2008 BMW X3, x5 are Intellichoice Winners Among Motorists

Woodcliff Lake, NJ - August 15, 2008... In recognition of the outstanding economic and emotional rewards that the 2008 BMW X5 Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) provides to its owners, AutoPacific and IntelliChoice announced that the X5 has received top honors as the winner of their 2008 Motorist Choice Award for the Premium Luxury Crossover SUV category.

Additionally, AutoPacific also awarded the 2008 BMW X3 SAV with its Vehicle Satisfaction Award in the Luxury Crossover SUV segment.

The Motorist Choice Awards (MCA) were designed by AutoPacific and IntelliChoice to recognize the vehicles that delivered both the highest customer satisfaction and the lowest cost of ownership. The unique awards take AutoPacific’s owner satisfaction data from new car and truck buyers, and combine those data with IntelliChoice’s proprietary Cost of Ownership data to turn attention to the top vehicles in the market that reward their drivers with outstanding economic and emotional rewards over the time of ownership.

AutoPacific’s Vehicle Satisfaction Awards (VSA) uses the AutoPacific data to accurately measure how satisfied car and light truck buyers are with their recently purchased vehicle, and recognizes the top scoring vehicles in each segment.

“BMW is honored to receive the 2008 Motorist Choice Award in the Premium Luxury Crossover SUV category, as well as AutoPacific’s VSA for the X3,” said Jim O’Donnell, President of BMW of North America, LLC.

“BMW’s dedication to creating the Ultimate Driving Machine is not just about providing the best in vehicle performance, but also about providing the ultimate in owner experience. These awards serve as affirmation that the X5 and X3 have succeeded in both areas by providing the best in customer satisfaction.”

Innovative technology, a premium and luxurious ambience, powerful elegance in body design and superb driving dynamics make the 2008 BMW X5 SAV a genuine exception in its segment. First introduced a year ago, the second generation BMW X5—offered in two models (X5 4.8i and X5 3.0si )—continues the tradition of its predecessor, the world’s first Sports Activity Vehicle®, which set the foundation for a brand-new class of vehicles.

As with any BMW, improvements have made the X3 a moving target since its 2003 introduction. The 2008 lineup consists of a single model, the X3 3.0si. The new designation indicates that the X3 now boasts a dynamic engine in the form of the 3.0-liter 260 hp aluminum/magnesium Valvetronic inline-6. Complementing that engine is the no-cost option 6-speed STEPTRONIC automatic. A 6-speed manual remains standard, as the 2008 X3 retains its position as one of the only vehicles in its class to offer a manual transmission for serious driving enthusiasts.