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Filed under: Aftermarket , Tuners , BMW Click to view a hi-res gallery of the BMW M3 Ever meet one of those parents who are never satisfied no matter how well their kids do? The child comes home with a 98% on a school exam and the parent asks "How'd you lose two percent?" Dinan is one of those parents. But instead of overstressed children, Dinan produces overachieving performance automobiles. Take, for example, the latest M3, which BMW unveiled with a V8 derived from the award-winning 5-liter V10 found in the M5 and M6. The eight replaced the inline-six on the previous model, but instead of remaining content to say "good job on the extra two cylinders", Dinan asks what happened to the extra two from the V10. Not that they would have been happy with the V10, either. On that, Dinan pushed and pushed, boring and stroking out the engine's ten cylinders until they got it up to 5.7 liters and 628 horsepower . Pretty sick, but saddled with the heft of a BMW 5 or 6 Series...
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Filed under: SUVs , Safety , BMW , Police/Emergency , Special/Limited Editions Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 BMW X5 Security If you happen to be the Head of State of a controversial nation, have a lot of enemies, or you are just plain paranoid, BMW's latest X5 variation may appeal to you. It's called the BMW X5 Security, and it has been armored by the factory to protect its occupants against some serious firepower (BMW claims safety class "VR4" to resist the penetration from a .44 Magnum, .357 Magnum, or a nine-millimeter Luger). While BMW is understandably mum about specifics, we do know that the body panels (including the roof and trunk) have been reinforced with a ballistic-resistant armored fiber developed in the Netherlands. The windows are upgraded to laminated 22-mm thick security glass, and a camera system with intercom keeps the passengers informed of what's happening outside their isolated cocoon. To handle the extra mass (you know its packing...
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Filed under: Recalls/TSBs , Safety , BMW BMW is recalling 200,000 units of its 3 Series, 5 Series and X3 SUVs to repair potentially faulty air bag sensors. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website says the recall campaign covers 2004-2006 5 Series, 2004-2006 X3 and 2006 3 Series vehicles, though only those equipped with sport seats. Apparently the problem is with the front passenger sport seat that, over time, develops cracks in its covering. An air bag sensor beneath the area can then be damaged so that the car no longer senses the weight of a passenger. That means, of course, the passenger airbag might not be deployed in an accident. BMW is doing the right thing by quickly addressing the issue even though no accidents or incidents have been reported in relation to the problem. Also, according to NHTSA, the company will extend the warranties of several of BMW models to cover the issue for 10 years with no mileage restriction. A summary of the recall No. 08V384000 is available...
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Filed under: Convertibles , Coupes , BMW , Special/Limited Editions Click for a hi-res gallery of the BMW 6 Edition Sport BMW has responded to customer demand for a tauter 6 Series by announcing the availability of a new Edition Sport trim level for the grand tourer. While the new Competition Package offers a host of modifications for the M6, the Edition Sport follows along the same lines for the rest of the 6 Series range, including both coupe and convertible models. The package includes a restyled hood and new lightweight 19" alloys, plus stiffer anti-roll bars and the anti-roll stabilization system borrowed from the M division. Brushed aluminum trim for the cabin and fog lights also form part of the Edition Sport, along with a couple of new colors. The 650i Edition Sport also benefits from a new exhaust system. Pricing and availability have not yet been announced for the US market, but the package commands a £1500-2000 premium in the UK. While we wait for word, you can check...
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Filed under: Etc. , BMW Click either image for a gallery. As I type this, our BMW 318is is up on the rack, sans transmission, to replace the clutch and all the assorted bits that go along with the job. The last-minute clutch work, along with fitting a set of Hawk HPS brake pads and replacing the brake fluid with Castrol GTLMA synthetic, is all in preparation for our two-day track assault this weekend at Buttonwillow raceway. We'll be running configuration 13 on Friday and Saturday, and plan to keep you updated over the weekend on how the Slut is holding up to our relentless flogging in 100-degree heat. Along with the upgraded pads and fluids (not to mention the H&R cup kit we installed in our previous post ), we've managed to score a set of Kosei K1 wheels (+42mm offset), sized 16x7-inches and weighing 15 pounds from the TireRack for the bargain-basement price of $129 a piece. Needless to say, closeout sales rock, and with the TireRack offering Advan A048s (medium-hard compound...
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Filed under: Safety , BMW , Motorcycles , Rumormill Rumors from various European motorcycle mags indicate that BMW is considering getting back into the scooter game. The Bavarian company's last foray into scooterdom resulted in the C1. Being that this was BMW Motorrad, its scooter would need to be different from everyone else, and indeed it was. Featuring a full roof, roll bars and seat belts along with ABS brakes, BMW claimed that C1 riders were safe enough that they did not need to wear a helmet. Unfortunately, though, not everyone agreed and low sales numbers resulted in the innovative machine's cancellation in 2002. Now, BMW is said to be considering a three-wheeled machine, which could allay some of the safety fears which ultimately led to the demise of the C1. Rotax is also rumored to be involved, offering an 80 degree, four-valve per cylinder, liquid-cooled, V-Twin engine in three different sizes and ranging from 33 to 75 horsepower. The machine is said to retain the C1's...
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Filed under: Aftermarket , Gadgets , Euro , Tech var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/design/When_you_re_bored_with_one_color_car_use_tape'; When a BMW 335i owner in Munich became bored with his black coupe, he hired a team to wrap it in white tape. Two days later, he drove home in his refreshed "Alpine White" coupe (with an M3-appearing black roof). No, it's not normal tape. It's a special 3M wrap, and the process is known as "foiling." Apparently, the German military has been using the process (with an olive drab tape) for some time now. Likewise, the process is popular with race teams and taxi companies. Available in countless colors, the tape itself is thick enough to protect the paint from minor chips and nicks, and it can be left adhered to the surface for 3-4 years without damage (!). Adhesion isn't a problem either, as the tape can even withstand an automatic car wash without peeling off. Thanks for the tip Frank. Gallery: Foil Tape Paint Job ...
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Filed under: Motorsports , Green , BMW , Honda , Renault Despite some serious reservations regarding the safety and high cost of the Kinetic Energy Recovery System ( KERS ), the hybrid system has received the green light for introduction into the 2009 Formula 1 season. After BMW and Renault had some, uh, issues with KERS, Renault called a meeting to discuss whether the new flywheel-based system should be postponed until 2010. BMW Sauber, Honda Racing and Williams are apparently feeling confident enough in their own systems to resist the delay. Because F1 rules dictate that a consensus must be reached to change the previous ruling, F1 cars in 2009 will run with the new drivetrain. The only thing which could still hold back the new technology would be if the teams were unable to guarantee the safety of their systems, and this seems unlikely given that Honda has already completed a successful track test last week. [Source: autosport.com ] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Filed under: Sedans/Saloons , Green , Crossovers/CUVs , BMW Click above for more high-res images of the 2009 BMW 3 Series Rest easy, torque-lovers, BMW will be releasing the diesel version of its uber-popular 3 Series sedan in the United States later this year, exactly on schedule. Because it's so late in the year, the Bavarian automaker will be labeling it as a 2009 model, leading some to believe that the 335d was not going to be coming until next year. Not so, according to BMW spokesman Tom Plucinsky, who confirmed to KickingTires that both the 335d and the X5 35d will be making it Stateside sometime in November after production begins in September. Both upcoming diesel models from BMW will use a 3.0-liter twin turbo oil-burner rated at 265hp and 425 lb-ft of torque. That's plenty of stump-pulling torque, but the best news could be the expected fuel mileage of 23 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway when paired with the six speed automatic. Gallery: 2009 BMW 3 Series [Source...
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Filed under: Tuners , Coupes , Euro , Green , BMW For ALPINA, simply substituting a larger engine for added performance is considered alien. Instead, the German automaker prefers to "maximize the sporting potential of existing units." With that in mind, ALPINA has tweaked the twin-turbo diesel powerplant from the BMW 123d and dropped it under the hood of the BMW ALPINA D3 Bi-Turbo Coupe. With a new output of 214 hp, and 330 lb.-ft. of torque, the coupe will hit 62 mph in 6.9 seconds as it accelerates towards its top speed of 152 mph. Best of all, and the modus operandi behind the eco-friendly sports car, the ALPINA D3 squeezes out a combined EU fuel economy rating of 52.3 mpg with a stick shift (50.4 mpg with an automatic). Before you go running down to your neighborhood BMW dealer, we'll remind you that the ALPINA D3 will only be sold overseas with a base price starting at £32,950 (about $64,500) [Source: Alpina] Continue reading Alpina reveals new D3 Bi-Turbo Coupe...
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Filed under: SUVs , Crossovers/CUVs , BMW BMW's chief executive officer Norbert Reithofer has revealed that the company has axed plans to build a larger sport-ute to top the range currently inhabited by the X3, X5 and X6 crossovers. Reithofer cited economic problems in the United States and Europe as the main reason for the cancellation of the program, i.e. sales of SUVs are dropping like a rock. Meanwhile, other reports suggest that the green light in Munich has been given instead to a smaller crossover to be based on the 1-Series platform, which would enable BMW to expand its X range with an X1 instead of an X7. Smaller, lighter and more fuel efficient is probably a smarter direction to head in these times than bigger, heavier and greater guzzler. [Sources: Automotive News Europe (subs. req'd) and The Hollywood Extra ] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing , BMW If you're in the market for a Bimmer, now is the time to buy. BMW is raising prices this year and next to help ease the burden of unfavorable exchange rates between European currencies and the weak U.S. dollar. CEO Norbert Reithofer told reporters that the company would also produce 20,000 to 25,000 fewer vehicles overall in 2009 and sell 40,000 fewer units in the U.S. Disastrous exchange rates aren't team Bimmer's only problem, either. The German automaker leases 60% of its vehicles in the U.S. during a time when sinking residuals are losing automakers billions. A quick look at July sales figures shows that even the best-run automakers are hurting. Increasing prices twice within a year when people are cutting back likely isn't going to help matters much, but at least just about everybody else is doing it too . [Source: Auto News (subs req'd)] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Filed under: Concept Cars , Supercars , BMW , Dodge , Rendered Speculation Combining a Dodge with a BMW doesn't sound like a good idea. But then again, sound and sight are two different things. So just when we thought we'd seen it all, we're thrown for a surprise. A Russian illustrator by the name of Remio, evidently quite skilled with the Photoshop and CAD, has managed to blend the new Dodge Challenger with the BMW M1 Homage show car, and the results are rather surprising. While some rendered speculation can prove to be quite close to the mark when the subject goes into production, we'll have to file this one squarely in the "never gonna happen" folder. Shame. [Source: Cardesign.ru via CarScoop ] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative , Sedans/Saloons , Government/Legal , Green , Safety , BMW Note to all you celebs and journos driving around in BMW Hydrogen 7s: be careful where you go in New York and New Jersey. While taking the uber-clean car for a joyride, The New York Times was informed it was not to drive through either the Lincoln or Holland Tunnels or on the lower level of the George Washington Bridge. It seems that the Port Authority of the two states isn't thrilled with the idea of 17.5 pounds of liquid hydrogen moving about its crowded thoroughfares, fearing a disaster of Hindenburg-like proportions. It so happens that our own Alex Núñez also just had the Hydrogen7 recently, and he's provided us with a copy of the relevant bit of paperwork which the Times refers to. You can read about the Hydrogen7's visit to the AutoblogGreen Garage at our sister site on August 1. Seriously though, BMW has done an excellent job of ensuring safety on the Hydrogen 7 ...
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Filed under: Concept Cars , BMW Click above for a high resolution image We were completely taken with the BMW M1 Hommage concept car that was introduced at the Concorso d'Eleganza at Villa d'Este earlier this year. It's blend of modern and retro design is a fitting tribute to the original M1 road car, and we'd have no objection to BMW putting a production version on the road. There were only a handful of photos available when the car was officially introduced, but since then BMW has released several more for us to drool over including some of the original design sketches. We felt no need to keep them to ourselves and have put them in a high resolution gallery below for your viewing pleasure. Gallery: BMW M1 Hommage [Source: BMW] Permalink | Email this | Comments
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