News

AUTOMOT:
3-Series raises ‘yupmobile’ to new heights

in entry-level class

BMW successfully combines sports car with practicality

occupied by the 2002,

With the 320i, BMW proved
that it’s possible (o successfully
combine a sports car character
with luxury sedan attributes:
refined feel, civilized interior, and
upscale styling touches. BMW
read the murket well; the affluent
baby boomers loved the $12,000
coupe.

By today's standard, the first
320i's 2.0-litre engine, with 110
horsepower output, is mediocre.
But a quick look through a 1976
car magazine reveals that even the
muscle-car Chevrolet Camaro,
with a much bigger 5.0-litre V-8,
only pumped 130 horsepower back
then,

The original 3-series featured
independent suspensions, disc
brakes (front), slick five-speed
manual, and huge trunk space:
458 litre (16.2 cu.ft.), The hand-
some coupe weighed a reasonable
1100 kg (2400 Ibs), contributing to
a pretty respectable fuel ecomony
rating.

In 1989, the 320i’s engine size ‘
was reduced to 1.8-litres, with a y yas
corresponding cut in horsepower SER SSPSE ech rs tea ie ats
to 101. Otherwise the high quality
320i stayed basically the same un-

See BMW page 44

OVERDRIVE

DESPITE ALL the changes
BMW's entry level 3-series
has undergone in the past
two decades, certain fun-
damental characteristics re-
main unchanged: agile
handling, rock-solid high-
way stability, unshakable
structure, and functional,
yet stylish look lead by the
prominent kidaey-shaped
grille up front.

Over the past 18 years, BMW's
3-series model has built up an un-
disputable repuiation as the
ultimate yupmobile.

It all started in 1976, when
BMW introduced the first 320i, to
replace the legendary 2002 model.
While some argued that the new
320i had lost the 2002’s uncom-
promised sports car feel, many felt
that the new model’s smoother
ride, neutral handling, and up-
dated appearance raised the sports
sedan market’s standard to a new
height — beyond the boundaries

Phota submitted

THE CONVERTIBLE version of the third generation 325i was one of the surprises BMW introduced
this year.

NOT EXACTLY AS SHOWN

y - 2.3 LITRE HSC EFI 4 CYL ENG.
- INTERVAL WIPERS
5 - DELUXE CLOTH INTERIOR
~ ALL SEASON TIRES
+3 YR 60,000 KM BUMPER 70 BUMPER WARRANTY
- WAS $14,699 :

-4 DOOR

- AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

- AIR CONDITIONING

- AM FM STEREO RADIO/CLOCK

~ DUAL ELECTRIC REMOTE MIRRORS

iw Y
‘93 SUNBIRD <3. | pamper a sa
——— HERE ARE MORE SIMILAR EXAMPLES

ESCORT CORT WAGON

i E ' HY wh

: pe
NEW ‘93 GM

3/4 ton pick-up
ts

Company Car, 4dr. H/B, auto trans., air cond., to., air cond., dual remote mir,
1.9 L SEF! eng., dual remote mirrors & lots rors, 1.9 L SEFI eng., all season tires, light
more. group & lots more.

WAS 14,985 WAS '15,275

NOW “11,499 NOW “11,499

"93 FORD AEROSPORT

ey
eit are
a nein 4 .

Company car, loaded with avery option, leather int.,
disc player, J.B.L. sound sys., elec. dash, remote key-
less, pwr. moon roof, gold pkg., ABS, & lots more.
WAS '31,983

NOW *24,898

| "OS FORD F250 SUPER CAB

'93 SAFARI

Ext. passenger van

‘93 BUICK
CENTURY

Op roses

93 VANDURA

3/4 ton

PONTIAC BUICK GHC
. 2595 Barnet Highway
Coquitlam, B.C.

464-3941 528-0ide

(ERGATA

Brand new, Cayman green, auto., air cond.,
3.0 L VG, sport appearance pkg, alum. wheels,
& lots more.

WAS '22,028

NOW 15,899

Brand new, XLT trim,

wheels, air cond., chr. bump., AM/FM cass.,
cruise, tilt wheel, & lots more.

WAS °23,182

NOW ‘18,999

Brand new, 4 sp. auto trans.,trailer tow pkg,
Itd. slip, air cond., cruise, tilt wheel, & lots

“more.

WAS *25,829

NOW "21,999