Autoblog

BMW adds new entry-level 320i model, priced from $33,445*

Jeffrey N. Ross — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Sedan, BMW, Luxury

Fans of the new BMW 3 Series here in the US have likely been waiting for one of two models to arrive: the new M3 or the diesel-powered 335d. Well... keep waiting just a little bit longer. Here at the Detroit Auto Show, BMW is showing off the new entry-level 320i that will join the 3 Series lineup this spring, and rather than bringing added performance or efficiency, this car is boasting affordability above all. The 320i has been on sale in other markets since the current-generation 3 Series was introduced, but it goes on sale in the US with a starting price of $33,445 (*)including $895 for destination, which is $3,405 less than the current starting price of BMW's well-liked sedan.

In other countries, the 320i uses either a 1.5- or a 2.0-liter inline-four (both turbocharged), and the US version of the car will be getting the latter engine producing 180 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque. For comparison, the current 328i, which uses this same engine, produces 240 hp and 255 lb-ft of torque. As expected, performance of the 320i will suffer with BMW estimating a 0-60 mile-per-hour time of 7.1 seconds, but it still has the same 130 mph top speed as the 328i. Oddly enough, despite the lower output, BMW's expected fuel economy for the 320i equipped with rear-wheel-drive and the eight-speed automatic transmission actually matches that of the current 328i with 23 miles per gallon city and 33 mpg highway, and those numbers are actually lower than the 328i with the manual gearbox.

It sounds like most of the usual 3 Series options will be available on the budget-minded 320i, including the choice of xDrive all-wheel drive, BMW Assist and numerous packages including a Sport pack and Premium pack. For a lot more information on the 320i, most of it general information on the F30 3 Series, scroll down for BMW's press release.

Continue reading BMW adds new entry-level 320i model, priced from $33,445*

BMW adds new entry-level 320i model, priced from $33,445* originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Jan 2013 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Zealand dealership honors $1 Buy-it-Now price

George Kennedy — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 19:31:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Government/Legal, BMW, Australia, Luxury

You've probably heard of more than a few eBay or Craigslist specials that sound too good to be true; "Buy it for just $1- today only!" More often than not, its a ruse, luring you in for a far less inciting, yet more realistic transaction. If you are Stadium Cars, you wish it were the latter, but a mistake on its part led to a BMW being sold for just $1. An employee at Stadium Cars in New Zealand listed a 1994 320i online for auction. The reserve, and thus the "Buy it Now" price? Just $1. At that price, it was scooped up in seconds.

Stadium Cars manager Mike Nokes said that while a car is listed with a $1 reserve every week, the "Buy it Now" option was accidentally activated. Thus, a user by the name of "bignz" was able to purchase the 1994 BMW 320i that otherwise would likely have sold in the $3,000 range. Sure, it's not nearly a brand-new car, but who'd turn down that deal?

Unsurprisingly, it was the cheapest sale of a car in the history of the dealership. At the point, one may surmise that the dealer would embark on legal action to get out of the sale, but according to Nokes, "We are firm believers in the auction process and for it to be fair to buyers and sellers alike." In this case, it seems that the buyer made out with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

New Zealand dealership honors $1 Buy-it-Now price originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Aug 2012 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2009 BMW 3 Series unveiled

Alex Nunez — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 09:49:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Wagon, Europe, BMW

Click above for 40 hi-res images of the freshened 3 series

BMW has unveiled photos and details pertaining to the facelifted, Euro-spec 2009 3 Series sedan and wagon. We touched on the visual updates yesterday, but to recap, the car sports a revised front fascia, a new hood, restyled mirrors, and reshaped taillamps. The changes are subtle, but good. Inside, the new iDrive trickles down to the 3, which also gets BMW ConnectedDrive in-car internet, as well as an 80-gig hard drive. The 3 Series sedans and wagons are available with 6-speed manual or automatic transmissions. The 7-speed DCT doesn't make it into the four- and five-doors at this time, but it becomes available on the 335i coupe and convertible. Read on after the jump as we run down the model variants and engine offerings.

Gallery: 2009 BMW 3 Series

[Source: BMW | Photos: BMW via BMW Blog]

Continue reading 2009 BMW 3 Series unveiled

2009 BMW 3 Series unveiled originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Jul 2008 09:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hamann does up the 3-series 'vert, massages engines across the board

Damon Lavrinc — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 11:07:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Convertible, Coupe, BMW

Click the image above for more high-res pics.

German tuning powerhouse, Hamann, is back doing what it does best: massaging the exterior and interior, while making sweet love to the drivetrain of BMW's 3-series. Its newest line of products leaves no 3 untouched, covering the range from the 320i to the 330d and on to our beloved 335i.

Starting with the twin-turbo 335, Hamann performs its own version of electronic black arts on the ECU, bringing out an additional 37 HP and increasing top speed to 173 MPH. When coupled with its four-pipe sports muffler and a more flow-friendly air filter, anyone within earshot knows you're driving something special.

The 320i also benefits from optimized ECU maps, increasing power by 10 HP on the four-cylinder coupe, while the 325i and 330i get an additional 13 HP and 17 HP, respectively. Rounding out the line up is the Hamann-tuned 330d, where customers can benefit from a 272 HP oilburner cranking out 443 lb.-ft. of torque at 2,000 RPM.

Naturally, the exterior and interior get their due diligence, with the addition of a new front spoiler, side sills, rear spoiler and bumper with matched notches for the new exhaust tips. Wheel sizes are available from 18- to 20-inches, in a variety of shapes, while revised suspension and brake components round out the package.

Follow the jump for Hamann's press release and enjoy the 28-image gallery below.

Gallery: Hamann BMW 3-Series Convertible

Continue reading Hamann does up the 3-series 'vert, massages engines across the board

Hamann does up the 3-series 'vert, massages engines across the board originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 21 Jul 2007 11:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW Art Cars begin international tour

Alex Nunez — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 17:02:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Performance, Etc., BMW

1976 BMW 3.0 CSL by Frank Stella

A group of BMW Art Cars is headed to Gallery Petronas in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia this month for the start of a museum tour that will keep the cars on the road until 2010. The Malaysian display runs from from September 14 to October 22 and includes cars by Frank Stella, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and Ken Done. After Malaysia, the cars will head to Singapore, the Philippines, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand -- the end of the line for that particular group.

At the same time, Art Cars by Alexander Calder, Matazao Kayama, David Hockney and Jenny Holzer will be making the rounds through Taiwan, China, Russia and Africa. From there, a group of Art Cars (BMW doesn't specify which ones) will go to Turkey and then tour the United States and head back to Europe, where France, Spain and Portugal all have events in the works so far.

We'd love to tell you what the US stops will be but we're guessing they aren't finalized (BMW doesn't give any details). They aren't going to arrive here for quite a while anyway. Regardless, we're looking forward to checking out the exhibit when it does. Significant cars by significant artists? We're there.

(Photos, press release after the jump)

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading BMW Art Cars begin international tour

BMW Art Cars begin international tour originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Sep 2006 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay pulls auction for Columbine killer's BMW

Chris Paukert — Thu, 09 Mar 2006 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan

Internet auction site eBay has unleashed their taste police on a so-called 'murderabilia' auction featuring the 1982 BMW 320i owned by Dylan Klebold, one of the Columbine High School killers. The car had been confiscated after a bomb squad located two 20-lb. tanks of propane along with seven pipe bombs after the massacre. Klebold's parents retained possession of the Bimmer after police held it for one year.

[Source: TheDenverChannel.com]

eBay pulls auction for Columbine killer's BMW originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Mar 2006 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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