Cover Story 3 and 5 Series with xDrive
W E AT H E RPROOFED
xDrive’s capa to the legendabilities add and performa ry handling BMW 3 Seriesnce of Sedans and S and 5 Series ports Wagons .
Head for the hills: the 2006 325xi Sedan and Sports Wagon with xDrive all-wheel drive easily master steep, rough roads with confidence
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EAMLESS S , S S E L P E T S IS xD R IV E
UNDETEC LY E T E L P M O C D AN
TA B L E .
The 525xi and 530xi Sedans seem almost eager to tackle slippery roads. When the road is dry, every tight corner becomes an excuse to have fun
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Te x t : D . R a n d y R i g g s
Photos: Simon Stock
It’s a tall order. For drivers who worship at the altar of handling and performance, yet have a penchant for the practicality of a sedan or sports wagon, the pickings are limited. Throw in the ultrademanding requirement of four-season capability for those in less temperate climates, and the number of viable candidates dwindles precipitously. However, when those numbers are “3” and “5,” as in BMW parlance, everything changes. Of course, we’re talking 3 and 5 Series BMW models, both now offering xDrive all-wheel drive to meet the demanding criteria listed above. And, most important, two all-new
xDrive Sports Wagons raise driving dynamics and safety features to new levels, combining amazing competence, superb comfort on long journeys, and exceptional prowess in back road environments – all topped off with the versatility of a sports wagon. Five generations of excellence. The fifth-generation 3 Series
bowed to great fanfare earlier this year, in events like BMW’s 3 Across America. Since then it has dazzled happy new owners, as did its predecessors over the last 30 years. The 255-hp 330i Sedan and the 325i Sedan with its 215-hp version of BMW’s new 3.0-liter six, are
3 Series Seda and Sports W ns with xDrive: agon sp style, spacio orty us interiors, an d confident ha nd on all roads, ling in all weather
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3 Series
Info
325xi Sedan and Sports Wagon Engine: 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder Output: 215 hp @ 6250 rpm Torque: 185 lb-ft @ 2750 rpm 0-60 (sec.): 7.1 [7.3] (man.), 7.7 [7.9] (auto.)1 330xi Sedan Engine: 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder Output: 255 hp @ 6600 rpm Torque: 220 lb-ft @ 2750 rpm 0-60 (sec.): 6.3 (manual), 6.6 (auto.)1
ALL FOUR WHEELS A R E R E A DY TO G R IP WHEN T H E Y ’R E NEEDED. Wagon and The 5 Series Sports whisk you to Sedans with xDrive le – even if your destination in sty ain unt mo the of it’s the top
Figures in [ ] refer to 325xi Sports Wagon. 1
BMW AG preliminary data. Obey local speed laws and always wear safety belts.
roomier, more powerful and more fuel efficient than their predecessors. Sharp and modern, both boast superlative mechanicals and driving behavior. Best of all, admiring glances can now also be directed towards three new versions of the 3 Series: the aforementioned Sedans and a new Sports Wagon, each featuring road-gripping xDrive all-wheel drive for just about anything the weather offers up. Wagons ho! Whoever thought a wagon could look this good? The
term “soccer mom” will never be directed at anyone behind the wheel of the new 3 Series Sports Wagon, even if it is filled with kids wearing big smiles and jerseys with numbers on the backs. Imbued with refined elegance, yet sleek and muscular, it’s a look that means business – when business means attaching a couple of mountain bikes, snowboards or skis to the accessory BMW roof rack system. Who won’t be smiling when the time comes to flatten the splitfolding seatbacks into the cargo floor, raise the tailgate and slide that coffee table from the furniture store inside? Convenient access to the luggage compartment is possible through the rear window as well, which opens separately for smaller odds and ends. Items can also be secured in the lockable hidden storage space under the cargo floor. Want even more driving pleasure? Press a button and the sky is the limit with the extra-wide Panoramic roof that opens almost two feet longer than a conventional sliding roof, providing an open-air feeling to the sumptuous cabin. 22 BMW Magazine
5 Series
Info
525xi Sedan Engine: 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder Output: 215 hp @ 6250 rpm Torque: 185 lb-ft @ 2750 rpm 0-60 (sec.): 7.9 (manual), 8.2 (auto.)1 Comfortably in control: since the driver is an integral part of a BMW’s high performance, the 3 and 5 Series cockpit puts everything readily at your command
530xi Sedan and Sports Wagon Engine: 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder Output: 255 hp @ 6600 rpm Torque: 220 lb-ft @ 2750 rpm 0-60 (sec.): 6.4 [6.8] (man.), 6.6 [7.3] (auto.)1
AN IT S PR ED EC ES SO RS TH T EN CI FI EF EL FU ER FU L AN D M O RE RO O M IE R, M O RE PO W ASTS SU PE RL AT IV E DR IV IN G BE H AV IO R. TH E 20 06 3 SE RI ES BO
Figures in [ ] refer to 530xi Sports Wagon. 1
BMW AG preliminary data. Obey local speed laws and always wear safety belts.
However, the real excitement begins when you start the engine. Instantly you know this is no station wagon. Here beats the ultrasmooth and powerful six-cylinder heart of a BMW renowned for its efficiency and reliability. There’s a choice of 6-speed transmissions: the standard manual; or an optional STEPTRONIC automatic that features Sport and clutchless Manual shift modes, as well as Adaptive Transmission Control, to have your fun any way you want it. All in all, 3 Series models with xDrive give new meaning to the word “adventure.” And touring has never been this much fun. More with four. The highly celebrated 525xi and 530xi Sedans and 530xi Sports Wagon with xDrive deliver all the bank-vault solidity expected of a BMW, and then some. The “then some” is an allweather capability you don’t even have to think about, because it’s there for you wherever you drive. And we’ve all been there, when a day of sunshine turns suddenly stormy, and the road ahead turns hostile. Headlights come on, the road slicks up, and you tighten your grip on the wheel. Tension mounts. That winter trip to the mountains can be full of excitement, too, except when the road shoulders begin turning white and those big snowflakes start falling. For many drivers that’s not the kind of excitement they were looking for; the lack of traction is anything but confidence-inspiring. 24 BMW Magazine
Unfortunately (until recently), all-wheel drive has always had its drawbacks – most noticeably, a cumbersome feel to the driving experience, with power going to the front wheels when it’s not needed. That all changed when BMW introduced xDrive in the X3 and X5. With xDrive, driver input is not necessary when the going gets slippery, because xDrive is stepless, seamless and completely undetectable, except for the fact that all four wheels are ready to grip when they’re needed (see Holding Fast Through the Curves, on page 26). So that trip down the street during a sudden downpour, or a weekend run to a snowy mountain retreat need not be a cause for concern – and everyday commuting in harsh conditions won’t seem nearly as bad when you have four-wheel traction and rear-wheel driving feel. Form, functionality and Autobahn in the DNA make up the heart of the latest 5 Series Sedans and Sports Wagon with xDrive, each boasting a long list of standard comfort, convenience and safety features in a space-saving design. Cockpits wrap occupants in absolute comfort and security, the quality of materials and craftsmanship obvious in an elegant, understated way – it’s a place where one really wants to spend a lot of time. And it’s quality time, indeed, with a multi-function steering wheel putting essential controls at your fingertips, and BMW’s innovative iDrive system to access and control the optional navigation system or non-driving functions.
Brilliant new styling marks the all-new 530xi Sports Wagon, boasting more storage space with no wheel wells intruding into the cabin, a completely flat floor when the 60/40 split seats are folded, and a low load-in height. Roof rails can accommodate additional cargo and can be fitted with the accessory BMW roof rack system. No need to leave anything behind! Smiling behind the signature twin kidney grille and under the sculpted hood, the next-generation 215-hp and 255-hp inline sixes provide the thrust, smoother than ever with BMW’s Valvetronic technology, and lighter than ever with a composite magnesium/ aluminum engine block. Double-VANOS technology provides precise valve timing at every engine speed, which means improved torque, acceleration, performance and efficiency. One can also choose between a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission, or a 6-speed STEPTRONIC automatic transmission with Sport and clutchless Manual shift modes and Adaptive Transmission Control (ATC). What a rational choice – an automobile that adapts to your world seamlessly; a feast for the eyes every time you walk away and look back at it, waiting. But it won’t be parked for long. There are the mountains, the beach, B&Bs up the coast, family picnics, antiquing, colorful fall leaves, a fishing trip, that favorite back road, kayaking, runs to the hardware store and noisy fun from the kids in the rear seat. Soccer, anyone? bmwusa.com BMW Magazine 25
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