MINI
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Will a BMW by another name smell so sweet? (Jun 01)
It was small, it rusted (particularly the floor), it had a driving position that only Alfa Romeo could make worse, and the heater simply couldn't cope with the chill of the drafts from the ill-fitting doors and the slider windows which were out of track more often than not. Full Story.
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Mini makes men wave wallets (aug 01)
The man stepped out from behind the bus, waving his wallet, writes Trish Whelan. Others in his group of 'sixtysomethings' nudged each other and pointed. Their expressions said it all. It was my cute little black number. Full Story.
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MINI Cooper S is a modern fun car (Nov 02)
D’you know, even at so many decades remove, the downsides of the original Morris Mini can haunt a brand to the point that one isn’t entirely looking forward to a run in the new version? writes Brian Byrne. Not fair, really.
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3 SERIES
A classy wagon (00) - Gerry Boud
A diesel beauty (Nov 00) - Gerry Boud
Flying the Coupe (00) - Gerry Boud
A high order BMW (Apr 01) - Eddie Cunningham
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320D sets the standard again (Jul 03)
I first encountered the diesel engine a few years ago when BMW launched the Steyr-derived unit on a completely unsuspecting motoring press in Germany, writes Donal Byrne. I found myself seated next to a German saloon car racing driver, expecting to be bemused at the conclusion. After all, this was a diesel car.
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New BMW Compact is more complete (May 01)
It is not a name we would have chosen for an entry level BMW. ‘Compact’ gives off all the wrong vibes, writes Eddie Cunningham. As if it has somehow been emasculated. This second generation version does not have the same ‘chopped-off’ look at the rear and has a far more complete look. Full Story.
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New BMW Compact uprates the whole model range (Sep 01)
If a brake or indicator light burns out on a BMW 3-series Compact, another adjacent light takes up the job, and the car warns you that you’ve a bulb to replace, writes Brian Byrne. A small thing, but an example of the fact that there’s no cutting back in features. Full Story.
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BMW Compact takes its proper place in the family (Dec 01)
Time was the BMW Compact was the runt of the litter, writes Brian Byrne. Old technology and hand-me-down underpinnings from earlier big brothers. A shape that looked like a rejected first thought on an envelope. As a way to make BMWs more accessible to the masses, it might well have turned a good number of buyers off the badge altogether if it was their first experience of owning one. No longer is that the case. Full Story.
Z3
Z4
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New BMW roadster is sun-tingling (Jan 03)
If for some reason I was told that I MUST only drive a roadster, I think owning a BMW Z4 would be the least painful answer, writes Brian Byrne. Indeed, pain probably wouldn’t come into the equation. That’s a view as I write 35,000 feet above the earth.
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Z4 is a car that connects (Jun 04)
BMW have got it so right with the two-seater soft top Z4, writes Trish Whelan. It’s a car a driver really ‘connects’ with. Visually impressive and beautifully proportioned.
Exhilerating Z3 2.8 (00) - Gerry Boud
5 SERIES
New 5 will make an impact (Jul 03)
The 5-series will be unveiled here on October 1, and with its curves and edges carving out a memorable profile, I think it will make an impact on the tarmac, writes Eddie Cunningham of the Irish Independent.
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A 5 for the 21st century (Oct 03)
The new BMW 5-Series is now a car for this century, and very distinctively so, write Brian Byrne & Trish Whelan. Take the front lights. Well styled as are most these days, but the line of gold side-lights built into each make the whole arrangement a special jewel.
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6 SERIES
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Next 6-Series will be an honoured revival (Aug 02)
When BMW resurrects the 6-Series name next year, they’ll be bringing back a model which left an indelible positive feeling for the brand on both sides of the Atlantic in the 70s and 80s, writes Brian Byrne
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6 is a braveheart car (Jan 04)
When BMW produced the first 6 Series in 1976, they might not have realised that they were setting up a new legend, writes Brian Byrne. A legend they allowed to die 13 years later. The 6 has now been woken from its long sleep, ready for the next stage of its life.
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7 SERIES
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New BMW is possibly world's best (Aug 01)
A brilliant car, possibly a world’s best, writes John Reilly. From a stable that produces more thoroughbreds than Coolmore, the new 7-series can push BMW right to the top of the premium segment of the market. And keep it there for years to come. Full Story.
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7-Series has little things to impress (Mar 02)
Buying a luxury car must be such a headache, writes Eddie Cunningham. God help all those filthy rich people having to endure the indecisive pain of plumping for one technological wonder over another. Full Story.
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X3
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BMW X3 will start new lists (Jan 04)
When you round a corner and find the evidence of a rockfall blocking half the road, you thank your spiritual entity of choice that you weren’t in that critical place at the critical time it happened, writes Brian Byrne. Because even in a new BMW X3, you wouldn’t have stood a chance.
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X5
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BMW X5 still keeps people waiting (Mar 04)
The BMW X5 still has a waiting list of buyers in many of its most important markets, writes Brian Byrne, and on the face of it there was no reason to muck around with such a successful car so soon.
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B-Mming off-road (Dec 00) by Eddie Cunningham.
X Coupe
BMW's assymetrical X Coupe for Geneva Show (Feb 00) - Brian Byrne
GENERAL:
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Motor memories of a man with passion
Frank Keane, whose Motor Import Ltd has the Irish franchise for BMW cars and bikes, celebrates his 25th year with the franchise this summer ... and he was a full 50 years in the motor business last January. These RealAudio clips are extracts from a conversation which Frank had with Brian Byrne and Trish Whelan, in the preparation of an article for Irish Car magazine.
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