I've been driving around in a friend's 7 series sport something or other, and it makes me feel that BMW really makes (made?)

some great sport sedans. So comfortable, yet not boring to drive. Well thought out, and rather solid. I miss my 5 series. Oddly, I do not miss the M3s much. I... I wouldn't mind another 5 series. Hmmm. <3

4/2/2010 11:00:16 AM

E39 M5 son. I've always loved those things. To me it's probably the ultimate street car (Or at least it was at the time). Comfortable with plenty of room. Plenty of power. Good handling. Bad ass. Etc.

4/2/2010 11:14:34 AM

I threw around a new generation 740i (326 hp) on a track just a month ago, and I was quite surprised by its handling (and by the acceleration as well). I didn't expect a car that size and mass to handle that well.

No imagine the 750i and the new TT'ed V12 760i.

4/2/2010 11:24:39 AM

Quote :

"BMW will be canceling the BMW M3 Sedan when the next generation 3-series, codenamed F30, is released, according to Automobile Magazine."

http://www.worldcarfans.com/110032325272/bmw-m3-sedan-to-be-cancelled-3-series-gt-for-2013---report

BMWMSJ

4/2/2010 3:18:33 PM

Bunch of pricks at BMW man

4/2/2010 3:28:56 PM

Haha... That reminded me of the ol' joke, "What's the difference between a Porcupine and a BMW?"...

4/2/2010 7:35:22 PM

sounds like it's 535 time

4/2/2010 11:53:13 PM

look at those rear tyres... will be a killer!

love the hot rims.

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/07/spy-shots-best-look-yet-bmws-forthcoming-hi-po-1-series-w-pol/

i wish they could call it M1, but it will never happen. all indicators point to 135is.

4/7/2010 3:57:46 PM

wow check out the swirly paint job

4/7/2010 4:50:28 PM

^probably won't be a factory option

4/7/2010 5:46:08 PM

For that 1 series M, I don't like that they would be selling the same engine with the boost just turned up a bit. I can drop a few bucks and do that now.

4/7/2010 8:20:19 PM

bmws with n54/n55 variety need LSD more than anything else. it is super annoying that bmw is still not making these cars with LSD considering the amount of torque these engines are producing.

4/7/2010 8:41:46 PM

hey look, another ugly overweight and overpriced BMW

4/8/2010 12:12:15 AM

Wow... looks fucking insane!

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/13/spy-shots-and-video-bmw-m1-1-series-m-laps-the-ring/

This isn't just a 135is... this is an M1! But I don't know how they will go about calling it that or using 'M' in the name. "BMW 1 M"?

(hi res gallery of it on the 'Ring in link above)




Some good news:

Quote :

"The better news is that BMW has already promised a limited-slip rear to show up in the new model."

Short 9 sec video in link above... someone can embed if they wish or watch it by clicking the link.

<object width="400" height="300"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=10898339&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=10898339&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/10898339">BMW M135i?</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user359121">MrBTG</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>

4/13/2010 8:08:43 PM

Quote :

"It looks like the rumours are true. BMW is going ahead with an M-badged 1 Series, according to a report from Autocar. The two-door coupe will use BMW's famed 3.0-litre straight six petrol engine, but instead of employing one turbo like the 5 Series GT it will revert to a new improved twin-turbo system. Power is said to be around 260kW (350bhp) and torque should hit the 500Nm (368 torque) mark if the new Z4 sDrive35is (450Nm) is any indication. The rear wheels will drive things as expected with the help of a limited slip differential. The fast-changing double-clutch gearbox is likely to be the standard transmission. Performance possibilities include a 0 - 60mph time of 4.7 seconds and a limited top speed of 155mph (250km/h). "I want to set a clear signal that our products are financially accessible," M Division boss Kay Segler is quoted as saying. "With the modular production processes in place at BMW, it is possible to create performance cars that customers can not only dream about owning but also realistically afford." To that effect an entry price of about £38,000 (US$61,000) is expected when the car hits UK streets in 2011. Fuel-saving measures such as stop/ start technologies and brake regeneration will be included. The outside is likely to feature kit such as a deeper front spoiler, chunkier sills and four chromed M-style tailpipes. What remains to be confirmed is the name. BMW traditionalists will be loath to call it the M1 since that name is so sacred in BMW history."

http://www.worldcarfans.com/110010823879/bmw-1-series-m-to-reportedly-hit-350bhp

[Edited on April 13, 2010 at 8:49 PM. Reason : .]

4/13/2010 8:49:39 PM

Strictly speaking, that sounds like it would be more fun to drive than the M3.

4/13/2010 9:00:04 PM

The 135i starts at GBP 30,675 in the UK. If this one is going to be GBP 38,000, that's a huge jump.

Also, BMWs in the UK cost from 1.3 to 1.4 times as much as they do in the US. So, this 'M1' will be between $42,000 and $45,000 when it comes to the US.

4/13/2010 9:09:07 PM

45k for a 1 is insane

4/13/2010 9:42:45 PM

If they can sell an "M1" (or whatever they end up calling it) for $42-45k, it's a no-brainer. A 135i is $40k unless you get no options at all.

4/13/2010 10:00:19 PM

Well the MSRP of the 135i is $36,000. Compare that with, say $43,500 for the 'M1'.

Now if a decently equipped 135i weighs in at $40,000, then a similarly equipped 'M1' will come in at $47,500. Probably even closer to 50,000.

4/13/2010 10:04:49 PM

lol...and you'll still lose to the 2011 mustang in all aspects of the car
( sad but probably true...)except for the mullet scale. the mustang will have way too many owners with mullets... the m1 won't have any... unless its the salon mullet.


that F30 tag on the next 3 series sounds promising maybe a true successor to the e30 ? maybe?? please!!

4/13/2010 10:07:18 PM

^good point man. I'd rather have the thundering Mustang GT.

4/13/2010 11:05:55 PM

fuck a mustang. I'd still rather drive an M1 on the M1.

4/13/2010 11:15:16 PM

the cobalt ss out performs the s2000 in every relevant statistical category but i wouldn't ever drive one over the s2000.

same with the mustang v. "m1" thing.

4/13/2010 11:28:08 PM

^But the S2000's much better looking.

4/14/2010 9:23:31 AM

good point. looks are definitely a relevant category that i omitted when making my post.

4/14/2010 10:24:45 AM

Quote :

"lol...and you'll still lose to the 2011 mustang in all aspects of the car "

You sure this Stang is going to out corner or out brake the M1? I have my doubts.
I know the materials and build quality aren't going to be on par with the BMW.
Comfort and amenities?
There's more to a car than acceleration you know.

Quote :

"the cobalt ss out performs the s2000 in every relevant statistical category but i wouldn't ever drive one over the s2000."

This actually highlights my point very well.

[Edited on April 14, 2010 at 10:57 AM. Reason : s]

4/14/2010 10:55:45 AM

Quote :

"There's more to a car than acceleration you know."

IMPOSSIBLE!!!!11!!

4/14/2010 10:58:33 AM

I can't believe I said I'd rather have a Mustang over a BMW. Quick, somebody take my temperature.

4/14/2010 3:00:40 PM

i assumed that was sarcasm

4/14/2010 3:17:55 PM

Quote :

"good point. looks are definitely a relevant category that i omitted when making my post."

I thought looks was implied and that tke-teg completely missed it? lol

That is if you meant to say you'd drive the S2000 over a better performing car like the Cobolt/Pisstang

4/14/2010 4:05:40 PM

^^nah, it wasn't.

^Huh? I'm so confused now. Yeah I'd rather own a S2000 over a Cobalt SS. I'm not a fan of FWD handling and like to hang the tail out for fun. So even though I'd lose in a straight line I still wouldn't want it. When the time comes I"ll either supercharge (not likely) the S2000 or buy a Porsche/370Z (more likely).

Regarding a 3400 lb 350hp M1 and a 3600lb 435hp Mustang GT? I dunno. Given there's going to be a $15k (at least) price disparity I'd at least seriously consider the GT. The BMW, still too ugly*


*haven't seen production pics of M1

4/15/2010 11:19:04 AM

maybe the //1M will get Audi to bring the TT RS over here...then maybe then bring some other RS models over. I don't know what the hell is wrong with them.

4/18/2010 12:52:07 PM

^ Yeah I don't know why Audi doesn't bring the RS6 and the TT RS to the US... but guess what, the RS5 has been confirmed for the US!


BMW Concept Gran Coupe revealed

(looks production ready and will probably be made as a competitor to the MB CLS, and also previews the style of the next gen 6 series)

4/23/2010 12:50:26 PM

holy crap, an attractive design from Munich

4/23/2010 1:01:19 PM

For M5 lovers:

Five generations of the M5

http://www.autoblog.com/photos/five-generations-of-the-bmw-5/

4/25/2010 10:15:38 PM

^^ Looks nice, but gives up way too much "BMW-ness", in my opinion. I like most of the Bangle cars, and just about everything pre-Bangle. That one looks a little too...non-confrontational. It also looks like it, on the whole, wants to have vanilla, Lexus-like styling, but with a couple of Rambo-ish visual cues that just look out of place to me (the front bumper openings, for one thing).

It's not terrible or anything, but it doesn't do that much for me.

4/27/2010 10:28:18 AM

It looks too much like a Jag for me

4/27/2010 12:08:43 PM

wow, this is a must read:

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/28/2010-bmw-x5-m-review/

consider this:

5,368 pounds

and then read this mind-blowing paragraph:

Quote :

"Saturday morning I decided to take Baby Huey here down to Cars and Coffee in Irvine, about 45 minutes from home. I don't know Orange County very well and can never remember the exit. However, as I passed Disneyland I spied a bright yellow Caterham Superlight R, which could only be going to one place at 6:20 in the morning. Determined to get there, I just followed the Se7en. As we exited the freeway, the Caterham's pilot gunned it around a sharp corner. Figuring, "Let's just see," I followed suit, one-handing the X5 M's tiller sharply to the right. What transpired is one of the most eye-popping and perplexing few seconds of my auto-reviewing career. The X5 M stayed with the Caterham. Inch for inch, line for line, apex to apex, the giant blue hulk perfectly mimicked the Se7en's nimble flight path. Not only that, but when we straightened out, the 5,386 pound lard-ass was able to out accelerate the 1,200 pound British bantamweight. I burst out in laughter, a long, heartfelt, sustained thirty-second belly-laugh. No way man. There's absolutely no way that just happened. Couldn't have. But, much to my extreme disbelief (not to mention whatever was going through the Caterham driver's mind), the X5 M totally, fully 100-percent opened up a can of 9,000 calorie whoop-ass on Colin Chapman's lightweight ideal. And just then, all 90,000 of the X5 M's ridiculous dollars suddenly made complete sense."

6/28/2010 7:07:12 PM

^until you need to stop

6/28/2010 7:10:06 PM

Yeah, unbelievable that some idiot in a 5500+ lbs suv would try to keep up with somebody in a 1200lbs car on public roads. Oh, and I beat a ZR1 at a traffic light in a stock 1986 VW GTI, except I don't know if he realized we were racing, kind of like this idiot reviewing the xm5... What an idiot!

6/28/2010 7:21:48 PM

^^ i am sure it has no problems stopping... some of the most powerful brakes in the world are found on super suvs (and bentleys).

^ still an impressive car! (if pointless) and i am sure the X6 M can pull off even more shenanigans because it is a bit lighter and has a lower center of gravity, but has the same

555 hp engine.

i would love to see a full-on detailed comparo between the X5M/X6M, Cayenne Turbo S, and the ML63 AMG. as i said before, pointless, but earth-shakers nonetheless!


[Edited on June 28, 2010 at 7:40 PM. Reason : ]

6/28/2010 7:35:54 PM

He spends like half the article telling us how bad this vehicle is for the environment--which when put into perspective is utter horsehockey. It's a far cleaner vehicle than a 10 year old work van (many of which are still seeing a gazillion miles a year) or a 40 year old muscle car, each with similar fuel economy to the X5 M.

6/28/2010 7:46:33 PM

Quote :

"0EPII1 All American 28765 Posts user info edit post wow, this is a must read: http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/28/2010-bmw-x5-m-review/ consider this: 5,368 pounds and then read this mind-blowing paragraph: Quote : "Saturday morning I decided to take Baby Huey here down to Cars and Coffee in Irvine, about 45 minutes from home. I don't know Orange County very well and can never remember the exit. However, as I passed Disneyland I spied a bright yellow Caterham Superlight R, which could only be going to one place at 6:20 in the morning. Determined to get there, I just followed the Se7en. As we exited the freeway, the Caterham's pilot gunned it around a sharp corner. Figuring, "Let's just see," I followed suit, one-handing the X5 M's tiller sharply to the right. What transpired is one of the most eye-popping and perplexing few seconds of my auto-reviewing career. The X5 M stayed with the Caterham. Inch for inch, line for line, apex to apex, the giant blue hulk perfectly mimicked the Se7en's nimble flight path. Not only that, but when we straightened out, the 5,386 pound lard-ass was able to out accelerate the 1,200 pound British bantamweight. I burst out in laughter, a long, heartfelt, sustained thirty-second belly-laugh. No way man. There's absolutely no way that just happened. Couldn't have. But, much to my extreme disbelief (not to mention whatever was going through the Caterham driver's mind), the X5 M totally, fully 100-percent opened up a can of 9,000 calorie whoop-ass on Colin Chapman's lightweight ideal. And just then, all 90,000 of the X5 M's ridiculous dollars suddenly made complete sense." "

If you think that was must read you (& the x5 driver) are missing the point.

If being in that x5 over the caterham sounds at all appealing to you, then so be it, go buy one. You're the target audience. Not me or any other sports car loving individual.

6/28/2010 8:00:25 PM

Quote :

"If being in that x5 over the caterham sounds at all appealing to you"

I never said that. And I am target audience? Hahahaha... I would get 128i over the X5M.

Quote :

"Not me or any other sports car loving individual."

You ain't special, buddy

In conclusion, you are missing the point of my post.

6/28/2010 8:04:37 PM

the whole point of the car is that it's pointless.

6/28/2010 8:59:23 PM

BMWMSJ now days

6/29/2010 12:16:53 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96aQ-qbjcXA&feature=related

6/29/2010 3:25:59 AM

that car certainly sounded diesel

6/29/2010 9:20:54 AM

I saw a new M3 and a new X5 M in Cary on Walnut Street the other day. They were side by side driving the other way. While it's rare to see them both at the same time, I thought it was hilarious that if they were to suddenly drag race the 5300lb SUV was gonna leave the M3 behind

6/29/2010 9:28:06 AM