1999 BMW 3 SERIES SEDANS:

NEW SUBSTANCE, SPACE AND STYLE;

TRADITIONAL BMW DRIVING PLEASURE

Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey ... Hard to believe, given the enduring freshness, sales success and critical acclaim of the current BMW E36 3 Series - yet once again, an all-new line of 3 Series sedans is making its debut.

It has been almost 7 years since the 1992 325i (the first model in the E36 3 Series) made its debut in mid-1991 - and now the new 1999 323i and 328i sedans (the first E46 models) will soon be here. Again appearing at midyear and assigned to the next model year, both these new "Threes" have 6-cylinder engines; they are called 323i sedan and 328i sedan. There will not be a 4-cylinder model in the new Series for the American market, yet the 323i sedan - whose engine is an evolution of that found in the 1998 323is coupe and 323i convertible - will be value-priced as BMW's entry-level 4-door model. Likewise, the new 3281 sedan will be priced so that, given its extensive new features and qualities, it too is a remarkable value.

The entire new Series will be known as E46; the 4-door models are More precisely coded E46/4. They will be offered alongside the still-dynamic, Still-appealing E36 coupes and convertibles (323is/iC and 328is/iC).  Production of the 328i sedan for the U.S. market begins in June 1998; that of the 323i sedan begins in July'98. Whereas the '92 3 Series was a major leap in design and engineering, this time around we're talking about a measured, careful progression. After all, why revolutionize when the existing sedans have proved themselves so dynamic, so successful, so capable of going right on winning critics' prizes
and customers' hearts?

ENHANCING THE TRADITIONAL 3 SERIES ATTRIBUTES

Now, consider the 1999 323i and 328i sedans. Here's how they enhance the qualities people expect of compact BMW sedans:

Overall concept. The same, only more and better. Same crisp, tightly dimensioned sports-sedan concept; slightly larger, roomier, more comfortable, more sophisticated.

Performance. Even better. New Double VANOS variable valve timing gives both engines - 2.5-liter 323i and 2.8-liter 328i - stronger torque at low-to-medium engine speeds with increased horsepower at 170 for the 2.5-liter and 193 for the 2.8-liter. For customers who prefer an automatic transmission, a brand-new 5-speed automatic with adaptive transmission control, available in both models, is another performance enhancement.