BMW gearbox
one of the best

From page 44

advertise the safety benefits of its cars as much as rivals
Mercedes-Benz and Volvo do, the 5-Series incorporates as many
active and passive safety features as its competitors. The
bodyshell is designed to absorb significant frontal and side
impacts. BMW's side-impact system includes diagonal aluminum
door beams, an interlocking door system which distributes crash
forces over a greater area, and standard side airbags in the front
doors. To prevent the front and side passenger airbags from
going off when no onc is in the passenger seat, a sensor in the
seat automatically disables them.

All Sve of the 546i’s seats have three-point seatbelts with
automatic tensioners and adjustable head restraints (the center
rear head restraint can be hidden for beter rear visibility). BMW
plans to add front head airbags this fall.

as the top-of-line 5-Series model, the 540i is well-equipped.
Standard features include a power driver's seat with 16 adjust-
ments including a four-way lumbar adjustment, leather uphol-
stery and extensive walnut trim, 2 200 watt 10 speaker sound
system (but CD is optional!), dual automatic climate control, an
{n5.rmation Display on the dash that includes the stereo, tip

“eesmpater, clock, automatic ventilation system, and optional cel-
luiaz phone, remote keyless entry which activates an alarm system
that includes a vehicle ‘tilt’ sensor, one-touch up and down
power windows with ‘anti-trapping’ feature, speed-sensitive
wipers, power tilt and telescopic steering wheel with controls for
audio, cruise control and cellular phone, and even front and rear
cupholders.

Interesting options are a heated steering wheel, headlight

. washers, and power sunshades for the rear window and rear side

windows. °

Curiously, the 540i costs more with the manual transmission
than the automatic. The base price of the 540i with five-speed
automatic transmission is $68,900. With the six-speed manual,
it’s $69,900.

. Competitors for the 540i include the Mercedes-Benz E420,
Infiniti Q45, Lexus LS400, and possibly the Audi A8. Frone-
wheel-drive competitors include the Cadillac Seville STS,
Oldsmobile Aurora, and Lincoln Continental.

In terms of price, the 540i costs less than its European com-

- petitors as well as the Japanese Lexus LS400, but significantly

- more than its American competitors. Bur in terms of overall

yehice character, its only competitor is the Mercedes-Benz
E420.

JAVLORMAOTIVE TUNE-UP SPECIALISTS

SERVICE Ltd.

= B.C.A.A. - A.R.A. - APPROVED

AirCare - Gov. Certified #50222
TUNE-UPS - FUEL SYSTEMS - ELECTRICAL Ye1iow race

-OUR 39TH YEAR & CONSULTATION 7/23 293-9000
176 PEMBERTON AVE. N.VAN. 985-7455 ACTEAESS

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North Van, 988-7671

Friday, May 16, 1997 ~ North Shore News -- 47

GETTING in the spirit of Wild West Days at Dick Irwin Chevrolet are (left to right) Gordon Pelletier, Stan
Lawlar, Cody Zdebiak, Dave Burrell and Tania Heighton.

Vancouver indy wants you

And as always, one of the
first orders of business is race
volunteers.

Race Event Volunteers of
Vancouver (cleverly known as
REVV) are currently secking

IT’S still over three
months away, but the
Molson Indy
Vancouver is in full

DOMESTIC & IMPORT
SPECIALISTS
“QUALITY WORKMANSHIP”
PRIVATE INSURANCE &
ICBC REPAIRS RUST
26 YEARS in puswwess Wha
,

le oe

commit 30-hours to the
effort. ;

A REVV recruitment sem-
inar is set for Wednesday, May
21 at Westminster Quay at
6:30 p.m. Info: 684-4639.

new members for the Aug 29-
31 race weekend.
Volunteers must be at least

*95 Passat, wagon, red,
auto, sunroof, 13,000 km,
rare $28,900

"95 Cabrio, dusty mauve,
A auto, air windows, mags,

warr. til 5/98 «= $24,900

95 Golf CL, 2 dr, biack, 5
spd, sunroof, radio, 35,525 black auto, sunroof, air, °

km, ware. 12/97 $14,900 — spciler, mags, 12,000 km
L

‘95 Jetta GL, 4 dr, suede, $21,

silver, auto, air, mags, '97 Cabrio Highliner,
cass, 29,325 km, wait. black/black leather, auto,
2/98 $19,900 fully loaded, 1000 km

1°96 Golf CL, 2 dr, black,5 931,900
spd, alr, cass, 26,873 km, 96 Passat GLX, 4dr,
warr 2/98 $16,580  auto,woodgrain, white,

A °95 Golf GL, 4 dr, green, sunroof, 14,000 km
5 5 spd, sunroof, cass,
metallicpaint, mags,
48,600km, warr7/98

$16,909

Mf vehicfey super
2 Bispecteds

ICBE sles

AEy iV edse oe
par beac |

patton Chee ked

_

19 years of age and willing tow?

96 Jetta GLS, spor, A

4151 MARINE DR: 985-0694 OUT OF TOWN |
no . ioe) 8 GALL COLLECT 5,