BMW 5 Series – Sets high standards for large executive saloon cars

BMW 5 Series

The BMW 5 Series is the standard which all other large executive saloon cars are judged. It has managed to blend comfort with the kind of driving dynamics which shame some so-called sportscars.

There’s no doubting the presence the 5 Series offers – it still looks striking long after its 2003 launch. But the radical appearance has put some buyers off, opting for more conservative styling from Audi and Mercedes.

This generation of Five was the first to shun the dashboard layout which almost wraps around the driver. In fact, it does the opposite, with it bowing out in the centre of the car and sweeping back on either side.

The 5 Series handles better than any large saloon car has the right to. Its front engine/rear wheel drive layout improves weight distribution and with the power being sent rearwards.

Its £36,000 price tag puts the 530d we tested up against some serious opposition, but few offer the driving thrills the big BMW can.

All 5 Series come well appointed, with the iDrive system controlling the stereo, CD player, air-con and traction control. Steering wheel-mounted audio controls and electric seats are also standard.

The 5 Series has been the benchmark for a quality executive express for many years, and the latest model does plenty to keep it ahead of the pack.

 

Greenest Ever BMW Convertible Car

BMW Convertible

BMW is offering drivers drop-top thrills with lower bills – the BMW 1 Series Convertible is now being offered with two diesel engines, adding the BMW 118d Convertible and BMW 123d Convertible to the range.

The BMW 1 Series Convertible – which launched last October – now features a 2-litre turbocharged diesel engine (badged 118d Convertible) churning out 143bhp and 221lb/ft of pulling power, while returning 57.6mpg on the combined cycle.

This BMW 123d Convertible is capable of returning 52.3mpg on the combined cycle – more than a 1.5-litre Mazda 2 supermini – and emits 144g/km of CO2, meaning an annual road tax bill of £120.

 

E36 BMW 3 Series – 1990 to 1998

BMW M3

The third-generation BMW 3 Series – codenamed ‘BMW E36′ – was another massive seller for the Munich-based carmaker.

The car’s design saw huge improvements in engineering and chassis development, with BMW showcasing the newest incarnation of its famous ‘Z’ rear-axle setup.

A host of bodystyles were launched, including the ‘Touring’ estate, convertible, and four-door, while the two-door model was now badged as a ‘coupe’, marking the subtle styling differences.

But keen drivers were waiting for the hardcore M3 to be reborn in a newer, fresher body – and in 1992 BMW rolled out the new BMW M3 coupe.

The old 2.5-litre four-cylinder motor had been junked in favour of a high-revving 3-litre straight-six engine developing 286bhp.

And in 1995, the company rolled out the most potent M3 of this generation – the M3 Evolution, which came with a 3.2-litre six-cylinder engine developing 321bhp. This meant the new M3 could sprint from 0-60mph in around 5.4 seconds and bounce off the 155mph speed limiter.

And while this M3 may have lacked the racing pedigree of the original, it was a hit with buyers. More than 2.7 million E36 3 Series were sold, and of these, 70,000 were M3s.

 

BMW M3 – One of the best handling cars ever built.

BMW M3

The BMW M3 was once a road-going race car; and the original model which debuted in the late 1980s is still regarded as one of the best-handling cars ever built.

The standard 3 Series is a handsome car; more so in its two-door coupe guise. But the BMW M3 is more pumped up in every way. It sports bulging wheelarches, bumpers with gaping holes and an enormous power dome in the bonnet hinting at the power within.

While the exterior is all bulging muscle and aggression, the BMW M3‘s cabin is a remarkably sober affair.

The front of the BMW M3 is as spacious as any other 3 Series: plenty of room in all dimensions for both driver and passenger.

Now we’re talking – this is the BMW M3’s home turf. The power steering is operated hydraulically rather than electrically for added ‘feel’. The steering offers enough feedback to exploit the car’s balanced chassis, and our test drivers found its on-road prowess among the best of the current performance car crop.

With more than 400bhp on tap via its 4-litre V8 engine, the BMW M3 is no slouch. It’ll despatch 62mph in just 4.8 seconds before hitting a limited top speed of 155mph. And it sounds simply sensational while doing it.

At more than £50,000, the new BMW M3 is the costliest yet, and after specifying a few options, the car’s first buyer could be looking at a £60,000 bill – not far off the asking price for a new Porsche 911

The standard BMW 3 Series coupe, on which the M3 is based, has a good reputation for reliability.

The BMW M3 comes with a good level of equipment, but much of the really desirable kit – such as a digital radio, Electronic Damper Control, 19-inch alloys – are costly options. Standard equipment includes climate control, cruise control,

The fourth generation of the BMW M3 is surely the best yet.