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Blog Archives for May 04
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31 May 2004. Blog entry by Bimmerman.
BMW has a wide model range categorized by their 'series' number. Current models
include the 1-series, 3-series, 5-series, 6-series, 7-series, M-series, X-series and
Z-series. The most popular model range is probably the 3-series. It is
one of the
smallest cars in the BMW range and are available in the most body styles
including saloon, coupe, 2-door compact, convertible and touring. The cars also
come in a variety of engines from the entry level 318i to the fast 330i and
right up to the devastatingly rapid M3. If you fancy a BMW 3-series, you'll
easily find a model that suits!
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28 May 2004. Blog entry by Bimmerman.
BMW cars follow a naming convention so it is easy to refer to a particular model
from their extensive range. This can be seen on the car's model badge, usually a
3-digit numeric character (e.g. '318' or '325' or '520' or '525') sometimes
followed by an additional letter or two (e.g. 'i' or 'is' or 'ix'). The first
digit represents the series number (e.g. 3-series or 5-series) and the two next
digits indicates the engine size. Thus a '520i' would be a 5-series with a
2.0litre engine. The last letter such as 'i' indicates other specific info about
that model. For example, 'i' stands for 'injected'.
Probably weird to indicate cars have fuel injection. However, BMW introduced their naming convention in the
70s when carburetors were more common and fuel injection was definitely a
distinguishing engineering feature!
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26 May 2004. Blog entry by Bimmerman.
BMW cars are visually persuasive but it is the enjoyment of driving them that keeps owners loyal to the marque and reviewers singing their praises. Model for model BMW cars often outperform rivals in competing range, particularly in the aspect of driveability and handling. BMW cars provide that subjective but confidence inspiring steering feel that is associated with good handling. The car goes where it's pointed with steady response and drivers feel the car responding to their steering input, acceleration and braking. Certainly there are other cars that provide better handling, e.g. expensive Porsches or highly
focused niche cars like Mitsubishi Evos but these will not suit many as their daily transport. For the majority of enthusiastic drivers looking for cars with solid build quality with modern niceties, comfort and style, it's tough to beat the BMW. Perhaps that's key to why BMW car owners are passionate about their cars; people who enjoy driving buy BMW!
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23 May 2004. Blog entry by DaBoss.
Confused between the usage of the terms
Bimmer, Beemer and Beamer? A simple
keyword search in Google for the different
terms yields thousands of entries in which
the terms are used indifferently. However,
the truth is that although all the terms
refer to BMW vehicles, Bimmer is the
proper term for BMW cars (vehicles with 4
wheels) while Beemer and Beamer are terms
that are used for BMW vehicles that have
less than 4 wheels (e.g. motorcycles). Want to
know more?
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20 May 2004. Blog entry by Bimmerman.
Besides the roundel and the kidney grille, another
recognizable design on BMW cars are their four round headlights. The quad headlights together with the kidney grille presents what is probably one of the most consistent front end styling for any car manufacturer across such an extensive model range from the entry level 3-series right up to the 7-series. This was most obvious for BMW cars in the 70s and 80s. BMWs designed in the 90s, beginning with the e36 3-series had plastic covers over the round headlights. Although it helps
modernize the front end styling, these plastic covers tend to blur over time thus reducing the visibility of the four round headlights. It diminishes the visual impact of the quad headlights, with it the character of the
BMW front (thank goodness there for the kidney grille!). Nevertheless, BMW had resurrected the significance of the quad headlights looks in their latest model designs with the use of clear headlights covers and 'angel eyes' to display that characteristic even when dark! There should no mistaking a BMW from the front.
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19 May 2004. Blog entry by Bimmerman.
The single most recognizable design characteristic of any
BMW car is the double kidney grille. I like the fact that one can never mistaken a BMW closing up from behind when looking in the rear view mirrors. The design first appeared on the 303 in the early 30s. Back then the styling of the kidney grille was tall and slim, matching the high nose of cars from that era. The design has evolved with time to the low and wide design seen on the latest BMW cars. By adjusting the height, width and rectangular shape of the kidney design it looks as fresh today on the latest BMW cars as it did when it first appeared. The enduring design of the BMW kidney is a reflection on the ingenuity of
BMW engineering.
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18 May 2004. Blog entry by Bimmerman.
What's the meaning of BMW? The performance of BMW cars have been well and extensively reviewed and many know and have experienced the joy of driving a BMW. However, not many know the meaning of BMW or their company logo (the blue and white roundel). Here's some basic information.
BMW stands for Bayerische Motoren Werke or Bavarian Motor Company. The company was established in 1913 and based in Munich, Germany. It started out as an aero engine manufacturer, hence the company logo. The logo comprised of four quadrants of alternating white and blue
color. It is a stylized representation of an airplane propeller spinning against the clear blue sky.
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