Auto and Cars

Video: Behind the scenes of the BMW M Dream Team in Japan A couple of weeks ago BMW Motorsport traveled to Japan to take part in a race in the DTM x SUPER GT series. The team going over to Fuji included some iconic names, making sure the BMW M4 DTM was on good hands. This roster of amazing drivers was given the ‘Dream Team’ moniker, a rather fitting description. The guys also delivered, finishing second on a track they never raced on before. Today we’re going behind the scenes, to see how everything was made possible by the incredible team that supported the drivers in their endeavors. BMW Team Schnitzer had to take care of everything and after finishing up in Japan they had to fly to South Africa to take part in yet another amazing event, this time with the BMW M6 GT3. As for the Fuji ...

EXCLUSIVE: BMW USA to offer Apple CarPlay at no-cost After careful consideration and much thought, BMW of North America has decided to not charge a subscription for Apple Car. Therefore, the Apple CarPlay is now free for BMW owners. CarPlay takes the things that you want to do with your iPhone while driving and puts them on your car’s built-in display. When you connect your iPhone to CarPlay, you can get turn-by-turn directions, make calls, send and receive messages, listen to music, and more. How did this strategic change of direction come about? “BMW is always looking to satisfy our customers’ needs and this policy change is intended to provide BMW owners with a better ownership experience,” a BMW of North America spokesperson said in an email. A few months ago, BMW announced that sta...

Could this BMW E46 M3 be the one for you at $28,000? As you might very well know prices for older BMW M3 models are going through the roof right now. The first one to start this madness was the BMW E30 M3 which can’t really be found in good condition today without a six-figure price tag. Then came the turn of the E36 M3, which might not be six-figure money but still more expensive than it should be nowadays, and now it seems like prices for mint BMW E46 M3 models are starting to swell up. That’s why I think this particular car, which is currently on sale, might be of interest. Available on Classic Cars, the car seems to be in really good condition and well looked after. The odometer has only 34,000 miles on it which is great if you’re buying this car to actually enjoy it, not as an inve...

Photo Gallery: Rolls-Royce Phantom gets SPOFEC treatment Even though we’d like to think Rolls-Royce models don’t get tuned all that often – and I think they shouldn’t be – the cold facts say otherwise. Just check the Instagram pages of various artists and you’ll soon learn a lot about what can be done on a Rolls-Royce and how you can ‘make it your own’. At this point, I may be alone in thinking that a Phantom, for example, should be customized by Rolls-Royce before it leaves Goodwood. In case you want to buy a Phantom and think the customization options from Rolls-Royce are simply not enough for your peculiar taste, there are choices on the market out there. The newest was launched by SPOFEC, a company known for catering to the taste of the richest people on the planet. The Germans unve...

Part-Sharing between the BMW Z4 and Supra isn’t a bad thing… for BMW A lot of automotive journalists and enthusiasts have been making a big fuss about the part-sharing between the BMW Z4 and Toyota Supra. By now, you likely know that both cars are almost identical underneath the skin. Most of their parts are shared between the two cars, with really only tuning being different. While many enthusiasts find that to be a bad thing, and many journalists have been quite vocal about that, there are a few who are okay with it (myself included). In this new piece from Top Gear, we actually get to hear from the staffer that’s tasked with driving their long-term BMW Z4. According to the Z4’s keeper, its part-sharing with the Supra is of no concern. In fact, the new Z4 is probably the best-driving ...

BMW ALPINA B7 Turbo/3 of the E28 series: A rare automotive gem ALPINA, the long-standing partner of BMW, is widely popular for some of the most refined motoring masterpieces. Among them is the ALPINA B7 Turbo/3 model of the E28 5 Series generation. There were several ALPINA derived from the E28 5 Series. Amongst them, the B7 Turbo/3 variant occupies a special place. The B7 was the very last ALPINA model underpinned by the second generation of the 5 Series. It was produced between July 1985 and December 1987. It was also the most powerful of all four iterations that existed. The birth model used for the ALPINA B7 Turbo/3 was the 535i version. The engineers based in Buchloe fitted the B7/3 engine type (which also justifies the name of the car) on this special E28. So, don’t be fooled by ...

Car Magazine speculates on the pricing of 2021 BMW M3 We are still more than a year away from the premiere of the new 2021 BMW M3 (G80), but important details are starting to come out. The high-performance sedan will be a revolution in all aspects. Styling wise, the new M3 will be a mix between the 3 Series and 4 Series, yet more aggressive than we’ve ever seen before. The signature front fascia will be derived from that of the G22 4 Series, which is bound for official premiere next summer. The front-end of the G80 M3 will feature the gargantuan nostrils seen on the BMW Concept 4 and a pair of slim and elongated headlights. The huge kidney grille will mark a complete shift in the BMW styling philosophy, aimed at making the new models more controversial and highly unique. As an exclusiv...

VIDEO: How to efficiently drive your BMW plug-in hybrid vehicle Driving your BMW plug-in hybrid vehicle in an efficient manner means maximizing your traffic opportunities and getting the most out of the plug-in hybrid powertrain. BMW is currently expanding its portfolio of electrified models and by 2023, it will have 25 such cars in its lineup. Owning a BMW PHEV also means adapting to a more efficient driving style, if you plan to maximize the opportunity of the acquisition. If you have decided to buy a BMW plug-in hybrid, then you will need to stick to some golden rules after the purchase. In order to optimize your daily drive, make sure to pre-condition your car before you drive off, either in summer or winter. Tick the precondition option in the Climate menu of your BMW plug-in hybri...

November 2019: BMW USA sales show strength – An increase of 10.2 percent BMW sales totaled 31,213 vehicles in November 2019, an increase of 10.2 percent over the 28,330 vehicles sold in November 2018. Year-to-date, BMW sales in the U.S. are up 4.5 percent. November highlights include the seventh generation BMW 3 Series sedan (6,283 units), as well as the BMW X3 (5,948 units) and X5 (5,359 units) Sports Activity Vehicles. The BMW X7 Sports Activity Vehicle, which represents the pinnacle of BMW’s X model lineup and features range topping luxury with seating for up to seven, enjoyed its best month since its launch in March (2,614 units). “We enter the final month of 2019 in the midst of our annual ‘Road Home’ sales event with optimism for a strong year-end and a prosperous year ahead,” sai...

BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe Pricing announced for US Market While the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe might not be the most enthusiast-friendly car in the Bavarian lineup, it’s a car that’s important for the brand. Firstly, it’s better to drive than you might expect. Secondly, it’s a car that’s going to sell very well for BMW, thus making the brand a lot of money. Pricing for the US Market has just been released for both 2 Series Gran Coupe variants; the BMW 228i Gran Coupe and the BMW M235i Gran Coupe. For the entry-level model in the US, the 228i,pricing starts at $37,500, before $995 destination. As for the high-performance BMW M235i Gran Coupe, it starts life at $45,500 before a $995 destination fee. That pricing puts the 2 Series Gran Coupe right in line with cars like the Audi A3 and Mercedes...

Video: BMW X7 M50d reviewed on Fifth Gear, divides team Reviews of the BMW X7 have been pretty positive so far. You’ll struggle to find one that’s as critical as the team test performed not long ago by the guys from Fifth Gear. Admittedly, even in their case this car was as polarizing as it gets, with one member of the team almost loving it and one simply hating it. Rarely have we have seen automotive journalists so divided, let alone ones that have been working together for decades now. In their review, the Fifth Gear team took the BMW X7 in M50d guise out for one of their usual “Team Test”. The format is simple: the entire team hops along and discusses the pros and cons of the car. From the get go, there was one team member who simply couldn’t stand the car: Johnny. From the looks to ...

BMW X5 might be getting some company from the Genesis GV80 It’s not a secret that Hyundai’s luxury sub-brand Genesis is working on a premium SUV to compete with the BMW X5. It’s been well-known for awhile now and it isn’t particularly surprising. Genesis has been on a role, lately, pumping out genuinely excellent cars that can compete with the best from Germany. In fact, some of its cars actually outperform some of Zee Germans, such as the Genesis G70, which is a superb premium sport sedan. Its upcoming Genesis GV80 will be a BMW X5 competitor when it debuts and some new spy photos have surfaced, showing off a handsome SUV with a nice interior. (We don’t own the photos but you can see them here) While many BMW fans are too snobbish to acknowledge Genesis a real competitor to BMW, it is....

What’s the best non-M BMW 3 Series of all time? This new generation of 3 Series is an interesting one. More specifically, the BMW M340i is a very interesting in the history of the famous model line. The M340i is the fastest non-M 3er ever made and it’s even faster than most M3s of the past. In fact only a couple of exception M3s are faster, such as the F80 BMW M3 CS. So that got me thinking; is the BMW M340i the best non-m 3 Series of all time? If not, what is? Let’s take a look back at some of the best non-M 3 Series ever made, because there are actually quite a few excellent ones. So it’s hard to choose. E30 3 Series Let’s start with the E30-generation. The E30 is the darling of 3 Series history and it’s not just because of the M3. Each iteration of the E30 was fantastic but there we...

BMW Motorrad unveils its most powerful boxer engine ever BMW Motorrad has been threatening us with a new boxer engine for the better part of the year. But it seems like it was worth the wait. The Germans finally showed their latest creation last week and it doesn’t just look great, it also has pretty amazing specs. The Big Boxer, as BMW Motorrad calls it, is now out in full and the first pics make it look like it came straight from the Star Wars set. The first time the world caught a glimpse of it was at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, earlier this year, on the BMW Motorrad Concept R 18 model. After that, the same engine was used on two private builds, both of them unique in their own way. This time though, we are actually getting to see what hides beneath the metal. According to...

Video: BMW M135i drag races Mercedes-AMG A35, shows consistent runs It wasn’t long after the BMW M135i was launched that people published all sorts of comparisons against its main rivals. It’s understandable as this new 1 Series brings a serious host of changes to the brand’s approach to the hatchback segment. The 1 Series is now a more direct competitor for the likes of Mercedes-Benz’s A-Class and the Audi A3. Is that a good thing? Well, it depends. What’s pretty obvious though is that the BMW M135i is a bit faster than the Mercedes-AMG A35, its direct competitor from Stuttgart. We’ve seen the two cars go at it in a previous video as well and at that time, the result was the same. The two start with similar power outputs. The BMW M135i xDrive has a 2-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged engi...

Have a look inside the BMW M340i xDrive First Edition As for every new model, BMW has prepared a special edition for its M340i xDrive as well. The limited-run model bears the title BMW M340i xDrive First Edition and now, for the first time, we get to see what it looks like. The new M340i xDrive First Edition comes exclusively as an all-wheel drive variant as its badge signals. What’s more, it will be available in both Sedan and Touring guise. Each of the body versions will be produced in exactly 340 units. The M340i First Edition models is already available to order since November 2019. The styling composition of the new special edition M340i comprises an array of BMW Individual and M Sport customization options. For the exterior, you get the BMW Individual Frozen Dark Grey metallic pa...

VIDEO: 2020 BMW X6 M looks pretty amazing with some chrome parts The new BMW X6 M is yet to hit dealerships, but the Internet has already been flooded by videos and photos featuring the high-performance SAC. The following video showcases an X6 M model destined for the US market (given the orange reflectors positioned on the front wheels arches). While the press photos and most of concerning launch information was centered around the BMW X6 M Competition model, thanks to this video we get to see more details of the standard X6M variant with 600 PS (592 hp). Compared to the Competition version, the pure X6 M is not an all high-gloss black affair, but still exudes muscularity and brute power. The big M grille has its frame finished in chrome as standard. Moreso, the side air vents feature...

SPIED: Next-Gen BMW 2 Series Active Tourer Interior seen in new photos Learning about the new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer might not be the most exciting way to spend an evening. However, the fact that some new spy photos have surfaced, showing off the upcoming next-gen BMW 2 Series Active Tourer might actually be more interesting than you might think. That’s because thees photos show off its new interior, which might show an interesting new trend for BMW. (We don’t own the spy photos but see them here) First, though, let’s get the exterior out of the way. The current 2 Series Active Tourer isn’t exactly a beauty, so its not likely fans care too much about the way this new car looks. Still, there are some changes worth noting. For instance, front end gets slanty new headlights and some ma...

BMW Abu Dhabi: New M340i xDrive with a BMW Individual touch The BMW Abu Dhabi dealer is widely known for its bossy and extravagant vehicle configurations. Today’s star of the show is the new BMW M340i xDrive featured in an eye-catching outfit. The Bavarian mid-sized sports sedan is pictured in the traditional, yet highly luxurious Sapphire Black metallic color. The car is sitting on the BMW Individual 19-inch alloy wheels with double-spoke style and high-gloss Silver reflex shade (code 771). The BMW Laser headlights, the blue M brake calipers and the Cerium Gray accents signal this is not just an “ordinary” 3 Series. Going inside, we find a special full-leather upholstery: the BMW Individual Merino Fjord Blue/Black. Thus, the black and blue theme of the exterior is evenly translated in...

VIDEO: Becky Evans takes delivery of a Speed Yellow F80 BMW M3 There are countless videos on the dot-com-machine of social media influencers and YouTubers taking delivery of high-priced exotics. Usually, said influencers and YouTubers are barely old enough to legally drink in most countries, yet they take deliveries of McLarens and Aston Martins on a near-monthly basis. It’s become exhausting and it’s ruined the specialness of taking delivery of even a modestly cool car. So it’s nice to see when one of these videos actually features a special car that real people can actually aspire to afford. Such as the case in this video from Becky Evans (aka Queen B) who recently took delivery of a Speed Yellow F80 BMW M3. If you haven’t heard of Evans, she has quite the career. She a bit of a socia...

Plant Dingolfing gets 400 million euros for BMW iNEXT BMW is accelerating its electrification pace. Come 2021, the BMW iNEXT will kick off in production at Dingolfing, on an all new assembly line that is worth EUR 400 million. Dingolfing plant, located in Lower Bavaria, will become a competence production center for electrified and autonomous vehicles starting with 2021. Through an investment estimated at 400 millions euros, the German constructor aims to completely modernize and upgrade the assembly line and process at the largest European production location. With this giant leap, BMW will be able to produce the right mix of battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid and internal combustion engine cars on a single assembly lines in a seamless and flexible process. Milan Nedeljkovic, m...

Marco Wittmann gets a new company car – The BMW M8 Coupe BMW Motorsport driver Marco Wittmann can look forward to a new company car. The DTM Champion was invited by the BMW Welt in Munich to take ownership of a new BMW. This time, the champ decided to swap his Java Green BMW M4 Coupe for the all-new and more powerful BMW M8 Coupe. The M8 in question is painted in Alpine White and comes in the Competition guise which brings a series of upgrades over the standard car. For starters, there are a series of M Performance parts in carbon fiber which further enhance the sporty looks of the M8. There is a front splitter and side gills made of carbon fiber, along with the lip on the trunk and the diffuser. Other elements specific to the BMW M8 Competition are the high-gloss black accents seen th...

Video: All you need to know about the new BMW X5 M and X6 M Deliveries for the brand new BMW X5 M and X6 M models are kicking off this month and the Germans wanted to highlight the occasion with a short presentation clip. In the footage posted below we get to learn all the key aspects about the two cars, as presented by BMW themselves. From the design to the technical specs, these are the highlights you need to consider when discussing the new BMW M SUVs. To set apart a BMW X5 M or X6 M from their non-M counterparts all you need to do is look at them a bit more carefully. Their grilles will have double slats and that’s the first giveaway. The grilles also feature M logos while the front bumper has a different layout, to allow more air to be fed into the engine bay. Other distinctive des...

2019 BMW M135i xDrive Review – Logic Over Emotions Every time BMW launches a new, controversial car, the same group of people refuses to understand it does so out of necessity. In this group we can include the diehard fans of the brand who can be quite vocal. Needless to say, they were extremely vocal when the new 1 Series was launched. And yet, BMW decided to move forward, knowing it will lose some fans but it will cater to the needs of others a lot better. The 1 Series was a volume car from the get-go and its strength relies in numbers. Sales of the hatchback which is now reaching its third generation have surpassed the 2.5 million threshold over the years. That simply proves it’s been a success overall. To what it owes that success remains to be determined, but some factors might be ...

This unique 1995 BMW 850CSi in white is up for bidding 1995 BMW 850CSi number 205 of 225 examples sold in the United States is now available for bidding on Bring-a-Trailer. The former top model of the 8 Series family also comes in a unique color combination – Alpine White over a Lotus White Interior. According to the ad, the 850CSi spent time in Puerto Rico and Florida before being brought to California by the seller in April 2019. A recent Carfax report shows no accidents or other damage and displays history in Puerto Rico, Florida, Pennsylvania, and California. Not only that, it only has around 86,000 miles which is not too shabby considering it’s nearly 25 years old. 500 of which were added by the seller. So what’s special about the 1995 BMW 850CSi? Firstly, it features a fantastic ...

This 1967 Austin Mini will provide more fun than any high-priced exotic Back in August, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the Monterey Car Week with BMW. While there, I was able to drive a 1965 Mini Cooper S through Carmel, across the famous Bixby Creek Bridge and through the stunning coast of Southern California. It was an incredible experience and one I won’t soon forget. In fact, it’s one I can’t stop thinking about and it’s a car that I desperately want to buy. I continue to claim that driving a classic Mini hard is more fun than driving any high-priced exotic because it’s actually about driving. Which is why this 1967 Austin Mini currently up for sale on Bring-A-Trailer is a car that you should buy if you want some genuine driving fun. This Mini is a bit interesting, actua...

1958 BMW 507 Roadster going under the hammer in Paris, February 5 When it comes to expensive classic BMW models, it doesn’t get any more ridiculous than the 507 Roadster. I know prices for the E30 M3 models seem sky high right now, but when you realize just how expensive a 507 is your perspective might change. The last BMW 507 Roadster that went up for auction was bought for over $2 million. That’s why I think the car I’m about to show you might just be worth 7 figures. This particular car was apparently bought new in the US at Hoffman Motors and it belonged to a Hollywood producer at first. That means, this is one of only 34 that were imported in the US through official channels. Furthermore, it has a really interesting ownership history and it looks like it exchanged hands quite a lot...

Video: BMW M2 Competition posts 1.57,6 lap time on Hockenheim GP With the new BMW M2 CS now out and capturing everyone’s attention, some of us are still in love with the BMW M2 Competition. That’s understandable as the CS might be considered too expensive by some and it will only be built in limited numbers, meaning only a few thousand people will actually get to buy it. In the meantime, the guys from Sport Auto took the Competition model out to the Hockenheimring GP track to see how fast it truly is. Their weapon of choice was a manual which is a rather important factor when it comes to the track performance against the clock. If this would’ve been a DCT-equipped car I’m rather certain the lap time would’ve been better. On the upside, the guys claim the M2 Competition was wearing Miche...

The new BMW 1 Series family photographed in the lovely Czech Republic The new BMW 1 Series has recently been introduced across several European markets. Among those was the picturesque Czech Republic, where the latest press photos are coming from. For the Czech premiere of the new F40 generation, BMW chose two specially configured models. The first is the 120d xDrive version, featured here in a lovely M Sport package. The model is painted in the BMW Individual Storm Bay metallic color, while the sports tire are fitted on a set of 18″ M design allow wheels in bicolor appearance (code 816). Inside, the 120d xDrive M Sport displays a dual Trigon cloth/Alcantara Black leather upholstery and the two M sports seats at the front. The car is also equipped with the BMW Live Cockpit Professional...

Is the BMW X3 M Competition a better M car than the M8 Coupe? Back when I drove the BMW X3 M Competition a couple of months back, I was genuinely blown away with how much I liked it. I went into driving it with the assumption that it’d just be a fast X3. But it’s so much more than that. In fact, I even went on to say that it’s so good it negates the need for BMW to make an M3 Touring. However, could it, a two-ton SUV, actually be better than the all-new BMW M8 Coupe, a 600 hp rocket-coupe? According to Car Throttle, the answer is a surprising yes According to this new review from CT, the BMW X3 M Competition is actually more entertaining to drive on the road than the M8. Because I haven’t driven the M8 Coupe on the road (only on track), I can’t agree wholeheartedly with that claim. Howe...