What is it?
2002 BMW 3 Series
What's special about it?
Whaddaya mean, what's special about it? We love this car, and that's all that matters!
The Three only gets better for 2002, with the sedans and wagons getting restyled front ends. Headlights and turn signals are revised, bookending a wider kidney grille. Rising taller than before is a more pronounced powerdome hood, and a new front bumper with integrated round fog lights is added. The front fenders are also different. In back, changes are limited to revised taillights and a modified rear bumper.
As in last year's 3 Series, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) is standard. DSC includes traction control, stability control, dynamic brake control and an electronic differential lock that works even when the rest of DSC's functions have been manually shut down.
In Europe, a slick Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG) is newly optional. The SMG provides Formula One-style paddle shifting on the steering wheel, and reportedly allows the transmission to shift faster than a skilled driver can shift a manual, or a conventional automatic can shift itself. Pity that it's not coming to the U.S.
What is coming to America is Hill Descent Control (HDC) for the all-wheel-drive sedans and wagons. HDC allows the vehicle to travel down steep and slippery hills at a constant speed. Previously, this technology was only available on the X5 sport-utility. Also new are optional bi-xenon headlights, which means that both the low and high beams use xenon lighting to illuminate the roadway.
Finally, a year after those crafty Bavarians decided it would be a good idea to lighten up the Three's steering to make the car easier to park for all those Rodeo Drive wusses, more steering changes are in place for 2002. Tighter than before, the rack takes fewer turns lock-to-lock. This is good. The suspension also gets some attention, with recalibrated springs and dampers providing firmer roadholding without upsetting the ride quality.
Why should you care?
We know you do. Based on Web site traffic, the BMW 3 Series is one of your favorite cars, too. With the changes made for 2002, the Three is better than ever, but we really need to get that SMG transmission on this side of the pond. — Christian Wardlaw
2002 BMW 3 Series
What's special about it?
Whaddaya mean, what's special about it? We love this car, and that's all that matters!
The Three only gets better for 2002, with the sedans and wagons getting restyled front ends. Headlights and turn signals are revised, bookending a wider kidney grille. Rising taller than before is a more pronounced powerdome hood, and a new front bumper with integrated round fog lights is added. The front fenders are also different. In back, changes are limited to revised taillights and a modified rear bumper.
As in last year's 3 Series, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) is standard. DSC includes traction control, stability control, dynamic brake control and an electronic differential lock that works even when the rest of DSC's functions have been manually shut down.
In Europe, a slick Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG) is newly optional. The SMG provides Formula One-style paddle shifting on the steering wheel, and reportedly allows the transmission to shift faster than a skilled driver can shift a manual, or a conventional automatic can shift itself. Pity that it's not coming to the U.S.
What is coming to America is Hill Descent Control (HDC) for the all-wheel-drive sedans and wagons. HDC allows the vehicle to travel down steep and slippery hills at a constant speed. Previously, this technology was only available on the X5 sport-utility. Also new are optional bi-xenon headlights, which means that both the low and high beams use xenon lighting to illuminate the roadway.
Finally, a year after those crafty Bavarians decided it would be a good idea to lighten up the Three's steering to make the car easier to park for all those Rodeo Drive wusses, more steering changes are in place for 2002. Tighter than before, the rack takes fewer turns lock-to-lock. This is good. The suspension also gets some attention, with recalibrated springs and dampers providing firmer roadholding without upsetting the ride quality.
Why should you care?
We know you do. Based on Web site traffic, the BMW 3 Series is one of your favorite cars, too. With the changes made for 2002, the Three is better than ever, but we really need to get that SMG transmission on this side of the pond. — Christian Wardlaw
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