Three Reasons

NOW THAT IRELAND is feeling recessionary winds, my local BMW dealer is feeding me reasons to upgrade the batmobile to something that's more fun to drive while saving the planet. Unfortunately, the sales crew want to take more than €40,000 from me before I get the keys to a new drive, so it's not going to happen before 2010. Nonetheless, I am intrigued enough by three reasons given for me to stay with the BMW 3-series.

Serious Carbon Savings. BMW has this catchy EfficientDynamics initiative that has resulted in saving grams and millimeters all over the sedan. Other cars in its class look portly by comparison. I've looked at carbon tags on the Audi A4, Jaguar X-Type, Lexus IS220d and Merceds C180--all left behind with their larger carbon footprints.

Ridges. I like waxing ridges on cars, an addiction acquired with my first car, a Corvette. BMW humours me with a new ridgeline on the 3-series bonnet that evolved from the cloth-covered Gina concept car.

Stop-Start. Like most BMWs, the 3-series shuts down when the car is in neutral and at a dead stop. This alone won't save the planet but in my weekly driving, I know it will save me at least the cost of a pint a Guinness. Knowing that, I am keen to drive to more urban pubs, saving publicans and the planet in one simple movement.

I am off to convince my unflinching wife of the logic of upgrading in the winter of 2010. Stay subscribed to my photostream to see the results.

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And none of the three reasons include getting a cup holder.

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