BMW Announces New 3 Series Convertible

November 15, 1999...Following a 45-percent increase in year-to-date 3 Series
sales in the US, BMW announced today that a new 3 Series convertible would join
the line. Launching in the US in March 2000, the new 3 Series convertible will
be the third generation of the popular open-air car.

The 323Ci convertible will be powered by BMW's well-known 2.5-liter inline
six-cylinder engine with 170 horsepower. Further engine variants will follow in
autumn 2000.

The convertible is unmistakably a member of the new BMW 3 Series family, which
started with the sedan in 1998. In spring 1999 the sedan was followed by the
3 Series coupe identical with the convertible from the front bumper all the way
to the A-pillar. The even more striking waistline, the more muscular rear end
and the very elegant soft top nevertheless give the convertible a very personal
character.

The convertible is also a truly unique car inside. The front seats, for
example, are brand-new and feature a first in this category - an integrated
belt system ensuring optimum seat belt geometry at all times. Other standard
features include rollbars integrated into the rear headrests which move up
automatically whenever required. Frontal and side airbags protect the occupants
in the event of an accident. Together with proven AST traction system and the
DSC stability enhancement system, this once again puts the new 3 Series
convertible right at the top in its segment of open four-seaters.

The fully lined and padded soft roof also comes with new features. One of them
is the heated, scratch-proof rear glass window fitting conveniently into the
new, variable roof compartment. Like a folding box, the roof compartment
itself folds up when not in use, providing a luggage compartment capacity of
10.5 cu. ft (300 liters) whenever the roof is up.