In Bonn, about 60 old police cars will be traded in for the BMWs in the next weeks, while in Siegburg 30 cars will be traded in. NRW police hope to update their entire fleet of vehicles by the end of 2018, which calls for a replacement of 1,845 old cars with the new BMW 318 d Touring models.

The new BMWs offer less space than the currently used VW Passat station wagons. Some police officers complain that the seats are too low and also narrow when considering the extra belt and equipment they carry around their torsos. Add to that, police say the cars don’t work efficiently when it comes to hauling someone away. Often, police have a law enforcement student riding in the back seat, and a fourth passenger doesn’t fit back there. A second police unit would have to be called in to make an arrest and take someone to the station. Trunk space is also small, giving less space for needed storage.

Technically, the BMWs are superior to the old Passats because they are all equipped with digital wireless technology for data transfer, have navigation systems and dynamic braking lights. “Run flat” tires allow the car to go on even if there is no air pressure in the tires. And just so they stand out in the crowd, they have a fluorescent yellow marking that is visible in daytime hours. A big advantage of the new cars was the economic efficiency, according to the NRW Interior Ministry.

On the positive side, police say the new cars ride well and have decent motors. NRW Interior Minister, Ralf Jaeger said, “The new police cars fulfill the highest technical requirements for daily patrols, and offer a high standard of security.” Bids were taken from four different car manufacturers and it came down in the end to BMW and Opel.

(Orig. text: Axel Vogel, Ayla Jacob)