Everything BMW

If you think somebody who buys a BMW is a snob, defined by Encarta as somebody who disdains people considered to have inferior knowledge or tastes, you are probably at least partially right. Somebody who buys a BMW doesn’t necessarily look down on anyone else, but the BMW owner does have knowledge or tastes that are superior to the average man on the street. BMW owners fall in love with their cars because of the features that make them special. BMW cars have a unique personality that is like no other, and they are more enjoyable to drive than any other cars. Thus BMW’s slogan: “The Ultimate Driving Machine.”

What makes a BMW such a pleasure to drive? Probably the most important contribution to making driving the BMW such fun to drive is the 50/50 weight distribution between front and rear wheels. The 50/50 weight distribution allows an even amount of weight to be used at both ends of the car. Without going into a long explanation, the 50/50 weight distribution ratio allows for better car balance, better steering and cornering, and better tire and component wear.

Most car manufacturers now have safety features that protect the driver and passengers, more or less well, in the event of an accident. BMW certainly incorporates those features into its vehicles. In addition, BMW has taken an additional view to safety—not only incorporating features to protect the driver and passengers in the event of an accident, but also incorporating features to help prevent accidents from occurring in the first place.

BMW has innovated many active and passive safety features. It would be impossible in the scope of this short article to explain all of the safety systems available in BMW models, but a few of the most important ones will be mentioned. Many of the safety features that have to do with your vision, both day and night vision. Here are a few features related to day-time vision:

• Lane change warning—radar sensors alert the driver by way of a flashing LED signal and vibrations if a vehicle is in the blind spot or is approaching rapidly from the rear
• Rear view camera—the driver sees exactly what is behind the BMW
• Side view—cameras in the front bumper of your BMW allows you to “see” what you can’t always see when you come to an intersection.
• Surround view—cameras placed around the BMW allows you a full 270 degree “view” around your vehicle

Night vision is improved by the following features:

• Night vision with pedestrian recognition—thermal imaging warns the driver of the risk of collision with a person or an animal on the road ahead
• High beam assistant—automatically takes care of switching between high and low beam when driving your BMW at night

Other notable features, some of which are related to safety, include the following:

• Lane departure warning
• Collision warning with brake activation
• No passing information
• Speed limit information
• Park assistant
• Head-up display.

For more information about any of the features mentioned above and for information about many of the other features of the BMW automobile, check the BMW web site by clicking here. Of the many special features that the BMW has, still the most important and enjoyable feature is its drivability. There is no reason to buy a BMW unless you love to drive. If you love to drive, you’ll love a BMW.