Notes: This smallest of BMW cars was known as a yuppie favorite; it was inexpensive but offered a perception of class. It was the first 3-Series BMW sold in the US. Standard features for the 1985 model included a variety of near-luxury refinements; in 1986, the 4-cylinder engine disappeared and antilock brakes were added, as was a version with 4 doors. In 1987, a 2-door convertible was added, with a manual top (and a power top as an option). In 1988, a version with all-wheel drive was added. In 1990, a driver’s side airbag was added, as well as a new 168-horsepower engine. A 4-cylinder engine reappeared in 1991, an economy engine with 134 horsepower.

These cars are durable and hardy, but space is at a premium in them. Adults will definitely be uncomfortable in the back seat. The lower-power engines are sluggish.

Notes: This is another low-end BMW. It uses a high-revving 4-cylinder engine, which definitely runs better with manual transmission than with automatic; in fact, initial models did not have an automatic transmission as an option, and it was not available until the 1993 model year. Antilock brakes as well as a driver’s side airbag were standard; in 1994, a passenger-side airbag was added; in 1995, a 10-speaker, 200-watt sound system was added; in 1997, All-Season Traction Control was added; and in 1998, the convertible and coupe were eliminated (replaced by the 323), but the sedans got side airbags. The 381i initially had an I-4 138-horsepower in the sedan and a 134-horsepower I-4 in the convertible and coupe; however, in the mid-1996 model year, all 318i’s were switched to a 1.9-liter, 138-hosepower I-4 with a bit more torque.

Handling is excellent, with cornering tight and ride crisp. Traction is not good in slippery conditions, and the included traction control system is not very effective. The interiors are austere, with an abundance of leatherette and plastic. Despite being larger, cargo space is small, and the rear seat is cramped. The 318i comes in 2-door sedan and convertible, a 2-door hatchback coupe, and a 4-door sedan. The coupe is not available until the 1995 model year.

Twilight 2000 Notes: Versions beyond the 1996 model year were not produced.

Notes: This is a higher-end BMW, with a more powerful engine and somewhat more interior space. They suffer from a shortage of low-end power, but respond well at higher RPMs (and even this problem was partly solved in the 1993 model year). Turns are tight and sure, and the car is excellent in fancier maneuvers. However, like many BMWs, the 325i gets considerably less sure-footed on slippery surfaces. The ride is smooth except on the largest bumps and potholes. Rear passenger space is a bit tight, and the rear doors on 4-door versions are a bit small. Radio and climate controls are within easy reach of the driver, but the sheer number of them can be confusing. Standard features for the 1992 model year include driver’s side airbags and antilock brakes; in 1994, a passenger-side airbag was added; and in 1998, side airbags were added and the convertible got a full-powered top. Options are abundant, including a sports suspension, fold-down rear seats for the sedan to expand cargo space, ASC+T traction control for the 1994 model year, and an automatic pop-up rollover protection system for convertibles. 2-door coupes, 2-door convertibles, and 4-door sedans are available. A 168-horsepower I-6 was used on the 1992 convertibles and as a base engine on 1998 models; in 1996, one more horsepower was added, but the engine had much more torque; and a 240-hosepower I-6 was always an option.

Twilight 2000 Notes: Versions beyond the 1995 model year are not available.

Notes: The 3-Series was heavily redesigned for the 2004 model year, though most of the redesign went to the interior and the mechanical aspects rather than the exterior modeling. All-wheel drive is standard on the "xi" versions; all others have rear-wheel drive. Most models give a choice between automatic or manual transmission, but the M3 version has an optional performance package, which allows the driver to change between manual and automatic transmission. Standard features include front and side airbags, antiskid/traction control, rain-sensing wipers, and BMW Assist service, which is similar to On-Star; and a heated glass rear window on the convertible. Options include a power top on the 325Ci convertible (standard on the 330Ci), high-intensity Xenon headlights, steering-linked headlights, run-flat tires, tire pressure monitors, and a sports package.

The 3-Series was little changed for the 2005 model year. The 6-speed manual transmission that was optional on all models in the 2004 model was an option only for the M3 (high-power) model and rear-wheel drive 330s. A power roof is standard on all convertibles, as well as a heated glass rear window. Sedans and coupes (except the M3) get a standard sunroof. Coupes and convertibles join the M3 in having a standard tire pressure monitor.

Twilight 2000 Notes: These vehicles are not available.

Notes: These are higher-performance sedans, designed for people who want a practical yet powerful car. Like many BMW cars, their engines are a bit sluggish at low RPMs, but performance is brisk at high RPMs. Handling is excellent and steering responsive, with noise levels inside the vehicle low. Stopping is very quick, assisted by antilock brakes. The seats are considered very comfortable and controls well-placed and easy to find and use. Standard equipment includes driver’s side airbags on the 1990 model, and a two-panel sunroof on the 1992 model. The 5-Series are near-luxury to luxury cars, with an ample options package, including leather seats, Automatic Stability Control, and several premium sound systems. The standard engine in 1990 was a 168-horsepower 1-6, with a 208-horsepower I-6 as an option. In the 1991 model year, the base engine became a 189-horsepower I-6. In 1994, two V-8 engines became available, one with 215 horsepower and one with 282 horsepower. Unfortunately, the series trades power for fuel economy.

Twilight 2000 Notes: Versions beyond the 1995 model year are not available.

Notes: Though this version of the 5-Series is little changed in body style, it is greatly changed inside and under the hood. Chief of these is the replacement of the 5 engine choices found on the earlier model with 3 choices, starting at 190 horsepower and going up to massive, 4.9-liter 394-horsepower V-8. The base I-6 engine lacks low speed torque and performance with it is not zippy until it reaches 3000 rpm. Automatic transmission can severely degrade the performance of any of these engines, but especially the I-6. The two V-8s provide much more power (at all speeds), but both require premium fuel for proper performance. Despite a lot of body lean in turns, the 5-series is agile and surefooted, as well as offering a soft ride. The inside is large, but a lot of room is taken up by a wide center console in front and a large driveline tunnel in the rear. Standard features for 1997 include dual front airbags and side airbags, antilock brakes, and traction control. Side airbags that give extra protection for the head were added for 1998; high-intensity Xenon headlights were added for 1999; rain-sensing windshield wipers, daylight running lamps, and side mirrors that lower when backing up were added for 2000; the cassette player was traded for a CD player in 2002; and a sunroof was added for 2003. Options included a sports package for 1999; memory power seats for 1999; rear side airbags for 2000; a navigation system for 2001; and an automatic climate control system for 2002.

Twilight 2000 Notes: This vehicle does not exist.

*Add $10,000 for a navigation system.

Notes: The 5-Series was redesigned inside and out for the 2004 model year, with new styling and design for the exterior that made the car more aerodynamic, and interior changes that give the car more room for the occupants. The wagon is gone, but the sedan is still present. The 184-horsepower I-6 is still the base engine, and the 225-horsepower is still the base engine for the more powerful models, but the 190-horsepower engine is no longer offered, nor is the 290-horsepower or 394-horsepower engines. However, a 325-horsepower engine has been added for 2004, replacing the 290-horsepower V-8. Standard is antilock brakes, antiskid/traction control, front airbags, and front side airbags, and iDrive, which places all controls in easy reach of the driver. Some versions have standard manual shift gate transmission that can be changed by the driver from standard to automatic transmission, a sports suspension, run-flat tires, Active Steering that helps counteract skids and oversteering, and Active Roll Stabilization to counteract body lean. (These are options on other models.) Other options include a rear-seat DVD system, a navigation system, front and rear parking assist, heated seats (front, rear, or both), adaptive cruise control, which uses a low-powered radar to maintain following distance from other cars; satellite radio, and sequential manual transmission.

The 2005 model year brought minor equipment changes to the 5-Series. BMW Assist became standard (similar to On-Star). A heads-up instrument display, showing needed information near the bottom of the windshield, became an option.

Automatic versions tend to be a bit balky on shifting. The Sports Package tires can be a bit loud in the road noise department, particularly on bumpy roads. The iDrive feature, while centralizing operation of the radio, climate control, and options, also divert the driver’s attention from the road to what some might find an excessive amount, and it can also be confusing for many. The I-6 engines can be a bit underpowered for this car.

Twilight 2000 Notes: These vehicles do not exist.