Archive for September 2008

BMW X1 Teaser Video

Sections: Video Sep 30th, 2008 12 Comments

AMG Driving Event vs BMW’s Ultimate Drive

Sections: Opinion, Review Sep 26th, 2008 7 Comments

As BMW enthusiasts, we tend to have a well-refined idea of what makes a good sports sedan. Balance, handling, power, and refinement are typical expected characteristics of a good car. This you may believe to be self-evident and consistent among the same well heeled demographic for whom a $56,000 sticker isn’t out of reach. You would be wrong.

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BMWNA Selling One of its Corporate Dealerships

Sections: Opinion, Sales/Marketing Sep 25th, 2008 8 Comments

With the current financial state of the US economy BMWNA has watched sales dip for the first time in a long time. This comes at a time when BMWNA has just invested in expanding its headquarters in NJ, along with other capital investments.

This past spring brought about a change in the used car market. Plummeting prices forced BMW to write down some of its losses. The losses continue due to the poor state of the market. With more cars to come off lease with inflated residuals, how can BMW offset these losses and the money they have already spent elsewhere? Easy: sell some of its more liquid assets.

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BMWCCA Oktoberfest

Sections: BMWCCA Sep 24th, 2008 No Comments

As a reminder to all of our readers we are reposting a story from a while back. This event is the BMW event of all events, you can drive on the track or just view some amazing cars throughout the several days. If you are lucky enough to attend please take lots of photos as we would love to see them and hear about your experience! The leaves have just begun to turn so the colors are starting to come out!

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Rumors: Z2

Sections: Concept, In the Press Sep 23rd, 2008 9 Comments

Many of our die-hard readers have asked this question a lot: “Where is all the news about the Z2?”. Simply, things have been fairly quiet around the BMW cyber-water cooler in regards to the diminutive sports coupe and for a good reason. With the imminent launch of the newest generation ‘Z‘ BMW does not want the public to be aware that a smaller and cheaper car is in the works; well not just yet.

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7 Series Design Related Video Footage

Sections: F01 7 Series, Video Sep 23rd, 2008 3 Comments

Over the weekend BMW AG released a number of official videos relating to the new 7 Series design. However instead of giving you 16 separate videos we’ve edited them together for something a little more watch-able. Interviewed within the piece is Karim Habib, exterior designer of the new 7er.

7 Series Active Hybrid

Sections: Concept, F01 7 Series, Official News Sep 23rd, 2008 4 Comments

The release of this car should not be much of a surprise to our readers since we have discussed it in the past. What may come is as a surprise is the choices BMW made when implementing the hybrid system.

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European Delivery bound

Sections: European Delivery, Opinion Sep 22nd, 2008 10 Comments

In a few days my wife and I will be completing our third European delivery in the last four years. We have been blessed to have the good fortune to complete these trips and consider ourselves more than lucky.

Joining us on this trip will be some close friends who will be completing their first trip, and needless to say they are excited beyond all belief. We arranged these cars through the dealership I have used in the past and once again Joe at Wide World of Cars, (BimmerFile.com is NOT associated with any dealers in the BMWNA network) made things as painless as possible with everything as described. We can never thank him enough for his time and service, since as many of you can imagine dealing with me and a car purchase more often than not can be frustrating for the person in the other side of the table (not so with Joe).

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BMW NA Cutting Jobs and Budget

Sections: Sales/Marketing Sep 22nd, 2008 2 Comments

Automotive News is reporting that BMW North America will be reducing it’s staff by around 100 employees and turning down 44,000 BMWs that were allocated for the North American market. Here’s an excerpt from the article:

The smaller sales target is part of a bigger rethinking of U.S. strategy that O’Donnell will present to his German bosses in January. That plan could include the reintroduction of four-cylinder powertrains, O’Donnell said. Currently, the smallest powerplant in the BMW brand’s U.S. lineup is a six-cylinder engine.

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New iDrive Controller in the 5

Sections: E60 5 Series, E63/E64 6 Series, Technology Sep 18th, 2008 22 Comments

Update It appears that the new controller is in fact making its way into the 2009 models but the new system may not be at this time. We are awaiting screen shots!

Original: Over the last several days we have become more confused at the situation with the 5 (and even 6). While we understand that BMWNA’s position has not changed in stating the model will not be included in the upgrade why then are customers picking up cars equipped with the system when the model was not scheduled for the update?

We have received info from several customers stating that their cars have the new system. Both ahead of the November EU date and the unannounced US date.

Also, in the Paris guide we posted yesterday it even states that the 5/6 will receive the updated system, though not US specific. Either someone dropped the ball on this or we are missing something here…. If you do not take our word for it, the photos do not lie….

Our friends over at BMW Blog are posting similar info so this further confirms what we thought all along!

BMW Paris Motor Show Preview

Sections: Concept, E71 X6, E81/82/E87 1 Series, E83 X3, E90 3 Series, EfficientDynamics, F01 7 Series, Official News, Sales/Marketing, Technology Sep 17th, 2008 No Comments

As we have indicated in the past BMW will be introducing several models at the Paris show. The new 7, the redesigned 3, and concept form of the X1. BMW will also be showing off some of their future hybrids; the X6 and 7 series specifically. The increased push for efficiency has begun and expect this to be an additional selling point for all BMW models.

If you have the chance to look over this 70 page guide to the show it is worth the time as it has a lot of great info in it, though much is not geared to our market. It details the new models (again) and explains changes to the other model lines; new X3 versions, diesels being offered in the One series convertibles for the EU, and other mobility technologies. Much of it has been summarized here before but it puts it all in one place in a downloadable format.

Worth noting is that on page 48 it states the new iDrive will be introduced this autumn in the 5 and 6 series cars but once again we are reminded this is for the EU so the states may not see this until later.

You will not see the X1 mentioned but all indications are it will be there!

BMW at the Paris Motor Show

BMW Canada Lowers Pricing!

Sections: Official News, Sales/Marketing Sep 16th, 2008 6 Comments

We are happy to report to our neighbors to the North that BMW will be reducing pricing for the 2009 model year. Over the past few months several of our readers had asked us about our feelings on pricing for 2009, though we had heard rumors of a price reduction we could not confirm it. It is official, and though they are a bit more than in the US, they are cheaper and have more standard options than in the past. A step in the right direction for you. No diesel pricing still (We had hoped it may indicate what is in store for the US as well) but will hit dealers by December.

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