In the basic make up the Mini 1.6 petrol is great like a city car – nimble, agile and sufficiently sharp to chop it in traffic.

The brand new diesel variant has less power but more torque and greater fuel efficiency, and it is more fun than its packaging suggests. However for real fun the possibility buyer should progress the number.

The Cooper variant adds more verve because of a far more powerful 115 PS engine and stiffened suspension settings, however for real fun the enthusiast should think about the supercharged Mini Cooper S.

This generate 163PS; giving the vehicle a lot more than 100PS towards the tonne yet seems to feel solid and substantial, quite an achievement for any small and light-weight car.

New on 2004 may be the first factory-built Mini convertible. Offered initially having a selection of 90PS or 115PS engines (Mini One and Cooper respectively) the vehicle is going to be joined soon by Cooper S and diesel variants.

Much work went into ensuring body rigidity despite its roof being open, and also the hood mechanism continues to be created for fast deployment; it requires just fifteen seconds for that power hood mechanism to stow or enhance the roof.

In addition to driving in full convertible mode owners may also utilize a sliding roof setting that lets in outdoors.

Luggage space is compromised, but lower edge hinges permit the load area to become extended.

When BMW decided during the days when it owned Rover to revise the favorite but aged Mini, the very first decision could be that the car would need to grow in proportions. Despite tries to emulate the pleasing curves from the original car, its up-scaling was under successful, and criticisms flew thick and fast.

Nevertheless the company rode it and Mini continues to be gaining increasingly more friends in the last few years. To keep interest a convertible version has been announced and will also soon be accessible using the lively Cooper S engine package.

Meanwhile the 3 petrol engines are also accompanied by a diesel version, which because of a six-speed transmission can punch how heavy it is in traffic, but still cruise at sensible motorway speeds.

Providing director Gary Grey having a trailer-load of Coopers to be used in his recent remake from the Italian Job has helped locate the vehicle back to the territory from the original BMC Mini.

The 2nd generation of BMW’s mid-sized sports vehicle is a considerable step up from its predecessor, offering excellent body rigidity along with a selection of engines that permit it to accelerate and corner at respectable sports vehicle rates; there is a selection of 2.2, 2.5 and 3.0 units, all straight six power plants in the 3-Series.

A fast-acting power roof allows rapid changes from available to closed, and in contrast to many sports cars the luggage compartment is substantial. It can include two full teams of golf equipment.

There are rumours of the M-Series variant still in the future, having a 4.0 V8 engine. Unlike the Z3-M, this isn’t likely to be considered a closed car, but to instead remain a roadster.

Almost mandatory for soccer players as well as for rock stars, BMW’s bigger off-roader is every bit in your own home in the urban jungle as it is in the mud, because of a classy chassis.

Dealing with mighty competition from Mercedes-Benz’s M-Class and also the Range Rover, X5 appears to be holding its, having a higher level of client satisfaction which has led straight to sales retention.

A newly-introduced 4.8 litre V8 with 360PS flagship model has already been proving popular amongst clients who take part in the numbers game; sixty seconds to 100kph along with a top speed of 153mph (245kph) should satisfy the most rampant ego.

Targeted at Land Rover from whom BMW learned much about how to style and build 4x4s throughout the days when it owned Rover; X3 has all of the looks of their X5 stable mate, but in a package that’s considerably smaller; its footprint is just slightly longer compared to the 318i Compact.

Made to attract young urban experts who head for that hills in the weekend, X3 is competent off-road, but is most in your own home on tarmac, where its suspension settings let it maintain direction stability and also to comer cleanly for any high-stepping machine.

Engines are 2.5 and 3.0 litre straight sixes, with diesel and petrol variants offered.

A considerable car made to take business from the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the 7-Series was the very first from the new sculpted BMWs, as well as a few years after its introduction its looks still polarise opinion.

From inside the vehicle is every bit imposing, although its reliance upon an over-complex driver information system has alienated many owners.

Despite its bulk the vehicle handles well, along with a group of engines which range from a modest diesel to a 6.0 litre V12 helps to ensure that all tastes are catered for.

The long wheelbase variant is proving popular amongst German soccer managers and politicians.

Re-entering the substantial four seats, two door coupe market following a break of countless years, BMW is perfect for the very first time joining the coupe having a roadster variant, which promises outdoors and gratifaction in equal measures.

With sporting drivers of the certain age in mind (the word mid-life crisis special had been bandied about by observers in the car launch) the accent is really as much on comfort and predictability of handling as it is on absolute performance.

Nevertheless the 645ci version, using its 4.4 litre V8, has sufficient capacity to thrust the large machine for the horizon at rates formerly the exclusive domain of super cars.

Recently redesigned in the ground-up, BMW’s executive express presently has the looks of the scaled-down 7-Series.

Available in both sedan and estate versions, with a variety of engines running from the relatively modest 2.5 litre to the wonderful V8 4.0 litre unit, the priority from the 5-Series is comfort, but this isn’t in the tariff of clean handling and road holding.

An M5 variant was recently shown, but it is thought to be at here no sooner than late 2005. That old 5-Series would be a tough act to follow along with it remains to appear when the distinct looks from the new model will deter former buyers from sticking with 5.

The mainstay of BMW’s range, two door coupe, four door saloon and 2 door convertible variants can be found, as also is a sporting estate (the Touring) along with a truncated Compact variant.

Performance differs from the modest 1.8 to the stunningly fast M3. All cars have rear wheel drive, and all sorts of offer responsive handling -though to find the best it is essential to specify the activity suspension pack, offered being an option on just about any model.

The M3, obviously, includes handling that’s in altogether higher league than lesser models, hence its high ‘drool factor’. A great compromise may be the sharp and shiny 330i Clubsport Coupe.

It appears like BMW has woken up to the realisation that Alfa Romeo’s 146 has a niche all of its, and it is determined to muscle in. The brand new 1-Series, offered by late 2004, continues the popularity of sculpted metal that’s being a hallmark of BMW.

To become offered in both petrol and diesel variants – along with a Motorsport variant allegedly also because of arrive the vehicle is anticipated to steal custom in the 3-Series Compact an intentional ploy as BMW really wants to quietly wipe out that model.

Unlike any competitors in this size range, the 1-Series has rear wheel drive, meaning traditional tail-out antics it’s still possible with this particular long wheelbase, short overhang car.

Design chief Chris Bangle continues to be quietly applying a totally new look to the German brand’s model spectrum. The standard double kidney grille is a constant carried over from earlier models, however the narrow glass house and slab sides, with concave curves about the long body panels and step-hipped rear styling about the saloons, art becoming omni-present through the range.

Just the 3-Series (that is due for any redesign in the next few years) continues to have convex tide panels. That aside, another conspicuous trend from BMW would be to grow its model range: the introductions of 1- and 6-series as well as the X3 MPV have resulted in the present range being the broadest ever offered underneath the Bavarian brand.

Everything is missing is a people carrier – but this isn’t prone to appear, as BMW’s executives believe this type of machine will be at odds using the sporting aspirations of their buyers. In a bold statement of intent, the forthcoming M5 has a monstrously powerful V10 petrol engine, allegedly associated with that in the BMW-Williams F1 race car.