the four door! What's that? Uh, no, I don't own a camera... Hang in there, fellow 330 sufferers, I think the wait will be worth it!
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