BMW News in Brief

New 5 Series product range expanded:
Two new models, the 545i SE and 525i SE, promise to boost the appeal of BMW's
eagerly anticipated 5 Series range from October. These join launch variants,
the 520i SE, 530i SE and 530d SE, which arrive in the UK from 18 September
2003.

Priced at £41,555 on-the-road, the range topping BMW 545i SE features the 4,393
cc V8 engine with VALVETRONIC, which also lies at the heart of the new BMW
645Ci luxury Coupé that will be unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show. A
six-speed manual gearbox comes as standard, with the option of a six-speed
automatic priced at £1,350. For those who prefer Formula 1 style shifting,
there is also a Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG) option with steering wheel
paddles and gearshift lever priced at £880.

Maximum power is boosted to 333 bhp, 47 bhp more than the outgoing 540i.
Maximum torque peaks at 450 Nm at 3,700 rpm, with eighty per cent of torque
available between 1,500 and 6,400 rpm. From rest, the 545i SE reaches 62 mph
in just 5.8 seconds and its electronically limited 155 mph top speed is
achievable in both fifth and sixth gears. However despite these impressive
performance figures, the new BMW 545i SE delivers a frugal 25.9 mpg in the
combined EU fuel consumption cycle.

The new BMW 525i SE, priced at £26,955 on-the-road, is powered by BMW's award
winning 2,494 cc engine. This develops up to 192 bhp with maximum torque of
245 Nm at 3,500 rpm. It takes just 7.9 seconds to hit 62 mph with a top speed
of 148 mph. Performance is balanced with economy with the 525i SE delivering
30.1 mpg on the combined cycle.

As well as a strong product line-up, private and fleet buyers will be tempted
by strong 5 Series residual values, according to figures released for the three
launch variants. CAP Monitor reveals competitive 3-year / 60,000 mile figures
of 43% for the 520i SE, 44% for the 530d SE and 40% for the 530i SE.

3 Series models - more Euro IV engines:
From 1 September production, all 2.0 litre diesel models in the 3 Series range
will have Euro IV compliant engines. Applying to 320td Compact, 320d Saloon,
320d Touring and the recently announced 320Cd Coupé, this makes 3 Series even
more attractive to company car drivers, as they will not be liable for the
government's three per cent surcharge for non-Euro IV diesel company cars.

Corresponding to the introduction of Euro IV engines, there will be a price
rise of £220 on affected models. This increase does not apply to ES variants
or the 320Cd which arrives in September. Launch prices for BMW's first diesel
Coupé have been confirmed at £24,310 on-the-road for the entry level model and
£26,620 for the Sport variant.

Other 3 Series model year 2004 changes:
... Window anti-trap mechanism included for 3 Series Convertibles as standard
... Optional dual band professional fixed telephone replaces fixed GSM
telephone, adding Orange and T Mobile to the range of service providers
... Additional M colours for all 3 Series Sport models (excluding Compact) -
Carbon Black and Le Mans Blue (through the Individual programme)
... Replacing up to three remote controls used to operate garage doors,
driveway gates etc, universal remote control will be introduced as an option on
all 3 Series body styles
... 16" Star Spoke Style 45 alloy wheels, to be standard on 325ti SE Compact
replacing Double Spoke Style 88
... 17" Double Spoke Style 98 light alloy wheels to be offered as an option on
all Compact models
... 17" Star Spoke Style 119 light alloy wheels to be offered as an option on
all 3 Series Saloon and Touring models
... 16" Double Spoke Style 88 and 17" Star Spoke Style 96 alloy wheels deleted
from 3 Series Compact

7 Series enhancements:
From 1 October production, the innovative iDrive system will be even easier to
use thanks to the inclusion of two new buttons, housed below the circular
controller. One is a menu button that takes users back to the top page menu
from any page. The other is an additional programmable key available for
entertainment functions. These changes are also included for the rear
entertainment package where specified.

Also from October, Service Inclusive replaces BMW Concours to complement the
identical offer on the new 5 Series. This gives drivers five years or 60,000
miles of maintenance-free ownership for a fixed, one-off £750 payment. It is
also fully transferable to next owners, potentially enhancing residual values.

Additional 7 Series changes for model year 2004:
... Anti-fogging sensor is to be added to the automatic air conditioning system
... Adaptive Headlights will be introduced as a £405.00 option on 7 Series
models
... Standard on all SE models and above (e.g. 735i, 745i and 760i), dual-band
professional fixed telephone replaces the single-band fixed GSM telephone
... Sport models benefit from the addition of 20" alloy wheels in Y-Styling to
the options line-up at a cost of £675

TMC and DVD navigation introduced:
From September production all cars fitted with navigation systems benefit from
the introduction of a DVD disc. The key benefits are the speed with which
information can be accessed and the volume of information contained on disc.
DVD discs contain detailed coverage of the whole of Europe, negating the need
to purchase single discs to navigate through different parts of the continent.

Traffic Message Channel (TMC) is also included from September. Using a
dedicated FM frequency, the system notifies drivers of traffic congestion ahead
while en-route. TMC is fully integrated within the navigation system, and
suggests alternative routes, guiding drivers around traffic jams, helping to
avoid unnecessary delays.

BMW to star at Frankfurt Motor Show:
This year's Frankfurt Motor Show that runs from 11 to 21 September (press days
9/10 September) will feature the most comprehensive number of world debuts ever
from BMW. Both the new 6 Series Coupe and X3 Sports Activity Vehicle, make
their world debut at Germany's premier automotive event, as does the revised X5
featuring xDrive. The new 5 Series will also make its motor show debut.

Revised X5 Prices announced:
Prices for the revised X5 have been confirmed as follows:

Model
3.0i - On the road price (OTR) - £34,675
3.0i Sport - OTR £36,625
3.0d OTR - £35,060
3.0d Sport - OTR £37,010
4.4i - OTR £46,835
4.4i Sport - OTR £47,525
4.8is - OTR £57,005

3 Series price revisions - from 1 October 2003:
3 Series Compact
Model
320d Compact - On the road price (OTR) - £19,970
320d SE Compact - OTR £21,480
320d Sport Compact - OTR £22,495

3 Series Saloon:
Model
320d Saloon - On the road price (OTR) - £22,170
320d SE Saloon - OTR £23,200
320d Sport Saloon - OTR £25,600

3 Series Touring:
Model
320d SE Touring - On the road price (OTR) - £24,120
320d Sport Touring - OTR £26,520

3 Series Convertible:
Model
318Ci Convertible - On the road price (OTR) - £25,855
318Ci Sport Convertible - OTR £27,035
320Ci Convertible - OTR £26,915
320Ci Sport Convertible - OTR £29,235
325Ci Convertible - OTR £28,595
325Ci Sport Convertible - OTR £30,915
330Ci Convertible - OTR £31,455
330Ci Sport Convertible - OTR £33,385
M3 Convertible - OTR £42,435

7 Series price revisions - from 1 October 2003:
Model
730d - On the road price (OTR) - £44,730
730d SE - OTR £46,880
730d Sport - OTR £49,080
730i - OTR £47,025
730i SE - OTR £49,175
730i Sport - OTR £51,375
730Li - OTR £49,625
730Li SE - OTR £51,775
735i - OTR £53,405
735Li - OTR £56,125
735i Sport - OTR £55,605
745i - OTR £57,605
745Li - OTR £60,325
745i Sport - OTR £59,805
760i - OTR £76,675
760Li - OTR £78,775

Ends