The new BMW 3 Series Touring

Contents 1. The new BMW 3 Series Touring - Overview 2. Design and body 3. Engines 4. Chassis, suspension, steering 5. Safety 6. Market 7. History 8. Optional equipment in detail 9. Standard and optional equipment 10. Technical specifications

1. The new BMW 3 Series Touring - Short story

The fourth generation BMW 3 Series Touring goes on sale on 17 September 2005.
BMW's latest compact executive estate car was developed alongside the new 3
Series Saloon, adding classic and contemporary 'estate' car attributes to the
Saloon's unrivalled performance biased chassis. The result? Better
performance, lower emissions, best-in-class cost of ownership and
state-of-the-art safety features.

Two variants will be available at launch, the four-cylinder BMW 320d Touring
and the six-cylinder BMW 325i Touring. Compared to competitor models,
principally from Audi, Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz, both diesel and petrol BMWs
are:

... Faster from 0 - 62 mph and 50 - 75 mph
... More fuel efficient
... Less expensive to own and run

BMW has also taken strides to make the car more practical and, on virtually all
counts, the new Touring offers greater room for rear passengers and more
loading space than the A4, X-Type and C-Class. Ingenious storage, loading and
towing solutions simply add to the mix.

The new 3 Series Touring will be available in ES, SE or new M Sport
specifications:

320d ES Touring / OTR £24,875
320d SE Touring / OTR £25,905
320d M Sport Touring / OTR £28,195
325i SE Touring / OTR £26,905
325i M Sport Touring / OTR £29,435

See downloadable document for table of pricings and basic performance data.

In Autumn 2005, the range will be extended to include the four-cylinder 320i
and the six-cylinder 330i and 330d:

320i ES Touring / OTR £23,040
320i SE Touring / OTR £24,070
320i M Sport Touring / OTR £26,360
330i SE Touring / OTR £29,995
330i M Sport Touring / OTR £32,725
330d SE Touring / OTR £30,560
330d M Sport Touring / OTR £33,290

See downloadable document for table of pricings and basic performance data.

Full specification details can be found in Section 6, but all new ES models
feature, as standard, a six-speed manual gearbox, air-conditioning, 16-inch
alloy wheels with Run-flat tyres, CD player and six airbags (including curtain
head airbag covering entire side window area).

Customers opting for the SE specification receive 17-inch alloy wheels (on
six-cylinder cars, an alternative 16-inch alloy wheel design on four-cylinder
models), automatic air-conditioning, cruise control (with braking function on
six-cylinder models), multi-function steering wheel and rear Park Distance
Control.

BMW?s new M Sport model offers exterior styling enhancements, 18-inch alloy
wheels (17-inch on four-cylinder models), M Sport suspension and sports seats.

Options cover innovative technology, such as Active Cruise Control and iDrive
(including Voice Control), and practical and versatile features, including a
reversible boot floor, folding boot box and an ingenious 'fold-away' tow-bar.
These set the car apart within its segment and ensure that the new BMW 3 Series
Touring sits happily on a customer's wish list alongside an X3, a Jaguar X-Type
or a Volvo XC90.

Lightweight engineering, new engines, improved practicality, more room and new
safety features all wrapped in BMW's new design structure all contribute to
benchmark status for the new 3 Series Touring. As with the new 3 Series
Saloon, BMW would not settle for less as it aims to sell a record number of 3
Series Tourings in its first full year (2006) in the UK. Retail sales are
expected to account for an impressive 45 per cent of the anticipated 8,500 plus
figure.

Jim O'Donnell, BMW (UK) Ltd Managing Director said: "The 3 Series continues to
be the range that defines BMW and our new Saloon and Touring models are now
even further ahead of their competition than their E46 predecessors. From
performance through to day-to-day cost of ownership, the new Touring continues
where the Saloon left off, and will contribute to what I hope will be another
record year for BMW in the UK."

Design and Bodyshell:

Retaining familiar BMW design cues, the front view of the new 3 Series Touring
mirrors the new 3 Series Saloon, with its classic double kidney grilles, twin
headlamps, and pronounced power dome of the bonnet.

In profile, BMW's characteristic long bonnet, short overhangs, traditional
'Hofmeister kick' and swept-back glasshouse visually move the mass of the car
backwards, emphasising its rear-wheel-drive layout. Distinct lines advance
BMW's new design language further, but ensure that the new 3 Series projects
its own clear personality, yet remains obviously a member of the BMW range.

From the rear, the practicality and versatility of the new Touring is evident.
To aid loading, the new Touring features a split-opening rear tailgate,
enabling the rear window to be opened independently. For larger items, the
height and width of the loading aperture have been maximised by a cut-out in
the rear bumper that lowers the loading height. Two-piece rear lamp clusters,
split between boot lid and body increase available width. The boot lid also
lifts to a height that allows anyone under two-metres tall to stand beneath.

Interior:

Inside, the new 3 Series Touring shares all the qualities of its Saloon
counterpart. Supremely comfortable seats offer a myriad of positions ensuring
that both driver and front passenger find their perfect seat settings. Added
to this flexibility, top quality materials and ergonomically-placed controls
meet the needs of the driver and front passenger.

A major UK magazine recently drove four-up, non-stop from Seville to London in
a BMW 320d Saloon, stating midway, "I've driven non-stop for six hours and 22
minutes. There is no pain in my back or shoulders. I try to think of a car that
would have proved as relaxing, manageable and cosseting. I can't." The 320d
Touring will add the word practical to the endorsement of the car's interior
values.

Another aid to driving and convenience is available to owners opting for the
Business or Professional navigation systems. They receive BMW's innovative
iDrive concept that uses a controller located in the centre console. This
offers easy access to navigation, entertainment, climate and telephone features
and reduces "switch clutter" on the dash.

Like the Saloon, the new 3 Series Touring is larger in every dimension compared
with its predecessor. It offers best-in-class levels of internal space, head,
shoulder and elbow room. Any criticisms of the outgoing E46 Touring's rear
passenger and boot space have been addressed. The new Touring offers
market-leading passenger space and practicality. For example, the wheelbase
has been increased by 35mm to provide rear seat passengers with more leg room.

Load space:

The increase in dimensions also provides larger boot space. With the 60:40
split folding rear seats in place, 460 litres of space is now available - the
extra 25 litres making the car more spacious with its seats up than an Audi A4
or Jaguar X-Type. With the seats folded, 1,385 litres are available for
larger, bulky items, trumping available space of the Mercedes Benz C-Class and,
again, the Audi A4.

Innovative and unique storage solutions, highlighted in Section 8, exploit the
load space still further.

Stiffer, but lighter:

The new BMW 3 Series Touring is a coalescence of two characteristics - an agile
and dynamic car and functional, versatile transport. It is more than just a
load lugger.

The new bodyshell is 25 per cent stiffer than its predecessor and, as a
consequence, the new Touring offers sporting driving dynamics, refinement,
handling and safety. This additional strength has not been achieved by simply
adding heavy bracing. Lightweight engineering remains a key tenet in BMW?s new
car development.

In fact, the new Touring weighs an average of 15 kilograms less than the
outgoing car. This apparent contradiction - lighter but stiffer and stronger -
is achieved as a result of a process called 'tailored blanks' - body panels
that minimise weight because they are formed into different thicknesses of
steel in the same panel and are engineered to fulfil different structural
requirements.

Engines:

At launch, the new 3 Series Touring will be powered by the frugal, yet
sporting, 2.0-litre diesel engine and the lightweight, magnesium-aluminium,
six-cylinder 2.5-litre petrol engine. Later in autumn 2005, 2.0-litre and
3.0-litre petrol engines and BMW's recently uprated 231hp 3.0-litre diesel
engine will be introduced.

Diesel-power:

The new 320d Touring uses the two-litre, four-cylinder diesel engine first
launched in the 120d in 2004. Developing 163hp at 4,000rpm and 340Nm of torque
at 2,000rpm, the 320d accelerates from zero to 62mph in 8.6 seconds. However,
by offering 47.9mpg on the combined cycle and only 158g/km emissions, the
'entry level' car delivers a rewarding balance of performance and economy.

These attributes are made possible by a number of new engine technologies
within the turbocharger and the second-generation, 1,600 bar common-rail
injection system.

Magnesium-alloy six-cylinder:

Customers lusting after the instant 'hit' of petrol power will not be
disappointed with the new 325i Touring, powered by the recently introduced
magnesium-alloy six-cylinder engine. The new 325i Touring offers 218hp at
5,500rpm, up 12 per cent over the outgoing car, and 250Nm of torque at
2,750rpm, powering the car from standstill to 62mph in just 7.2 seconds.

In a world first for a production engine, the cylinder block, bedplate and cam
covers are all constructed in lightweight magnesium-alloy, a weight saving of
30 per cent over conventional materials.

Power is therefore exploited as weight is reduced but, arguably more
importantly, the 325i Touring delivers 32.8mpg on the combined cycle, down by
seven per cent over the outgoing car, and a very respectable 208g/km of CO2
emissions.

How do they do that?

BMW's revolutionary Double-VANOS and VALVETRONIC engine technologies - now
available across the four-, six-, eight- and twelve-cylinder petrol range -
adjusts valve timing and the depth of valve opening to match required loads,
allowing more gases to pass through at higher engine speeds (and less when at
idle). Also, an electrically-powered water pump uses 90 per cent less engine
power than a conventional engine-driven pump. Further details of BMW's
award-winning engine technologies can be found in Section 3.

Transmission:

Transferring the power to the rear wheels is the responsibility of the standard
six-speed manual gearbox. Offering an extra gear over its predecessor, the top
speed is achieved in fifth gear, with sixth serving as an overdrive,
contributing to a four per cent drop in fuel consumption. Alternatively,
customers can opt for the six-speed automatic gearbox with Steptronic
manual-style gear change.

Agility to the fore:

Like all other BMW products, the new 3 Series Touring uses the company's
familiar trait of near-perfect 50:50 weight distribution and front engine /
rear wheel drive to deliver an unsurpassed driving experience in its segment.
Sharing the same basic suspension set up as the Saloon, the new Touring uses a
double-joint tie bar aluminium front axle to deliver a rewarding combination of
agile steering and good ride.

Again, weight reduction was critical. Many suspension components are
manufactured from aluminium to reduce the car's unsprung masses and improve
ride quality. At the rear, the new five-link rear axle is constructed from
high-grade, lightweight steel for strength but retains high levels of
elastokinematic flexibility to iron out road imperfections.

Steering that talks to the driver - actively:

The new 3 Series Touring uses a traditional rack and pinion steering set up as
standard, providing great feedback and accuracy. However, in a world first in
the compact executive estate segment, customers can now opt for BMW's
innovative Active Steering system.

Active Steering varies the steering ratio as a function of the vehicle speed,
either adding to, or reducing, driver inputs and assisting slow speed
manoeuvres (around city streets and car parks for example). It also
contributes to high-speed stability.

Active Steering is linked to the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system, now
standard on all BMWs. Active Steering, through DSC, detects if the car's speed
is too high for a cornering manoeuvre. It then applies a small amount of
additional counter-steer to bring the car back under control, all before the
driver has had time to react.

Safety:

The rigidity of the new 3 Series Touring's bodyshell provides a strong and
robust platform for the active and passive safety features in the car. In the
event of an impact, satellite sensors around the car detect the location and
severity of the accident, and trigger the appropriate response to provide the
maximum protection.

Occupants are protected by up to six airbags. The driver and passenger airbags
are two-stage intelligent units that inflate as a function of the severity of
the accident. Both front occupants also benefit from seat bolster-mounted
thorax/side airbags. Front and rear passengers are also protected by a curtain
airbag that inflates between the A- and C-pillar, protecting both the head and
upper body from the impact and from any shards of glass or intrusions entering
the cabin.

Stability systems - DSC and DSC+:

But the most vital safety feature must surely be the prevention of accidents in
the first place. Consequently, BMW engineers have channelled their efforts
into accident avoidance - active safety.

All new 3 Series Touring models feature BMW's innovative DSC stability control
system that incorporates Dynamic Traction Control and Corner Brake Control. On
four-cylinder models, DSC uses information provided by the DME engine control
unit, ABS wheel sensors and yaw angle sensor to monitor vehicle stability and,
in the event of a loss of traction, it reduces throttle inputs or, in extreme
circumstances, even applies the brakes to the wheels required.

Six-cylinder cars now feature DSC+ as standard, offering additional, real world
benefits such as Brake Standby, Brake Drying, Hill Start Assist, Fading
Compensation and Soft Stop. (Detailed information can be found in Section 5).

Save-a-caravan:

BMW's innovative Trailer Stability Control also uses the DSC system. When the
yaw sensor detects any pendulum motion of a towed vehicle or trailer, DSC
intervenes to reduce the throttle and bring the trailer back under control.

Brighter brake lights:

All 3 Series Touring models feature BMW's Brake Force Display system. Using
the ABS system to recognise that the car is going to make an emergency stop, an
additional segment of brake light illuminates to warn drivers travelling behind
of the danger, giving them a split second more to take avoiding action.

Run-flat tyres for safety:

Like the Saloon models, the new 3 Series Touring uses Run-flat tyres, first
introduced by BMW in 2003. For the 3 Series, the Run-flat tyres have been
specifically developed to enhance the ride quality of the car.

Using second-generation Run-flat tyres with softer sidewalls, customers can
travel in complete safety for over 150 miles at speeds of up to 50mph with up
to four punctured tyres. Dangerous and inconvenient hard-shoulder motorway
tyre changes are now a thing of the past for owners of new 3 Series models.

The Touring customer:

The customer profile of the new 3 Series Touring is similar to the outgoing
car, and the new Saloon variant. The majority of owners are aged between 36
and 55 with over half younger than 50, a significant proportion of them (80 per
cent) are expected to be male. Around 17 per cent of owners are self-employed
while over 60 per cent are company directors or managers. Golf, rugby and
skiing are their favourite sports.

BMW retains a healthy split between corporate and retail sales for its 3
Series, with the ratio expected to be 55:45.

In recent years, the Touring models have accounted for approximately 13 per
cent of all 3 Series cars sold in the UK, with 8,274 cars sold in 2003 and
7,150 sold in 2004, the outgoing model's last full year.

BMW UK expects sales of the new model to match, or even exceed, those of the
outgoing E46 line-up. The car's first full year (2006) is expected to see the
new Touring achieve record sales.

Key competitors for the 3 Series Touring are the Audi A4 Avant, Mercedes Benz
C-Class Estate and the Jaguar X-Type Estate. However, in todays ever more
variegated car market, and with such a practical and dynamic car, BMW expects
to appeal to more than just 'estate' buyers. Owners of small 4x4s, MPVs and
larger saloons are also expected to consider the new 3 Series Touring.

Cost of ownership:

For such a dynamic car, the ownership experience is the icing on the cake.

The new Touring is the only car in its segment to offer Service Inclusive,
BMW's innovative service and maintenance packages that insulate customers from
servicing costs and unexpected repair bills. For a one-off payment, owners can
benefit from three to five years servicing or service and maintenance
inclusive. This represents a considerable saving on the normal costs.

Customers will also be reassured by low insurance ratings and expected high
residual values.

The new Touring insurance groupings will be based upon the Saloon variant -
group 14 for the 320d and group 16 for the 325i. Whole-life costs are expected
to be lower than competitors, with influential CAP Monitor predicting 82 per
cent residual values after 12 months / 20,000 miles - five percentage points
higher then the Audi and 13 points higher than the Jaguar - unprecedented in
this class of car.