BMW – Status with Performance

The reason people buy a BMW is because the company has established an image over the years that makes everyone picture something that can travel very fast will prove reliable and be able to provide a good return on the investment of BMW car ownership.

The era that brought BMW notoriety for many will always be the late sixties and seventies when BMW introduced excitement on the streets with its outrageous 3.0 CSL and a rear wing that stood as tall as the roof line or the excellent but temperamental 2002 turbo. When looking at the modern day line up of vehicles on the BMW menu only the BMW 3 series, BMW 5 series and BMW MS cause those who can remember the sixties and seventies a moment to reflect. Included in the BMW 3-series was the popular BMW 318 which offered BMW quality and reliability together with the economy of an 1800 four cylinder engine rather than anything with six cylinders and 2000 c.c. plus. Anyone browsing the used BMW car market cannot fail to notice how well a properly maintained 318 is valued today. In addition the cost of a BMW part also reflects the quality of the products used.

However the models that really brought BMW to the attention of successful businessmen during the seventies were arguably the BMW 520 and BMW 525 and for those with a taste for speed the ultra swift BMW M5. The M5 was almost heroic in its ability to be thrown into sharp corners without fuss especially as it was linked to an engine that sounded and performed magnificently.

The question whether BMW continues to provide the kind of travel entertainment packages that it did in the sixties and seventies is almost an insult. Today the BMW M3 is one of the most sought after fast road cars available anywhere with a road performance that encapsulates both straight line sprints and an incredible ability to go around corners at ridiculous speeds without drama except that experienced by nervous passengers.

The BMW e30, BMW e34, BMW e36, BMW e39 all offer distinctive branded appearances that reflect status no matter the size of the product. In addition BMW has not remained a producer of sporting saloon cars its range is fairly extensive today with the BMW X3, BMW X5 and BMW Z3, BMW Z4 competing in the 4x4 and two-seater sports car markets respectively. For the connoisseur of sporting coupe styling the BMW M6 offers a delectably good looking vehicle that stands out anywhere. The M6 design cannot have meant to be anything other than a showstopper because the first time you see it you stop to stare and push your jaw back together as it glides effortlessly passed. The appearance of the M6 is such that for many what lies under the bonnet will be academic, because the notion of climbing in behind the wheel will prove sufficient for those with money to buy one. Being seen in such an attractively designed car will undoubtedly prove irresistible however because the M6 wears a BMW badge customers can be comforted by the fact that BMW knows how a car with looks like this should behave and will make provision to see that it does.