1989 BMW 325is Reviews

What is the definition of a luxury car? It may seem like an obvious question to answer, but like so many things in life, once you start to really examine it and scratch beneath the surface, defining a luxury car isn’t quite as simple as it first appears.

The BMW Australia range has been subjected to a significant pricing increase for the second time in 2023, with only a few variants managing to escape the bump.With some models’ pricing increased by as much as $9000, the pricing adjustments have been applied to almost every model except for the non-M 4 Series, which had its pricing adjusted quite recently, as well as the brand’s electric SUV iX models.Also excluded from the pricing adjustments are the updated BMW X5 and X6 SUVs, which had new prices confirmed in February this year to reflect a change in specification.At the time, the increased pricing for the X5 and X6 range was bumped up by $8000 over the old model (to start from $134,900 before on-roads for the X5 xDrive30d). Electrification and tech updates are the main changes for the new 2023 models.The only model in this round of pricing updates to have a feature or specification change is the X7 xDrive40d which gains a light-up 'glowing' kidney grille.In January, BMW Australia adjusted pricing across the range by thousands of dollars for each model, with some up by as much as $11,500, though models that had increased prices were also subject to updates like the addition of head-up displays in some variants or heated steering wheels in M models.A spokesperson for BMW Australia told CarsGuide the adjustments still aim to ensure competitive pricing for its customers.“BMW constantly reviews its pricing structure throughout the year, taking into consideration a number of different factors,” they said.“However, we always aim to ensure our products remain appropriately positioned and represent a competitive pricing proposition in the market for our customers.”A full list of pricing updates can be found below.2023 BMW 1 Series pricing before on-road costs2023 BMW 2 Series pricing before on-road costs2023 BMW 3 Series pricing before on-road costs2023 BMW 4 Series pricing before on-road costs2023 BMW 5 Series pricing before on-road costs2023 BMW 7 Series pricing before on-road costs2023 BMW 8 Series pricing before on-road costs2023 BMW X1 pricing before on-road costs2023 BMW X2 pricing before on-road costs2023 BMW X3 pricing before on-road costs2023 BMW X4 pricing before on-road costs2023 BMW X5 pricing before on-road costs2023 BMW X6 pricing before on-road costs2023 BMW X7 pricing before on-road costs2023 BMW Z4 pricing before on-road costs2023 BMW iX pricing before on-road costs2023 BMW XM pricing before on-road costs

Just a couple of months have passed since BMW launched its luxury electric upper-large sedan, the i7, and already a much more wicked version has made its debut at the 2023 Shanghai Auto Show.The 2023 BMW i7 M70 xDrive marks not only the first time BMW has applied an M70 badge to a model, but also launches as the most powerful electric model released by the Munich brand.With a rear electric motor producing 360kW alone, and a front motor making 190kW, the total system output of the i7 M70 is rated at 485kW. The rear electric motor is the most powerful the company currently uses on any of its models, with a power density 25.5 per cent more than that in the i7 xDrive60.The maximum total torque generated by its electric motors is claimed at 1100Nm when launch control is active, while its peaks at 1015Nm under normal driving in Sport Mode.BMW says it will hit 100km/h from a standstill in just 3.7 seconds, about the same time as a Porsche 911 Carrera S - except the i70 M70 weighs over a tonne more, at 2770kg.Its electric driving range reaches up to 560km, tested under the WLTP cycle, with fast charging (up to 195kW) claimed to be able to add 170km of range in a 10 minutes stop.The M70 also comes with a new drive mode called ‘Max Range’ which pretty much does what it says on the tin - reduces performance to save battery and help hit that high-mark for the claimed range.BMW Australia has confirmed the i7 M70 will arrive here by the end of the year, with a fourth-quarter launch planned and a starting price of $344,900 before on-road costs.For reference, the 'lesser' i7 M60 starts from $297,900 in Australia, but both variants come with plenty of features like a rear-seat 31.3-inch theatre screen and 39-speaker Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system.The LED daytime running lights feature Swarovski crystals, and the grille surround can illuminate while driving. Also featuring are M logos and more aggressive M styling to set the pair apart from other 7 Series variants.

BMW’s Australian line-up was given a price adjustment earlier this year, but a few models such as the 4 Series escaped the price rise. No longer, as the model is updated for 2023.

A new luxury van unfamiliar to most Australians could make its way to our shores in the near future thanks to Toyota’s upmarket brand.

It’s only just hit the market but already BMW has given its flagship XM high-performance plug-in hybrid SUV an upgrade with the arrival of the premium XM Label Red.

Pencilled in for a late 2023 launch, there’s still plenty left to reveal – including the all-important pricing info – but a clearer picture of what Kia’s anticipated circa-$100,000-plus EV SUV alternative to an BMW X7, Mazda CX-90 and Volvo XC90 is emerging.

Manual gearboxes are being killed off by the soulless, unromantic savages who want a car with an automatic transmission. Which is nearly everybody. So, the car manufacturers are making hardly any manual cars now. But for the few beacons of hope trying to save this rare animal from extinction we’ve made a list of new cars still with manuals that are for sale in Australia. But for how much longer?

We're pretty sure a team of parents designed the new BMW X1 xDrive20i because only mums and dads would know that little families need a small SUV like this.

BMW's entry-level SUV, the compact X1, has quietly cracked the $60,000 barrier thanks to a substantial price hike applied only four months after the latest version hit local showrooms.