The Jeep Wrangler

There are also those of us who love the feel of mechanical things, and who are not in love with the ever-more-common insulation between the driver and the machine. Drive a Lexus, and it's soft and gentle, rarely showing that it is, in fact, relying on steel; it feels more like it's made of velvet and soft plastic. The Wrangler is clearly still a machine, from its long-throw, clanking shifter to its unashamedly loud and torquey straight-six engine.

Jeep WranglerJeeps give their owners the freedom to fantasize, even if their lives are a little mundane. Originally designed as a wartime workhorse for the army, the Jeeps versatility is very well-suited for off-road recreational activities- it can take you to that secluded lake (you still have to supply the scantily clad companion) and it will also get you to your nondescript, boring job every day (depending on its age and maintenance level).



Jeep driving tip: For those who hope to indulge in making fantasy become reality, a bone-jarring mud-spackled off-road journey is a turnoff for all but the most perfect of companions. Try a romantic, quiet pace of solid trails to get her in the mood before you get to that secluded spot. Or, drive her to the Jeep in a 'Cuda convertible.



Never forget that there have been several really good ideas for cars that have died off. The car-boat actually worked- not as good as a car, not as good as a boat, but if you live on a secluded, bridgeless island not too far from shore, it'll do. The car-plane can still be seen in some areas of the world - when the collectors who own them decide to take them out. But alas, they get terrible gas mileage, handle badly on road and in the air and you have to put the wings on once you get them to the airport. These are ideas in versatility that did not work.

Now consider that the shark has roamed the seas virtually unscathed by evolution. Sharks swam with the dinosaurs, but time has not changed them much because they are the perfect killing machines. Their versatility and ingenuity of design have made them lasting members of the world community. And so it is with Jeeps. They have undergone few changes simply because change has been mainly unnecessary to them. Some refinements, to be sure, but a Jeep is a Jeep. Compare Corvettes in 1955 to Corvettes in 2009 (or 1990 for that matter). You have to know that those are the same car. But a child can pick out a 1955 Jeep as a Jeep if he knows what they look like this year. They just have staying power because they were designed by visionaries who were not interested in style, only in function

There are drawbacks, to be sure. As with any off-road vehicle, there are many more moving parts, increasing the need for and cost of repairs as the vehicle ages, and lowering fuel efficiency. With the Wrangler, having a removeable roof and doors and a fold down windshield increases your freedom, but it also makes drafts and road noise inevitable.

While some attempt to compensate for this by sheer useless size, Wrangler is what it is. If you don't like it, you can't handle it anyway. It's not about safety- it's not even about the ride. It's about the dream. So strap yourself into that bad boy - smile at the companion and say, "Buckle up - I'll take the mud off at the lake, baby!"

BMW 3 Series (E90)

he E90 is the currently available generation, which debuted as a sedan (E90) and wagon (E91) for the 2006 model year, coupe (E92) and cabriolet (E93) for the 2007 model year[citation needed]. It is completely re-engineered from the E46, including changes to engines, transmission, the passenger compartment, suspension technology, as well as the addition of a host of high-tech features and options. The coupé/cabriolet body is now its own design and no longer derived from the sedan (unlike its predecessors), and is slightly longer and narrower than its E90 counterpart. Major features include Comfort Access, bi-Xenon adaptive headlamps, Active Cruise Control, and Active Steering. The sedan and wagon received a mid-generational facelift for the 2009 model year which comprised changes to the grille, headlights, taillights and trunk. The coupe and cabriolet are expected to be refreshed in the 2011 model year.

Currently, twelve engine options are offered, two being part of the new 'N' series of BMW inline engines featuring a host of new technologies. Technological innovations such as lightweight magnesium/aluminum construction, electric water pump, Valvetronic (steplessly variable valve lift), and Double-VANOS steplessly variable valve timing contribute to produce a lighter and more powerful motor than its predecessor, but yield a 15% increase in fuel economy. The E90 also marks BMW's return to turbocharging with the introduction of the BMW 335. The N54 engine produces 306 PS (225 kW; 302 bhp) and 400 N·m (295 lb·ft) torque.



The E90 series also sees the return of a retractable hardtop convertible, which last featured on BMW Individual models of the E36 M3.



Sales of the E90 have been very strong in Britain. In 2007, a record total of more than 58,000 vehicles were sold and it was the seventh most popular car in Britain.[4]





[edit] 3 Series Coupe (2010-Present)



At the end of 2009, a 2011 model 3-series coupe/convertible was unveiled, and went on sale spring 2010. These models feature sharper lines, updated fascias, and more interior features. Most significant is the new TwinPower Inline-Six engine replacing the preceding Twin Turbo Inline Six on the 335i. The 328i keeps its 3.0 Liter Engine.

BMW 3 Series (E46)

Main article: BMW 3 Series (E46)

The E46 is the fourth generation of BMW's 3 Series entry-level luxury car / compact executive car. The sedan was introduced in 1998 and replaced the E36 sedan the same year. The smaller-engined version, despite having a 2.5L engine, was designated "323," not "325," to increase the apparent spread between it and the correctly-numbered (to purists) 328. The touring and coupé models appeared in 1999 with BMW's newly designed steptronic semi-automatic transmissions (available in all 3 series models), and the convertible and M3 later in 2000. The E46 Compact, a 3-door hatchback, was revealed in 2001 to be sold in European and Australian markets. XDrive was introduced as an option in 2001.

2002 E46 Sedan Facelift



In 2000, the E46 lineup received an engine boost when the new M54 engines appeared for Model Year 2001 cars; with the new 3.0 L 330 replacing the 328, BMW renamed the 2.5 L car the 325. Outside of the engine and exhaust upgrades, there were few cosmetic changes, the most noticeable being the 330 receiving silver accents on the front fascia.



Also in 2000, the E46 lineup expanded to include the new (model year) 2001 M3 Coupe. The M3 only came in a coupe and convertible (model year 2002) platform, with either a 6 speed manual or SMG. Unlike its predecessor, the E46 M3 shared very few parts with the standard 3 series. The exteriors of the two cars only shared the doors, roof, and trunk. The exterior of the M3 had wider fenders and "M styled" bumpers, side skirts, mirrors, a protruding hood, spoiler, and the new tradition of M marked grills on the front fenders and four exhaust pipes. The interior of the M3 was accented with an M steering wheel, seats, rear view mirror, and instrument cluster.



The first major overhaul occurred when the E46 sedan underwent a facelift in 2002, which included re-designed headlights, new bumpers and a stiffer chassis. Also, the 316i and 318i models received new, more powerful engines. Then in 2004 the coupe and convertible had a facelift which included new headlights, new front wings and bumpers, new selections in exterior colour, and redesigned sidemarker lights and LED tail lights. The M3s got a much more mild facelift that same year, with the inclusion of the updated boot and LED tail lights from the coupe/convertible.



Despite being introduced last, the E46 compact was the first to be replaced when the 1 Series was launched in September 2004. In mid-2005 the E46 sedans were phased out with the introduction of the new E90 saloons. The E46 touring was also replaced later that year with E91. The E46 remained in production as coupé, convertible and M3 until the E92 coupé and E93 convertible was revealed in late 2006. The new M3 coupé concept was later unveiled in March 2007 during Geneva Motor Show.



The E46 experienced enormous success in all markets and was widely considered the performance benchmark of its class. The record year for the E46 was 2002, when 561,249 vehicles were sold worldwide.[3]



As a credit to the E46 platform, it was chosen for Car and Driver Magazine's "10 Best Cars" every year of its production. See Car and Driver Ten Best.

BMW 3 Series (E36)

Main article: BMW 3 Series (E36)

The E36 BMW 3 Series is an entry-level luxury car / compact executive car. It was the successor to the BMW E30 and was eventually superseded by the BMW E46 starting in 1999 for sedans, and 2000 for coupes and cabriolets. The E36 was introduced during the 1990s.



The E36 experienced enormous success in the market. It laid strong foundations for the success that the BMW E46 experienced in subsequent years.



The E36 was sold from 1991 through 1999. It employed the "Z-axle" multilink suspension in the rear which had been proven in the Z1. VANOS variable valve timing was introduced on the DOHC engines in 1993.



The four-door E36 was sold from Autumn, 1991, in the United States but the E30 coupes were retained until well into 1992. The E36 convertible was delayed until 1994. The hatchback 318ti Compact was introduced in 1995 and was very popular in Europe, but it was not very successful in North America. The BMW Compact was identical to the regular E36 sedan from front bumper to A-Pillar. Everything else was unique, namely its rear semi-trailing arm suspension, based on the old E30, instead of the Z-Axle Multilink employed in all other E36's. The Z3 and M Coupe have similar rear suspension setups as well. The "Touring" station wagon was sold in Europe from 1995, but was not offered in the United States.



The 2.5 L M50B25 used in the 325 models was replaced in 1996 with the 2.8 L M52B28, creating the 328i line. Another 2.5 L engine, the M52B25, was reintroduced in 1998 but the cars were sold as 323 rather than 325