The reason that it can be a problem to separate the different models is that, being a German vehicle producer, and having a German mentality. BMW seems to have avoided what it presumably see's as unnecessary glamorous and evocative names for all of its vehicles.
Instead, this manufacturer of some of the finest luxury vehicles in the world opted, with great German logic, to simply number each of different series of models, with a complex set of numbers and letters.
We shall try to unravel the mysteries of the German car manufacturing mind, by listing the different models, so that hopefully you may comprehend the BMW range.
BMW currently produces the 1 Series, 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series, as well as SUVs that naturally to the German's, have the letter X and two-seater roadsters, perhaps you guessed that these all use the letter Z.
Each of the BMW designations refer to either the first number or alternatively to the first letter of the name. A good example would be the 518, 520i or the 530i, obviously each model is one of the '5' Series. As the Series numbers get higher, the vehicle will become not only physically larger in size, it will also become more expensive for BMW car leasing.
Therefore, now that we are starting to understand the numbering system, we can examine the subtle differences between each of the BMW series.
Beginning with the lowest number, the 1 Series are the company's smaller vehicles, which are relatively less expensive when considering BMW car leasing. The cars in this series were conceived to be in competition with cars such as the Volkswagen Golf, and cars of a similar size and stature. All the cars in this series are rear wheel drive models.
Going up to the next number, the 3 series of BMW's luxury models, were originally designed and produced, to be the company's most reasonably priced and smallest models. Which for many years they were, until the company designed the 1 Series models.
The '3' models have a very clear and defined target market of younger professionals, on their way up in the world. However, for whom the more prestigious 5 or 7 series vehicles are financially out of reach. The 3 series has proved to be an incredibly successful model and is in fact the worlds best selling 'Beemer'.
In what the company considers, to be in its mid-range of vehicles is the 5 series. This is the ultimate in junior executive to transportation. For many BMW fans, the 5 is the superior model, as they believe that this series can offer the best value for money, while still retaining the 'wow' factor.
The big boy of the group is the highly prestigious 7 Series, which just screams 'the boss's car'. For those that can afford this top of the range BMW contract hire executive saloon, they offer the ultimate in 'I've made it' driving status. These vehicles are clearly in the same range as the top of the tree, Mercedes and Jaguars. In addition, for those can have deep enough pockets BMW car leasing can be a serious statement of ownership, of a piece of high quality German engineering.
