Popular BMW Cars of the 21st Century
The BMW car company, specializing in upscale luxury cars, rarely breaks into the top ten best selling car list. This does not mean, however, that BMW manufactures some serious impressive vehicles. Rather, not enough people can afford BMW cars for a BMW sedan to outsell, say, a Ford Focus or Chevy Impala. In the top ten best selling luxury car list, however, the BMW brand makes frequent appearances. Among their most popular cars are the BMW 3 Series, the BMW 5 Series, and the sporty BMW Z4 M Series.
The BMW 5 Series has a noble history stretching back over thirty years. The midsize luxury sedan has a reputation for reliability and a near perfect blend of performance, luxury, and roominess. The current generation of the BMW 5 Series, introduced in 2004, offers a choice of three engines with either manual or automatic transmission. The entry-level engine is a 3.0-liter inline-6 sporting 230 horsepower (hp), and midlevel engine consists of a twin-turbo six rated at 300 hp, and the high-end V8 engine commends 360 hp. The BMW 5 Series handles quite well, with responsive, sharp reflexes, corners well, and a stability control system hugs the road. Drawbacks, as always, include a price higher than most of its competitors. Another drawback is the BMW 5 Series' iDrive system, which controls audio, climate, navigation, and communication from a single LCD touch screen. Unfortunately, the iDrive system it not very intuitive, and many have had a rough, confusing time learning to use it.
The BMW 3 Series of coupes, sedans, and convertibles are generally considered to set the standard for sports sedan performance and handling that other car companies have to compete with. The basic BMW 3 Series engine is a fairly fuel-efficient 3.0-liter V6 that produced 230 hp and 200 lb-ft of torque. At the higher trim levels, a more powerful version of this engine is available rates at 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. The standard engine is a little light on low-end torque, but the upgraded twin-turbo engine provides the kind of acceleration on has come to expect from a BMW. Both engines provide an unparalleled performance, easy handling, and smooth, comfortable ride quality. The BMW 3 Series has an impressive array of standard safety equipment: antilock disc brakes, dynamic brake control, stability control, front seat side airbags, and full-length side curtain airbags (except on the convertible models, of course). The biggest drawback to the BMW 3 Series is its cost. With a fully loaded convertible reaching over $60,000 (over £42,000), most of the BMW 3 Series' competitors can under sell it.
Finally, the BMW Z4 M series is essentially a luxury sports car, specifically designed for superb handling and an easy ride. The BMW Z4 M is powered by a 3.2-liter 24-valve inline V6 engine that produces a surprising 330 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. Top-of-the-line performance is provided by a combination of a six-speed manual transmission, heavy-duty clutch, six electronically controlled throttles, and a low-back-pressure dual exhaust system. Superior handling and a smooth ride are achieved with a strut-type front suspension, central-link rear suspension, a variable differential lock, and BMW's calibrated Dynamic Stability Control. Safety features include dual-airbag system, side impact airbags, active knee protection, and BMW's advanced Crash Safety Management System. On top of all that, the BMW Z4 M's V6 engine is comparatively fuel efficient—although if you're thinking about buying this car, you can probably spare the money for extra gas.