Bmw

Imagine being Chris Bangle. Imagine being the head of BMW design, the automotive artist who sketches the look of the future and casts the die for generations to come. Imagine being unpopular. Don't believe it? Just ask him. "I'm a cottage industry," Bangle recently told The Car Connection, an auto enthusiast website. "Without me, a lot of . . . folks wouldn't have anyone to write about. " Without Bangle, today's most controversial figure in the world of auto design, an industry would indeed have less to say. There wouldn't be the criticism over his edgy redesign of BMW's flagship sedan, the 2002 7-Series, with the bulbous rear end. There wouldn't be the complaints over the tall X3 sport-utility vehicle or the daring, shark-like gills of the Z4 convertible.

Crowned the best of the best - year after year - and a car that the rest of the industry scrambles to match, the BMW 3 Series is already considered the pinnacle of European style and performance prowess. Now what? For 2004, BMW will continue its don't-mess-with-perfection approach, almost daring anyone to spot the subtle changes to its coupe and convertible versions. When contemplating alterations to the company's most popular model, tweaking, trimming and incorporating mild body revisions is as far as the designers dared to go. Perhaps that's as much as its loyal group of contented buyers - about 150,000 strong in 2002 - are prepared to accept.

gregs@herald-mail.com A Hagerstown man charged in an October accident on Mount Aetna Road in which two people died is scheduled for a trial later this month in Washington County District Court. Matthew David Meyer, 23, of 11010 Sani Lane faces two counts of negligent manslaughter by automobile in the deaths of Gerald Eugene Dietrich, 59, and Mary Ellen Dietrich, 61, who lived on the 2000 block of Academy Lane in Hagerstown. Meyer also was charged with multiple violations including reckless driving, negligent driving, failing to control his vehicle's speed to avoid a collision and passing in a no-passing zone.

Call it athletic. Call it versatile. But please, BMW respectfully asks, just don't call the new X3 something it's not. The German automaker has never been one to travel the path of the common automaker, which is why, in a sport-utility segment that's bursting at the seams, BMW is offering its very own interpretation of what buyers really want in all-weather transportation. For 2004, it's something called the X3. And, in this case, X marks the spot for sport/activity. In an automotive world dominated by utilitarian vehicles labeled either cute, sporty, or cute and sporty, leave it to an industry leader such as BMW to want to define itself based on what its vehicles do and not what they look like.

Thieves on a crime spree in a neighborhood south of Hagerstown made off with two luxury automobiles, several sets of golf clubs and an expensive bicycle sometime between late Thursday and early Friday, an investigator with the Washington County Sheriff's Department said. Investigator Greg Alton said the thefts occurred in and around the Black Rock and Brightwood East housing developments off Mount Aetna Road. A 2004 BMW was stolen from Ayoub Lane in Brightwood East, Alton said.

charlestown@herald-mail.com SHENANDOAH JUNCTION, W.VA. - Two women were flown to hospitals Thursday afternoon following a head-on car collision on Daniels Road near the Jefferson County Schools bus garage, police said. The 1:39 p.m. crash occurred when Pamela Norris, 35, of Falling Waters, W.Va., crossed a yellow line in an attempt to pass a BMW, said Sgt. Sam Harmon of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department. When Norris approached a small crest in the road, her vehicle collided head-on with a Mazda 626 driven by Connie McCarty, 42, of Shenandoah Junction, W.Va.

HAGERSTOWN -- A Hagerstown man was found guilty in Washington County Circuit Court of homicide by a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol in an April 2008 crash on Interstate 70 that left another man dead, according to court records. Robbie Eugene Liggett, 36, of 20213 Robinwood Court, Apt. 410, also was found guilty Tuesday in a jury trial before Circuit Judge Donald E. Beachley of driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving and negligent driving, according to court records.

Ebay watch 1951 Mercury "Woody" wagon, sold, $15,050: No matter the year, make or model of a car, if it's a "woody" with real wooden doors and trim, you know it's a keeper. This '51 Mercury is neat for the simple fact that it's a two-door and not a four-door wagon. The car is in need of a full-on restoration, although the seller says the car is complete and runs and drives well. Since you can't put a price on nostalgia, it's no wonder the car sold for a top bid of $15,050.

The M1was originally built to win races and influence customers, but ultimately lost the race against time. With its mid-engine location, low weight and impressive output, the M1 seemed to have all the right ingredients to make it competitive. And, back in 1975, that's exactly what BMW's motorsports division wanted: a win-at-all-costs machine that could outduel the Porsches and other European makes in production-class track battles. Under international rules, "production class" meant that BMW had to build a minimum of 400 M1s for the street before the car would be allowed to compete on the track.

Name: Florence Taylor-Block Résumé: Realtor, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Board member, Habitat for Humanity of Washington County Born: Oct. 6, 1947 Children: Sons J.D., 36, and Jason, 27 Education: South Hagerstown High School, class of 1965 Mentor: Joan Schupp, a Realtor with Long & Foster. Schupp is "very professional. I just admired the way that she interacted with clients. " Favorite part of your job: "The interaction with people" Least favorite part of your job: "The paperwork" Biggest challenge of your job: "Keeping everybody happy - buyers and sellers.

With their mother in no shape for visitors and an outpouring of support for her and her family, Brittany Heller and Terry Doyle put Brigitte Heller's emergency services truck in her Sharpsburg Pike front yard on Sunday to give people another outlet to express their support and thoughts, Doyle said. People continued to stop by the vehicle, about seven miles south of Hagerstown, to gather, talk, hug and cry on Monday. “My mom worked all the time, and as sick as she is and everything, no one could really visit her at the hospital,” said Doyle, 32. Brigitte Heller, 51, is a Washington County emergency medical services coordinator who trains the county's volunteer emergency services crews.

HAGERSTOWN -- A Hagerstown man was found guilty in Washington County Circuit Court of homicide by a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol in an April 2008 crash on Interstate 70 that left another man dead, according to court records. Robbie Eugene Liggett, 36, of 20213 Robinwood Court, Apt. 410, also was found guilty Tuesday in a jury trial before Circuit Judge Donald E. Beachley of driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving and negligent driving, according to court records.

For years the BMW 3-Series has been home to a wide range of products geared to nearly every entry-luxury taste. Now you can add an economical-to-operate diesel-powered sedan to the current list of gas-powered coupe, sedan, wagon and convertible models. Diesel Bimmers are not completely new here, but you would have to go back to the short-lived 1984-'85 524td to find the last propeller-logoed oil burner to find sanctuary in a select few North American garages. Now the four-door 335d turbo-diesel is arriving and it's a very big deal for the German automaker since it's emissions legal in all 50 states.

Denver Effland Hedgesville Basketball Junior What do you like best about your sport? "I grew up playing it, so it's always been my favorite sport. " Your greatest accomplishment in your sport? "When I first dunked in eighth grade. " Other sports? Football, Track Pregame rituals? "I usually listen to music. " Besides your parents, the most influential person in your life? "My coach, Kelly Church. He's a very tough coach. " Person you'd most like to meet (alive or dead)

Why does the automotive world breathlessly wait for each new BMW product to hit the streets? One look at the company's latest 3-series coupe graphically explains this recurring phenomenon. At one time, there wasn't much to differentiate two- and four-door versions of BMW's North American entry-point models, apart from the obvious. Both featured squared-off shapes that accentuated practicality (i.e. plenty of rear-seat leg and head space) over styling concerns. For 2007, it's a whole new ballgame.

FREDERICK, Md. - A Hagerstown woman involved in a fatal accident on Friday on Interstate 70 west of Frederick remains in critical condition at the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, a spokeswoman said Saturday. Jennifer Sikes, 19, was flown to the trauma center after the three-vehicle accident, Maryland State Police in Frederick said. Police said Surajudeen Ayinla Banwo, 59, of Bowie, Md., died from his injuries. Banwo's 14-year-old son, a passenger, was flown to John Hopkins Pediatric Center, where he underwent surgery for a fractured leg, police said Friday.

You know the world has become a vastly different place when an icon of British econo-car understatement turns into a wind-in-your-hair funmobile. Yet, that's exactly what has happened to this bold little car that makes a corner seem like a straight line. The Mini has been a much-in-demand transportation device since its 1959 inception. It became the car to drive, primarily for Brits seeking an inexpensive alternative to bicycles, motorcycles and public transportation. The car also became a fashion statement for upper-class trendies to drive around swinging London.

Thieves on a crime spree in a neighborhood south of Hagerstown made off with two luxury automobiles, several sets of golf clubs and an expensive bicycle sometime between late Thursday and early Friday, an investigator with the Washington County Sheriff's Department said. Investigator Greg Alton said the thefts occurred in and around the Black Rock and Brightwood East housing developments off Mount Aetna Road. A 2004 BMW was stolen from Ayoub Lane in Brightwood East, Alton said.

Pity the poor souls tasked with developing this, the fifth generation BMW 3-Series sedan. This compact sporting machine anchors BMW's lineup providing 60 percent of the company's one million annual sales and the majority of profits and future customers. And, over the last 30 years, it has become a benchmark, the car other manufacturers have in their sights when developing a sports sedan. Mess this one up and there are serious, industry-wide consequences. It's a relief to report that under all that pressure, the folks in Bavaria have come up with yet another winner.