Left Lane News and Brenda Priddy & Co. have done it again! Today they have photos of the E90 LCI undergoing some testing sporting some Cali tags. What we can now declare is that the ugly orange DOT specified reflectors will no longer be in the lights, but move to the front bumper like on the E92.
The rear lights will lose some of their bulk on the trunk lid and will be shaped more like the X6 lights (as we reported earlier). The other changes are also increasingly visible with this mule wearing less camouflage. Yes those enormous mirrors are staying due to regulations. Left-Lane news also indicates a great possibility that the 335 will be released in sport wagon form; what a concept!
Original images and information can be found here.
Yes that is right, a 6 series with a sequential turbo diesel! We have no idea if or when this car will tour the streets of the US. It is just interesting to read the rave reviews this engine is receiving.
The shear fact that even in a larger car it is still able to reel in 34 mpg (when converted from imperial gallons) and have excellent performance is astonishing. We look forward to BMW finally allowing the US to have the engine much of the world has already been enjoying!
This review is from “The Car Enthusiast” out of the UK.
Check out all the photos and the entire article here
This is not new news but it is interesting to see that BMW is still looking to add another brand. It was rumored BMW was to buy Volvo sometime last year; this never materialized because BMW felt that Volvo was not a good fit for what they need in a fourth brand. Other options still remain; including resurrecting the Triumph moniker that BMW owns. Lotus joining the party sounds good to me!
Forbes:
BMW CFO says group still considering fourth brand -
FRANKFURT (Thomson Financial) - Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is continuing to consider whether it will set up a fourth brand as part of its long-term growth strategy, chief financial officer Michael Ganal said in an interview with Euro am Sonntag.
He said that to ensure long-term growth, it is not enough for BMW to tighten costs and that it must also consider increasing its revenues, adding a fourth brand ‘remains absolutely conceivable’.
At present, the group has the BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce (other-otc: RYCEY.PK - news - people ) brands.
Not major news but to all those not wanting to pay the premium for xenons (xenons are worth every penny by-the-way), we have some good news for you.
We have finally learned that all of the headlights, including the halogens will include the new and improved halos, fondly referred to as “angel eyes”. These will function as the Daytime Running Lights in place of the current use of the high beams. This is similar to the upgrade the LCI E60 5er received.
Today we offer up a nice video of some doughnuts and commentary with BMW Sauber F1 pilot Nick Heidfeld as well as WTCC and Formula BMW driver’s. Nice to see BMW allows the factory to shut down and workers to have some entertainment like this!
As many of you, our readers, are in the process of negotiating purchases or leases we thought you might be interested in the real numbers. These are the “buy” rates for the lease programs offered through BMWFS. The dealer has the ability to mark up the money factor (interest charge) but they can not adjust the residual value. The residuals have come down about 2-5% since last months figures. (Compliments of LeaseCompare.com)
BMWFS May 2008 Leases
We will try to post these on a regular basis.
There are some new photos showing the Z4 interior around the web. Our friends over at BimmerPost have a bunch of them and some exterior shots as well. They are great shots but they do not show the whole story.
This photo shows the car loaded to the gills with technology. With the pop up iDrive like the 1 (with the new controller), shift paddles and notice that joystick, that is the non- //M DCT. What you do not see is the e-parking brake (the BimmerPost photos has that shot).
So it does appear that the Z4 will be moving upscale in the interior department.These technologies will free up space and give the car a cleaner more modern interior. These are all welcomed changes, but if Bond was to drive this car how would he rip up the e-brake to make a turn and shoot the bad guys?
(Passenger viewed in the photo is an optional accessory but may hinder driving ability and 0-60 times!)
We recently revealed several unique performance features the E89 will be equipped with and further information; here
If you haven’t noticed we tend to review new MINIs and BMWs in two phases. The first is at the press launch where we’re invited to drive the cars on predetermined roads and in some cases tracks. While this opportunity is a great way to allow a first drive in the cars before their release, it’s often not enough time to thoroughly review it. Hence the second phase where we get a car for a week for a full test. That means we commute in it, head for the twisties in it and about anything else you can imagine to give us the best information possible for a review.
Last year’s test of the then new r56 on the Dragon was an ideal way to get to know the car and to form some long lasting opinions on it. This year we’ll be testing the Clubman MCS in slightly different circumstances. It’ll be a road trip around the midwest with two to three people with luggage and open road.
The N54 I-6 (twin turbo from the 335i etc.) has won back to back International Engine of the Year awards.
BMW also won awards for the 1.4-1.8l class with the BMW-PSA 1.6l turbo utilized in the MINI line up, in the 3-4l. category for the V8 in the ///M3, in the above 4l category for the V10 in the ///M5/6 and best new engine of the year for the 2.0l diesel in the 123d.
I guess you can say BMW makes great engines, something we enthusiasts have known for a long time!
With all the new BMW models being released, proposed or rumored over the next few years we thought it would be interesting to review a document from late 2005 which indicated the future of BMW.
This document is from Supplier Business, a publication that evaluates information from suppliers to various industries. It is interesting to see what was planned or not planned and what BMW has already released or announced will be released.
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.
Sections: E90 3 Series May 14th, 2008 12 Comments 
Left Lane News and Brenda Priddy & Co. have done it again! Today they have photos of the E90 LCI undergoing some testing sporting some Cali tags. What we can now declare is that the ugly orange DOT specified reflectors will no longer be in the lights, but move to the front bumper like on the E92.
