Not one to shy away from daring and dramatic interior designs, BMW imbued the 330Ci with a bold, business-like office from which
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| BMW imbued the 330Ci with a bold, business-like office from which to administer its capabilities. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
to administer its capabilities. A quick look around the cockpit reveals a build quality that says "excuse me" to no one. Try as one may, but finding low-rent materials within arm's length is nary possible. Except for the way-cool billeted aluminum trim, all surfaces convey a sense of warmth and softness. In terms of layout, controls are logically placed, although the console-mounted power window switches take a bit of getting used to before their operation becomes second nature.
The fairly narrow, European gauge 330Ci cabin is long on legroom fore and aft. Front seat travel is quite impressive too. There are few cars whose front seat legroom can out-extend the stilts supporting my frame, but the 330Ci is one of them. Headroom, at least in the coupe's front seats, is also bountiful. Moving rearward, legroom remains substantial provided the front seat occupants are in the mood for sharing their commodious foot-wells. Rear headroom is unlikely to be a significant impediment, unless of course the NBA chooses to shuttle players in the rear seats of a 330Ci - but how likely is that.
Beyond space allotments, two aspects of my tester's interior design were particularly pleasing to my senses. Firstly, the 8-way adjustable power front seats provided me
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| The 8-way adjustable power front seats provided me with such comfort and support that I would commit to marriage if they could cook. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
with such comfort and support that I would commit to marriage if they could cook - well, given the dash mounted button I know they can at least heat. The second aspect of the Ci's inner-space that spoke to my emotions was the outstanding black, billeted aluminum trim that sweeps horizontally across the dash, surrounds the shifter boot and finishes the door pulls. In addition to looking quasi-industrial, the cold, machined surfaces impart a feeling of substance and quality that only true metal can; in fact I couldn't keep my hands off it. And although I drooled over the tan colored leather interior contrasting magnificently against the charcoal gray dash and console, a car enthusiast colleague found the color scheme garish and out of character for the car - but what can you say about a guy who admires his aging "sporty" Corolla?
