Apr 9th, 2010
Yes we’re back with another great BMW Podcast. It’s been a few weeks but travel schedules have been put aside and Michael and I had a chance to catch-up about the last few weeks of BMW news from around the world. We cover the NYC auto show (5 Series, X5 and 335is) in detail as you’d expect. We also talk about the new BMW plant being built in Washington US that will ultimately create carbon fiber components and chassis for BMW’s megacity upcoming line of small cars.
The Art Car is back and BMW is once again taking it racing. But not just any race, LeMans.
Finally we dissect the latest 1M (or is it M1) photos and talk about why this car will be so special and ultimately rather rare. You’ll want to listen all the way through to hear our take on the car and some thoughts on production numbers and availability.
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Download (34 MB MP3)
+ BimmerCast / iTunes Link
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Apr 1st, 2010
Can’t make it to NYC for the show? No worries we’ve got you covered. BMW introduced the new 5 Series to the North American market as well as the 335is Coupe and Convertible, Alpina B7 Allrad and a refreshed X5 and we have photos and video of all of it. Enjoy.
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Mar 31st, 2010
With the official public debut of the 335is upon us we decided to use this opportunity to go through our files and give you a glimpse at the 335is at every possible angle. These shots are from the European press launch at the Estoril track in Spain earlier this year. However there is on caveat to these photos. The final 335is will not have foglights (a la the M3). Enjoy.
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Mar 24th, 2010
BMW of North America is gearing up to show off the new 5 Series, 335is, B7 xDrive and refreshed X5 and 3 Series coupe this next week at the Ne York International Auto Show. We’ll be on the ground covering the show and snapping as many pictures as we can throughout the two press days. However until then, here’s a preview
Official Release: BMW will introduce the most innovative and stylish 5 Series ever to the North American market at the New York International Auto Show. The all-new 5 Series will share the spotlight with the 335is Coupe and Convertible and BMW X5 SAV, which are also making their North American debuts and the BMW Alpina B7 xDrive which is making its World debut. All of the new BMWs will be 2011 models.
The new BMW 5 Series Sedan, which arrives in early summer, marks the epitome of modern design and driving pleasure in the world of premium midsize sedans. Through its athletic and executive looks; driving dynamics typical of BMW, and innovative comfort and safety features, the sixth generation BMW 5 Series reflects the standards upheld by the world’s most successful manufacturer of premium cars.
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Mar 15th, 2010
If you ask BMW insiders about about 5GT killing the 5 Series wagon, they’ll tell you that (a) the decision hasn’t been officially made and (b) if the wagon dies in the US, it’s not solely because of the 5GT. So why is the 5 Series wagon disappearing? Simply put its sales vs. the costs associated with bringing the car to US market. I think it’s worth noting that there are many within BMW who lament the notion of not having wagons in the US. However, ultimately BMW is a small automaker that can’t afford to spend money on products it can’t recoup in sales.
So the same for the 3 Series wagon then? While we haven’t had as many conversations about the 3er as we have about the 5er, the writing is on the wall. We’d give it a 20% chance of living on past the E91 platform. Again, with more people moving into X3s and the upcoming X1 (and 3GT) BMW is simply trying to hedge bets when it comes to investing in products for the US market.
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Mar 11th, 2010
It’s a day that many hardcore track and racing junkies have been waiting for. BMW NA is launching official BMW Motorsports parts for the E36 M3, E46 M3, E86 Z4 M Coupe and E92 M3. These parts are the real deal and also really pricey. Don’t expect to be able to drop a couple hundred on a front splitter. We’re talking 10k on full racing suspensions and 20K non-street legal P54B32 engines. That’s right, if you ever wanted a build out that $5,000 Craigslist E36 M3 into the ultimate OEM track car, you’ve got your parts. Just make sure you have some deep pockets.
We’ve obtained a full list of parts available for the E36, E46, E92 M3s as well as the E86 Z4 M Coupe from BMW NA (via bimmerboost) below. We do not have prices yet but we expect those shortly.
+ E92 M3 GT4 (US) / PDF
+ E86 2008 Z4 / PDF
+ E46 M3 / PDF
+ E36 M3 Group A / PDF
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