Sections: ActveE, E81/82/E87 1 Series, E90 3 Series, F10 5 Series Mar 7th, 2010 No Comments With the Geneva Motor Show wrapping up BMW has created a highlight reel or sorts that details the new 5er Hybrid, Active E and 335is models. Worth watching as a recap of much the reporting we’ve been doing over the past week about the show.
Sections: //M\\, E81/82/E87 1 Series, Rumor, Spy photos Jan 19th, 2010 9 Comments 
Our inside man Herr26 (aka Scott27) is reporting that the ///M branded 1er coupe will be debuted in an experimental matte finish. Several matte finishes have been tested on the car, from White to Sepang Bronze. The latter is said to suit the car’s lines nicely. Other options will include several current ///M exclusive colors, one or two updates of past ///M colors, as well as throwbacks to the 2002 with Inka Orange and possibly Golf Yellow.
What all of this paint will be covering is starting to come a bit more in focus thanks to these images posted on 1Addicts.com. The front bumper will be a bit wider and feature a larger center section to channel air through the intercooler of the turbos. Fog lights will be tossed to the curb in order to make room for large brake ducts which will direct air at the multi-piston calipers. We bet that BMW will step up to six-pots up front since the 135 in base form already sports 4s. Much like the current ///M3, one of the pair of hood scoops will be a dummy as air only needs to pass through one for the motor to breathe adequately, if the high revving V8 doesn’t need two this worked N55 isn’t going to either.
Larger, wider wheels, a carbon fiber roof and widened fenders will round out the visual package. The overall purpose of this car is to make a reasonably affordable driver’s car. One that is nimble and is quick but not just in a straight-line. From a performance perspective we suspect that the engineers may have fallen in love with this little thing called over-boost as it debuted a few years ago on turbocharged MINIs and recently has reappeared under the re-launched BMW “is” moniker so we fully expect ///M to hop on the bandwagon and do it to the ///Mth Power with this car.
Will it out duel the ///M3? Weighing in at around 3300 lbs. and producing 350hp it is going to be close…. we just hope it is a throwback to the late 80’s.
Images originated on 1Addicts.
Sections: E81/82/E87 1 Series, Official News Jan 18th, 2010 14 Comments BMW has officially taken the wraps off of what we reported last week; the N55 powered 135i. Beyond the N55 single turbo replacing the N54 twin turbo, the other notable change is the addition of a DCT option in place of the previous 6 speed torque converter automatic. The DCT (or DKG has BMW calls it in this application) allows for an official 0-60 time that is .2 quicker while being 1 mpg better in the combined cycle.
Also quietly released with this updated car is a “modified” M Aerodynamics Package and M Sports Suspension. We don’t have confirmation on how this changes the car but we do know that the suspension has been criticized (by more than just us) for being a touch too soft while being too harsh over expansion joints.
Finally news in 2011 is the ability to edit the set-up of the DSC, a new electronically locking function on the differential, as well as model-specific control maps for Servotronic power steering and the throttle.
Official Release: The by far most sporting and dynamic models in the compact segment are now increasing their leadership in terms of driving dynamics and efficiency. Starting immediately the BMW 135i Coupe and the BMW 135i Convertible come with a straight-six power unit of the latest generation for the first time combining BMW TwinPower Turbo Technology, High Precision Injection and fully variable VALVETRONIC valve management, all interacting with one another to set new standards for economy with the highest level of performance.
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Sections: //M1\\, E81/82/E87 1 Series, In the Press, Spy photos Jan 16th, 2010 14 Comments 
Car Magazine has just released spy photos of what they are calling the next generation 1 Series testing in the Arctic. We know this car to not be the next generation 1 but rather a tuned version from our friends in Garching, ///M. We have seen this car before and it looks to be continuing on its development path sine the recent official green lighting.
With this testing it appears the Frankenstein look of the Carbon fiber may stay (I personally love it and hope to see it stay). We can expect upwards of 350 hp from a tuned N55 motor in this ///M as well as a real deal rear differential and wider track. All BMW models that are to be produced undergo stringent testing in the harsh frigid environment of Scandinavia in winter, so we now have proof once again that this car is in fact coming to market!
Rumors continue to point to the “Concept” version of this vehicle to debut in March at Geneva.
Car via Bimmerpost
Sections: E81/82/E87 1 Series, E90 3 Series Jan 14th, 2010 20 Comments 
The short answer is; we don’t know. But let’s take a look at what we know. Last weekend we exclusively broke the news that the 135i was not only getting the DCT 7 speed dual clutch transmission but also the N55 inline six turbo. More specifically BMW is replacing the N54 dual turbo with the N55 single turbo twin-scroll. It’s great news for fans of the 1 Series and DCT technology but what about that engine change?
As you may have heard from our interview with Martin Birkmann, the switch to the N55 is all about efficiency. And on paper it makes sense with identical numbers in regards power and torque. But what about the N54’s power being under-reported? We had heard for years from automotive magazines and websites that dynoed the engine that the N54 was actually putting out well over 320 hp (and sometimes much more). While no one yet has dynoed an N55 we’d guess that we will not see those kind of numbers from the single turbo twin-scroll set-up. What does all this mean? While on paper the N55 is a match for the N54, in the real world we can’t help but wonder if the 2011 135i and the 335i didn’t just lose a little power versus the 2010 models.
Anything lost (even unofficially) BMW will be giving back in the form of the forthcoming BMW Performance engine kit for the N55. Engineers are currently fine-tuning the kit and expect to have it available sometime in the latter half of the year. However beyond that option, BMW firmly believes that the N55 will be “tuner proof”. They expect that tuning the N55 will be infinitely harder to do as compared with the N54. So while the N55 has the efficiency, for the enthusiast it clearly has some downsides. If you take away the N54’s oil cooler issues it’s been a fantastic engine for BMW and the enthusiast market. It has fantastic power and torque while delivering respectable fuel figures.
Will the N54 equipped 135i and 335i be the more coveted cars in the years ahead? No doubt some will think so. However if true, we’d guess that would only be the case for the enthusiast market. The N55 will surely continue to serve multiple BMW models well while being noticeably more efficient. It’s just a shame that we may have lost some of that unadvertised oomph that the N54 was known for.
Sections: E81/82/E87 1 Series, EfficientDynamics, Official News Jan 11th, 2010 8 Comments
The 2011 BMW 135i Coupe and Convertible will officially receive the changes that we have been hinting at, a new motor and a new transmission option.
BMWNA Official Press Release
New twin-scroll turbocharged inline six highlights the changes
Woodcliff Lake, NJ – January 11, 2010… BMW’s EfficientDynamics philosophy continues with the 2011 135i Coupe and Convertible models which feature the company’s latest twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six cylinder engine. Both models will feature the 7-speed Double-Clutch Transmission (DCT) as an option. The new six-cylinder (N55 designation) develops maximum output of 300 hp at 5,800 rpm, with peak torque of 300 lb-ft available all the way from 1,200–5,000 rpm. This is the same level of performance as the current 3.0-liter twin-turbo six-cylinder but with the innovation of twin-scroll technology and the integration of VALVETRONIC throttle-less intake technology, this new engine promises even better throttle response and even more fuel efficiency. Thanks to VALVETRONIC, VANOS, and the twin-scroll turbocharger housing, peak torque is reached 100rpm earlier than with the previous engine, and engine boost response is improved across the entire engine speed range. In order to enhance the sporting character of the optional 7-speed Double-Clutch Transmission, the shift paddles now feature dedicated paddles for upshifting and down shifting. The driver now pulls the right paddle for upshifts and the left for down shifts. Manual shifts may also be accomplished via the console mounted e-shifter.
Harman Kardon Surround Sound System replaces HiFi System Professional as the upgrade sound system option.
The 2011 BMW 135i Coupe and Convertible will go on sale in the United States as 2011 models in Spring 2010.
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