BMW: spec geekery beckons!
Buying a Beemer? There's a ton of new stuff lurking in the spec sheets across the model range...
Hands free boot opening soon to be standard
However, hidden in this lot are some intriguing new options coming soon. Does diesel terrify you, for example? Well, BMW will launch a 320i EfficientDynamics model in November, with a 170hp 2.0-litre turbo that combines 54.3mpg with 0-62mph in 7.6 seconds. In your face, derv lovers!
The M Sport variant comes to the 3 Series in July: sounds like a mere trim line but, when you see it, you'll know you want it. Even November's 316i isn't the turgid sloth-fest it sounds: packing a 136hp 1.6-litre from the 1 Series, it hits 62mph in 8.9 seconds and, thanks to the light weight of the engine, could well prove even purer and more agile than today's acclaimed 3 Series variants.
M Sport package coming on 3 Series
What else? BMW now offers a contrast hard top for the Z4, in black or silver metallic. Kicking the 5 Series in the bum now opens the boot lid (and all cars get an electric lid from July). There's a 1,200-Watt Bang & Olufsen stereo option for the 5er too (complete with the Floating Design speakers that so wowed us last week in the 6 Series Gran Coupe). Love the digital multi-configurable dials of the current Range Rover and Jaguar XJ? They're coming to the BMW 5 Series now too. The setup menu will keep you occupied for weeks.
Contrasting roof option now on Z4
Oh sure, you can eke an indicated 70 mpg out of it on a long, gentle motorway run in perfect traffic conditions, with a gentle tailwind, sticking to 60 mph etc etc. The problem is, that is completely unrepresentative of typical real world use. Throw in normal traffic conditions, mixed road types, and you're down to somewhere around the 50 mark.
BMWs figures, like most other manufacturers, may as well be made up out of thin air for all the relevance they have to realistic usage conditions. Of course, a correspondingly low CO2 figure makes BMWs very attractive to company car drivers. Mine was a no-brainer based on the choice I had at the time. But it's all nonsense.
Looks like this car with the spec list will be an expensive car new but in a couple of years depreciation this will be a great purchase with all the toys.
Also I have heard rumours that BMW are having issues on their keyless system on the X5 (cars being stolen) not being covered under warranty - any one else heard this or is it chinese whispers??
Oh sure, you can eke an indicated 70 mpg out of it on a long, gentle motorway run in perfect traffic conditions, with a gentle tailwind, sticking to 60 mph etc etc. The problem is, that is completely unrepresentative of typical real world use. Throw in normal traffic conditions, mixed road types, and you're down to somewhere around the 50 mark.
BMWs figures, like most other manufacturers, may as well be made up out of thin air for all the relevance they have to realistic usage conditions. Of course, a correspondingly low CO2 figure makes BMWs very attractive to company car drivers. Mine was a no-brainer based on the choice I had at the time. But it's all nonsense.
Have to say I'm a big fan since getting my 320d and will very likely go on to one of these when I change next.
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