1:32 scale 2010 BMW X3 and RMZ City 1:43 2016 BMW M2 Coupe

Now for some BMW models with one of them the second-generation welcomed refresh of the BMW X3 SUV and a new casting from RMZ city (yes, they are still around) the 2016 BMW M2 coupe.

BMW X3 SUV

After success of the X5 SAV that was introduced in 2000 BMW decided to try again with a smaller SUV called the X3 when it was introduced in 2003. Based on the 3-series sedan the X3 offers the same practicality of the X5 in a smaller size and would be an ideal SUV to coincide with the 3-series lineup, but the SUV fell short with criticisms for a harsh ride and downgraded interior materials. For 2010 the second-generation X3 finally brought out the proper treatments the X3 should’ve had in the beginning: more luxury, better ride, and 3-series-like performance. Manufacturing was moved from Magna Steyr, Austria to Spartanburg, SC alongside the X5 and X6 SUV’s and since then the X3 has gotten off to a better start than the first-generation. Surprisingly there are not a lot of replicas of this X3 out there so this 1:32 scale model is your best choice for an affordable one. The brown color looks good on this model with silver multi-spoke wheels that give the X3 a premium look. Up front is the usual quad BMW headlight arrangement in flowing lens housing, twin kidney grille, and a lower bumper with a rugged black lower treatment and foglights. The sides show the larger profile with silver chrome trim and a panoramic sunroof on the roof, while the rear has the L-shaped taillights, black bumper stripe, and dual tip exhaust. Details on the base is lackluster and it lacks the brake rotors behind the wheels, but it does have a detailed engine compartment to show off the 3.0L twin turbo I-6 that produces 302 horsepower to all four wheels by an eight-speed automatic transmission. The rear hatch opens up to a useable cargo area though the rear seat has a thick wall against its back, while the rest of the interior still seems dull in the all-black layout despite my additional touches with a sharpie. The dashboard has a cleaner layout that matches the 3-series with 3-spoke steering wheel, flush screen for the i-drive system, and a center console with shifter and i-drive control knob. In my personal opinion this second-generation X3 is a major step in the right direction from the unfinished second-generation.

Specifications:

Engine: 3.0L twin-turbo DOHC I-6 302 hp.
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
0-60 mph: 4.7 sec est.
Real vehicle price: $40,000 est.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

BMW M2 coupe

Now for a model from a well-known company, RMZ City, and the sequel to the popular 1M coupe the M2 coupe. The 2-series was the spin-off of the 1-series coupe to separate conventional four-door sedans and wagons (odd numbered) from the coupe and convertible (even numbered) models. This also allowed BMW to finally call it the M2 as the 1M coupe could be not called M1 because of the origins of the original M performance sports car of the 1980’s of the same name. The new M2 coupe is more civilized, stylish, and less limited in production and all while offering the option of an automatic transmission for the first time. RMZ city was first to the scene with the M2 coupe in a nice blue color with the proper aggressive looks of the real car, but as you’ll see there are disappointments along the way. The front has the detailed twin-kidney grilles with the larger lower grille scoops and outer vertical blades, but the headlights are poorly detailed as the round lamps are not even visible in the housing. The side profile offers a cleaner coupe profile with sloping roofline and toned down flares of the fenders compared to the 1M coupe, but the wheels lack detail and look like solid spokes instead of the narrow split pattern with some black inside of the spokes; I tried to replicate the pattern from the real car but the result did not turn out too well. At least at the rear you get a finished look with L-shaped taillights that feature the LED strips inside of the lenses and quad exhaust tips in the center. The good news inside is that RMZ’s habit of cutting into the footwell areas below the dash to allow the doors to open are long gone as the new setup is cleaner and finally keeps the footwells open for a change. The front seats offer lots of detail to the supportive setup, though rear seats are interrupted by a pullback motor, and the dashboard offers lots of excellent details from the thin 3-spoke steering wheel to the detailed center stack controls and screen to the center console with shifter and physical parking brake handle. It seems like a nice casting, but it is let down by lack of proper detailing on the wheels and headlight setup.

Specifications: