This extended version of the 3 Series, the 330Li offers similar rear legroom to the 5 Series, but at an ‘extended’ price.
This is basically a sedan designed for the ‘China’ market where buyers like small sedans with an extended wheelbase that offers more legroom.
Now, when mainland Chinese buyers ‘ask’, they get what they ask for as their local consumption is enough for European car manufacturers to get production going as economies of scale gets paid within months of introduction.
The rest of the world are more level-headed. Buyers who want more legroom get a bigger car, like the 5 or 7 Series.
Interestingly, this is not the case in China. The small Chinese business person, wants a chauffer and to arrive with an extended vehicle to show their ‘business success’ and here is why cars like this 330Li will continue to be built.
This is why BMW also launched the 330Li to the Indian market before it was launched in Malaysia.
So, this 330Li is powered by the familiar 2.0 litre turbocharged (TwinPower Turbo) four cylinder that delivers a decent amount of power to carry the extra ‘legs’ seated in the back.
The 0-100km/h run can be done in 6.2 seconds and it has a top speed of 250km/h.
All you need to know is that once you step on the throttle, the eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission will instantly kick down and the scenery around you will move much much faster than you would expect.
What more, being a Bimmer, it is still whisper quiet at those higher speeds. To the point where one can legitimately not realize that they may have strayed way over the speed limit.
So, is the 330Li good enough for Malaysians looking for added legroom? Well, we are quite sure buyers here who buy a 3 Series will drive the car themselves and chauffeur driven cars will be the 7 Series or the X5 SUV.
Below are the added measurements you need to know in case you were considering.
- Overall length of 4,819mm (+110mm added to wheelbase)
- increased height of 1,441mm (+6mm)
- increase of 4mm in headroom and 42mm in legroom for rear passengers
- 480-litre boot improved with the storage compartment package
BMW Malaysia website confirms that the long-wheel base price is just RM277,164.22 and the bigger and more premium 530i is RM395,800 which is probably why some Malaysians opted for this 330Li at almost RM123,000 lower.
BMW 330Li Specification
Engine: Twin Power Turbo
Capacity: 1998cc
Transmission: 8-speed Semi-Automatic
Max power: 258bhp @ 5,000-6,500rpm
Max torque: 400Nm @ 1,550-4,400rpm
Top Speed: 250km/h
0-100km/h: 6.2 seconds
Price: RM277,164.22
