BMW BLOG

We’re a few days into our BMW X5 M road test and we would like to take the time to share with you some of our findings, along with a few great photos. Ever since we tested on track the other twin, BMW X6 M, we’ve said that with the X5 M will focus mostly on daily driving, using the car in different scenarios, from a family car to an enthusiast vehicle at night or in the weekends. To complete the scenario, we’ve done a lap around the track also, just so we can satisfy your hunger for cool in-motion photos.

Evaluating a vehicle can be sometimes instinctual and subjective, each one of us have different needs, expectations and preferences, but we would like to believe we’re maintaining that objective approach. Since we’ve already tested all the current M models, we have a well defined idea of what to expect from an M car: stability, speed, dynamics, handling, thrill and last but not least, safety.

Driving a 555 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque SAV brings new emotions, on one hand, you’re getting the safety and stability from a massive all-wheel drive Sports Activity Vehicle and on the other hand, the power of “real Motorsport” car, a power that along with the exhaust sound turned many heads when we decided to push it a little.

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Living in the U.S. can have its perks when it comes to cars, but unfortunately many BMW models are not available for the North American market, especially the latest diesel powerplants that are getting a lot of praises from the European consumers. While attending the Frankfurt Auto Show, we decided to take on the task of driving one of these diesels, and not any diesel, but the BMW X6 xDrive30d, the entry level Sports Activity Coupe in the European market.  Over a distance of 900 miles, we put the X6 xDrive30d through different driving scenarios, from urban driving  to the open and exciting german Autobahn.

Under The Hood

The X6 xDrive30d is powered by a light alloy six-cylinder in-line common-rail diesel engine with four valve technology and a turbocharger with variable turbine geometry. It outputs a maximum 235 hp @ 4000rpm and a maximum torque of 427lb ft @ 2000-2750rpm.

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The BMW Z4 Roadster has been considered for years one of the most passionate cars in the BMW line-up and the all-new 2009 Z4 extends that feeling even further. With every roadster built, BMW’s ultimate goal is to connect the driver with the car, offering that famed Sheer Driving Pleasure.

Along with the more elegant and cohesive design, the new Z4 features some of the latest technologies developed by BMW. In a competitive segment dominated by roadsters from Porsche, Mercedes and Audi, BMW needed to demonstrate its ability to build high-performance cars that will sell not only based on style, but mostly on dynamics and pleasure of driving.

Juliane Blasi, exterior designer Z4, finds the right words to define the new roadster in a single phrase: “If the car wants to be emotional and sexy, it needs to speak the language of people and not the language of a product.” And this quote is closer to the truth that you can imagine.

So is the new Z4 indeed emotional and sexy while creating a bond between itself and the driver? Let’s take a closer look

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As promised, I am back with more updates on the BMW Z4 sDrive35i model that I am driving this week. Yesterday I started to share with you my first impressions of this new Z4 Roadster, gave you some background information and of course, posted some pretty darn cool photos.

While the first impression was expected to be quite positive towards this new model, I was somewhat convinced that the second day I might end up finding some faulty things also. Well, I tried and I tried again, and while the overall ride is still top notch, I did find one quirk, something that might bother some people more than others: run flat tires. The rigidity of the retractable hardtop improves the ride quality, but the run flats are a bit harsh on the overall driving experience.

I’m one of these people that can and will ignore some these small annoyances, I drive a 335i which sports the same rigid, noisy run flats, but I absolutely see some of the BMW customer being a bit annoyed by them. Yes, we know, most of the bimmer these days are sporting the run flats and this topic has been widely discussed here.

Now that we got that out of the way, let me tell you what got me excited today the most: the M adaptive suspension that can be cycled through Normal, Sport and Sport+ mode. Do you want to guess which I one chose for my test drive today? Yes, you got it…Sport+. Through these modes, several things are being adjusted: steering assist level, directional stability control sensitivity and throttle response. The damper firmness can also be adjusted via the dynamic drive control program.

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Some of you that follow us on Twitter might already know that yesterday I received our short-term BMW Z4 loaner, more exactly, the powerful sDrive35i model. The new roadster will sit in my garage for a week or so, giving me the opportunity to drive it around and eventually, write that long review as I have done in the past.

But this time, I decided to do something different and more interesting, so rather than waiting a full week before publishing my Z4 review, I will give you daily reports on my experience behind the BMW Z4.

The Z4 I’m driving this week is the high-end sDrive35i model powered by the multiple award-winning 3.0 liter twin-turbo engine which outputs 300 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque at only 1,400 rpm. Unusual but highly appreciated, the Z4 came with a manual transmission and that has made my experience even more interesting. The Z4 35i also came equipped with Premium and Sport Package, along with Coral Red leather interior which matches perfectly the stunning Alpina White paint.

Oh…some of you that might not know, the Z4 sDrive35i weights 3,450 and you will see later on why this was important to mention.

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The new BMW 7 Series is one of those cars that you either fall in love at first sight or you never will, but we did and this happened the first time we laid our eyes on the car at the L.A Auto Show last November. Our second encounter with the 7 Series reinforced this warm feeling and after driving the car for the first time, we were ready to commit.

But here comes the third date where we finally got to spend some time together and got to know each other down to the very last detail. You know what they say? Live together before you commit and we did, for an entire week and hundreds of miles, we have been bonding.

Ready to hear more about this wonderful relationship? Or….was it really wonderful?

It takes time to get to know a car and most important to learn how it drives and handles, so our goal was to use the new 750i in different scenarios, from a daily driver commuting in the infernal Chicago traffic to a family car and of course, to a  sporty ride let loose on an uncluttered highway.

But most important, riding in the car as a passenger also, it really shows that the new BMW 7 Series can be indeed used by a variety of people, reaching out to a far larger demographic that one would expect.

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We recently had the opportunity to drive the new BMW 125i Convertible and even though this car is not available in the U.S., we believe it might be interesting to learn more about BMWs that are available in Europe only.

In Germany you can get the smallest of the BMW Convertibles equipped with two different four-cylinder petrol-engines, 118i and 120i, two six-cylinder petrol-engines, 125i and 135i, and you can also get three types of Diesel-engines, available in the 118d, 120d and 123d.

The 1er Convertible that we drove is the smallest inline-six, delivering 218 horsepower, which our opinion, it turned out to be sufficient for the car size.

Although you don’t get things like the fabulous Head Up-Display or the Active Cruise Control for the 1-series Convertible, you’re still get everything you really need: Navigation System, leather, PDC, heated seats and all the other “amenities” most of us are used to by now.

Exterior Design

The 1-series Convertible is what you can really call a classy cabrio. Its design is very similar to the coupe version and due to its soft-top, even convertible-enthusiasts who don’t like the modern folding hardtops are being satisfied.

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In the past, BMW stated that the previous generation  7 Series has been the most successful 7er to this date, so I had no choice but to see if the new 7 matches or exceeds the previous E65 model. Armed with all the “tools” I needed and a quick call to one of our local BMW dealership, got myself a choice between two beautiful 2009 BMW 7 Series.

What a way to spend a beautiful late winter – early spring day driving around in a beautiful Alpine White BMW 750Li, the long-wheelbase version of the new 7 Series.

The car at the local BMW dealership came equipped with most of the whistles and bells proudly announced by BMW at the official launch: Camera Package – Rear-view and side view cameras; Convenience Package – comfort access system, soft close automatic doors, automatic truncate operation; Driver Assistance Package – high beam assistant, lane departure warning, active blind spot detection; Luxury Seating Package – heated steering wheel, power rear sunshade, active seat for driver, ventilated seats, heated rear seats; Premium Sound Package, Night Vision system Head Up Display and many others.

When compared to the short-wheelbase 750i, the 2009 BMW 750Li platform is 10.2inches longer to a total of 126.4 inches . Overall length, width and height are 205.3, 74.9 and 58.3 inches, respectively. The 750Li weighs 4640 lbs.

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So, this week I was at the LA Auto Show with Horatiu. We spent time at BMW’s release of the all new 2009 7-Series and a big surprise to go along with it… An all new Hybrid 750Li. The biggest news, at least to me, was the new 335d. Horatiu and I took one around Los Angeles to see if this car could help change the misconceptions about diesels here in the states.

BMW has been out of the American diesel market for around 20 years now. And to mark their triumphant return they are giving us the twin-sequential-turbocharged 3.0L diesel engine for the newly refreshed 335 and the new X5. The engine puts out a decent 265hp and an all too fun 425lb-ft of torque. They are only offering automatics with the new diesel. I was disappointed, but once the engineers explained it to me, I was kind of forced to respect and understand it.

The reason, you ask? Well, it makes a lot sense. First off, no BMW manual has to do with 425lb-ft of torque. And, if they had a manual that would work, it would be extremely heavy. Heavy enough to put the already hefty diesel over the 4000lb mark. It’s already about 3800lbs, or so. The weight reason just so happens to be the second reason. But, there is some cool news to report about the automatic. It’s smooth. It shifts smoothly and faster than any 3-Series automatic out there. Which brings me to the news, it’s an automatic from the upper 5 and 7-Series cars. Those are the only automatics in BMW’s stock that can handle the high amount of torque. Read the rest of this entry »

The 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show was not just a big event for BMW fans, but also Mini nuts. BMW released the new, fully electric, 156 mile range, Mini E.

The presentation was a big media event. The deputy mayor of LA was on hand to speak on behalf of the Los Angeles market getting the Mini, and to congratulate and thank BMW. Not to sound offensive or, possibly to some, sexist, the deputy mayor was very good looking. Not many political women tingle my attractive senses, but she did.

Anyway, back to the important stuff. We were able to snag a full test drive and learners course on how to operate the Mini E. Think golf cart with fully body panels, oh, and a hell of a lot more power. 200 electric ponies, to be exact. 200 electric horsies powering the car immediately. There is no wait. Read the rest of this entry »