xDrive’s capabilities add to the legendary handling and performance of BMW 3 Series and 5 Series Sedans and Sports Wagons.

WEATHER-PROOFED

Head for the hills: the 2006 325xi Sedan and Sports Wagon with xDrive all-wheel drive easily master steep, rough roads with confidence

Cover Story 3 and 5 Series with xDrive

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xDRIVE IS STEPLESS, SEAMLESS AND COMPLETELY UNDETECTABLE.

The 525xi and 530xi Sedans seem almost eager to tackle slippery roads. When the road is dry, every tight corner becomes an excuse to have fun

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It’s a tall order. For drivers who worship at the altar of handlingand performance, yet have a penchant for the practicality of a sedanor sports wagon, the pickings are limited. Throw in the ultra-demanding requirement of four-season capability for those in lesstemperate climates, and the number of viable candidates dwindlesprecipitously.

However, when those numbers are “3” and “5,” as in BMWparlance, everything changes. Of course, we’re talking 3 and 5 SeriesBMW models, both now offering xDrive all-wheel drive to meet thedemanding criteria listed above. And, most important, two all-new

xDrive Sports Wagons raise driving dynamics and safety features tonew levels, combining amazing competence, superb comfort on longjourneys, and exceptional prowess in back road environments – alltopped off with the versatility of a sports wagon.

Five generations of excellence. The fifth-generation 3 Seriesbowed to great fanfare earlier this year, in events like BMW’s 3 AcrossAmerica. Since then it has dazzled happy new owners, as did its predecessors over the last 30 years. The 255-hp 330i Sedan and the325i Sedan with its 215-hp version of BMW’s new 3.0-liter six, are

T e x t : D . R a n d y R i g g s P h o t o s : S i m o n S t o c k

3 Series Sedansand Sports Wagonwith xDrive: sportystyle, spaciousinteriors, and confident handlingon all roads, in allweather

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roomier, more powerful and more fuel efficient than their predeces-sors. Sharp and modern, both boast superlative mechanicals anddriving behavior.

Best of all, admiring glances can now also be directed towardsthree new versions of the 3 Series: the aforementioned Sedans and anew Sports Wagon, each featuring road-gripping xDrive all-wheeldrive for just about anything the weather offers up.

Wagons ho! Whoever thought a wagon could look this good? Theterm “soccer mom” will never be directed at anyone behind the wheelof the new 3 Series Sports Wagon, even if it is filled with kids wear-ing big smiles and jerseys with numbers on the backs. Imbued withrefined elegance, yet sleek and muscular, it’s a look that means business – when business means attaching a couple of mountainbikes, snowboards or skis to the accessory BMW roof rack system.Who won’t be smiling when the time comes to flatten the split-folding seatbacks into the cargo floor, raise the tailgate and slide thatcoffee table from the furniture store inside? Convenient access to theluggage compartment is possible through the rear window as well,which opens separately for smaller odds and ends. Items can also besecured in the lockable hidden storage space under the cargo floor.

Want even more driving pleasure? Press a button and the sky isthe limit with the extra-wide Panoramic roof that opens almost twofeet longer than a conventional sliding roof, providing an open-airfeeling to the sumptuous cabin.

ALL FOURWHEELSARE READYTO GRIPWHENTHEY’RENEEDED.

The 5 Series Sports Wagon and

Sedans with xDrive whisk you to

your destination in style – even if

it’s the top of the mountain

3 Series Info

325xi Sedan and Sports Wagon

Engine: 3.0-liter inline six-cylinderOutput: 215 hp @ 6250 rpmTorque: 185 lb-ft @ 2750 rpm 0-60 (sec.): 7.1 [7.3] (man.), 7.7 [7.9] (auto.)1

330xi Sedan

Engine: 3.0-liter inline six-cylinderOutput: 255 hp @ 6600 rpmTorque: 220 lb-ft @ 2750 rpm 0-60 (sec.): 6.3 (manual), 6.6 (auto.)1

Figures in [ ] refer to 325xi Sports Wagon.1BMW AG preliminary data. Obey local speed laws and always wear safety belts.

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However, the real excitement begins when you start the engine.Instantly you know this is no station wagon. Here beats the ultra-smooth and powerful six-cylinder heart of a BMW renowned for itsefficiency and reliability. There’s a choice of 6-speed transmissions:the standard manual; or an optional STEPTRONIC automatic that features Sport and clutchless Manual shift modes, as well as AdaptiveTransmission Control, to have your fun any way you want it.

All in all, 3 Series models with xDrive give new meaning to theword “adventure.” And touring has never been this much fun.

More with four. The highly celebrated 525xi and 530xi Sedans and530xi Sports Wagon with xDrive deliver all the bank-vault solidityexpected of a BMW, and then some. The “then some” is an all-weather capability you don’t even have to think about, because it’sthere for you wherever you drive.

And we’ve all been there, when a day of sunshine turns suddenlystormy, and the road ahead turns hostile. Headlights come on, theroad slicks up, and you tighten your grip on the wheel. Tensionmounts. That winter trip to the mountains can be full of excitement,too, except when the road shoulders begin turning white and those big snowflakes start falling. For many drivers that’s not the kind ofexcitement they were looking for; the lack of traction is anything butconfidence-inspiring.

Unfortunately (until recently), all-wheel drive has always had itsdrawbacks – most noticeably, a cumbersome feel to the driving expe-rience, with power going to the front wheels when it’s not needed.That all changed when BMW introduced xDrive in the X3 and X5.

With xDrive, driver input is not necessary when the going getsslippery, because xDrive is stepless, seamless and completely unde-tectable, except for the fact that all four wheels are ready to grip whenthey’re needed (see Holding Fast Through the Curves, on page 26).So that trip down the street during a sudden downpour, or a week-end run to a snowy mountain retreat need not be a cause for concern– and everyday commuting in harsh conditions won’t seem nearly asbad when you have four-wheel traction and rear-wheel driving feel.

Form, functionality and Autobahn in the DNA make up the heartof the latest 5 Series Sedans and Sports Wagon with xDrive, eachboasting a long list of standard comfort, convenience and safetyfeatures in a space-saving design. Cockpits wrap occupants inabsolute comfort and security, the quality of materials and crafts-manship obvious in an elegant, understated way – it’s a place whereone really wants to spend a lot of time.

And it’s quality time, indeed, with a multi-function steeringwheel putting essential controls at your fingertips, and BMW’s inno-vative iDrive system to access and control the optional navigationsystem or non-driving functions.

ROOMIER, MORE POWERFUL AND MORE FUEL EFFICIENT THAN ITS PREDECESSORS,

THE 2006 3 SERIES BOASTS SUPERLATIVE DRIVING BEHAVIOR.

Brilliant new styling marks the all-new 530xi Sports Wagon,boasting more storage space with no wheel wells intruding into thecabin, a completely flat floor when the 60/40 split seats are folded,and a low load-in height. Roof rails can accommodate additionalcargo and can be fitted with the accessory BMW roof rack system.No need to leave anything behind!

Smiling behind the signature twin kidney grille and under thesculpted hood, the next-generation 215-hp and 255-hp inline sixesprovide the thrust, smoother than ever with BMW’s Valvetronictechnology, and lighter than ever with a composite magnesium/aluminum engine block. Double-VANOS technology provides precise valve timing at every engine speed, which means improvedtorque, acceleration, performance and efficiency. One can alsochoose between a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission, or a 6-speed STEPTRONIC automatic transmission with Sport and clutch-less Manual shift modes and Adaptive Transmission Control (ATC).

What a rational choice – an automobile that adapts to your worldseamlessly; a feast for the eyes every time you walk away and lookback at it, waiting. But it won’t be parked for long. There are themountains, the beach, B&Bs up the coast, family picnics, antiquing,colorful fall leaves, a fishing trip, that favorite back road, kayaking,runs to the hardware store and noisy fun from the kids in therear seat. Soccer, anyone? bmwusa.com

Comfortably in control: since the driver is an integral part of a BMW’s high performance, the 3 and 5 Series cockpit puts everything readily at your command

5 Series Info

525xi Sedan

Engine: 3.0-liter inline six-cylinderOutput: 215 hp @ 6250 rpmTorque: 185 lb-ft @ 2750 rpm 0-60 (sec.): 7.9 (manual), 8.2 (auto.)1

530xi Sedan and Sports Wagon

Engine: 3.0-liter inline six-cylinderOutput: 255 hp @ 6600 rpmTorque: 220 lb-ft @ 2750 rpm 0-60 (sec.): 6.4 [6.8] (man.), 6.6 [7.3] (auto.)1

Figures in [ ] refer to 530xi Sports Wagon.1BMW AG preliminary data. Obey local speed laws and always wear safety belts.