If you’re new to BMWs, it can be difficult at first to understand the differences between all the different models. Being very logical and German, BMW doesn’t bother with evocative names, instead preferring to name its cars using a complicated system of model letters and numbers. Hopefully this article will help you break through some of the mystery.

At the moment, BMW produces the 1 Series, 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series, as well as SUVs (letter X) and two-seater roadsters (letter Z). These designations refer to the first number or letter of the name – for example, the 518, 520i and 530i are all part of the 5 Series. As the Series numbers go up, the cars get both larger in size and more expensive. So what are the differences between the different series?

To begin with, the 1 Series are small, relatively inexpensive cars, designed to compete with the VW Golf and similar cars They’re sensible rear wheel drives, soon to be in hatchback too.

The 3 Series, on the other hand, are luxury cars, although they are the lowest-priced, smallest ones. Before the introduction of the 1 Series, the intention of the 3 Series was to make BMWs accessible to young professionals who wanted a Beemer but couldn’t afford a full-size one. Most of the BMWs you see on the road today are 3 Series.

In the middle of the range is the 5 Series – the kind of car you might expect a junior executive to drive. Many BMW drives prefer the 5 Series, feeling that it offers the best value for money and that having their car any bigger is just annoying.

7 Series BMWs are often considered to be the ‘real deal’ – the cars that the company is famous for. People buying in this category could easily be buying a Jaguar or a Mercedes, but they’re choosing a BMW instead, which gives you some idea of the kind of expectations these cars have to live up to. They are amazingly luxurious.

German automaker BMW is on a quest, one that may likely make them the first automaker in the world to produce a fleet of vehicles capable of running on hydrogen fuel. That’s right, BMW is leading the way and if all goes as promised the first hydrogen cell powered production BMW will hit the streets in 2008.

Back around 2000, General Motors announced that they would work toward building a fleet of vehicles that could run on hydrogen power. When that announcement was made few thought that hydrogen technology could be successfully tapped and used in a car. However, if it was to come about, most people thought that it would take at least 20 years to come to pass.

In 2004 BMW announced that they, too, would bring hydrogen powered cars into production. But, the automaker said that they would accomplish this feat much sooner – by 2008! As it stands today it looks as if BMW may be well on the road to meeting their lofty goal as automotive blogs are currently commenting on recently surfaced photographs showing what appears to be a hydrogen powered BMW. Specifically, a V12 powered BMW 7 Series has been spotted being tested in Germany and it was learned that this particular test car also had a working alternate fuel source available, namely hydrogen.

Several things still need to occur before hydrogen fuel cells are a readily accepted and available alternative to the internal combustion engine. These include:

The cost of developing hydrogen fuel cells. Currently, the price of fuel cells is prohibitive but technological advancements are lowering that cost. When the cost drops below that of outfitting a vehicle with an engine, than hydrogen fuel cells will become a viable alternative.

Production and storage concerns. Currently, significant amount of fossil fuels must be used to develop hydrogen cells. In addition, storing hydrogen can be a problem and transmitting the fuel through existing natural gas lines doesn’t look possible given the fuel’s negative interaction with steel. Hydrogen proponents are calling on the U.S. government to authorize “Manhattan Project” type funding to create an all new distribution system across the country. Speculation on the cost of implementing a hydrogen infrastructure is in the hundreds of billions of dollars, perhaps well over one trillion dollars.

Should the day come when hydrogen powered vehicles are produced and some sort of distribution system is created, two big benefits will emerge: American dependency on foreign oil will evaporate and greenhouse gas emissions will drop considerably. These two reasons alone may be enough for BMW, General Motors, and other automakers to continue with hydrogen fuel cell development. Will the government step in to help out? That remains to be seen.

Perhaps the rarest of all the limousines is the BMW X5 limo. Most limousine companies have invested in Hummer limos, but those that have opted for the more exotic range of 4×4 limos have tended to go for the Range Rover limousine or the latest Audi Q7 limo. The BMW X5 limo is typically found in the Midlands or limo hire Leeds, leaving limo hire London wanting. The interior of the BMW X5 limousine is just as glam as the exterior with a superb state of the art sound system, full cocktail bar, flat screen TV,s, DVD players, fibre optics and neon lights.

The BMW X5 limousines is one of the most amazing limos available in the UK. The BMW X5 limo has the best interior than any of the other limos.

It is surprising just how rare these 4×4 limos are when you consider how cool they look. Available in black and silver and equipped with superb 22″ chrome rims, sometimes with spinners as well, the BMW X5 limo is certainly a must for a stag night or school prom. The superb stretch limo hire that is the BMW X5 limousine can also be used for corporate events, weddings, birthdays, children’s parties and airport transfers. Indeed the BMW X5 limousine looks good whatever the occasion. With any luck many more limousine companies throughout the UK will realise the potential of these superb 4×4 limos and more will become available. However for now those lucky enough to have a BMW X5 limousine available in their area should make the most of their good fortune.

In India customers will be offered three petrol and one diesel version. German diesel engine technology is so superior that it gives near petrol engine ride comfort and driving pleasure. The attainment of maximum torque at lower rpm makes it ideal for city traffic, while giving economy on the highways. But paying Rs.15 lakhs more is something of a individualised decision. Me, I am still a petrol engine fan, but already a wavering one.

Cylinders/valves Capacity cm Max. output Maximum torque
in cubic in kW at 1/min¹ in Nm at 1/min¹
523i 6/4 2497 Figures withheld awaiting ARAI
525i 6/4 2497 approval. (range of 182 hp (135 kW according
530i 6/4 2996 to official sources)
525d 6/4 2993

In true BMW style the cars come equipped with an alarm system, automatic air conditioning with extended features, automatic transmission, car phone preparation, 6-CD changer, chrome line exterior, cruise control, cup holder, exterior parts in body colour, and floor mats in velour.

If you thought 3 series was too techie, check the additional gizmos on the % series-a glass roof, electrical with sliding and tilting function, headlight beam-throw control, automatic, HiFi loudspeaker system, interior and exterior mirrors with automatic anti-dazzle function, leather steering wheel with multifunction buttons, park distance control, rain sensor, seat adjustment, electrical with memory for driver’s seat, Servotronic, sports leather steering wheel with multifunction buttons, sunblind for rear window, electrical sun blinds for rear side windows, mechanical TV function, windscreen with green shade band, Xenon light including headlight washer system.

The 5 series is the fastest 4-door sedan in production top speed = 205 mph. Miles –not kilometres.

Safety Features
Airbags for driver and front passenger, with seat occupant detector, bumper system with interchangeable crumple zones front and rear Dynamic

Stability Control (including ABS). Front belt system with automatic height adjustment, belt force limiter and pyrotechnic belt buckle tensioner;

front-to-rear head airbags,
integrated side-impact protection; run-flat indicator, run-flat tyres, safety battery terminal clamp, side airbags for front and rear passengers, warning triangle with first-aid kit.
Interior Trim
Fine-wood trim poplar grain brown
Exterior Colour
Black Sapphire, Monaco Blue, Platinum Grey, and Titanium Silver
Upholstery
Dakota leather Beige, Dakota leather Black, and Dakota leather Grey
Alloy Wheels
Radial spoke 244 with run-flat tyres 7,5J x 17 / 225/50 R17
Star spoke 246 with run-flat tyres 8J x 18 / 245/40 R18
Price: 523i Rs.37,00,000; 525i Rs.40,90,000; 530i Rs.45,00,000; 525d Rs.42,40,000

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – March 20, 2008… The selection committee for the 2008 World Car Awards announced today that the European BMW 118d Advanced Diesel was named the 2008 World Green Car. Tom Purves, President and CEO of BMWNA, accepted the honor on behalf of BMW at the award reception, which was held this morning at the 2008 New York International Auto Show.

“We are honored to receive the 2008 World Green Car Award for the BMW 118d,” said Mr. Purves. “As a company we have been committed to reducing fuel consumption and emissions of our vehicles, while at the same time improving performance. This commitment is the driving force of our Efficient Dynamics platform and the philosophy behind BMW’s vehicle designs and development of technologies such as the Advanced Diesel implemented in the 118d. This honor will inspire BMW’s continuing efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.” The BMW 118d is a four-door hatchback powered by a 1.8-liter, four-cylinder diesel engine and is not a model that is available in the U.S.

A jury of nearly 50 distinguished automotive journalists selected the BMW 118d as top choice from a list of three finalists that also included the Smart ForTwo CDI and Volkswagen Passat 1.9 TDI. To be eligible for the 2008 World Green Car award, vehicles had to be available in at least one major market during 2007. The vehicle or the green technology could be in production or an experimental prototype with potential near-future application, provided that it was released for individual or press fleet evaluations in quantities of ten or more during 2007. Tailpipe emissions, fuel consumption and use of a major advanced power plant technology (beyond engine componentry), aimed specifically at increasing the vehicle’s environmental responsibility, were all taken into consideration.

Now in its fifth year, the annual World Car awards have become one of the most prestigious and credible programs of their type in the world. The awards were inaugurated in 2003, and officially launched in January 2004, to reflect the reality of the global marketplace, as well as to recognize and reward automotive excellence on a global scale. The awards are intended to complement, not compete, with existing national and regional Car of the Year programs.

The awards are administered by a non-profit association, under the guidance of a Steering Committee of pre-eminent automotive journalists from Asia, Europe, and North America. There is no affiliation with, nor are the awards in any way influenced by any publication, auto show, automaker, or other commercial enterprise.