Archive for February 2008
BMW ConnectedDrive Brings the World Wide Web to the Car Display in a BMW
Sections: Technology Feb 22nd, 2008 1 Comment
Sheer driving pleasure and the joy of surfing. BMW combines the thrill of mobility and unrestricted use of the internet. As the world’s first car maker, BMW allows unrestricted access to the World Wide Web in the car’s display.
Offering this outstanding innovation, BMW ConnectedDrive gives the driver and his passengers the option to surf the internet while travelling, calling up any random internet site either by entering the URL address through the iDrive control system or via a personalised list of favourites, and then presenting the website on the central display in the instrument panel.
continued →
Vintage Find: 1979 BMW Alpina B6
Sections: E21 3 Series Feb 21st, 2008 1 Comment
Courtesy of Bring a Trailer we have another rare and limited edition BMW Alpina, this time for sale on Roadfly. This example also just happens to be signed by famous German racer and test driver Hans Stuck.
Read / Bring a Trailer
BMW Performance Debuts in Geneva
Sections: Accessories Feb 20th, 2008 10 Comments
Look for this new range of accessories to debut at the NYC Auto Show in April. And for what it’s worth, most of this has already been shown in several European shows without much fanfare.
BMW AG Press Release: The BMW driver with a particular passion for dynamic motoring and individual, sporting style now has new options to live out his or her personal preferences and enhance the performance of the car to an even higher level. Expanding the wide range of Original BMW Accessories, the new range of BMW Performance products comprises a number of components for an even greater and more exhilarating driving experience. continued →
BMWUSA European Delivery: Part 1
Sections: European Delivery, Sales/Marketing Feb 19th, 2008 24 Comments
With just over 100 days since the opening of BMW Welt, or to us English speakers: BMW “World”, I thought it would be a good time to begin an on going series dedicated to the BMW European Delivery program.
Since opening on October 17th of 2007, BMW Welt has welcomed more than a half of a million visitors and 3500 cars have been delivered. Just over 700 hundred of these deliveries were customers from the US. continued →
BimmerFile Review: M3
Sections: //M3\\, E90 3 Series, Review Feb 19th, 2008 19 Comments
The fourth generation BMW M3 is the largest, fattest M3 ever created. Yet it’s also the fastest and most tenacious while being entirely livable as a daily driver. In creating this new generation of M3, BMW has built a car that is as close to everything to everyone as anything on the market. Whether it be at the track, on the highway or making a coffee run, the M3 handles it all with ease. But can a car that is all things to all people be a true M3?
The moment I pushed the start button and laid eyes on the M menu in the iDrive I knew that this M3 would be dramatically different than all those that came before it. For better or worse, a different kind of technology is at play with this car. From M Dynamic mode, to the much celebrated M Differential Lock, BMW has given the new version of this iconic car the tools to help the typical M formula of performance reach new heights.
BimmerFile Review: BMW 135i
Sections: E81/82/E87 1 Series, Review Feb 17th, 2008 54 Comments
Based on all the hype over the last few months, you’d expect the BMW 135i to be able to walk on water. European journalists have raved about the car and customers have already begun forming lines at dealerships here in the US. Praise flowing from computer keyboards around the world is enough to make almost any automotive enthusiast take notice.
Even BMW has gotten in the act trotting an early 70’s era 2002tii at every marketing opportunity they can. And why not, all the right ingredients are there; short overhangs, 50/50 weight distribution, rear-wheel drive, 300hp all wrapped in small coupe packaging. It’s almost enough to forget about the one glaring issue - all 3373 lbs of it. That’s over 1000 lbs heavier than the 2002tii - the classic BMW that 1 Series coupe was clearly inspired by.
However I’ll let you in on a little secret, it simply doesn’t matter. Over some of the best roads northern California has to offer I found the 135i to be more enjoyable than the far more capable new M3 I drove the day before. I’d go so far as to call my time with the 135i manual one of the most memorable and rewarding driving experiences of my life. continued →
Car & Driver Does 0-60 in 4.7 w/the 135i
Sections: E81/82/E87 1 Series, In the Press Feb 16th, 2008 2 Comments
Based on my experience with the car, I knew the official 5.1 seconds number was going to be conservative. Now we have official proof of that.
135i First Test / Car & Driver
BMW 135i vs the MINI Clubman in Pictures
Sections: E81/82/E87 1 Series, MINI Feb 16th, 2008 1 Comment
Want to see how a BMW 135i stacks up next to the new MINI Clubman? We’ve got the first photos in the world of the two side by side. Look for both reviews next Monday. One here on BF and the other on MotoringFile.
BMW Press Launch in Photos
Sections: //M3\\, E81/82/E87 1 Series, MINI Feb 16th, 2008 4 Comments
After a week of driving the new M3, 1 Series and MINI Clubman I’m finally back ready to start sharing my opinions on the cars. Look for the 1 Series review this Monday (if not just a little earlier) and the M3 review Tuesday. In the meantime, here’s the full collection of photos from the event. continued →
BMW 1 Series Press Launch in Photos
Sections: E81/82/E87 1 Series Feb 15th, 2008 12 Comments
Today was 1 Series day at the BMW/MINI press week out in Monterey. I had 300 plus miles on some of the most incredible roads in North American to examine the car that everyone is so eager to drive. It was, as you can imagine an absolute joy of the highest order. The 1 Series is simply… well I suppose I should save it for the review next Monday. Until then, here are some photos from the day. continued →
BimmerFile Featured Articles
Top 5 Most Popular Posts
BMW Model Number Cheat Sheet
E9 CS (1968-1976)
E10 2002 (1967-1977)
1 Series
E81/82/88 1 Series (2004-)
3 Series
E21 3 Series (1975-1983)
E30 3 Series (1982-1993
E36 3 Series (1991-2000)
E46 3 Series (1999-2006)
E90/E91/E92/E93 3 Series (2006-)
5 Series
E12 5 Series (1972-1981)
E28 5 Series (1981-1988)
E39 5 Series (1995-2004)
E60/E61 5 Series (2004-)
6 Series
E24 6 Series (1976-1989)
E63 6 Series (2005-)
E64 6 Series Conv. (2006-)
7 Series
E23 7 Series (1977-1987)
E32 7 Series (1988-1994)
E38 7 Series (1995–2001)
E65/E66 7 Series (2001-2008)
F10 7 Series (2009-)
8 Series
E31 8 Series (1989-1999)
X Series
E83 X3 (2003-)
E53 X5 (1999-2006)
E70 X5 (2006-)
E71 X6 (2008-)
Z Series
E36/7 Z3 Roadster
E36/7 Z3 Coupe (1995-2001)
E86 Z4 Coupe (2006-)
E85 Z4 Roadster (2002-)
E86 Z4 M Coupe (2006-)
E52 Z8 (2000-2003)
BimmerFile Previous Featured Articles


Auto Reviews:
'08 BMW 135i (Manual)'08 BMW M3 (Manual)
'07 MINI Cooper S Long Term
'07 BMW Z4 M Coupe
'07 MINI Cooper & Cooper S
Podcast: BMW 325i
1 Series Ordering Guides
BMW NA Invoice PricingUS European Delivery Pricing
Performance Parts Catalog (1addicts)
About BimmerFile
BimmerFile is dedicated to bringing you the most interesting news, links and reviews related to the BMW brand and it's vehicles.We believe in the old school BMW ownership experience. We believe in garage nights with a six pack and some friends. We believe in 2002s, in E30 M3s and E34 540s with the 6 speed. We believe in progress in both design and engineering but we haven't lost sight of what made the brand and its products great all those years ago. And yes, we believe in the manual transmission.
We long for the days of the wave and for the days of roll-up windows. Yet we love the gadgets on the inside and the xenons on the outside.
In short, we can't get enough of BMWs. This is BimmerFile.





