Section: Review
Sep 21st, 2011
For years we’ve been secret admirers of P-cars. We’re not afraid to admit the 911 and Boxster can be pretty compelling products when specced appropriately. Now with the Cayman added to the mix, Porsche has an even more compelling product for enthusiast that’s led to more than a few BMW owners going over to the ‘other side’. It wasn’t until recently that the Boxster and Cayman became particularly interesting to us. For 2011, Porsche released two hardcore models based on its entry-level cars; the Cayman R and the Boxster Spyder. We drove both recently (and briefly), outside of Chicago, at the Autobahn Country Club to see how these Porsche’s would stack-up to the two smallest M cars – the 1M and M3.
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Sep 12th, 2011
There is no mistaking that we here at BimmerFile are fans of the hatch and even more so the sport wagon, which in some markets is still called “touring”. We love them for their increased functionality all while not sacrificing the driving benefits of a sedan. We recently spent time behind the wheel of a 2011 330iT (RWD), equipped with the sport automatic slush box.
As a farewell to outgoing models many markets release “Editions”, these special run cars come with a set of special features and equipment that set the last year off from the rest of the production run- enticement to buy a last year model. The model we spent several days jaunting around Bavarian hop farms in was of the German persuasion and it was equipped almost how we’d build our own.
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Sep 9th, 2011
Great drives in great vintage cars don’t happen that often. Yes, the automotive press is full of impossibly cool scenarios with vintage cars and some famous mountain road. The truth is we’re usually dropped in a handpicked location and given the keys to BMW’s newest and best thing. Whatever that thing is, it’s usually incredibly capable and enjoyable. Sometimes we just want to get into a car that doesn’t indicate future thinking or the latest Efficient Dynamics. Sometimes we want the raw emotional appeal of something classic in our hands and under our foot.
So when we heard that BMW was going to be bringing some vintage metal along with 8 new Z4s up Highway 1 from LA to Monterey, we immediately started to do some digging. What cars would they bring? Would they actually let us drive them like they were meant to be (i.e. in anger)? Lastly, how in the world could we fight off our colleagues from other publications (Dan Neil is a surprisingly big guy) for a chance at whatever showed up?
Then we got the list and immediately one stood out. It was BMWNA’s pristine E28 M5 plucked from the museum floor in Spartanburg. With just over 13,000 miles, this could be the best example of the breed in the world. So a plan was hatched; awkwardly speed-walk to the M5 when our morning presentation on the Z4 ended. If all goes right we’d be rounding the corner to our pick of some glistening Bavarian metal.
Moments later, I slipped into the Recaro buckets and took a deep breath; mission accomplished. Yes, that is the satisfying smell of vintage 1980′s German leather warming up in the California sun.
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Sep 4th, 2011
OEM Plus. It’s a philosophy I’ve used for a number of my recent cars and the 1M is no exception. The idea is simple – add only BMW designed, engineered or inspired accessories that enhance the look and feel of the car. And while it’s only been two weeks and 400 miles since taking delivery the big changes have already been made.
First up was the BMW Performance Carbon Fiber spoiler. A tricky install that requires a methodical approach, the spoiler slots onto the back of the 1M perfectly completing the lines of the deck-lid. It also harkens back to the classic E28 M5 and 535is spoilers from the 80′s (some of my personal favorites). But you can’t add one piece of CF without another.
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Aug 28th, 2011
The wait has stretched for years. And now it’s over. Last Monday, with an impromptu crowd of customer and employees looking on, I drove my 1M out of the dealer showroom.
Last week we published our full review of the 1 Series M Coupe. And as you likely remember, we loved it. Now it’s time for us to walk the talk a bit and actually live with one. And that starts with paperwork and something called a break-in period.
After being on the waiting list for many years it was almost anti-climatic as I signed the paperwork and took procession of the keys fobs. That said there’s something entirely satisfying about buying a new car and the 1M is obviously no exception. (Full gallery after the break)
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Aug 23rd, 2011
If the past 15 years have proven anything, it’s that BMW isn’t afraid of change. While design directions have gotten the most press, it’s BMW’s advances in engines that have excited us most. And no current BMW engine has more on its shoulders over the next few years than the N20 four cylinder under the hood of the Z4 28i.
We had an opportunity to sample the new Z4 28i on a day-long jaunt up the California coast to Speed Week at Monterey. We tested the car through the mountain roads of the Sierra Nevadas and California’s famed Highway 1. To call it the perfect test on the perfect day would almost be an understatement.
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Aug 22nd, 2011
The 650i is a big car. And big sporty cars aren’t meant to be able to hustle around the tight roads in Carmel Valley. They are meant to go long distances at triple digit speed while barely breaking a sweat. Yet I sit here almost breathless from a testosterone laced blast east in the 650i through Carmel Valley Rd. Not unlike the physics bending of the X6 M, the 650i defies your expectations of what a large car can do in almost every sense.
Let’s not mince words here. We at BimmerFile didn’t care much for the previous 6 Series coupe. It felt large, numb and ill conceived in many ways. And it wasn’t immediately attractive – the death-knell for a $100k coupe. The F13 650i coupe on the other hand is almost shockingly attractive in person –especially the first time you see it. The car has an aggression and purpose in its form and design language that hasn’t been seen on a large BMW coupe since the E24 6 Series. The creases that run throughout the car add a strict sense of purpose and aggression that might as well be the future recipe for all large German coupes.
Our Alpine White 650i test car came with the highly recommended M Sport package. At $3800 it isn’t cheap. But it gives the 6 Series coupe a bit more bite in the overall look. Likewise the optional 20″ wheels help fill out the arches and manages to give the car an even lower-slung look. The only critic with the M Sport is that it’s purely an appearance package. Performance options such as BMW’s Active Roll Stabilization system (more on that later) are still standalone options.
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Aug 21st, 2011
Cresting the hill while heading east on Carmel Valley Road, the landscape suddenly went from dense forest to golden hills. It was as if I had entered a yellowing 70′s photo tinged with the promise of a simpler, better life. And with the thin and lively CSL steering wheel in my hands, I had it. A glimpse inside yesterday’s golden, carefree youth. Turn after turn the CSL wound up and down the rev range and the sounds brought it all to life.
Like the adoring fan who would be well advised to avoid meeting their hero, some boyhood dream-cars should never be driven by those who lusted after them. It’s a common reaction for excitement to turn to disappointment behind the wheel of a classic car. But the BMW 3.0 CSL is a different breed.
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