Sections: //M3\\, E90 3 Series, Video May 11th, 2008 No Comments More video review action, this time by one of our long-time favorites. The aptly titled Car magazine from the UK.
Sections: //M3\\, E46 3 Series, E81/82/E87 1 Series, E90 3 Series Apr 27th, 2008 12 Comments 
Another solid article by the folks at Edmunds. Instead of focusing on trying to find a competitor to the 135i they simply matched it up with it’s big brother the 335i and the previous generation M3. All cars I might add that are on my 2009 shopping list. Here’s an excerpt:
Considered by most editors to be the best-of-both-worlds compromise between the larger 335i and the harsher M3, the 135i is the perfect package in many ways. On the tightest, twistiest roads, the 135i is unquestionably the car to have. Offering the perfect combination of nimbleness, suspension compliance and tractable power delivery, it is easily the most rapid car over mountain roads.
Sections: //M3\\, Sales/Marketing Apr 11th, 2008 3 Comments You can see the original commercial here.
Sections: //M3\\, //M\\, E90 3 Series, Technology Apr 9th, 2008 11 Comments 
The Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG) was the predecessor to the recently released DCT for performance oriented BMW models.
There were original plans to introduce the SMG in the E90 3 series sedan after 10/2005 as an option that required the then N52 330i engine and the Sport Package (ZSP). All of the training materials and press releases at the time stated the SMG would eventually be offered. BMW even completed a product comparison between it and the VW/Audi DSG of the time.
This all changed weeks before these cars were to be built, BMW had made the decision to forego the SMG in non-//M cars until further notice. There were many unhappy soon-to-be SMG owners.
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Sections: //M3\\, Sales/Marketing, Video Apr 8th, 2008 2 Comments To go along with additional 1 series advertising BMW has also begun to run spots for the //M3. This ad shows the inner workings of the high revving V8, specifically the combustion chamber.
Sections: //M3\\, In the Press Apr 3rd, 2008 5 Comments 
Here’s an excerpt from the highly recommended article:
What happens when you redesign 80% of a car that has been on the market for less than two years, leaving only the glass, doors, trunk lid, lights, and load bearing structure in common with the latest variant? For many companies, bankruptcy is the next step in this progression. For BMW, it’s just a step in the creation of the latest version of the M3. “Often, this is the only car in the household,” says Larry Koch, M Brand manager, BMW North America, “so we had to make it usable.” In truth, all M3s since the first E30-based version back in 1986-a car created so that BMW could build the 5,000 road versions required to race in the German Touring Car Championship-have been usable. They just haven’t always been enjoyable off the track, a point punctuated by the first M3 with its 192-hp inline four-cylinder, and the last version with its 333-hp inline six-cylinder. Both have the high-strung edginess of a methamphetamine addict.
+ “M“ IS FOR “MAKEOVER“ / Automotive Design & Production
There’s also some interesting info about both the Clubman (which was previously reported about on MotoringFile) and the 1er.
Sections: //M3\\, //M5\\, //M6\\, //M\\ Apr 2nd, 2008 4 Comments 
A number of blogs and forums have been discussing a recent interview with BMW AG CEO Norbert Reithofer and the German magazine Auto Mund Und Sport. The interview that took place was in regards to BMW cutting the production of the V8 diesel which is currently only utilized in the 7 series for the European market (and it is not a big seller to begin with). In this interview Reithofer indicated that BMW made this decision because they are able to achieve similar results and greater efficiency with current and future six-cylinder engines all while producing less emissions. He also stated that BMW will be exploring more ways to “cut” cylinders and utilize smaller engines (six-cylinder) to achieve the levels of the larger naturally aspirated engines.
That being said, somehow someone interpreted (we assume from this interview that we have seen and translated, and re-translated) that this meant the //M division and it has been widely reported over the net. We are still waiting for confirmation or acknowledgment from our sources that this is a valid concept but from our translations there was no indication this was meant for //M or even cars meant for the US. continued →
Sections: //M3\\, E30 3 Series, Video Mar 24th, 2008 No Comments We’re all about video this week on BimmerFile. We’ll be featuring some rarely seen official videos from BMW that give you both a glimpse of the future as well as the celebrated past. First up one of our favorite cars of all time; the E30 M3.
Sections: //M3\\, Concept, E71 X6, E90 3 Series, EfficientDynamics Mar 20th, 2008 5 Comments Autoshows are always experiences in one form or another.
On a more serious note: as we reported a few days ago BMW introduced the CS Concept to us here in the states at the show. The CS is longer than most cars available excluding a Maybach or two and it only seats only 4 (sounds like another BMW product with an X and a 6 in the name). In person the car shows a lot of wear and tear; some paint chips, swirls in the paint, glass and metal trim. It was disappointing because the paint was one of the most unique approaches to paint color in many years.
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Sections: //M3\\, E90 3 Series, Nürburgring, Official News, Video Mar 19th, 2008 5 Comments Our second in a series on the Nurburgring, this official BMW video is a behind the scenes look at a test driver doing final checks on the E90 M3 before it’s release.
Sections: //M3\\, Concept, Official News Mar 18th, 2008 7 Comments 
Official BMW USA Press Release: BMW will give the Big Apple a glimpse into what the future of pure driving pleasure looks like as its all-new 2008 M3 Convertible and Concept CS vehicles make their North American debuts at the 2008 New York International Auto Show in Manhattan on March 19.
“BMW is excited to present the North American debuts of the 2008 M3 Convertible and the Concept CS at the New York International Auto Show,” said Tom Purves, President and CEO, BMWNA. “The cars round out several new production and concept vehicles introduced by BMW over the past few months, which not only exemplify our dedication to providing the ultimate driving machines, but also give some insight into future innovations.” continued →
Sections: //M3\\, E90 3 Series, Video Mar 16th, 2008 1 Comment By request I’ve put together some a few clips of my test drive of the new M3 at Laguna Seca last month in celebration of the M3 being released at dealers across the nation this past week.
Copyright © 2002-2007 Gabriel Bridger
