BMW Road Tests

Appearing under the BMW efficient dynamics banner - which promises the unlikely combination of increased power, better fuel consumption and reduced emissions - the 335d is one of the stars of BMW's recently updated 3-series range. David Thomson reports on a rewarding time behind the wheel.

BMW has sought a full return to form with the new fifth-generation Seven-Series.

"Being number one is no longer important. Staying in business, and keeping our dealers profitable, is."

It was tempting to think they were having me on. I measure 166.5cm in my socks. This bike's seat height is 93cm.

Maybe you remember the original 1960s Mini station wagon? Maybe you should forget it because, those look-alike back doors and a sort-of similar silhouette aside, today's BMW car isn't really like the BMC original at all.

When BMW gave its 1-series range a small midlife facelift earlier this year, it added exterior visual enhancements and improved interior trim across the range.

The new Mini arrived, and the battlelines were drawn.

They say the steering feel isn’t quite right; that the styling lacks the sophistication expected of such an expensive car. They say it’s lost some soul. Some say the Audi RS4 is better.

What a goose. As the 5-Series sedan turned out of the sandy beachside carpark, its driver relaxed the reins; two black rooster-tails of grit immediately sprayed out right across the flank of a parked BMW 1-Series.

THE TRICK wasn't just to position the BMW X5 across a set of ruts in such a way to leave it balancing on opposing wheels. It was to then be able to cleanly open - and then close - the doors.

While the Z4 M Roadster was the star at BMW's recent media launch of new cars, the more significant vehicle on show in terms of both sales and technical terms was the new 3-series coupe.

IF YOU are one of the 10 New Zealanders set to take delivery of the new BMW Z4 M Coupe this year, then consider calling your dealer to ask if the car can be delivered without its standard MP3-compatible six-stack, 10-speaker sound system.

THE overriding impression on exiting the new BMW 550i is not its superb engine, performance, chassis or luxury; rather, it is its fighter-plane experience.

SOME PEOPLE believe the words "diesel" and "performance" should never be used in the same sentence.

But the latest BMW X3 diesel model makes a nonsense of that. It puts the "sport" into Sports Utility Vehicle(SUV).

The first time BMW sent the current 7-series around the country's motoring writers for appraisal we were required to report to the local dealer for a familiarisation session on the intricacies of its "in-your-face" technology before taking the car for a drive.

A decade ago, buyers of German luxury cars would have shuddered at the thought of buying a diesel.

Once upon a time, BMW described the styling of its new models as "evolutionary" rather than "revolutionary".

YOU BUY the baby BMW 1 Series with your heart, because, your bank manager will say it just does not add up.

The road test BMW 120d SE sells for $57,900. For that, you could buy a new four-wheel drive - or most other five-door hatchbacks for $25,000 or more under that price.

But that is not what BMW's cheapest five-door hatchback is all about.

Worldwide, six out of every 10 new BMWs sold are 3-series, which makes this month's arrival of the all-new E90 variant the company's most important motoring event of the year for New Zealand.

BMW's new 1-series hatchback breaks some of the most fundamental conventions of small car design.

It is a rare thing indeed when news of a luxury wagon sends a thrill of anticipation down the spine of a motoring writer, but such was the case when the first details of the new 5-series Touring were released. Here, it seemed, was a machine that would best its saloon counterpart in styling as well as load-carrying.