BMW 1
What are three words that sum up a BMW? How does light, economic, versatile, and luxurious sound? Well these are the features that made BMW an instant classic from its start and will surely do the same for the 128i and 135i models of the 2008 BMW I Series Coupe. If these new exotic luxury coupes look and feel as good as they do on paper, then this will be a great car to own or definitely rent from an exotic car rental in Miami.
The I Series is intended to fill in the price gap as well as blend the amazing design of the Mini Cooper and the 3 Series. To accomplish this BMW has equipped the I Series with a lightweight aluminum front suspension and new L-shaped tail lamps with LED highlights, five-link rear axle, frameless doors, and corona daytime running lights. All the features that make you to run out and rent one from your local luxury exotic car rental.
The 128i boasts 230 horsepower, perfectly suited for such a compact gas friendly car. Of course the 135i gets the twin-turbo 3.0, good for 300 horses, 300 pound-feet from 1400 rpm, and BMW says, a 5.3-second 0-62 mph time and electronically limited 155 mph top speed. All of this makes the new BMW I Series great for the Miami weather.
The 135i has also inherited a wide array of M-inspired components, including an aero kit, sports suspension, 18-inch rims shod with 215/40 (front) and 245/35 (rear) performance rubber. Numerous M features also grace the cabin, including sport buckets and pedals. To stop the 135i, BMW has installed a high-performance brake system which features a six-piston fixed calipers out front and two-piston fixed calipers at the rear, with enhanced brake cooling ducts.
BMW says the I Series features a 50:50 front-to-rear weight distribution, with the aluminum MacPherson setup at the front and five-link configuration out back. Speed sensitive electro-hydraulic steering is also part of the mix thanks to BMW's optional Active Steer system.
Inside, the interior comes in leather or faux leather trim with multiple pearl gloss surfaces as accents. You can also customize the interior with numerous additional options, such as Sirius satellite radio, a standard iPod/MP3 jack, USB port with iDrive an option along with a navigation system.
BMW plans to launch North American sales in the spring of 2008. Pricing is still in the works, but you can expect the 128i to come in somewhere around $26,000, and the 135i about $5,000 more. If the price doesn’t fit your budget another way to enjoy this vehicle is having the luxury of renting and avoiding the hassles of purchasing. These vehicles are sure to be coming soon to exotic car rentals and luxury car rentals in Miami.
Call these coupes great, spectacular or whatever you want. But really what we are wondering is will these coupes do for BMW what the Mini Cooper has done for BMW?
See BMW M3 Sedan photosAfter a 10-year hiatus, the BMW M3 Sedan is coming back. For the 2009 model year, BMW is once again releasing a four-door version of its sought-after M3, which is the highest-performance version of the 3 Series.
The BMW M3 Sedan doesn't look dramatically different from a standard-issue 3 Series Sedan, though the two cars share few body panels. Obvious styling cues include different bumpers, added air intakes, flared wheel arches, a “power bulge” in its aluminum hood, unique side-mirrors and a spoiler designed to keep the rear end stable at high speeds.
As with its larger and more flamboyant counterpart, the M5, the BMW M3 Sedan includes a carbon-fiber-reinforced roof for added structural integrity and weight reduction. It also helps lower the car's center of gravity, which improves handling.
BMW M3 Sedan Vehicle Summary
The upgrades that truly differentiate a BMW M3 Sedan from the rest of the line, however, are more visceral in nature. Prime among them is a lightweight 4.0-liter V8 engine that develops well over 400 horsepower, output roughly on a par with the Chevrolet Corvette (though the latter’s small-block V8 generates about a third more low-end torque). The compact sedan can reach 60 mph from a standstill in just under five seconds. The top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph.
See BMW M3 Sedan imagesThe BMW M3 Sedan’s engine includes a variation on the regenerative braking systems found on most hybrid-powered vehicles. Here, it takes electrical power recovered while braking to recharge the battery and power various systems while the car is moving; this means the alternator can be disengaged from the engine under most circumstances so that it doesn't sap power.
A beefed-up six-speed, short-throw manual transmission is the only available gearbox. Though some may lament the lack of an automatic, the enthusiasts for whom the BMW M3 is designed won't complain.
Riding on a specially modified all-aluminum suspension, with 18-inch wheels and tires (19-inchers are optional) and a variable locking rear differential that optimizes traction on a wide range of road surfaces, the BMW M3 handles like few models this side of an exotic sports car.
As in the M5 and M6, the BMW M3 includes an MDrive control system that lets the driver tailor the car’s performance and handling characteristics. It can get complex, but those who are so inclined can fiddle with the engine management controls (for more lively throttle response), suspension damping (dial in a stiffer ride for better handling or a softer setting for comfort) and, optionally, the Servotronic power steering system (allowing more or less assistance at varying speeds).
See BMW M3 Sedan picturesIn addition, the BMW M3’s standard Dynamic Stability Control system, which uses throttle- and brake-control to help minimize wheel spin and prevent a loss of control during extreme handling maneuvers, can be turned off altogether, which allows the car to be more easily coaxed into controlled skids around curves, called drifting.
The BMW M3’s interior is similar in appearance to the rest of the 3 Series line, albeit with richer materials and various M-specific embellishments. For example, the dashboard has a gauge that indicates how much of the engine’s power remains available, based not on rpm, but on the temperature of the engine oil. The cabin can be dressed up with various leather and trim treatments and front seats can be fitted with optional adjustable-width side bolsters to allow maximum lateral support through sharp turns.
