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2008 BMW X6 35i xDrive 50i xDrive All Colors Options Worldwide Delivery 1-888-831-8080 1-888-861-8080
New 2008 BMW X6 xDrive35i SUV
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The 2008 BMW X6 is offered in two models, both with BMW's xDrive all-wheel drive. The X6 xDrive35i uses BMW's twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 that makes 300 horsepower. It is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission that can be controlled manually via the shifter or a pair of steering wheel paddles. xDrive is meant for street use and lacks low-range gearing. The X6 xDrive35i ($52,500) comes standard with leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, power tilt/telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, cruise control with brake function to maintain the set speed down hills, 10-way power-adjustable front seats, interior air filter, 60/40 split folding rear seat, power mirrors with tilt-down back-up aid, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, power sunroof, six-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo, auxiliary input jack, outside-temperature indicator, rain-sensing variable-intermittent wipers with heated washer nozzles, rear cargo shade, bi-xenon adaptive automatic headlights, theft-deterrent system, front cornering lights, fog lights, and P255/50R19 run-flat tires on alloy wheels. The X6 xDrive50i ($63,000) has a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine that produces 400 horsepower. It uses the same six-speed automatic and comes with xDrive. Standard features include 20-way power multi-contour front seats, a navigation system with voice activation and real-time traffic, and a load-leveling suspension.Several option packages are available. A ventilated seat package ($1100) for the xdrive50i adds front ventilated seats and an active driver's seat that subtly changes the contours of its left and right halves periodically to reduce body fatigue. The same package for the xDrive35i ($2100) also has 20-way adjustable multi-contour seats. A Cold Weather package ($900) has a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, retractable headlight washers, and a ski bag for the rear seat passthrough. A Premium package ($1750) adds a universal garage door opener, auto-dimming rearview mirror, power folding and auto-dimming exterior mirrors, four-way power adjustable lumbar support for the front seats, a digital compass for the rearview mirror, ambient lighting, a rear storage system, a Bluetooth cell phone link, and BMW Assist emergency and concierge service. The Premium Sound package ($2000) has a 600-watt audio system with 16 speakers and two subwoofers, digital equalizing for each seating position, a 6-disc CD/DVD changer, and an iPod and USB adapter. The Rear Climate package ($900) includes rear side window shades, four-zone automatic climate control, and privacy glass. A Technology package for the xDrive35i ($2000) adds a rearview camera and the navigation system. A Sport package is offered for each model. Three versions are offered for the xDrive35i. The basic package ($3600) comes with P255/50R19 run-flat tires on light alloy wheels, BMW's Adaptive Drive with Active Roll Stabilization and Electronic Damping Control with Sport and Comfort settings, 10-way power adjustable front sport seats, Shadowline exterior side window trim, an anthracite headliner, and a higher top speed limiter; P275/40R20 front and P315/35R20 rear tires on run-flat performance tires ($950) can be added and BMW's 20-way adjustable multi-contour seats are available ($1200). The xDrive50i has sport, multi-contour seats standard, but otherwise the Sport package ($3100) items are the same. Additional options: rear DVD entertainment ($1700), BMW's Active Steering ($1400), a power rear liftgate ($500), BMW's Comfort Access keyless entry and starting ($1000), soft-close automatic doors ($600), running boards ($300), a rearview camera ($400), heated front seats ($500), multi-contour front seats ($1200), heated rear seats ($350), a navigation system ($1900), a head-up display ($1200), BMW Assist ($750), HD radio ($350), Sirius satellite radio ($595), and upgraded perforated Nappa leather ($1000). Safety features include dual front airbags; front side-impact airbags; curtain side airbags with rollover deployment; tire-pressure monitor; front and rear park assist; traction control; electronic stability control with cornering brake control and Trailer Sway Control; Hill Descent Control; Hill Start Assist; and ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution, brake assist, brake drying and brake fade compensation. The only safety option is the rearview camera.
Walkaround
The BMW X6 is in a class by itself. That's not a value judgment. It really is in a class by itself. There are no other raised four-door coupe/SUVs on the market. The X6 shares its basic architecture with the X5 SUV (or SAV for Sports Activity Vehicle in BMW parlance), but it is modified for the X6. The wheelbase is the same, but the X6 is about two inches wider and the rear track is 2.2 inches wider. The X6's coupe-like body design also makes it three inches shorter than the X5. The X6's raised ride height (with a ground clearance of 8.5 inches) means it is classified as a truck. On the road, the X6 has a definite presence. For starters, there's the twin-kidney BMW grille. The X6 differs from the X5 and announces its performance character with lots of front end cooling. A small mesh grille is located beneath the twin kidney grilles and a larger lower air intake, also with a mesh grille, is found along the bottom of the front fascia. More noticeable are two massive air intakes that house round fog lights located beneath the cat's eye-style headlights. It's from the side that the X6 makes its biggest statement. If you would only see the X6 from the beltline down, you'd think it's an SUV. After all, the wheelwells house massive tires, yet the wheel openings are so massive that there is plenty of air around the tires. It's the greenhouse, however, that defines the vehicle. The roof reaches the peak of its height just behind the windshield and steadily slopes down to the rear end where it culminates in a built-in spoiler. When viewed from the rear, this spoiler is part of the hatchback and it resembles the high trunk that debuted on the 7 Series. The rear view shows a wide, rounded shape. It doesn't look quite like a sports car, though, because the rear end is fairly tall and chunky, not sleek and slim like a BMW 6 Series or Porsche 911. Nonetheless, like a sports car, the high rear end and sloped roof give the X6 the look of a predator hunched and ready to attack.
Interior Features
The overall ambience of the BMW X6 cabin is decidedly upscale. Just about every BMW has a nice, if somewhat staid, interior, but the X6 is more luxurious than most of the line. Soft-touch surfaces abound and the few plastics that are to be found are solid and tastefully finished. The dash is padded on the xDrive35i model, and is even nicer on the xDrive50i, as it is covered in leather. Real wood trim is used throughout. The driver grips a substantial steering wheel with aluminum shift paddles and looks upon a hooded instrument cluster that features a prominent speedometer and tachometer. Outlined in silver, the gauges feature black faces with white numbers and needles. Inset and shrouded, the gauges are easy to read, as is the digital trip computer information that is displayed between the two gauges. The trip computer information is accessed through a button on the turn signal stalk. To the driver's right is the center stack, which features an 8.8-inch screen that displays the navigation map (when navigation is ordered) and other functions of BMW's iDrive control system. Below the screen are two vents, a set of climate control buttons, and the radio controls. The radio controls are set low, and we had to momentarily take our eyes off the road to adjust the radio. Standard steering wheel controls help here, though. BMW also provided eight programmable buttons so specific radio stations, navigation destinations, and telephone numbers can be accessed instantly. iDrive is controlled via a round aluminum knob and Menu button that both fall easily to hand on the center console. This system controls navigation, communication, climate, and entertainment functions. The iDrive system can require several steps to perform various functions, making tasks like finding a new radio station overly complicated, but we've found that it becomes easier once you get used to it. The center console also features two cupholders covered by a shade in front of the shift knob, a small cubby to hold items such as change or a cell phone, and a deep console bin that is padded in leather on top. Knee pads on either side of the center console help keep passengers from banging their knees when the driver decides to charge hard into turns. The driver's seating position is high like that of an SUV. There is plenty of head and leg room and the multi-adjustable seats should allow anyone to find a comfortable driving position. The front passenger has good room, too, but a long-legged colleague noted that the footwell's limited leg room meant he had to put the seat farther back than usual. Visibility to the rear is blocked by the sloped roofline, but the large mirrors help make up for that with a good view to the sides and rear. The rear seat is fairly comfortable, though it only has seating for two, which leaves a lot of hip and shoulder room. Head room is generally good, though it starts to go away if you lean back or are quite tall. Leg room is good until the front seats are moved more than halfway back. Occupants in back have a handy center tray with two cupholders and a shallow tray with a rubberized bottom for holding small items. Getting in and out of the back is a little tough, as the door openings are small, requiring occupants to twist their ankles and turn sideways to slide in and out. Generally, the rear seat makes the X6 comfortable for four adults. For cargo, the rear seat folds down 60/40 to create a mostly flat load floor. A pass-through for skis and other long items can be loaded without restricting passenger capacity. With the seats up, there is 25.6 cubic feet of cargo space, about the same as your average hatchback. That's appropriate because the X6 really is a hatchback. With the seats down, there's 59.7 cubic feet of cargo room, which is about the same as a 5 Series wagon. The rear hatch lifts in one piece, but the load floor is rather high and the coupe-like roof limits the height of packages that can be loaded. Overall, the X6 has the cargo flexibility of a typical hatchback, which is good, but it is not as spacious as most small SUVs.
All BMW X6 models come standard with xDrive all-wheel drive, which varies the power between the front and rear axles electronically. The X6 marks the debut of Dynamic Performance Control. DPC uses two planetary gear sets and two clutch packs in the rear differential to multiply torque to individual rear wheels. Sending more power to an outside wheel helps steer the vehicle through turns. We couldn't feel system working, even when we drove the X6 on a racetrack, but we can say the X6 handled impressively. That statement is made with a caveat. While the X6 handles well, it doesn't feel like a sports car, due mostly to the high center of gravity. There's just no getting around mass, and the X6 weighs more than 5,200 pounds. A 5 Series sedan, by comparison, weighs less than 4,000 pounds. While we've driven V8 and six-cylinder models, all of them have been outfitted with the Sport Package, Active Roll Stabilization, and 20-inch wheels with run-flat tires. We found that both the xDrive35i and xDrive50i had stiff suspension settings that combined with Active Roll Stabilization to help them corner flatter than any SUV. However, even with the Sport Package, the X6 has more body lean and tire squeal than you'd get in a BMW 3 Series. So don't expect the X6 to match the handling of a sports sedan. We found the stiff suspension settings and short sidewalls on the X6s we drove can take their toll on rough roads. Even with the Electronic Damping Control in the Comfort setting, the X6 reacted harshly to sharp bumps and the ride was generally stiffer than many drivers would prefer for everyday use. We're guessing the standard 19-inch wheels and tires will help provide a softer ride, but they're run-flat tires with short, stiff sidewalls, so we recommend you test drive the X6 before you buy to make sure you can live with the ride. A new 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine comes in the X6 xDrive50i. It makes 400 horsepower from 5500 to 6400 rpm and 450 pound-feet of torque from 1750-4500 rpm. BMW says the V8 is capable of powering the X6 from 0 to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds. It certainly feels that quick. The 4.4-liter turbo doesn't have the immediate grunt from a stop of a larger V8, but after initial throttle application it makes power quickly and keeps it coming. Passing is a breeze, and the 4.4-liter V8 provides more power than you'll need for most purposes. Properly equipped, the xDrive50i can tow an impressive 7700 pounds. The six-cylinder engine in the X6 xdrive35i isn't too shabby, either. It's BMW's twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6, which produces 300 horsepower from 5800 to 6250 rpm and 300 pound-feet of torque from 1400-5000 rpm. According to BMW, this engine makes the X6 capable of a 6.5 second 0-60 mph time, which is quite quick for a vehicle of this size. The six-cylinder returns decent EPA fuel economy ratings of 15 mpg City and 20 mpg Highway. With the towing package, the xDrive35i can tow a substantial 5940 pounds. Given the $10,500 cost difference, we'd recommend the 3.0-liter six, as it makes as much power as we need and provides better mileage. Both engines work through a responsive six-speed automatic transmission. Drivers can shift manually via a pair of standard aluminum steering wheel shift paddles or through the gearshift. Tapping the paddles up or down shifts gears automatically; there is no need to put the gearshift in a sport mode. That gearshift, however, is a bit odd. Instead of the familiar gated PRNDL, it remains stationary and the driver hits a button and bumps it forward for Reverse or backward for Drive. Another button puts it in Park. It takes some time to get used to, but it takes up less space, which BMW uses for cupholders and small items storage. Active Steering varies the steering ratio based on speed. Active Steering makes the X6 easy to maneuver in tight quarters and keeps it stable at speed. We like it. We also like the X6's brakes. A racetrack is the best test of brakes, and we heated them up pretty good in several laps. They remained strong, with no fade or pulsing evident. In hard stops on the track and the road, the X6 remained composed and stable, even coming down from more than 100 mph.
Like most BMWs, the BMW X6 is a fine automobile. It rides high like an SUV; it's fast; it handles well; and it's comfortable inside. Ride quality is a bit harsh, the price of admission is high, and compared to an SUV it has limited space inside for passengers and cargo.
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2009 BMW M3 Convertible At Low Fleet Prices Worldwide Delivery 1-888-831-8080 1-888-861-8080
2009 BMW M3 Convertible
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The M3 Convertible is the droptop version of BMW's top-of-the-line 3 Series, the legendary M3. It takes the M3's coupe body style (which also comes as a four-door Convertible) and adds a retractable hardtop that lowers or raises in just 22 seconds. Besides the convertible top and some extra structural reinforcements, the convertible is largely the same as the fixed-roof version. Both use a lightweight 420-horsepower V8 engine that provides nearly 100 horsepower more than the six-cylinder engine in the last-generation M3. The M3 Convertible will be available with a traditional manual transmission or what BMW calls Drivelogic ? a twin-clutch transmission that requires no actual clutch pedal, but still lets drivers shift manually using paddles behind the steering wheel. (VW and Audi use similar twin-clutch transmissions.) Drivers can select among 11 electronically controlled shift modes, five of which are fully automatic, to match their driving style. The Drivelogic system lessens the time required for shifting and will trim the M3 Convertible's 0-60 mph time by a few ticks when compared to the traditional manual. Because of the space required to store their tops, convertibles are often stingy with cargo space, and the M3 Convertible holds true to form. It affords paltry storage space at its hind end, made even less useful by a tiny trunk opening.
New 2010 BMW X1 Revealed
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MUNICH, Germany - BMW has confirmed that the new X1, its smallest crossover yet, will be assembled at the sprawling Leipzig plant in Germany. In a statement Friday, the company said, "The exact time point of production start and the market launch of the X1 will be revealed at a later date." European suppliers told us the X1 is scheduled to begin production in Leipzig in fall 2009. The X1 will share its basic underpinnings, including powertrains, with the 1 Series compacts, which are also assembled at Leipzig. We have learned that a sister model, to be dubbed the X4, is also being readied for launch in spring 2010. While it may share some major mechanicals with the X1, its styling will be closer to that of the new X6, with a coupelike four-door body. While the X1 will be aimed at the same buyers Audi wants to cultivate with its upcoming Q3, the X4 may attempt to carve out a new niche in the ever-expanding and still fragmenting premium-crossover market, both in Europe and North America. What this means to you: Look for the premium Japanese brands to be well represented with new entry-luxury crossovers, too.
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When the BMW 1 Series first looked like it would be brought to the U.S. from its successful home in the European market, we had visions of a return to the BMW 2002, the car that really invented the BMW brand in America back in the late 1960s. It would be a return to form, an expression of the true BMW spirit. You know, something small, light, nimble and affordable. We even dared to dream of a reborn BMW 2002 tii.But then the specifications hit our desk with a thump. It turned out the BMW 1 Series would be heavier than we expected, not to mention more expensive. Fortunately it would be more powerful, too. It became clear to us that the 1 Series was not so much a continuation of the beloved 2002, but rather a rebirth of the 3 Series.If you haven't noticed, the BMW 3 Series has, well, expanded. Those who hit the upper-middle-class running in the go-go 1980s bought a far different 3 Series from the one we enjoy today. It was small, light, nimble and affordable. It was a gateway car, an introduction to the brand — a broker's first BMW, you could say. BMW hoped as its new customers climbed the corporate ladder, they would steadily upgrade their BMW to suit. Have a family, buy a 5 Series; make partner, buy an M6. Retirement imminent? You, sir, need a 7 Series.But then the BMW 3 Series became a mass-market success and soon it acquired a mass-market identity, morphing into a vehicle that is all things for all people. It's a coupe, sedan, convertible, wagon and even a sport-utility if you count the X3, and there are gasoline engines, diesel engines, four-cylinders, a twin-turbo inline-6 and now even a V8. Once you're behind the wheel of a BMW 3 Series, there's very little need to move up.Which brings us back to our newest long-term test car, a 2008 BMW 135i. When you compare the specifications, the 1 Series is not so different from the 3 Series: a fraction shorter, a fraction lighter and really only a fraction less expensive. It's smooth, sophisticated and as carefully optioned with consumer-friendly convenience features as a 3 Series.If we wanted a 1 Series more like a BMW 2002 tii — something in the spirit of cheap and cheerful, only with terrific speed — it was clear we would have to build our own. What We Bought At $28,600 the 2008 BMW 128i is the least expensive new BMW you can buy in the USA, but it's missing something for us. Something with a little more kick. Something with a pair of turbochargers. Something, oh, like the twin-turbo, 300-horsepower 3.0-liter inline-6 that currently resides in the latest BMW 335i and BMW 535i. This is an engine so sweet that it seduces us no matter where BMW puts it. And we're not alone, as this engine has been awarded top honors in the 2008 International Engine of the Year competition.Of course, as soon as you tick this box on the order sheet for a 1 Series, you take a $6,300 hit to the wallet. But don't think you're paying $6 grand for the engine alone, as the upgrade to a 135i includes a sport-tuned suspension, 18-inch wheels with summer-only performance tires, and six-piston fixed calipers for the front brakes. The 135i also includes an aerodynamic body kit inspired by BMW's high-performance M-cars.
So we spent the money
And even though we were already cheating on our plan to create a modern 2002, we still wanted to remain true to a pure spirit of performance, so we kept the options to a minimum. Only Porsche makes this process tougher than BMW, however. Days and then weeks slipped by as we called and e-mailed and called again, looking for a stripper 135i. None to be had, no matter where we looked in the country. At one point, it looked like our best alternative would be a 135i with an automatic transmission and enough dealer-installed accessories to bust the $45K barrier.But then we found the right car right in our own neighborhood. Rusnak Westlake BMW (Buy a car there? Rate it!) in Thousand Oaks, California, had a 2008 BMW 135i equipped with a six-speed manual transmission right on its lot (true believers in the 2002 tii!). No premium package and only one indulgence: power front seats.Unfortunately this item added $995 to the tally and kept us from the 1 Series sport seats that had captured our attention in our full test of the 135i. As Director of Vehicle Testing Dan Edmunds says, "The package also includes terrific eight-way manually adjustable seats that adjust quickly, hold on tight in corners and look great. Why spend the money for optional power seats?"Well, you buy them because you have to. It was that or wait months for a custom-built 1 Series to be shipped from Germany.
What Kind of BMW Is This?
Did you catch our recent all-BMW comparison? We pitted our long-term 2002 BMW M3 against a 2008 BMW 335i and a 2008 BMW 135i in daily life, on back roads and at the track to see which would come out on top. The winner?No, not the 335i — too big, too expensive and too slow. Instead, the numbers on the scoring sheet recorded a tie between the 2008 BMW 135i and the aging yet still potent E46 M3. A tie! A hopped-up version of BMW's cheapest car not only keeps up with one of the finest BMW performance cars ever built, but also outpaces it in several respects.And so we're persuaded that we have the right 1 Series in our long-term test fleet. Apart from storage space, is there a downside to the basement BMW with such compelling performance credentials? Is this the BMW 2002 tii we long for, or just a BMW 3 Series in disguise? How about that styling? We have 12 months and 20,000 miles to find out.
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It looks awkward in pictures and some find it hideous, but the 2008 BMW X6 50i isn't nearly as warped when you see it in person. It's kind of a supermodel from behind, with a slim, narrow roof at the top and curvaceous hips at the bottom. Designers call this sort of thing tumblehome, and an SUV without it looks like a refrigerator. The front is all BMW with a big twin kidney grille and fighter-jet-size intakes at each corner. The roof line goes on forever in profile, giving the X6 a hatchback-style look that's unique at best, a little too forced at worst. The designers at BMW say it's "coupelike," so they ? and they alone ? call the X6 a Sports Activity Coupe. It gets better from behind the wheel. Fire up the new 400-horsepower, 4.4-liter V8 and it sounds more like a carbureted big block than a sophisticated twin-turbo engine with direct injection. We don't remember an X5 sounding this burly. So far this much is clear ? pictures don't do the all-wheel-drive 2008 BMW X6 justice.
On the road in North Carolina to drive the 2008 BMW X6 for the first time, we're fully expecting the X6 to smack us silly with its 450 pound-feet of torque. But this never quite happens. Instead, the six-speed automatic transmission shifts tentatively, as if it's worried that unleashing too much force at one time might eat a driveshaft or two. Which may be the case, but it makes us doubt BMW's claimed 0-to-60-mph time of 5.3 seconds for the X6. That's only 0.3 second slower than the last 135i we tested, and the tiny coupe weighs 1,906 pounds less. Yeah, that's no typo. The xDrive50i, as it's known in BMW-speak, weighs in at 5,269 pounds. That's 319 pounds more than the Porsche Cayenne S, an SUV that has never once been called light on its feet. Porsche claims a 0-to-60-mph time of 6.4 seconds for the 385-hp Cayenne S, so BMW's estimate of the X6's ability seems a bit optimistic. That said, the power of the new twin-turbo BMW V8 is hardly the problem. The torque peak arrives early at 1,750 rpm and doesn't waver until 4,500 rpm. Throttle lag from the two turbos buried between the cylinder banks is minimal and the all-aluminum engine spins up to its 6,500-rpm redline without a noticeable hesitation in thrust. And the sounds this BMW V8 makes are unmatched by any SUV on the road. Whether it's burbling at idle or headed for redline, the X6 makes you want to drive with the windows open to hear it do its work.
Once we discover the 2008 BMW X6 isn't the rocket we expected, we figure maybe the handling will convince us that the X6 is worth its $8,500 premium over the BMW X5 4.8i. But after 20 miles of wet switchbacks in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, we're still not buying it. Don't get the wrong impression; the X6 is shockingly agile. The quick steering makes it easy to arc into bends, and there's so little body roll that you feel like you're barely pushing the vehicle's limits. The massive 14.4-inch brake rotors up front burn off the speed in an instant and the fat tires are gripping the pavement like it's bone dry. Unless you drive it back-to-back with the X5, however, you'd be unlikely to notice any particular improvement over the 2008 BMW X5. Compared to the X5, a slightly revised front suspension helps the X6 track better over rough surfaces while a 2-inch-wider rear track adds some stability. Our test vehicle also has the optional Sport package, which adds an impressive set of 20-inch wheels wrapped in 275/40R20 tires up front and 315/35R20 rubber in back, a combination that's also available for the X5.
One advantage the X6 has over the X5 ? and just about any other SUV save the Acura MDX ? is a new torque distribution system known as Dynamic Performance Control (DPC). In simplest terms, DPC is able to redirect power to each of the four wheels in varying degrees. And it's not just for traction control either, as DPC actively intervenes to help control the directional stability of the X6 as well. (The 2008 Saab 9-3 Aero XWD recently gave us a taste of much the same thing in a sedan package.) Powering out of tight hairpins, we feel only the slightest hints of the system working, but there's no doubt that the X6 is firing out of wet corners with impressive drive. Still, BMW figured the X6 might need some help demonstrating the new system, so it arranged for us to drive a road course at Michelin's Laurens proving grounds that had been soaked by sprinklers. Flat-footing the X6 out of soaked hairpins here makes the benefit of DPC far more obvious. In most SUVs, such a maneuver would initiate the intervention of so many various stability control systems that the gas pedal would be rendered useless. With DPC, you still get power, but it jumps from one wheel to the other as each one struggles to grab the pavement. The forward bite is a little jerky when you're hard on the throttle, and we have to remind ourselves that even DPC has its limits and we should be wary of pedaling the X6 right into the grass. We get some time on a dry course as well and here again the X6 is solid and precise where most other SUVs would be flailing with understeer. There's so much grip from the massive tires we wonder if we could go much faster with a proper sports car. Yes, it's that good. Still, the X5 remains stuck in our heads. Would we be going much slower and with any less confidence in a 4.8i? Not by much.
With all the fun stuff out of the way, we're left to consider the X6's cabin. The low roof makes it obvious that there's less space inside, but does it matter much? Depends what you consider important. Up front, we don't notice a thing. Without looking at the impossibly small hatch opening in the rearview mirror, we can't tell the difference between the X6 and the bigger X5.Nearly all the design elements are the same. There are simple analog gauges, high-quality interior trim and an overly complex yet space-saving console-mounted shift lever. All X6s get a sport steering wheel as standard as well as cushions on the center console to help brace you while you're cornering hard. The rear seats in the X6 are designed to hold only two passengers, so there's a big center console back there, too. The seats prove far more comfortable than your standard three-person bench seat, although the low roof shaves nearly 2 inches of headroom from the X5's numbers. There's plenty of legroom and decent foot room under the front seats, but we quickly determine that with two adults in back, the overall rearseat space feels cramped. Maybe it's the fact that if you're over 6 feet you can rest your head on the roof, or the slightly reduced shoulder room. Either way, it's tighter and less comfortable than an X5. It's the same story when it comes to cargo room. The X6 has a respectable 59.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the second-row seats folded, but the X5 offers up to 75 cubic feet in the same configuration.
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Anti Super-Size Me
How much smaller than a 2008 BMW 335i is the new 2008 BMW 135i Coupe? At 172.2 inches, the U.S.-spec 1 Series gives up 8.1 inches of length. It's even 3 inches shorter than the E30 3 Series of the 1980s and only 0.7 inch longer than the E21 3 Series of the 1970s. The greenhouse of the 1 Series coupe is something of a bubble, resulting in a 55.4-inch height, ample headroom and general proportions that fall between the E30 and E36 coupes. Notable deviations from the vintage BMW formula for sport sedan proportions include a higher beltline and a wider stance. Interior space is suitably ample up front, but unless the front seat occupants are of below-average height, the rear seats are a kids-only proposition. This 6-foot-2 editor was able to travel with his 9-year-old daughter seated behind, but only just. So the 1 Series coupe clearly doesn't share the "too big" problem of the 3 Series. As compact as it is, the new 135i is no lightweight. It's still a full-featured premium piece, and it shows evidence of the mass that comes from 20 years of safety advances plus the "must-have" thinking about convenience features that shapes the thinking of product planners everywhere. Our test car tips the scales to the tune of 3,399 pounds, some 172 pounds less than a 335i, but still 200 or so pounds heavier than the similar-size E36 BMW M3 of the 1990s.
Cue the Bigger Hammer
But the 135i has a not-so-secret weapon that those lighter, earlier BMWs didn't have: a twin-turbocharged, direct-injected straight-6 engine that not only produces 300 hp but also packs a 300 pound-feet wallop of torque from 1,400 through 5,000 rpm. On the road, the power delivery of the turbo six is so smooth and relentless that it makes the 1 Series fast — very fast — but never furious. This engine simply grunts it out and pulls hard from the bottom of the tach to its redline at 7,000 rpm. And the thrill quotient goes up because all this is happening in a car that's almost 200 pounds lighter than the engine's customary 3 Series package. So the 1 Series coupe doesn't share the "too fat" problem of the 3 Series. At the track, the twin-turbo big hammer drove our 135i down the quarter-mile in 13.3 seconds at 104 mph. The 2008 Subaru WRX STI with 5 more hp and 48 fewer pounds does the same time in the quarter-mile, but with a slower 102.4-mph trap speed. While the STI edges the 135i's 5.0-second acceleration to 60 mph by a fraction thanks to the launch traction afforded by the Subie's all-wheel drive, the BMW ultimately has the legs at the top end and catches the STI at the finish line. This performance does nothing to dispel our continuing suspicion that the 300-hp rating of the twin-turbo inline-6 is conservative at best.
Sometimes the Small Numbers Are Best
A shorter wheelbase gives the 1 Series a dimension of agility that the 3 Series lacks, and it measures 104.7 inches, some 4 inches less. The suspension layout of the E82 is similar to that of the larger 3 Series. It still carries front struts with split lower arms and dual lower ball joints, while the rear retains the latest multilink layout. But both ends have been recalibrated for the 1 Series application. Our 135i coupe came with standard 18-inch Bridgestone Potenza RE-050A run-flat summer tires: 215/40R18s up front and 245/35R18s in the back. We're still deeply skeptical about the performance of run-flats, even after the latest improvements. The mega-stiff sidewalls of the 050As disrupted an otherwise tame ride whenever we encountered abrupt, sharp-edged breaks in the pavement or even pronounced ripples. We wish BMW would offer us the option of conventional tires or space for a spare. But since the battery resides in the trunk to help achieve a weight distribution of 52 percent front/48 percent rear, a spare has no place to live.
Ultimately, We Drive the Machine
Spirited back-road driving proves the 2008 BMW 135i Coupe can deliver the goods, as it dispatched corners with crisp turn-in, an eager willingness to change direction and impeccable grip, without sacrificing the road-worthy poise of the 335i that we love. On our test track, this translates to a blistering 72.4-mph run in the slalom, easily outpacing the last 335i we tested (69.5 mph) and edging the 2008 STI (72.0 mph). Skid pad figures are a wash, as both BMWs generate 0.89g and the STI makes 0.90g. Understeer has been rumored to lurk within the 135i, but it didn't rear its head until we hit the road-racing track, where high-speed sweepers at the limit work the outside front Bridgestone mighty hard. Track-day junkies might want to make changes, but we think most everyone else will have no complaints. Our 135i came with six-piston fixed-caliper brakes and 13.3-inch rotors. These calipers (something we'll see more of, our BMW sources tell us) seem like overkill when the heavier 335i and faster M3 do quite well with rather pedestrian single-piston sliding calipers. But the advantage might come in the form of consistently firm pedal feel over several days of determined street driving and extended track testing. This 1 Series comes to a stop from 60 mph in 109 feet.
It's Nice in Here
Inside the cabin, our 135i includes the Sport package, a $1,000 option consisting of an M-sport steering wheel and Shadowline trim, plus an elevated limiter for top speed. The package also includes terrific eight-way manually adjustable seats that adjust quickly, hold on tight in corners and look great. Why spend the money for optional power seats? Handsome textured aluminum accents are applied with strategic restraint in the interior. BMW is one of a few carmakers that have figured out that accents that have the dull sheen of hand-worn metal look more upscale than any sort of chrome. And no sunlight gets reflected back into the eyes of the driver, either.
The Bottom Line
The base price for the 2008 BMW 135i is $35,675. After adding the options (including the $1,450 Boston leather upholstery) plus a $400 iPod and USB adapter and the $600 Cold Weather Package, our car's as-tested price is $39,125. And beware, because many high-cost options lurking on the options sheet can drive the price much, much higher. It's hard to pin down the competition for the 2008 BMW 135i. On price and track performance, this test car matches up quite well with the 2008 Subaru WRX STI we tested, which costs $39,440. It matches up on performance, too. That's not bad company to be in, but at the end of the day, the Subie is no BMW. Is the 2008 BMW 135i Coupe worth it? It depends. It's easy to go overboard with the options and jack up the price of the 135i so it no longer makes sense. If you value a high level of steering and handling refinement and outright twin-turbo nirvana in a package that's small enough to toss around, and you can live with limited backseat space, the 2008 BMW 135i is like nothing else. And it doesn't matter that the pot-bellied BMW 135i isn't the most beautiful car in the world. If you're doing it right, you'll be on the inside, working the steering, pedals and shifter with a huge grin on your face, happier than a pig in, well, you know.
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When BMW introduced the X5 seven years ago, many viewed it as a betrayal of the company's spirit. "BMW," those many asked, "the company that invented the sport sedan, is building a truck? That can't be good." Today the only question is whether or not the second-generation X5 is at least as good as the first. All evidence points to the new 2008 BMW X5 being significantly better in almost all categories. This second-generation crossover SUV is 7.4 inches longer than the original and rides on a 4.5-inch longer (115.5-inch) wheelbase. That's enough room for BMW to shove in a third-row seat -- albeit one that's strictly for small children only. The steel unibody chassis is all-new and features a robust new front suspension with aluminum upper and lower wishbones rather than BMW's traditional MacPherson struts. The payoff is increased handling agility, says BMW. For power, the X5 is once again equipped with a six- or eight-cylinder engine. The inline six-cylinder is BMW's latest magnesium-and-aluminum 3.0-liter DOHC 24-valve engine, and it's rated at 260 horsepower. The 350-hp, 4.8-liter V8 is largely a carryover from last year's 4.8is model. As wonderfully as the first X5 drove, this new one drives even better. There's more suspension compliance over bumps and harsh pavement, yet the vehicle is still quite agile and responsive when driven aggressively on curvy roads. The interior is also larger and even better-looking. Overall, we're impressed with the new 2008 BMW X5. For Bimmer-philes and driving enthusiasts needing a midsize luxury SUV, it's the obvious choice. But other SUV shoppers will want to consider all their options. When the original X5 debuted, it was pretty much the only game in town if you wanted an SUV that felt even remotely sporty when driven on pavement. Now the crossover SUV segment is full of impressive machines, including the new Acura MDX, Audi Q7, Cadillac SRX, Infiniti FX35/FX45 and Mercedes-Benz M-Class. Many of them cost less and offer better utility.
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options
A midsize luxury SUV, the 2008 BMW X5 is offered in two trim levels: the 3.0si with the six-cylinder engine and the 4.8i with the V8. Both models come standard with 18-inch wheels, adaptive xenon HID headlights, rain-sensing wipers with heated washer jets, power front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, the iDrive system control interface and a glove-box-mounted CD player. The 4.8i also has leather seating and burl walnut wood trim as standard. Additional equipment is offered through a variety of option packages. The Sport Package adds an active suspension system, 19-inch wheels and sport front seats. The Premium Package includes a panoramic sunroof, auto-dimming mirrors, Bluetooth connectivity and the BMW Assist emergency communications system; on the 3.0si, it also includes leather upholstery. The Technology Package features park distance control, a rearview camera and a navigation system with real-time traffic updates. Other significant options include 20-inch wheels, a power liftgate (late availability), upgraded front seating, a separate rear climate control system, active steering, a premium audio system, a rear entertainment system and the third-row seat.
Powertrains and Performance
The 2008 BMW X5 3.0si is powered by a 3.0-liter inline-six cylinder engine good for 260 hp. It's backed by a six-speed automatic transmission (with a manual-shift mode) feeding BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive system. The X5 4.8i uses a 4.8-liter V8 rated at 350 hp and features the same transmission and AWD system. BMW claims the 3.0si will accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds, while the 4.8i will do the same trick in 6.4 seconds.
Safety
All 2008 X5s come equipped with front seat-mounted side airbags and head-protecting side-curtain airbags for the first and second rows. Antilock disc brakes and a stability control system with a rollover sensor are also standard. Front and rear parking sensors are optional on all BMW X5s.
Interior Design and Special Features
The new X5's interior is one of the most elegant BMW has ever built. The dash is gently curved, with elegant wood inlays, generously sized air vents, oversized instrumentation and a truly gorgeous soft-feeling top that unifies the whole design. The only sour notes are the all-in-one iDrive controller and the optional third-row seat. Despite recent improvements, the iDrive system still annoys many drivers with its complexity, and the third-row seat is acutely lacking in spaciousness, even compared with those in other midsize crossover SUVs. With the second- and third-row seats folded, the X5 has 75 cubic feet of cargo space available, which is about average for this class of vehicle.
Driving Impressions
The 2008 BMW X5 is simply one of the best-handling midsize luxury SUVs you can buy. Some competitors offer more utility and many are more adept off-road, but the X5 does an amazing job of taking the sensations and talents of BMW's legendary sport sedans and translating them over to the SUV world.
What's New
A second-generation X5 finally appears after a seven-year run by the original. The new model is larger and benefits from a more sophisticated chassis design, sleeker exterior styling and an optional third-row seat that ups the total passenger count -- at least theoretically -- to seven.
Pro
Nimble on-road handling for this class of vehicle, powerful engines, interior's premium look and design.
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