Special leasing rate on BMW 3 Series models

A special leasing rate on BMW 3 Series models has been announced as part of the BMW Financial Services ‘Full Circle’ programme, launched in July of this year. BMW is first-to-market to offer leasing as a manufacturer-led product.

“The BMW ‘Full Circle’ leasing programme allows customers to set the terms for their vehicle purchase, guaranteeing peace of mind and future value of the vehicle,” said Osman Abdelmoneim, Regional Manager BMW Financial Services, BMW Group Middle East.

“This special offer for BMW 3 Series models gives potential customers access to very competitive prices; and is an ideal entry into owning a 3 Series and to experience the sheer driving pleasure of the BMW brand.”

In addition to the special 3 Series offer the ‘Full Circle’ leasing programme is available for all BMW and MINI models in the UAE at the official BMW importers, AGMC and Abu Dhabi Motors.

“Full Circle guarantees unique flexibility to BMW and MINI customers and we intend to launch this unique leasing programme throughout the Middle East by the end of 2008,” concluded Abdelmoneim.

BMW ‘Full Circle’ is a hassle free programme, offering customers several benefits such as: lower monthly payments, the opportunity for drivers to upgrade their cars and a range of options at the end of the leasing. Customers will have the opportunity to replace, refinance or retain their cars – making sure that customers have peace of mind when it comes to fully owning or returning their vehicles.


A dedicated Finance and Insurance Manager is located in all major BMW showrooms in the UAE, and is available for further information on the BMW 3 Series offer, finance and leasing.

BMW Financial Services is active in over 50 countries worldwide, and approximately 50% of BMW Group vehicles sold are financed by BMW FS

BMW 3-Series convertible

Top up, now that it has a metal roof, the BMW convertible lacks the crisp sense of purpose achieved by the coupe's design. Top down, however, it's a striking statement: fast, yet poised; aggressive, yet not childish. It's an iconic look that will stand the test of time.

Interior

Done in black Dakota leather - with new sun-reflective technology that keeps seats up to 36 degrees cooler - our test model reflected the serious nature of BMW design. The front seats support spirited driving, while the back seats are best left to packages, not people. Instruments are precise and easy to read. Buttons are a bit small, but well-organized. There are plenty of storage bins, though the cup holders that pop out of the dash are dreadful.

How it works

While the 335 model gets turbo-chargers, the 328 makes do with BMW's naturally aspirated 3.0-liter in-line six-cylinder engine. Coupled with a six-speed manual, this motor makes 230 horsepower - up 46 horsepower from last year's 325Ci convertible and goes from 0 to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds. With this sweet stick shift, I think there's plenty of power for most drivers.

Neat bit

BMW adds a retractable hardtop for the first time, and it's a crowd-pleaser. It lowers in 22 seconds, raises in 23 seconds and is like an electro-hydraulic carnival show. The three-piece steel roof makes for a quiet ride when you decide to keep the top closed. A trunk partition makes for a bit of trunk room, but just a bit.

Fumes

20 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. According to fueleconomy.gov, this car with the same engine and transmission will get 17/27 in 2008 using the new EPA formula.


Extras

While the $750 cold-weather package adds heated seats, and the $2,650 premium package adds leather seats and some enhanced mirror functions, it's the $1,200 sport package with its 18-inch alloy wheels, better tires and sportier suspension that makes this already road-hugging car such a joy on the twisties.

The 328i is easily BMW's top-selling convertible in the United States, over the other 3-Series variants, the different Z4 models and the 6-Series droptops.

BMW M10 Concept

The legend we had always known was that BMW and Mercedes-Benz had a gentleman's agreement in place not to go after the Porsche 911. For whatever reasons, building a proper two-seat sports car was out of the question, though both build heavier and more accomodating grand touring machines that manage to skirt around the 911's segment.

Then came the Audi R8. Being stuck in third place of a three-man race has forced Audi to branch out into new segments, and the R8 is a bold statement that might make someone shopping a 911 think twice. Audi's bite of the forbidden fruit has apparently opened the door enough for BMW to consider a proper two-seat sports car. Sure, the M6 is plenty powerful with its 500-horse V10, more powerful than the R8 actually, but it's a pretty porker that can carry four people.

German outlet Auto Zeitung is reporting that BMW has begun work on an R8/911 competitor. To be called the M10, this front-engine, rear-wheel-drive coupe would be the spiritual successor to the M1 and Z8. Though BMW has dabbled with carbon fiber in some of its recent designs, the M10 would likely be almost completely covered in the material to keep weight around 3,000 lbs. Power for the M10 could come from either the M3's 420-hp, 4.2L V8 or the corporate 5.0L V10 producing around 550 horsepower. We would expect both engines to be offered so that BMW could square off the M10 against the R8 and RS8, as well as the 911 and 911 Turbo.

If BMW is working on such a car, development is going on behind many closed doors and any official info is far off. Regardless, such a car makes sense for the brand that purports to build ultimate driving machines.