Short review of 2006 BMW 525Xi/550i ============================ Price as tested: CDN$ 66700 (525Xi) CDN$93500 (550i) For 2006, BMW not only added 530Xi Touring sportswagon and V10 M5 into the 5-Series range. They also added X-Drive into entry-level 525i and replaced the 545i with 550i. The horsepower jumps to 360 from 325, while torque increases from [...]
Vehicle: 2006 BMW 530Xi Touring with M Sport Package and Premium Package Price as tested: CDN$85700 Performance: No one has ever doubt BMW builds the world’s best straight-6 engine. The same goes for the sweet-sounding 3.0L DOHC straight 6 24-valver with Double VANOS in our tester. Regardless of which engine rpm, this engine provides plenty [...]
Vehicle: 2006 BMW M Roadster with Premium Package Price as tested: CDN$72800 Performance: BMW has taken their famous straight-6 powerplant into another new height with the introduction of new M Roadster. This 3.2L 24-valver DOHC straight-6 with Double VANOS is good for 333 horses and 262 lb/ft of torque. Regardless of which rpm, this engine [...]
Short review of 2006 BMW 323i ====================== Price as tested: CDN$37400 Unlike any other 3-Series I have test driven before, this is a 3-Series with a twist. First, this is the Canadian-only 323i with a 2.5L straight6 engine. And secondly, it doesn’t come with any sorts of luxury features you normally associate with luxury brand [...]
Vehicle: 2006 BMW 325Xi Touring with 6-speed Steptronic, Sport and Premium Pkgs Price as tested: CDN$54700 Performance: Under 3-Series Touring’s bonnet lies BMW’s legendary straight 6 technology. A detuned 3.0L straight 6 that is good for 215 ponies and 185 lb/ft of torque. While BMW straight 6′s entertaining engine note and refinment remain intact, the [...]
Short review of 2006 BMW 525i ======================= Price as tested: CDN$62690 With the introduction of entry-level 525i, BMW has lowered the admission to 5-Series. The latest iteration of 525i uses the same magnesium-made 3.0L straight 6 Double VANOS DOHC engine as new 325i. Considered 525i’s weight is at a high 1565 kg with its 215 [...]
Vehicle(s): 2006 BMW 325i with 6-speed Steptronic, Premium Pkg, Dakota Leather, glass sunroof, Active Steering and adaptive headlights 330i with 6-speed manual transmission, Premium Pkg, Sport Pkg, burled walnut wood trim and Harmon/Kardon LOGIC-7 sound system Price as tested: CDN$51490 (325i) CDN$55700 (330i) Performance: Both the 325i and 330i are powered by the same 3.0L [...]
Vehicle(s): 2005 BMW 325i Exective Edition 330i M Performance Edition with Anthracite w/Cloth Laser Anthracite – Alcantara Combination and Black Alu Cube Trim Price as tested: CDN$ 43100 (325i) CDN$54300 (330i) Performance: Both of these twins are powered by BMW’s world-renowed straight 6 engine series. With 184 hp and 175 lb/ft of torque, this 2.5L [...]
Vehicle: 2005 BMW 545i with 6-speed Steptronic, Dynamic Handling Pkg, Sport pkg and park distance control Price as tested: CDN$85100 Performance: With 325 ponies and 330 lb/ft of torque, this 4.5L V8 DOHC engine’s power is never an issue. It has excellent response and refinement at every speed. Its not only silky smooth, it also [...]
Short review of 2004 BMW X3 2.5i ======================== Price as tested: CDN$47585 The only differences between this 2.5i and last 3.0i I drove are mainly the 5-speed stick shift, standard suspension and without the premium package. Latter includes auto climate control, automatic dimming mirrors and memory power seats. While the 5-speed stick still a joy [...]
Vehicle: 2004 BMW X5 4.4i with 6-speed Steptronic, activity and premium pkgs Price as tested: CDN$76500 Handling: X5 has to be one of the sportiest SUV I have ever driven, even if the tester doesn’t come with sports suspension. The beauty of X5′s chassis is its a vehicle with high center of gravity but engineered [...]
Vehicle: 2004 BMW Z4 3.0i with sports and premium pkgs Price as tested: CDN$65100 Performance: Z4 is motivated by 1 of 2 engines. These straight 6s are either 2.5 and 3.0L. Our tester is latter with 225 hp and 214 lb/ft of torque, the same impressive engine found in 3 and 5-Series. The legendary turbine-like [...]
Vehicle: 2004 BMW X3 3.0i with Steptronic, Premium pkg, Sport pkg, Activity pkg, metallic paint, ambience leather, rear side airbags, Panorama sunroof, Light Birch wood trim, electric seats with memory, PDC and privacy glass Price as tested: CDN$70090 Performance: The familiar straight 6 3.0 DOHC with double VANOS bumps out 225hp and 214 lb/ft of [...]