Press Kit MY 2001: BMW 3 SERIES: NEW ENGINES, AVAILABLE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE AND AN EXPANDED MODEL RANGE ENHANCE A UNIQUE, AWARD-WINNING LINE

Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey...Throughout its four generations since 1975, yet
now perhaps more than ever, the BMW 3 Series is seen worldwide as an absolutely
unique, highly successful vehicle concept that, by its very quality and
qualities, invites imitation. And yet, try as other marques may, the 3 Series
is quite inimitable. It represents a concept that BMW originated and has
nurtured for decades, one that cannot be defined by mere features or format.
The 3 Series does embody certain consistent features - inline engine,
rear-wheel drive, always a choice of manual or automatic transmission,
road-gripping yet supple independent suspension. And its format is just as
consistent: a sporty driving machine with practical people- and cargo-carrying
capability. It also is, and always has been, a tightly packed bundle of
muscles, built to quality standards that give it precision, reliability and
durability.

Yet there are subjective factors that also go into this unique formula, and
even if others could fully imitate all of the above, they would still have a
long way to go to reach these cars' driving qualities and aesthetics. This is
because the unique BMW concept is the product of unique people. Living only a
short distance from the Alps, themselves always cultivating the fine art of
driving rapidly yet responsibly, and quite simply loving cars, BMW's creators
simply cannot be replicated.

So it is that again and again, BMW leapfrogs the rest with new developments in
the 3 Series. The present Series, launched with 323i and 328i 4-door sedans for
1999, certainly did that. A year later, the sedans were joined by 323Ci and
328Ci coupes. Soon afterward came the 323i sport wagon, expanding the Series'
envelope of practicality and versatility, and the 323Ci convertible, adding
open-air driving pleasure (and class-leading convertible safety features) to
the equation.

Now, as the latest 3 Series moves into its third model year, BMW advances the
concept once more:

WHAT'S NEW FOR 2001: AN EXCITING EVOLUTION OF A STILL-FRESH LINE

The 3 Series story for 2001 is one of building carefully but dynamically on the
qualities that make this BMW Series so special. The changes for 2001 are
evolutionary, but significant. They focus on:

- New engines - a newly tuned 2.5-liter engine boosts performance in four 325
models; an enlarged, more powerful 3.0-liter engine in three 330 models
advances BMW's performance leadership in this market segment.

- All-wheel drive - a new option that transforms the 325i and 330i sedans into
the 325xi and 330xi, and the 325i sport wagon into the 325xi sport wagon. This
option positions the 3 Series to meet growing demand for the added traction of
AWD - while maintaining BMW sportiness.

- Four body styles - with the addition of coupes, convertibles and a sport
wagon during the 2000 model year, plus further new coupe and convertible models
for 2001, the 3 Series now consists of ten models including the AWD sedans and
sport wagon.

Compared to six models in 2000, there are ten for 2001:

- 325i sedan - 4-door sedan with new 2.5-liter, 184-hp 6-cylinder engine,
replacing the former 323i as the most attainable BMW sedan. Available with
all-wheel drive as the 325xi sedan.

- 325i sport wagon - introduced in 2000 as the 323i sport wagon, this new and
versatile body style also gets the new engine for 2001 and is available with
AWD as the 325xi sport wagon.

- 325Ci coupe - 2-door coupe with same powertrain and basic chassis features as
325i; its distinct body, standard sport suspension and numerous upgraded
equipment details set the coupe apart from its sedan counterpart.

- 325Ci convertible - more powerful evolution of the 323Ci convertible
introduced in 2000. Includes a full complement of convertible safety features
as standard equipment.

- 330i sedan - the Series' upscale sedan, now with 3.0-liter engine and
upgrades ranging from larger brakes, wheels and tires to premium exterior trim.
Available with AWD as the 330xi.

- 330Ci coupe - top-of-line coupe, with the same 3.0-liter powertrain and
chassis features as 330i plus standard sport suspension.

- 330Ci convertible - top-of-line convertible, also with the new 3.0-liter
powertrain.

Production of the 330 models began in June 2000; they are already available at
BMW Centers across the U.S. The 325 models enter production in September 2000,
and will be available at BMW Centers by mid-October.

In summary, the changes for 2001 are wide-ranging:

All models

As of 6/00 production (these changes also apply to 2000 models as of 6/00
production):

- Power steering newly calibrated, for reduced parking effort
- New design for sport steering wheel, with double bottom spoke 1
- 2-stage Smart Airbags (front-impact Supplementary Restraint System) for
driver and passenger

As of 9/00 production:
- Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) updated; reduced weight, addition of Dynamic
Brake Control (reinforces driver's pedal effort in emergency braking)
- Newly designed roof antenna for phone, now installed only when BMW Cellular
Phone System is installed (previously on all units)

All 2001 models, as of 6/00 or 9/00 production:
- New engines (M54 series) with increased power and meeting ULEV/Ultra Low
Emissions Vehicle limits in rear-wheel-drive models
- Available Cold Weather Package, including retractable, high-intensity
headlight washers, heated front seats and ski bag (sedan models' Package adds
split folding rear seats)

325i/325xi sedan changes from 2000 323i -
- New engine; 2.5-liter as in 323i, but increased power (184 hp vs. 170)
- Available 5-speed automatic transmission in new version, with different
ratios (325i only, not 325xi)
- Available fulltime all-wheel drive with DSC-X traction/stability-enhancement
system and other features (DSC standard with rear-wheel drive); model called
325xi with this option
- Larger brakes: 11.8-in. front / 11.6-in. rear, vs. 11.3/10.9
- New exterior color: Sahara Beige Metallic (replaces Light Yellow Metallic)
- New design for 4-spoke steering wheel, with smoother center section;
leather-covered wheel now standard
- Standard 16 x 7.0 Star Spoke alloy wheels with 205/55R-16 91H tires
(previously part of Premium Package)
- Sport Package wheels are 17 x 7.0 Star Spoke, with 225/45R-17 91W performance
tires (now same as sport wagon and coupe; previously 16-in. wheels and tires)
- All-Wheel-Drive Sport Package for 325xi model only; no sport suspension as
such because 325xi already has specially tuned suspension; 17 x 7.0 Radial
Spoke wheels, 205/50R-17 91H all-season tires

325i/325xi sport wagon changes from 2000 323i sport wagon -
- Same changes as 325i sedan, except that the larger brakes and the 16-in.
wheels and tires were already standard on this model and 17-in. wheels and
tires were included in Sport Package

325Ci coupe changes from 2000 323Ci -
- Same changes to engine, transmission and brakes as 325i models
- New standard wheel style: Five Spoke, as on previous 328Ci

325Ci convertible changes from 2000 323Ci convertible -
- Same changes to engine and transmission as 325i models

330i/330xi sedan changes from 2000 328i -
- New engine; 3.0-liter, 225-hp unit, replacing 2.8-liter, 193-hp unit
- Available automatic transmission in new version, with different ratios (330i
only, not 330xi)
- Available fulltime all-wheel drive with DSC-X traction/stability-enhancement
system and other features(DSC standard with rear-wheel drive); model called
330xi with this option
- Larger brakes: 12.8-in. front, 12.6-in. rear, vs. 11.8/11.6
- Standard 17 x 7.0 Double Spoke alloy wheels with 205/50R-17 91H all-season
tires (16-in. wheels and tires previously standard)
- Headlight and foglight surrounds in Titanium finish (previously black)
- Bumper screen and slats in Titanium finish (previously body-color)
- Dual chrome exhaust tips
- New exterior color: Sahara Beige Metallic (replaces Light Yellow Metallic)
- New design for 4-spoke steering wheel, with smoother center section
- Aluminum-finish rings around dials in instrument cluster
- Optional Sport Package: 17-in. wheels and tires now in differentiated
front/rear sizes as on previous 328Ci
- New optional All-Wheel-Drive Sport Package for 330xi only, including Double
Spoke alloy wheels (17-in., same sizes front and rear), M aerodynamic body
components, sport steering wheel and sport front seats. No differentiation from
standard model in suspension tuning, as 330xi already has specially tuned
suspension.

330Ci coupe changes from 2000 328Ci -
- Same engine, transmission, brakes, exterior/interior trim changes as 330i
- Same 17-in. wheel/tire sizes as 330i, but wheels in Double Spoke design
330Ci convertible changes from 2000 323Ci convertible (no 328Ci convertible
model in 2000) -
- Same new 3.0-liter engine, automatic transmission, brakes, exterior/exterior
trim changes as in sedan and coupe models
- Same 17-in. wheels and tires as 330Ci
- Power top standard, vs. optional
- Park Distance Control optional, vs. not available
- Leather upholstery standard, vs. optional
- Different Package contents

*Please download the attached file to find the full details on the "3 Series
Story" for 2001.

Other files available to download will provide information about:

- "2001 BMW 3 Series Product Highlights"
- "2001 BMW 3 Series 325 Models Standard & Optional Features"
- "2001 BMW 3 Series 325 Models Specifications"
- "2001 BMW 3 Series 330 Models Standard & Optional Features"
- "2001 BMW 3 Series 330 Models Specifications"
- "2001 BMW 3 Series Pricing"