Welly 1:43 2007 BMW 330i sedan



Last year I profiled the new 2012 BMW 335i sedan from Welly in 1:24 scale, and just like this one show here it was red, sporty, lots of details, but the interior could've used some enhancements from the all-black look, and that's what I did by adding red/black two-tone interior color, detailed silver trim, and for added sportiness a 6-speed manual shifter and three pedals.  This previous-generation version shown here is a different story: the 1:24 scale version looks much less sporty than the 335i (which is based on a sport trim anyways) and much less appealing than the new 3-series sedan.  This 1:43 pullback version takes care of that issue with the similar red paint, oh and both scales have the 6-speed manual transmission as standard equipment, yet this red sedan still needs some added kick.




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When the new 3-series was introduced in 2006 it was in a midst of a firestorm of controversy thanks to the Bangle-era styling that was adopted to nearly all BMW models and were not as appealing as past BMW models, so most enthusiasts were afraid the new 3-series would adopt similar styling.  However, the 3-series did not take a radical approach and stayed similar to past 3-series generations.  Also another note is the lack of the standard-fare I-drive screen that would be an eyesore for all BMW dashboards; the 3-series had this as an option, with a standard no-I-drive dashboard available.  The front has the familiar quad headlights and twin kidney grilles, with the headlights flowing back while the rear has taillights that look close to the 5-series model.  The interior was very familiar BMW with all the right controls and layouts, though the trim seemed more flat and plasticky than past generations.  The engine is the 3.0L DOHC I-6 that produces 255 hp. and 221 Ib-ft of torque through a six-speed manual and to the rear wheels with multi-link rear suspension joining the strut front.  Even in the current 3-series generation the look still holds on to the evolutionary 3-series style.




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The red looks very enticing than the plain silver versions and even the stock, flat 6-spoke wheels look really good here.  The front has chrome kidney grilles, blacked-out headlight frames with tiny silver dots for the bulbs, and lower bumper with foglights.  The sides have detailed window trim, side marker lights, and door handles, while the rear has red taillights, 330i badges, 330i plate, and dual-tip exhaust that sticks out rather far.  Compared to the 2012 335i in 1:43 scale this older model looks much better (a polar opposite for the 1:24 scales), yet again there's missing details that I had to add: the front signal lights were added to give the headlights more character, the usual exterior mirrors, the exhaust tips, and the signal/reverse upper lenses on the taillights that look more like aftermarket Euro versions than the stock lamps.  The base does not show much, and yet I add details to the exhaust system to help make it stand out.




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Inside the interior is coal black again, so just like what I did to the 1:24 335i sedan this one also gets the two-tone red/black interior combination with red front seats, door panels, and rear seats.  Unlike the 1:24 scale, the 1:43 was trickier to paint as the surface area is smaller so trying to carefully paint the door panels was a challenge, and then there was the box of luggage to hide the pullback motor that made painting the rear seat really difficult, and if that's not bad enough the rear door panel details were on a smooth surface.  Yes, it was a challenge, a tight spot, messy, but all said the interior looks more impressive now!  The center console gets a red armrest and silver trim on the console with a touch of silver for the shifter, while the dashboard and pedals also get a touch of silver.




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After adding these details this 2007 BMW 3-series sedan really stands out and screams "sporty" in the same way the 1:24 scale 2012 3-series sedan did the same a year ago.



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