In their first year on the American market, BMW's "New 3" sports sedans have made quite a splash. For the first four months of 1999, 51 % more total 3 Series models were sold than in the corresponding period of 1998 (before the new E46 3 Series sedans were introduced); more dramatically, 3 Series sedan sales were up by a full 110% in the same period. Critical acclaim was just as decisive, with the new models garnering rankings among Automobile Magazine's All-Stars, both editors' and readers' choice, and Car and Drlver's 10 Best. The new sedans also won comparison after comparison - in Motor Trend, Road & Track, Car and Driver, Germany's auto motor und sport and undoubtedly countless other publications worldwide.

In its established, systematic development process, BMW first introduces the sedans in a new Series (if the Series includes sedans), then follows at intervals with further models. The E46 3 Series (E46 is BMW's internal platform designation) was launched with the 1999 323i and 328i sedans a year ago; now their coupe equivalents follow, the 323Ci and 328Ci. Along with these model-year 2000 coupes, the E46 3 Series sedans move into their second model year with evolutionary, significant improvements.  

The coupes of the previous (E36) 3 Series generation were award-winners too - right up through Automobile Magazine's 1999 All-Stars, which included them as Best Coupe. Now the Best Coupe is being succeeded by an even Better Coupe, as the E46 3 Series is expanded by its first 2-door variant.

As the 323Ci and 328Ci, the two new coupe models correspond to their sedan counterparts: The 323Ci, for example, shares its 2.5-liter, 170-hp inline 6-cylinder engine, 11.3-in. front/10.9-in. rear ventilated disc brakes and 6-way manually adjustable front seats with the 323i, while the 328Ci shares its 2.8-liter, 193-hp engine, 11.8/11.6-in. brakes and power front seats with the 328i. And the basic technology and core engineering are the same for the coupes and sedans.

The new coupes, however, go way beyond a strict-constructionist transformation from four to two doors. First, the proportions are subtly but effectively different: The coupes are 17 mm/0.67 in. longer, 18 mm/0.71 in. wider and fully 46 mm/1.8 in. lower than the sedans. At the front, the characteristic BMW "kidney" grilles have wider frames than those of the sedan, the outer (low-beam) headlights are differently framed, and the bumper/spoiler unit is clearly differentiated from either of the two designs appearing on the sedans.

In profile, the coupes' roofline, rear deck and overall proportions depart from those of the sedans, and their windshield is raked 2 degrees more. Body-color side moldings replace the sedans' black ones; the doors are "sashless," that is, without window frames. To ensure effective sealing of the side windows at high cruising speeds, the coupes' door windows adopt a feature familiar from previous BMW coupes and convertibles: a power sealing system. When a door is opened while its window is closed, the window drops slightly to clear the weatherseal; when the door is closed, the window rises again to seat firmly into the weatherseal.

The coupes' side mirrors are shaped specifically, with an aerodynamically shaped ridge at the bottom and five wind-noise-reducing ribs along their inboard top edge.

As on their predecessors (the 323is and 328is coupes of the E36 generation), the coupes' rear-quarter windows open outward - except that now they are powered instead of manually opened. (And equipped with 1-touch opening.)

At the rear, the coupes' L-shaped taillight units are shaped distinctively from those of the sedans, and their red reflectors have been moved into the bumper. As a matter of fact, only three exterior elements are actually shared between the coupes and sedans: the safety-designed door handles, the side blinkers and the BMW logos.