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Posts Tagged ‘BMW Cars’

The standard features of the BMW 135 i include 3.0L I-6 300HP engine twin turbo, 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive, 4-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS), side seat mounted airbags, driver and passenger side airbag head extension, driver and passenger knee airbag, airbag occupancy sensor, automatic, 17″ alloy wheels, cruise control, ABS and driveline traction control, and a DSC stability control.

The 2009 BMW 1 Series Convertible retains most of the sharp handling dynamics found in its Coupe counterpart. Steering feel is good, offering just the right amount of resistance and precise control of the front wheels. The structure of the 1 Series Convertible feels strong and is generally free of rattles and squeaks when driving over rough pavement. The 230-horsepower engine in the 128i is no slouch, but with 300 horsepower on tap the twin-turbocharged engine in the 135i is the real star. It’s the same engine used in the larger, heavier 3 Series and, in the smaller 135i, it delivers great power to pass and a swift zero-to-60-mph time of 5.3 seconds.

The 1 Series is the least expensive convertible offered by BMW, but the interior treatment is anything but cheap, featuring high-quality materials and modern style. With the soft top in the raised position the cabin remains impressively quiet and, with the top lowered, airflow around the cabin is nicely controlled. Seating in the 1 Series Convertible is limited to four and, while front-seat passengers enjoy good head and leg room, rear-seat passengers might feel cramped by limited shoulder space. Trunk space is tight but, with clever arrangement, there is enough room for a weekend’s worth of luggage.Bucking the current trend toward retractable hardtops, BMW has equipped the 1 Series with a fabric top, a decision we support, considering the fabric top’s lighter weight and excellent sound insulation. The 1 Series Convertible features a wide, sporty stance that is further accentuated by lowering the convertible top. Adding to the visual impact are a sharply creased shoulder line, signature BMW twin-kidney grille and a spoiler integrated into the trunk lid. The more-powerful 135i sports an aggressive exterior treatment that includes an additional rear spoiler to provide greater downforce at high speeds.

Pricing for the BMW 128i convertible starts close to $35,000, while the more powerful 135i model is nearly $41,000. The price for a 135i convertible equipped with the Sport, Premium and Cold Weather packages, navigation and Active Steering can approach $50,000.

The standard features of the BMW 128 i include 3.0L I-6 230HP engine, 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive, 4-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS), side seat mounted airbags, driver and passenger side airbag head extension, driver and passenger knee airbag, airbag occupancy sensor, automatic, 16″ alloy wheels, cruise control, ABS and driveline traction control, and a DSC stability control.

A heated steering wheel is added the 128i’s Cold Weather Package and is a stand-alone option on the 135i. 1 Series cars ordered with navigation receive the latest iDrive system, which includes new menus, programmable memory keys and access.It may be the least-expensive BMW sold in America, but the interior treatment of the 1 Series is anything but cheap. The materials have a high-quality feel and the interior design features all the modern style found throughout the rest of the BMW lineup. The 1 Series seats only four, but front-seat passengers enjoy plenty of head and legroom while the rear seats offer comfortable but cozy quarters. The trunk offers a reasonable 10 cubic feet of storage space and the rear seats can be folded to accommodate larger items.

The 1 Series represents one of the most refined applications to date of BMW’s “flame surfacing” design motif. Its basic silhouette has the proportions of a classic performance car, with a long hood, abbreviated trunk and wheels located at the far corners of the body. Adding to the 1 Series’ visual flair are a sharply creased shoulder line, signature BMW twin-kidney grille and a rear spoiler integrated into the trunk lid. The more-powerful 135i sports an aggressive exterior treatment that includes 18-inch wheels and an aero kit inspired by BMW’s M performance division.

The 2009 BMW 128i has a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting just over $30,000, while the more powerful 135i model is priced closer to $37,000. The price for a 135i equipped with the Sport, Premium and Cold Weather packages, navigation and Active Steering can approach $45,500. The BMW 1 Series is in the relatively new premium sub-compact category, so direct competitors are somewhat difficult to identify; however, some buyers may also consider the more-expensive Audi TT and Porsche Cayman, the less-expensive Volvo C30 or the similarly-priced Nissan 370Z. To compare the actual transaction prices that consumers are paying for the BMW 1 Series, be sure to check the New Car Blue Book Value. The BMW 1 Series is expected to hold its value well, retaining a healthy above-average value over time. Potential competitors, including the Audi TT and the Porsche Cayman, should retain similarly strong resale values.

The BMW M6 is a more powerful version of the elegant 650. Available as either a coupe or a convertible, it is designed to appeal to the sport luxury enthusiast, providing heightened performance and subtly aggressive styling.

The M6 boasts the same muscular 500 hp 5.0-liter V10 engine as the M5, along with enhanced suspension and brakes. A 7-speed Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG) with steering wheel paddles is standard; a conventional 6-speed manual transmission is also available. Both the coupe and convertible are built using lightweight aluminum, carbon fiber and composite materials, allowing the M6 an excellent power-to-weight ratio. Distinguishing standard features include exclusive M designed 19-inch forged alloy wheels, heated leather M sport front seats and BMW’s M Drive button on the steering wheel to save and retrieve preferred driving settings.

For 2008, the BMW M6 receives a minor exterior refresh, with a revised headlight design, LED turn signals and a more pronounced rear trunk lip. New options for 2008 include a heated steering wheel and High-Beam Assistant autodimming headlamps.

The 2008 BMW M6 is a car that can only really be appreciated on the track. Its cabin electronics make it suitable for everyday driving, but its fuel economy keeps it from being practical.

BMW is working on the next-generation BMW M3 CSL which will arrive with the updated 2010 M3 model year.  With no radio, no navigation system and no air-conditioning. BMW will also drop a lot of weight with the extensive use of carbon fiber in the front apron, hood, roof, side panels and rear bumper.

According to AutoZeitung , power will come from the same 420-hp 4.0L V8 engine of the standard M3. However, the ‘M’ division will make some mechanical changes to extract an additional 50 horses for a total of 470-hp. 0-60 is expected to come in well under the 4.5 seconds of the standard M3 with top speed rumored to be around 185mph.

The 2010 BMW M3 CSL is expected to make its debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. BMW will make only 100 units of the M3 CSL with pricing estimated at less than 90,000 euros ($143,176).

BMW Introduced their M1 Homage Concept at the 2008 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este held in Cernobbio, Italy. I appreciate old concept cars, but now the designers were really trying to figure out what the future car industry would be like. Example is just here… Look at BMW M1, a stunning, cool mid-engine car.

The M1 was powered by a 3.5-liter six-cylinder that was later modified and used in the M5 and M6. No powertrain details were shared for the M1 Homage as the car was built as a design showpiece.

Produced from 1978 to 1981, the M1 was BMW’s first and only mid-engined street car. The project was originally contracted to ‘Lamborghini’ for chassis development and assembly, but when the Italian firm hit a financial rough patch BMW took over. A total of 456 M1s were built.

2009 BMW Z4 Roadster is actually a hardtop convertible, complete with a two-piece aluminum roof that electrohydraulically deploys from the trunk in 20 seconds.

Two engine choices are available… The flagship sDrive35i model gets a twin-turbo 3.0-litre. This produces 301bhp and goes from 0-62mph in just 5.1 seconds. Top speed is a governed 155mph limit and average fuel consumption is 30.1mpg…. The 2009 BMW Z4 sDrive30i has the normally aspirated, 255-hp 3.0-liter inline-6, and it gives you a choice between a six-speed manual and a conventional six-speed automatic. Both model designations include “sDrive,” which is BMW’s new nomenclature for rear-wheel drive.

BMW notes that the Z4 sDrive35i is actually quicker with the dual-clutch gearbox than the short-shift manual transmission, accelerating to 60 mph from a standstill in 5.0 seconds compared to 5.1 seconds with the manual. The Z4 sDrive30i gets to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds with its manual transmission and 6.0 seconds with the automatic.

As with the expectation with a hardtop convertible, there’s more room for humans, as it has 40 percent larger side window and 52 percent larger rear window, with this extra room, must not forget prices, as it will be high accordingly… An sDrive30i with a manual transmission is 221 pounds heavier than its 2008 counterpart while the sDrive35i with a manual is up 364 pounds over its predecessor… Prices will be announced closer to the on-sale date in May. They are likely to start from at least £25,000.