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2003 Buyer's Guide: BMW
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| New car changes for the upcoming year |
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| Updated |
Mar 17, 2005 19:41:50 |
| Rating |
 16 ( -2 -12.5% ) | | Author | Tara Baukus Mello and Brian Chee |
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Description:
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What's New in 2003
From the A4 Cabriolet to the Nissan 350Z.
2002 vs. 2003
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The world's "ultimate driving machine" was one of the most highly coveted brands in the U.S. for 2002. BMW has seen nearly a 10 percent increase in sales for the first half of 2002 over the same period last year, ranking it higher than all other luxury imports including Mercedes-Benz and Lexus. It's quite a stellar report considering the controversy that swirled around the introduction of the redesigned 7 Series early this year, where some critics saw the new styling direction as a sign of BMW's impending doom. If anything, the controversy has brought more people into showrooms, boosting sales of both new and pre-owned Bimmers. It seems now more than ever that the future is bright for BMW---about as bright as its High Intensity Discharge Xenon headlights.
  BMW 3 Series
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MSRP Range: $27,100 - $42,400
No significant changes were planned for 2003. Changes in 2002: Sedans and sport wagons, the "oldest" siblings in the 3 Series lineup, received a subtle facelift, while all models now feature Bi-Xenon headlights, an improved Dynamic Stability Control system, new wheel and tire packages, including optional run-flat tires and a single-disc, in-dash CD player as standard (instead of a cassette), while the cassette is a no-cost option. The optional navigation system has been redesigned with a larger, easy-to-read color monitor, reconfigured control to ease usage and a panel that pivots downward to access the cassette player.
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  BMW 5 Series
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MSRP Range: $35,950 - $53,900
No significant changes for 2003, in preparation for a major redesign in 2004 -- to be released mid-year 2003.
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  BMW 7 Series
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MSRP Range: $67,850 - $71,850
No significant changes to the 745i, but the 760 il with a V-12 will become available. Seven series changes in 2002: The V-8 engine has the same 4.4-liter displacement as the prior generation, but has been reengineered to produce 43 more horsepower (bringing the total to 325 horses) with its six-speed automatic transmission, which provides a lower first and second gear for better performance off the line and a higher sixth gear, improving fuel economy when cruising on the highway. Both the front and rear suspension were redone nearly entirely in aluminum, improving the ride and reducing weight while BMW's Active Roll Stabilization (ARS) uses active anti-roll bars, sensors and hydraulics to determine the amount of body roll during cornering and adjust accordingly.
Many of the interior features are precisely what one expects from a luxury sedan---power tilt/telescopic steering wheel with multi-function controls, micro-perforated leather upholstery with black cherry wood and titanium-look trim, dual automatic climate control, cellular phone, navigation system and a 10-speaker Harmon Kardon audio system. What's definitely unique is BMW's new iDrive concept. Operated by a steel-colored knob (the iDrive controller) located in the center console, iDrive eliminates many of the dials and switches from the dashboard, incorporating them into a single interface. Functions are divided into four primary categories---communications, navigation, entertainment and climate---and the user can select from a multitude of options within each. There are four secondary categories that iDrive also operates---connection to BMW for roadside assistance or a nearby dealer, maintenance information, adjustments for the settings of some of the many electronic features and a help file for the iDrive system.
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  BMW M
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MSRP Range: $44,990 - $45,990
No significant changes planned for 2003.
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  BMW M3
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MSRP Range: $45,900 - $53,900
No significant changes planned for 2003.
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  BMW M5
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MSRP Range: $69,900 - $69,900
No significant changes planned for 2003.
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  BMW X5
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MSRP Range: $38,900 - $66,200
There are few changes to the X5 for 2003. In 2002, the big news was the introduction of the 4.6is, a high performance model with a 340 horsepower, 4.6-liter V-8 engine and a automatic transmission specially-programmed for performance. Accompanying all this power under the hood is a sport suspension, 20-inch wheels and tires and an interior unique to the 4.6is. The X5 4.4i, the original V-8 model introduced in 1999, received a small horsepower boost for 2002, while the X5 3.0i's six-cylinder engine, introduced in 2001, remains unchanged. The optional onboard navigation system has been reconfigured to ease viewing and operation. Other new features, either standard or optional depending on the model, include adjustable ride height, automatic headlights, in-dash single-disc CD player and power-adjustable rear-seat backrests.
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  BMW Z3
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MSRP Range: $31,300 - $37,900
Say goodbye, Z3. Though you were quite a fun little roadster, you won't be missed -- not with BMW replacing you with the Z4, a much improved roadster starting at $33,795. Two Z4 roadster two models will be available in 2003, both featuring in-line sixes; the Z4 roadster 2.5i with the 2.5L, with 184-horsepower powerplant.
The Z4 2.5i goes from 0-60 mph in 7.1 seconds with the standard 5-speed manual; the Z4 3.0i needs just 5.9 seconds using the standard 6-speed manual.
With a low center of gravity and 50/50 weight displacement, both versions are sure to be agile, and both come standard with advanced handling features, such as Vehicle Speed Sensitive Electric Power Steering, Dynamic Stability Control, Dynamic Traction Control, electronic brake proportioning, ABS and cornering/avoidance-stability enhancement. Also included are run-flat tires. Other standard features of the new Z4 include a leather sport steering wheel, sport seats, a rollover safety system, adjustable steering column and
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  BMW Z8
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MSRP Range: $130,000 - $130,000
No significant changes planned for 2003.
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