Wikicars - User contributions [en]

Reasons Not to Buy a Hybrid Car (yet)

2006-08-05T00:50:07Z

24.18.55.84:

At the risk of heresy, here are good reasons to wait on buying a [[Hybrid Cars|hybrid]] vehicle:

'''1. [[Hybrid Cars|Hybrids]] cost more upfront'''; Sticker price along with taxes including sales and license fees tend to be 10-30% higher, usually about $3,000 or more. Whether you make this difference up depends; on 1) when you sell it 2) resale value 3) your income tax situation 4) how much you drive 5) your insurance company 6) the state you live in 7) how you finance your vehicle 8) where you take it for service 9) what type of warranties you bought 10) where you park and how you commute. A study of typical consumer showed that most did not calculate these economic variables, and bought hybrid for image related reasons.

'''2. [[Hybrid Cars|Hybrid]] vehicle choices are limited''', but expanding dramatically every year; waiting may be better. Larger and less expensive [[Hybrid Cars|hybrid cars]], trucks, and SUVs will become available.

'''3. [[Hybrid Cars|Hybrids]] on the market today rely on [[gasoline]]''', for which there is no synthetic substitute (unlike diesel engines, which can run on bio-diesel).

4. Car battery disposal, when the car eventually is retired. There is no known methods on the disposal and could potentially create dangerous environmental impact. The 12V batteries in all cars are highly recyclable since the infrastructure is very well in place, unlike the newer batteries used in hybrids.

5. Extra weight and usually lack of performance in terms of acceleration and speed. Heavy cars require more energy to move, and greatly affect safety and handling. The Camry hybrid is about 300lbs more than it's counterpart.

6. Real world mileage is much lower than the EPA estimates.

7. It takes more energy to manufacture a hybrid than to a regular car. Compare the energy consumed by a HUMMER and a Prius over their entire lives (including the gas they will consume), a Prius will consume more than a HUMMER.

See also '''[[Top Reasons to Buy a Hybrid Car]]'''.

Saab 9-5

2006-08-05T00:44:50Z

24.18.55.84:

[[Image:Saab9-5.jpg|right|250px|2000 Saab 9-5]]

[[Image:750px-Saab_95_SportCombi_Sweden.jpg|thumb|right|250px|2006 Saab 9-5 station wagon]]

The '''Saab 9-5''' is an [[automobile]] made by [[Saab]]. It was introduced in 1997 as the replacement to the [[Saab 9000]]. The 1999 model year 9-5 replaced the 9000 in the spring of 1998. The [[sedan]]'s cw value is 0.29. There is also a [[station wagon]] version with a drag coefficient of 0.31, which was introduced in 2000.

The high powered version of the 9-5 is the called Aero, the current form producing 260 hp ECE (194 kW) and 350 N·m (258 ft·lbf) of torque (370 N·m or 273 ft·lbf with 20 second overboost function). Hirsch Performance, a tuner specialising in Saab models, can increase this to a maximum of 305 hp ECE (224 kW). The 9-5 Aero has a 0-60 time in the mid-sixes.

The Saab 9-5 continued Saab's long-running tradition of offering a plethora of safety features, and pioneered the availability of ventilated seats with active headrests (SAHR, Saab Active Head Restraints) that moved up and forward to prevent whiplash when the car is struck from the rear.

The 9-5 is powered by Saab's [[Saab H engine|''B205'' and ''B235'']] [[straight-4]] engines, and in Europe by [[Isuzu]]'s ''DMAX'' [[Diesel]] [[V6]]. A version of the [[General Motors Corporation|GM]] ''54°'' [[V6]] powered by a low-pressure [[turbocharger]] was available from 1999-2002. This engine was available only with an automatic transmission, and cars with this engine installed are distinguishable by their twin tailpipes.

In 2005, an updated version of the 2.0 L turbocharged [[Straight-4|I4]] was introduced in the European market together with the 2006 9-5. The engine is sold as ''2.0t BioPower'', and it is optimized to run on E85 producing 132 kW (180 [[Horsepower|hp]]) at 5500 rpm. Meanwhile, the base 2.3 L turbo-charged straight-4 was bumped to 260 hp, up from 185. With this new engine, the cheapest new 9-5 available in the US is now faster and more powerful than last year's 250 hp Aero.

Badged as a '''9<sup>5</sup>''', Saab consistently advertises it as the '''9-5'''. The name is pronounced "nine five" rather than "ninety five". This model should not be confused with the [[Saab 95]], produced from 1959 to 1978.

==Engines==
The current (2006) range of engines.

{| border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2"
|-bgcolor="#efefef"
|Model
|Fuel
|Engine
|Vol, cc
|Type
|Power,<br>kW (PS) @ rpm
|Torque,<br>Nm @ rpm
|-
|1.9 TiD
|Diesel
|–
|1910
|I4, 16v, turbo
|110 (150) @ 4000
|320 @ 2000
|-bgcolor="#efefef"
|2.0t
|Petrol
|B205
|1985
|I4, 16v, turbo
|110 (150) @ 5500
|240 @ 1800
|-
|2.0t BioPower
|E85/petrol
|B205
|1985
|I4, 16v, turbo
|132 (180) @ 5500
|280 @ 1800
|-bgcolor="#efefef"
|2.3t
|Petrol
|B235
|2290
|I4, 16v, turbo
|136 (185) @ 5500
|280 @ 1800
|-
|2.3T
|Petrol
|B235
|2290
|I4, 16v, turbo
|162 (220) @ 5500
|310 @ 2500
|-bgcolor="#efefef"
|2.3 Turbo
|Petrol
|B235
|2290
|I4, 16v, turbo
|191 (260) @ 5300
|350 @ 1900
|}

==2008==
The 9-5 will be replaced by a new model based on GM's Epsilon 2 platform, shared with the next generation [[Saab 9-3|9-3]].

==Awards and Achievements==
'''2004'''

Best used car, US Consumer Reports magazine, USA

Recommended buy, US Consumer Reports magazine, USA

Saab 9-5 Sedan topped the luxury mid-size category, for relative frequency of injury insurance claims in the US. HLDI's study, covering model years 2001-2003, compares cars on the basis of cost of injuries sustained following on-road crashes. The study indicates the relative frequencies of injury compensation claims from an insurance company, per insured vehicle year. Both the 9-5 Sedan and Wagon achieved a rating of "substantially better than average" for injury claims in the luxury mid-size category. According to the HLDI formula, the Saab 9-5 Sedan's top ranking for injury claims is 53 percent better than average, and the Saab 9-5 Wagon's ranking is 39 percent better than average.

'''2003'''

Awarded maximum five star rating in EuroNCAP collision test, Saab 9-5, EuroNCAP

The Safest Car in Sweden, Saab 9-5, Folksam insurance company, Sweden

'''2002'''

The Safest Car in Sweden, Saab 9-5, Folksam insurance company, Sweden

Best of the Best, Saab 9-5, American Consumer Reports magazine, USA

Best in Class, Saab 9-5 Aero (in the USD 30.000-40.000 range), Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine, USA

'''2001'''

Best Mid Luxury Car 2001 in Initial Quality. J.D. Power and Associates, USA.

Best Car 2001 Saab 9-5 Wagon (in class USD 30,000-35,000). American Automobile Association, USA.

Best Engine Concept 2001, Saab Variable Compression (SVC), International Engine of the year Award

'''2000'''

Best Technology / Innovation 2000 (SVC). Autocar Magazine, Great Britain.

Best of the new from Car Technology 2000 (SVC). Popular Science

'''1999'''

Best Buy 1999, Saab 9-5 Sedan and Wagon. Consumers Digest, USA.

Estate Car of the Year 1999, Saab 9-5 Wagon. What Car? Magazine, Great Britain.

Excellent Swedish Design Prize 1999, Saab 9-5 Wagon. Swedish Soceity of Crafts and Design

Top Car Saab 9-5 Wagon for its balance of performance, quality and value. American Automobile Association, USA.

'''1998'''

Executive Car of the year Diário de Noticias, Portugal

Among Top Ten Luxury / Sports Sedans Consumer's Review, USA

Best estate model Over £20,000 - IBCAM British Steel Awards, Great Britain

Best imported upper middle - segment car Auto Motor und Sport magazine reader's poll, Germany

Golden Tachometer As best Sedan - www.autochannel.com, USA.

Luxury Car of the Year New Zealand National Business Review, New Zealand

Best saloon model Priced £30,000 - £60,000 IBCAM British Steel Awards, Great Britain

Best Buy Consumers Digest, USA

'''1997'''

Technology Award for the Saab Active Head Restraint - Prince Michael Road Safety Awards, Great Britain

Industry Award For the Saab Active Head Restraint - The Windscreens O'Brian Safety Award, Australia

'''1996'''

Special Prize for the Saab Active Head Restraint - The Danish Association of Polio, Traffic and Accident Victims (PTU), Denmark

==External links==
*[http://www.saabo.com/pictures/showgallery.php/cat/511 Saab 9-5 Gallery]
*[http://www.saab.com/main/GLOBAL/en/model/95/index.shtml Saab 9-5 international page]
*[http://www.clean-auto.com/article.php3?id_article=3919 article about the Saab 9-5 Biopower (in French)]
*[http://news.caradisiac.com/Saab-9-5-Aero-BioPower other article about the Saab 9-5 Biopower (in French)]

[[Category:Front wheel drive vehicles]]
[[Category:Luxury vehicles]]
[[Category:Mid-size cars]]
[[Category:Saab vehicles|9-5]]
[[Category:Station wagons]]
[[Category:Sedans]]
[[Category:1990s automobiles]]
[[Category:2000s automobiles]]

BMW E34

2006-08-05T00:36:43Z

24.18.55.84:

{{Infobox Automobile platform
|name=BMW E34
|image=[[Image:E34-front.jpg|250px|BMW 525i, E34 body style]]
|manufacturer=[[BMW]]
|production=[[1988]]–[[1995]]
|predecessor=[[BMW E28]]
|successor=[[BMW E39]]
|related=
|class=[[Midsize car|Midsize]] [[Vehicle size class|(E)]] [[luxury car|luxury]]
|similar=[[Mercedes-Benz W124]]
|vehicles=[[BMW 5 Series]]
}}
[[Image:E34-Touring.jpg|right|thumb|250px|BMW 525i, E34 Touring version]]
The '''[[BMW]] E34''' is the version of the [[BMW 5 Series]] [[automobile]] built from February 1988 to 1995. It replaced the [[BMW E28]] in 1988 and was replaced by the [[BMW E39|E39]] in 1996, although E34s were still being sold in 1996.

The E34 succeeded the [[BMW E28]] in 1989 with two models. The 525i used the [[BMW M20]] engine while the 535i used the larger [[BMW M30|M30]]. The cars were a blend of BMW tradition and modern technology. BMW's traditional [[FR layout]] and [[straight-6]] were used, providing the smooth engine and optimal weight distribution BMW customers had come to expect. The E34 also had a much stiffer body and was streamlined than its predecessor, looking very much like the [[BMW E32]] 7-series.

The E34 was among the most reliable luxury cars on the market, earning the best-in-class reliability rating from Intellichoice in [[1991]]. It is still considered one of the most reliable BMWs made. It was also one of the safest cars on the road during its production, providing [[airbag]]s, 4-wheel [[anti-lock brake]]s, and a very rigid body structure to protect occupants in the event of an accident. The E34's 60-0 mph (97 to 0 km/h) stopping distance of 130 feet (40 m) was the best of any production sedan in 1990.

==E34 Models==

* '''518i''' (1989–1993) [[BMW M40#M40B18|M40B18]] Engine
* '''518i''' (1993–1996) [[BMW M43#M43B18|M43B20]]
* '''520i''' (1988–1990) [[BMW M20#M20B20|M20B20]]
* '''520i ECE''' (1988–1990) [[BMW M20#M20B20|M20B20]] (higher compression than 520i non ECE)
* '''520i''' (1990–1995) [[BMW M50#M50B20|M50B20]]
* '''525i''' (1988–1991) [[BMW M20#M20B25|M20B25]]
* '''525i''' (1990–1995) [[BMW M50#M50B25|M50B25]]
* '''525iX''' (1992–1995) [[BMW M50#M50B25|M50B25]] (four-wheel drive version)
* '''530i''' (1994–1995) [[BMW M60#M60B30|M60B30]]
* '''535i''' (1988–1992) [[BMW M30#M30B35|M30B35]]
* '''540i''' (1993–1995) [[BMW M60#M60B40|M60B40]]

While [[Europe]] was given a large selection of engine choices and combinations, the [[North America]]n market was more limited. While North America received only the 525i, 525i Touring, 535i, 530i, 530i Touring, 540i, and the M5, the European market also got the E34 518i, 520i, 6-cylinder 530i, and [[diesel]] 525td/s. The cars were also available earlier in Europe than in America.

=== 525i ===
The 525i was built throughout the E34 production, and in 1992 was offered as a [[Station wagon|wagon]] (touring version) in the [[United States|USA]]. In 1991, the engine was switched from the [[single overhead cam]] M20 engine to the [[double overhead cam]] [[BMW M50|M50]] engine, raising power to 189 [[horsepower]] (141 kW), while a change from a timing belt to a timing chain improved reliability. A further revision of the 525i engine took place in 1993, when [[VANOS|VANOS]] was added to the M50 engine which was designated the M50TU.

=== 525iX ===
The 525iX was the only four-wheel drive version in the E34 series. It was available both as a sedan and a [[Station wagon|wagon]] (touring version). It features a computer-controlled rear and middle differentials. The middle differential normally would divide 36% torque to the front axle and 64% to the rear axle, but could alter the ratio according to driving conditions (in case one of the axles started to slip).

=== 535i ===
The E34 535i was introduced in Europe as a 1988 model but was not available in [[North America]] until 1989. Production of the E34 535i ended in 1993, replaced by the V8 530i and 540i models. Despite the 535i designation, the M30 engine found in the E34 535i was actually 3430cc. Only 5% of total production 535i's were 5-speeds. The car can get 14-17 miles per U.S. gallon (17 to 14 L/100 km) city and 23-29 mpg (U.S.) (10 to 8 L/100 km) highway.

=== 530i ===
The 530i replaced the 535i model in 1994, switching from an inline-6 to the new [[BMW M60]], a [[DOHC]] 3.0 liter [[V8]] engine producing 218 hp (160 kW). It was also offered in a touring version.

=== 540i ===
In 1993 BMW added a 4.0 liter V8 to the 5 Series lineup. It was available in both sedan and touring models. Its large, torquey engine, upgraded brakes, and optional 6-speed transmission (offered in 1995) made it very competitive in the sports sedan market.

Both the E34 BMW 530i and 540i shared the M60 engine, which used [[BMW M60#The Nikasil problem|Nikasil bore linings]]. In America, this made both susceptible to premature engine wear, as high sulfur content in some fuels resulted in deterioration of the linings. BMW then introduced [[Alusil]] linings for this engine, which solved the problem.

A rare '''540i Sport''' model was built in 1995. This package included not just a firmer suspension and sport seats, but used many parts from the M5, save for the engine and transmission. 200 "Sport" models were built, 135 of them with a 6-speed manual. [[Canada]] also got a special version – the '''M540i''', which was similar to the American 540i Sport but had even more M5 parts, such as 345 mm floating front [[disk brake|rotors]], 18 inch wheels, and various trim pieces. Only 32 of these cars were built, all with a manual transmission.


All versions of the 540i had the same 0-60 mph time of 6.4 seconds, and could get 14-17 miles per U.S. gallon (17 to 14 L/100 km) city and 23-29 mpg (U.S.) (10 to 8 L/100 km) highway.

=== M5 ===
The [[BMW M5|M5]] version of the E34 was produced from 1989-1995. It featured a highly [[Engine tuning|tuned]] [[straight-6]] engine, originally a 3.6 L, but later increased to 3.8 L.

==Characteristics==
====Dimensions====
* Length = 185.8 in (4.72 m)
* Width = 68.9 in (1.75 m)
* Wheelbase = 108.7 in (2.76 m)
* Weight = 3,570 lb (1620 kg)
:* Weight distribution F/R = 50%/50%
* Trunk capacity = 16.2 ft³ (0.46 m³)
* Drag coefficient = between 0.30 and 0.32, depending on model

==== Performance ====
535i with 5-speed Getrag manual [[transmission (mechanics)|transmission]]:
* 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h) in 7.6 s
* 1/4 mile (0.4 km) in 15.7 s
* Top speed (computer-limited): 128 mph (206 km/h)
* Top speed (without limiter-Euro models): 153 mph (246 km/h)
* 60-0 mph (97-0 km/h) in 130 feet (40 m)


====Equipment====
*Standard Equipment: Air Conditioning; AM/FM Cassette with 10 speakers; Rear Defroster; Leather Interior; Driver's side [[airbag]] (after 1990); 4-wheel [[Anti-lock braking system|anti-lock brakes]].
*Standard Power Accessories: steering; mirrors; 10-way adjustable front seats; windows with all auto-down and driver's auto-up; central locking system, including trunk and gas filler door locks;:one-touch sunroof.
*Options: On-Board Computer; Trunk-mounted 6-disc changer; Cold Weather Package, with heated front seats, door lock cylinders, rearview mirrors and windshield washers; Automatic Stability Control (ASC) (added in mid 1990).

== External links ==
*[http://www.bmwe34.net E34 Maintenance and Upgrades]
*[http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/e34/ E34 Message Boards by BimmerBoard]
*[http://bimmer.roadfly.com/bmw/forums/e34/ E34 Message Boards by RoadFly]
{{BMW cars}}
[[Category:BMW platforms|E34]]

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