Updated with improved audio – this recording wasn’t quite the best but we’ve managed to work on the levels based on your feedback. Look for further improvements in next week’s show.
We’re celebrating our 20th episode of bringing you the best BMW news via the original BMW podcast and this week we’re fresh off drives of the 335is and the Z4 35is. We talk about both cars and how they bring M levels of performance to BMW’s “series” cars. Steering feel is back in the Z4 and the 335is sounds like a race car. What’s not to like? We also get you updates on the latest news around the 1M that will debut in Paris.
Did someone say wagons? We talk the ultimate wagon killer, the 550 GT and how it compares to the 5er wagon as well as wagons in general. It’s big, fast and surprisingly capable. Is it truly a replacement for wagons? You’ll have to listen.
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570+ hp. Torque vectoring rear axel. Four doors. That is the new M5. Today (courtesy of caradvice) we get our best look (and listen) of the next generation M5 in its natural habitat: the Nurburgring Nordschleife.
With all our various reviews and news sometimes we forget the simple pleasures of just driving a BMW down a great road. Today we present you a piece of video meant to remind all of us of that simple pleasure. Produced by Overcrest Media (a small video production and social media company based in NYC) the 1:28 piece is exactly what we need on a Friday morning.
The news many of us have been waiting for has just been announced. BMW will officially join the famed DTM series (German Touring Car Masters) starting in 2012. The move will coincide with DTM making changes in it’s core formula to bring costs down. Also announced today is the news that BMW is developing a new 1.6L engine that will compete in the WTCC touring car championships replacing the current 2.0L engine. However BMW factory involvement in that series is in question after 2011.
One other interesting note, BMW is hinting that they don’t have any concrete plans to race the M3 GT2 after 2011. We expect the decision to be made next year but clearly the current E90 based GT2 race car will be on it’s way out by 2012 as the production E90/E92 BMW will be ending production shortly thereafter.
We’ll have much more on all this news in the coming days and weeks but until then, you can read more via the official release below.
Official Release: Motorsport will continue to play a leading role at BMW, with plans now being implemented for an extensive programme. BMW will significantly expand its activities in the field of production car racing over the coming years: last week the executive board of BMW AG came to a positive policy decision regarding the company’s involvement in the restructured German Touring Car Masters (DTM) from 2012. For this to happen, certain basic requirements must be met. The governing body, the ITR, is currently working on these prerequisites. In anticipation of a positive outcome, BMW Motorsport is making appropriate preparations on the technical side. The final decision is expected during the year.
The following is an official release celebrating BMW’s win at the Mille Miglia 70 years ago.
Official Release: 70 years ago the racing department at BMW had only one thing on its mind: the 1st Gran Premio Brescia delle Mille Miglia. Five cars from Munich were registered for the big race, but preparations were not exactly worry-free. Indeed, the team ultimately faced a battle to get the cars ready in time. However, as the BMWs crossed the finish line one by one in Brescia on 28 April, they had achieved what few had dared to expect: overall victory, team victory, and third, fifth and sixth place in the rankings. That April day witnessed BMW’s greatest racing success so far on four wheels – and one which continues to define the character of the brand today. “The victory in the 1940 Mille Miglia remains a milestone in the history of the BMW brand,” says Dr Klaus Draeger, member of the BMW Group Board of Management responsible for development. “It is evidence not only of extraordinary technical expertise but also of the passion shared by all those involved at BMW.”
Since our recent test of the Z4 35is we’ve had several people comments, email and tweet us saying that the Z4 35is has a rear that is simply a deal breaker. But is it really that bad? Take a look above and you can easily see the difference between the Z4 with the M Sport aerokit and the Z4 35is. The “is” literally has the same rear apron as the M Sport with one big exception – the rear faux defuser is painted body color rather than left flat black (or dark grey). Is it that bad? In our mind it’s definitely not as pleasing the eye as the M Sport package. It adds visual mass and looks less sporty in our eyes. But of course that’s us. Tell us what you think after the jump.
BimmerFile is dedicated to bringing you the most interesting news, links and reviews related to the BMW brand and it's vehicles.
We believe in the old school BMW ownership experience. We believe in garage nights with a six pack and some friends. We believe in 2002s, in E30 M3s and E34 540s with the 6 speed. We believe in progress in both design and engineering but we haven't lost sight of what made the brand and its products great all those years ago. And yes, we believe in the manual transmission.
We long for the days of the wave and for the days of roll-up windows. Yet we love the gadgets on the inside and the xenons on the outside.
In short, we can't get enough of BMWs. This is BimmerFile.
Sections: //1M\\, BimmerCast, E89 Z4 Roadster, E90 3 Series, F07 PAS Apr 30th, 2010 9 Comments 
