Conference terri::cars_uk

    I would be very surprised if you could get a quote for a car until the
    dealers are aware of the prices.

    Once the model is released and you can obtain an exact price from a
    dealer, I would think that would the time to submit a quote.

    - Roy

have a look in this months 'Car' mag; they've a review of some german spec
models plus other details...



...art

    Last weeks edition of Auto express (1-7 jan) had a double page spread
    on the new 3 series, they said it was great did`nt give a lot of
    technical detail but this is what they did say:
    
    model 320i=150 bhp
    model 325i=192 bhp
    wheel base increased by 5.1 inchess (130mm)
    length increased by 4.25 inches (108mm)
    width increased 2 inches (53mm)
    extra 1.2 inches 30mm of leg room in rear
    
    
    Regards Martin

    The price will be 5% more than the current models according to Fast
    Lane.
    
    Grant

    I seem to remember reading the base model 316i had increased from
    �12.5k to >�14k  isn't that about 12%?

    
    
    CAR + Autocar and Motor said "an average of 10%" more. Makes them
    really expensive and not much cheaper than the 5 series.
    
    Richard.

    I've seen one already (Daily use of another MG driver)
    Very beautiful!  
    325I has been tested by Algemeen Dagblad (2nd Dutch newspaper)
    Well received, but even for 85,000.-- guilders, the car lacked
    electrical windows and central locking.
    Prices start at Dfl 45,000.--, which is quite expensive.
    For a bit more or the same, one can have a much bigger car:
    Scorpio, Croma, Renault 25 etc.
        
    The price is raising to much annually: salaries don't move as fast!
    
    Hans

    
    Does anyone have any info on 325i Estates ?
    
    Average Price for a 1989-1990 Model ?
    BHP ?
    MPG ?
    Servicing Costs ?
    Handling ?
    
    Could save me a trip to the dealer ;-)
    
    Cheers,
    
    	Jagdeep.
    

    Just received this morning, some details about the new BMW 3 series
    from the dealer from whom I bought my now extinct old 3 series from 
    last August.
    
    It will be lauched in April.
    
    The 318i and 325i are in production at the moment shortly followed by
    the 3201 four door in April and the 316i four door in June.
    
    The standard specifications are as follows:
    
    316i/318i
    =========
    
    exhaust catalyser			central locking with dead lock
    green tinited glass			power assisted steering
    twin electric mirrors		front seat belt tensioners
    seat height adjustment		tachometer
    6J x 15 steel wheels		front electric mirrors
    185/65 R 15 H tyres			warning triangle and first aid kit
    headlamp levelling			rear screen aerial
    radio fitting preparation		interior light delay (318i)
    (including 6 speakers)
    
    
    320i/320i SE
    ============
    
    exhaust catalyser			central locking with dead lock
    green tinited glass			power assisted steering
    twin electric mirrors		front seat belt tensioners
    seat height adjustment		tachometer
    6J x 15 steel wheels		front electric mirrors
    205/60 R 15 V tyres			warning triangle and first aid kit
    headlamp levelling			rear screen aerial
    Radio fitting preparation		interior light delay (318i)
    (including 6 speakers)		front fog lights
    rear arm rest			
    7J x 15 Alloy wheels (SE)
    on board computer (SE)
    manual sliding roof (SE)
    
    
    325i/325i SE
    ============
    
    exhaust catalyser			central locking with dead lock
    green tinited glass			power assisted steering
    twin electric mirrors		front seat belt tensioners
    seat height adjustment		tachometer
    7J x 15 steel wheels		front electric mirrors
    205/60 ZR 15 tyres			warning triangle and first aid kit
    readlamp levelling			rear screen aerial
    Radio fitting preparation		interior light delay (318i)
    (including 6 speakers)		front fog lights
    rear arm rest			check control			
    7J x 15 Alloy wheels (SE)           anti lock braking system
    on board computer (SE)
    electric sliding roof (SE)
    headlamp wash system (SE)
    
    
    No details on prices.
    
    
    Raj
    

    320I is available on the 18th of April..
    
    All Cabriolets and estates will continue to use the 'old' body shell.
    
    Rich
    

    Has anybody got one - and can comment on how well it performs, economy
    (or not of course!), ease of parking etc.
    
    Stuart

I'm interested too, but this means the first move from front wheel drive for
many years (Audi 100, VW Passat).

BMW have changed the weight distribution to 50-50 - but how does this workout 
in winter conditions? (I've seen too many BMWs and Mercs in ditches in my time
in Germany...).

Wyn

    
    50-50 should make the car virtually neutral, although no doubt there is 
    a certain amount of understeer designed into the suspension. 
    
    However, the 3 series reputation for being tail happy should be largely
    allayed by the use of the Z1 style rear suspension on the new models.
    
    It would be unfair to judge the new 3 on the basis of the old.
    
    Mark

RE: -.1

>>                     -< Does look like a Primera though! >-

I had exactly the same thought yesterday when I confused the back-end of a 
Primera with a 3 series...