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.
Above you can see the Official (US) numbers for the recently released 2011 BMW 335is. The “is” is a step up in terms of performance and sporting intentions when compared with the base 335i. The 335is features an uprated 320 horsepower N54 twin turbo inline six cylinder engine.
We have reported regularly here at BimmerFile about the BMW Performance Engine Kit and how with a 6 speed manual transmission it is not given the same level of torque as its slush box counterpart. With the BMW Performance Engine Kit the torque comes in at 317 ft-lbs for the 6MT and 332 for the 6 speed auto, in both instances there is noticeable performance gains and we are all for that!
BMWNA is substantially extending the maintenance plan on all 3, 5 and 7 Series 2007 cars to boost sales over the next two months according to a report from Automotive News. The plan will run a full 6 years or 100,000 miles according to the report. Here’s an excerpt from the Automotive News:
“The intent is to attract additional customers to BMW’s used car business who still have reservations about the reliability and overall value of certified pre-owned cars,” BMW said in a statement.
The New York/New Jersey Vehicle Distribution Center (VDC) is where all vehicles in the north east enter the US. This VDC currently is operated by BMW rather than a third party like some of the others in network. Many things happen to the cars at the VDCs before they ever reach the dealer; they are fascinating places as we learned a few years back on our tour with the BMWCCA.
Our friend Jonathan Spira at The Diesel Driver has been anxiously awaiting the arrival of his beautiful 335d. He was granted access to the VDC like never before (photos permitted) to help document the journey of this latest addition to his garage.
The BMW Vehicle Distribution Center, or VDC (previously called the VPC, or Vehicle Processing Center) is, for all intents and purposes, an extension of the BMW factory in Germany.
The 335d was driven directly to a segregated area at the VDC, where it remained until it was cleared by U.S. Customs inspectors, who physically inspect each car. New cars are cleared through Customs electronically before the ship reaches port. The 335d cleared customs in record time – within 48 hours of arrival. Customs clearance for tourist delivery cars can occasionally take up to two weeks.
For an in-depth look at the steps completed at the VDC with photos and commentary visit The Diesel Driver here.
Not so long ago we had the privilege of spending some time with Eric Riehle Accessory Development Manager for BMW Performance and Motorsport as well as a fully equipped 335i. The 335i was in sedan form as BMW Performance does not currently offer as extensive a list of parts for the coupe (yet). As most of our readers know, BMW Performance is the official BMW tuning arm. All parts are designed, tested and built to BMW specifications and include a full warranty.
Performance
This car was the first car we have driven with the official BMW Performance Engine Kit installed. The car was equipped with the enthusiasts’ preferred six-speed manual so the rated output is officially 320 hp/ 317 ft-lbs, a bit lower than the automatic version. The car featured the full suspension and the acoustically addicting sport exhaust as well as the remainder of the parts catalog. Our last encounter with this car was prior to the engine tune and it is fair to say that the engine kit makes it sound even better, nice and throaty without that annoying highway drone we all dislike so much.
As we hinted at last month, BMW Performance has officially decreased pricing for 3 Series parts. These aggressive price reductions impact both the current generation E9X cars and the previous generation E46.
BMW Performance parts when installed by a BMW Center will be warranted for the remainder of the new vehicle warranty and in no way void the original warranty with the car.
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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.