Wonder what the first four cylinder to grace a BMW in the US for 14 years sounds like? Wonder no more. BMW NA has released its first video of the new Z4 carving the canyon roads of southern California.

BMW takes us back to the beginning with this latest video. From the early 30′s to today everything is represented.

Yes, stone. No we are not kidding. More photos here.

Courtesy from our friends at Axis of Oversteer.

BimmerCast #12 is all about 2009. What we drove, what we wrote and everything in between. We recap the entire year on BimmerFile with an eye towards 2010 and some of the things we’ll be seeing in the coming months.

Download (30 MB MP3)

+ BimmerFile Podcast / iTunes Link

You have probably already seen this, but the show Ultimate Factories: BMW, is quite impressive. The episode follows the building of the previous generation Z4. It is very well done and includes some interesting BMW history tidbits. You can download it via iTunes for $1.99

Or via Veoh- If you watch the preview here you can download the Veoh player and watch the entire piece!

Enjoy! (Thanks Paul for the tip!)

Watch National Geographic Ultimate Factories.BMW in Entertainment  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

A while back we had reported BMWNA was working on publishing a list of recommended oils to be used in gasoline engines.

This was a welcomed move as oil specifics have not been listed in the owner’s manual and some people like to have an independent garage (or alone) complete a mid recommended interval oil change. Then there is the occasional need to top the engine off; it has always been a question as to whether that quart of oil, the life blood of the motor, was up to spec.

The oils listed below meet BMW’s Long-life rating and are acceptable for use in BMW Passenger vehicles and SAVs in the US market with gasoline engines. (Excludes ///M and Alpina models).

BMW Long-life rating LL-01 Approved Synthetic Oils for the US Market

• Castrol Syntec European Formula SAE 0W-30
• Mobil 1 SAE 0W-40
• Pennzoil Platinum European Formula Ultra SAE 5W-30

• Valvoline SynPower SAE 5W-30

  Use only oils with an API rating of SM or higher.

For ///M or Alpina models as well as the view the BMW document here

Over the next several weeks and months BMW will be introducing a wide variety of new or refreshed cars and technology. Today we thought we would take some time to sketch a rough timeline of these and what they entail while also linking you to our original stories. Much of this information is geared towards those in the US, so things may vary a bit for those reading in other markets.

1- Series: Will see the newly upgraded i-Drive system from start of production (SOP) 9/08 onward.

3- Series: The sedan (E90) and sport wagon (E91) will see a refresh with a SOP for 9/08. This includes new exterior styling, lighting, suspension, wheels and slight tweaks to the interior along with the new i-Drive system and color choices. The coupe and convertible (E92/93) will not see the same refresh until the next model year, as they were introduced about a year after the sedan debuted. The latter two will however see the new iDrive system starting this fall.

Additionally, the E90 335d will be released in time for the year to close though there is still no pricing or ability to place an order.

5- Series: Not much going on here in terms of changes aside from some new wheels. The new iDrive will not be introduced in this car at this time, though there is some speculation that it may see a mid-year introduction. The “F” model has already begun testing along with the PAS and will debut within the next year.

6- Series: There will be a new sport package for the 6 and some upgrades in the name of color choices for the Individual package. Like the 5 series there may be a mid-year upgrade to the iDrive system though it is speculation at this point.

7- Series: The F01/02 7er will make its word debut in several weeks at the Paris auto show. The newly designed model departs from much of the prior generations controversial styling for a more subdued appearance. This car is laden with technology and has been extensively tested to promote a more finished product. It will compete as one of the top executive class cars. Expect this new model in showrooms Spring 2009.

X1- The X1 is anticipated to be displayed at the Paris Auto Show in “concept” form. We placed concept in quotes because this will be a near production ready version of the SAV, much like how the ///M3 Coupe was display as a concept. The X1 is based on the 3 Series sport wagon and is designed to be more efficient, sporty and smaller than the X3.

X3- The X3 is rumored to end its current production run a year early due to its declining sales, dated technology/styling and the move from being built in Austria by Magna Steyr to BMW’s own plant in South Carolina. There will be some tweaks to the current car but nothing major. The next generation X3 has already begun testing and may be introduced some time next year.

X5- Some insiders are indicating that the new iDrive will appear mid model year for the X5. Adding to the lineup will be a diesel version sometime in late 2008/early 2009, though BMW is trying to make it 08 from what we gather. Rumors and spy photos are pointing towards a possible ///M version due to be released as a MY2010.

X6- Like the X5 the new iDrive should appear sometime later in the 2009 model year. The V8 twin turbo xDrive50 version was just recently released and a hybrid version should make its debut spring of ’09. There is also a proposed ///M version in the works, possibly utilizing F1 technology in a KERS hybrid system.

Z4- The E89 Z4 (or will it be Z6?) will premiere at the LA auto show this winter. It will feature a convertible hardtop, along with specialized performance suspension and differential.

The marketing department in the US made the decision to launch the non-///M version of the DCT in this model so do not be surprised to see the launch cars featuring it. As we all know now, much of the world is graced with this DCT transmission in the 335i coupe for MY 2009. Indications are that this car will be arriving at dealers in the Spring of 2009 and may include a new name similar to those of the “X” models.

There will be other niche models (such as the PAS) to come as well and we will go into the details of them at a later date.

We hope that this little summary was helpful and provides you some insight into the future BMW models and their changes. As always we will continue to provide you with the latest information as soon as we can.

This still leaves us wondering what the new name of the upcoming “Z” will be if there is more than one engine version.Is it possible that if a 4 cylinder engine is an option it would be the Z4 and if it is a 6 it would be the Z6? We will let you know as soon as we hear!

Update No sooner was this written it was brought to our attention that BMW has already given us a clue to the possible naming game of the next Z4, sDrive.

sDrive, as in SPORT drive could be utilized in much of the same way Xdrive is. Last year BMW filed for a trademark on ’”sDrive”. According to the trademark application it lists applications as: electronics, motors, transmissions, differentials, axles, brakes and coupling drive shafts, gear change and gear reduction mechanisms in the nature of gearboxes, gear shifts and gear wheels. This could be what we were originally clued in on as “Agile Drive” but details are still thin.

BMW has also registered trademarks on a possible vehicle names, such as: sDrive35, sDrive18, sDrive20, sDrive30.

So we could see: Z4sDrive35

Sources:United States Patent and Trademark Office

additionally, LeftLaneNews via Google.

We have just received some breaking news courtesy from an internal BMW memo that confirms our original speculation. The names of the models in the X6 lineup were not created because of some marketing plan. The xDrive50i and xDrive35i may have some competition in the amount of (nomenclature related) weight added to the rear of BMW models in the not so distant future.

Here’s an excerpt from the internal BMW memo:

Due to upcoming U.S. regulations in effect for Model Year 2009, we are changing some of our naming protocol. The new naming protocol will affect all products that currently have an engine displacement designation within the name—X3, X5, X6, Z4 and Z4 Coupe.

With that quote one can only imagine what other names we will see! What do you think they will name the Z?

Until recently US bound 335i sedans were solely built in Germany but due impart to the weakness of the dollar and ramp up in production of the 1 series coupe, production has begun to join the 328i sedan in Roslyn, South Africa. The Roslyn plant has won several awards for its quality so it is by no means a substandard product. This move in production is not indicated for other models within the 3 range.

Currently, US bound cars are produced at 6 BMW facilities around the globe and 1 model is out-sourced. Factories may produce specific models, variants or a variety of each. Additional facilities produce cars for other markets outside of the US.

Germany

• Dingolfing- Vehicles of the BMW 5, 6 and 7 Series as well as M5 and M6 are completely manufactured here. The almost entirely hand made bodies for the Rolls-Royce Phantom are also produced here.

• Leipzig- The newest plant within the family produces the BMW 3 Series Sedan and since late 2007 the 1 series (specifics are hard to find on which variant and if for US).

• Munich- This facility produces the BMW 3 Series as Sedan and Touring (including some all wheel drive XI models). Many of the engines are also assembled here. US bound 6, 8, and 12-cylinder engines. //M performance engines are also built here for the M3, M5 and M6. Future US bound diesel engines are to be manufactured here as well.

• Regensburg- BMW produces the US 1 series and the 3 series coupes and convertibles only here. Other 3 series variants are also produced here including XI models (possible X1).The successor of the Z4 will reportedly also be manufactured here keeping all the coupes and convertibles under one roof.

Outside of Germany

• Roslyn, South Africa- 75% of the cars produced here are exported outside of the country, many of these are US bound. In addition to the 328i sedan, the 335i sedan has begun being produced here and transported stateside.

• Spartanburg, USA- Recently updated, this single line factory produces the X5 and Z4. When the X6 reaches production status it will be built here as well. The next generation X3 will join the other “X” models here along with the proposed X1 (which may be built in Germany, sources are unclear).

• Graz, Austria (Magna Steyr)- The X3 is manufactured under contract by Magna Steyr for BMW here.