The new BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé. A closer look.

40 years of M-Power. BMW M history.

Monday Maintenance Tip: Checking Your Power-Steering Fluid

What is this?

Simply put, power-steering fluid is the hydraulic fluid that transmits the power in power steering. Servicing it involves draining or flushing out your car's old power-steering fluid and then adding fresh power steering fluid.

Should I do this service when it's recommended?

Absolutely. The fluid is the cheapest component of your power-steering system. Changing it can help to prolong the life of other, more expensive power-steering components such as the power-steering pump and the stratospherically expensive power-steering rack.

Why do I have to do this?

Over time, the seals, O-rings and internal power-steering components will wear out. When they break apart, they contaminate the power-steering fluid, which forces the power-steering pump to work harder (having to pump little chunks instead of just fluid) and eventually break down.

What happens if I don't do this?

You'll eventually chew up your power-steering pump. It'll have to be replaced at a cost of several hundred dollars, or you'll have no power steering — and you can't easily drive a car that's equipped with power steering when the power-steering system fails. You also may damage the rack, which will require you to take out a small home-equity loan to replace.

Is there any maintenance required between intervals?

If you hear a whining or moaning noise when you turn the steering wheel, you should have your power-steering system checked. Your power-steering pump may be about to fail.

Also, if you notice a leak of any kind, you should definitely check your power-steering fluid level and make sure you keep it topped up. Running out of fluid will cook the pump, too.

Car Talk Tip: If you do a lot of your own car maintenance, and you feel like servicing the power-steering fluid yourself, you'll still need to dispose of the old fluid properly. To find out how to dispose of hazardous materials where you live, check out the 1-800-CleanUp/Earth's 911 Web site.

Courtesy: cartalk.com

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BMW battles to retain dominance in luxury market

When Cadillac officials met with reporters during the recent upscale Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California, they spent a surprising amount of time discussing their competition — in particular, BMW. With its new compact sports sedan called the ATS, Cadillac is taking aim at the Bavarian manufacturer, which has become the benchmark of performance luxury. 

“It won’t be easy” to take on BMW, said Cadillac General Marketing Manager Don Butler, but if the company has any hope of regaining credibility in the luxury market, General Motors’ flagship brand has no other choice. And it’s not alone. 

 

Last year, the BMW logo adorned more luxury cars than any other brand sold in the U.S., and BMW’s formidable reputation for making its self-proclaimed “ultimate performance machines” establishes it as the king of the hill that virtually every high-end automaker targets, from German rival Mercedes-Benz to Toyota's Lexus.

Time and again, that has proven easier to say than do, and BMW has continued to gain ground in recent years. But it certainly doesn’t mean competitors are backing down. Audi, for instance, is making inroads with products that deliver a mix of solid handling and acceleration along with eye-catching design. Akio Toyoda, president of Toyota, Lexus' parent company, has vowed to put more “passion” and “performance” into new and redesigned products like the LS 460 sedan that will go on sale later this year.

“I would not tell you the truth if I said I did not care” about the challenge the competition is presenting, said Ludwig Willisch, who last year became the CEO of BMW of North America. He added he's also intent on maintaining the position BMW gained in 2011 as the U.S. market’s luxury sales leader.

Being No. 1 “is meaningful to us,” said the German executive, and not just when compared to the likes of Cadillac, Mercedes or Lexus.  Though BMW was the luxury sales leader in the U.S. in 2011, China surged to become BMW’s top market. As of June, however, the U.S. is back in the lead — although BMW of North America is now in a tight race with Mercedes-Benz. And after seeing its sales collapse in 2011 as a result of product shortages stemming from Japan’s March earthquake and tsunami, Lexus is now back in the competition, as well.

BMW has rolled out a number of new models in recent months, including an all-new 3-Series, several high-performance M models, the new X1 compact crossover and, for 2013, it will update its flagship 7-Series.

The new X1 targets a fast-emerging compact crossover segment that Willisch anticipates will bring “new customers we haven’t seen so far.”

Collectively, the German luxury automakers have launched what is considered to be the most aggressive era of product proliferation in automotive history. As soon as some product gaps are identified, BMW or Mercedes or Audi rapidly jumps in — usually with the Teutonic competition quickly following. 

 

“It’s all about entrepreneurial spirit,” said Willisch, who downplayed concerns that BMW is overdoing things. A few years ago, the automaker saw skeptics abound when it rolled out the X6 Sport-Activity Vehicle, a crossover blending attributes of a conventional SUV and a sports coupe. But demand has been strong enough to persuade the maker to prepare a smaller version, the soon-to-launch X4.

Still, not everyone is convinced. Lexus CEO Mark Templin said he has no interest in adding “100 new models … because I don’t have to,” especially at the lower end of the luxury spectrum. The Japanese marquee brand doesn’t intend to compete with the X1 or the 1-Series passenger car because that, Templin said, is the role of the mainstream Toyota brand.

 

He has a point. Skeptics dub such miniluxury models as “compliance cars,” which luxury makers like BMW and Mercedes-Benz have to add to their lines in order to meet strict new U.S. mileage mandates and toughened European carbon dioxide rules. Lexus, Cadillac and Audi can turn to down-market sibling brands, such as Toyota, Chevrolet and Volkswagen.

Indeed, while BMW is rolling out a number of new battery-powered cars and plug-in hybrids, such as the new 3-Series-based ActiveE and the upcoming i3 and i8 models, Willisch acknowledged they’re likely to generate collective volumes “in the four digits.”

More conventional hybrids, such as the revised 2013 7-Series version, could do better. A recent study found that the Toyota Prius is frequently found as a companion to luxury models like the 7-Series in the 10 most affluent ZIP codes in America. Willisch said more and more luxury buyers, regardless of their income and net wealth, “are interested in fuel economy,” even if they're just driving something they can brag about to friends and neighbors.

Last year’s strong showing by BMW in China makes it clear that the automaker will have to adapt to global realities. BMW is developing new products specifically for China, notably a stretched version of the 3-Series designed to appeal to buyers who prefer being chauffeured. But no worries, insisted Willisch. He said his company “will continue to build ‘truthful’ BMWs” that can live up to the ultimate driving machine image.

But expect the manufacturer to also put more emphasis on design, creature comfort and safety, as well as quality and customer service. If competitors like Cadillac want to take a shot at BMW, the Bavarians are more than ready to return fire.

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I just finished purchasing a BMW 335d from Plaza Motors BMW, and what a great experience it was.

My Client Advisor was Mike Kuhlmann, and I highly recommend dealing with him. Let me tell you why. I live in Northern California, where my 2011 335d is being shipped. Over the last few months, I have looked at, and dealt with quite a few 335d’s and Client Advisor/Salespeople. The communication, follow up, and professionalism often were not to my standards during these few months. (I can be demanding) I enjoy negotiating, and these skills are required. But not with Mike and Plaza BMW, he is a true professional, who I would hire in a heartbeat if he lived in Northern California. (I manage a staff that exceeds 100) His communication skills, attention to details, and genuine desire to help are off the charts. Example, he called me on his off day, to answer questions, when I was having issues with a credit union and loan documents (issue not with Plaza BMW). All the time their finance department also had been dealing with the issue, but Mike wanted to make sure I was receiving excellent customer service, which I was. Mike gave me straight forward answers to my many questions, listened to what I was looking for, and made me feel as if I had an advocate. Mike is truly an asset to Plaza BMW.

I believe the culture and image of a customer friendly service staff starts from the top. I had one correspondence with Ed Federmann (GM of Plaza BMW), after my deal was finalized, and he was open to listening, and quick with responding, and made my request happen. All within minutes, wow what great customer care here! When Mike was off, often Jason Catlin (General Sales Manager) would follow up if I had an urgent question. I found that Jason had many of Mike’s attributes. These two managers surely have developed a sales environment that is respectful, empathic, and truly professional to prospective customers.

My only regret is, too bad Plaza BMW is not located in Northern California because I am sure their service department is managed with these high standards.
Thank you to the team at plaza BMW, you are truly amazing!-lscheetz

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BMW R7 Motorcycle Wins Best-In-Class Award

A 1934 BMW R7 won the best-in-class award for motorcycles at the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The Concours is generally regarded as a classic-car event, but motorcycles have increasingly made an impression among collectors there.

This year the show included a special featured category of motorcycles from Germany and BMW entered the R7, which its BMW Group Classic unit had restored. The German company built the R7 during the art deco period, which influenced its design heavily.

The bike was built as a concept vehicle but never entered production, so it is one of a kind. It is now a part of BMW Group Classic’s collection of significant BMW cars and motorcycles.

“The BMW R7 is one of the most extraordinary motorcycles in our collection,” said Karl Baumer, head of BMW Group Classic. “We are delighted that the effort to bring the BMW R7 to the Pebble Beach Concours was rewarded with best in class for motorcycles.”

Can you guess the year and model of this BMW?

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BMW 3-series GT concept set for Paris show

Seen here in Autocar’s artist’s impression, it will be previewed as a lightly veiled concept car at the Paris motor show next month before going on sale in the first half of 2013.

The new five-door liftback is based on a long-wheelbase version of the latest 3-series platform. Exact dimensions are still under wraps but the GT is likely to get a slightly shorter wheelbase than the Chinese market 3-series Li, which adds 110mm to the standard 3-series saloon’s 2810mm measurement.

The same platform structure is expected to be used for the to-be-confirmed 4-series Gran Coupé — another new four-door, 3-series based variant planned for launch in 2015.

Known internally under the codename F34, the 3-series GT follows the form of the 5-series GT, with a higher roofline and broader waistline than existing 3-series models, along with four frameless doors and a heavily angled tailgate.

With a longer wheelbase than its siblings, the upcoming 3-series GT is claimed to boast more rear legroom and load space than both the latest 3-series saloon and Touring models — something BMW suggests will see it appeal to family car buyers.

An optional glass roof is also said to combine with comparatively large windows to give the new car its own distinct cabin ambience, despite sharing most of its interior fittings with other models.

As with the 5-series GT, the two-piece tailgate opens either porthole-style or in union with the rear window for added versatility.

BMW engineers are also talking up the 3-series GT’s refinement, suggesting the longer wheelbase has allowed scope for a more comfort-orientated approach to its chassis tuning.

How To Change A Flat Tire

There’s no sound  as disheartening to a driver than the flop flop of a flat tire. They always seem to come at inconvenient times, too. But to a person who knows how to change a flat, that flopping noise is a chance to display his self-sufficiency.

Just like knowing how to jumpstart a car, knowing how to change a flat tire is a skill everyone should possess. It will save your own butt when you’re out on some lonely stretch of highway and come in handy when helping a damsel in distress or a hapless traveler on the side of the road. Follow these steps and you’ll back on the road in no time.

 

Tools needed: Spare tire, jack, lug wrench.

1. Park your car on a flat surface. If you get a flat while on the road, pull your car as far away from traffic as possible . Make sure to put on the emergency brake. It’s also recommended to put a block on the tire opposite of the flat tire. Put to use that fruitcake from Aunt Gertie you’ve been toting around in the trunk. Here’s a blocking example: if your right rear tire is flat, put the block on the front left tire.

2. Remove the hubcap. If your car has a hubcap, remove it so you can get to the lug nuts. Use the hubcap to hold the nuts, just like the dad in A Christmas Story. Just don’t let your kid hold the hubcap or he’ll lose them and drop the F-bomb.

3. Loosen the nuts. Grab your lug wrench and place it on the flat tire’s lug nuts. Loosen them up by turning them counterclockwise. The nuts are probably on there really tight, so you’ll have to use all your man strength to unscrew them. Loosen the nuts a few turns, but don’t take any of them off yet!

4. Place the jack underneath your car. Check your owner’s manual for the correct placement of the jack. Turn the hand crank at the end of the jack to raise the jack until it comes into contact with your car’s frame. Make sure it’s touching a sturdy spot.

5. Jack it up! Start cranking the jack until the wheel is high enough above the ground to remove the tire.

6. Remove the flat. Remove the lug nuts from the wheel. You should be able to do it by hand because you’ve already loosened them. Remove the flat tire and lay it flat. You don’t want the wheel to roll into traffic during rush hour and cause a thirty car pile-up.

7. Slap on your spare. Take your spare tire and line up the lugs, or bolts, with the holes in the wheel and slide the wheel on. Once the wheel is on, take your lug nuts and tighten them by hand until you meet firm resistance.

8. Lower the car. Lower the jack until the wheel is firmly on the ground.

9. Finish tightening your lug nuts. These babies must be on super tight so the wheel doesn’t come flying off while driving to the tire shop to get the flat fixed. So you need to unleash the super power of the star pattern to get those lugs tighter than a deer tick. Use this tightening pattern if you have five bolts on your wheel. Start with any lug nut and then follow this pattern:

If your car has four, use this pattern:

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Olympic sponsor BMW takes the stage at Olympic Stadium with mini Minis on the field

Olympic venues are supposed to be free of sponsor ads, but night after night BMW’s iconic Mini car is right there in the middle of the main stadium at the London Games.

The automaker is deploying miniature remote-controlled versions of the car to move track and field equipment around Olympic Stadium.

The International Olympic Committee’s in-house broadcaster has regularly zoomed in on the cars and sent images to networks globally, giving BMW wide exposure of its brand.

The IOC’s television and marketing director, Timo Lumme, said at a news conference that the rules weren’t being breached because the cars don’t have any branding.

But they feature the phrase “it’s a MINI adventure,” and Lumme later acknowledged that from “the silhouette ... you can recognize it’s a Mini.”

“There are a number of IAAF validated vehicles that could have been used,” Lumme said. “So the one that they chose, quite naturally, because BMW is the sponsor, was the BMW one.”

BMW’s sponsorship of the London Games is worth $63 million, including the cost of providing vehicles.

Rule 50 of the IOC charter states that “commercial installations and advertising signs shall not be allowed in the stadia.”

Olympic sponsor Omega has its logo on clocks in venues, but BMW has specifically used its Mini for a task that could have been carried out by a generic vehicle.

“We are obviously pleased with the result,” BMW spokesman Graham Biggs said. “The Mini shape is recognizable — it’s all about good design. They are not branded but the design is something people recognize as Mini.”

Biggs insisted that the rules are being adhered to as the Minis collect javelins, hammers and discuses and return them to competitors.

“This is something that was discussed at length with LOCOG and the IOC,” he said.

BMW acquired the Mini brand through its 1994 purchase of the Rover Group. Conceived as a thrifty vehicle during the 1950s fuel crisis, the car came to symbolize the “Swinging 60s” Britain.

BMW’s canny use of Minis highlights the challenge sponsors face at the Olympics to secure a return on their investment when exposure is heavily restricted by the IOC.

Steve Martin, chief executive of marketing agency M&C Saatchi Sport and Entertainment, said the use of Mini is the “surprise sponsorship of the Olympic Games.”

“People in the industry will look and see it’s the smartest thing around the Olympic Games for a long time,” Martin said. “The Olympic Stadium is almost a brandless sanctuary within the Olympic Park.”

The use of the Minis could open the door at future Olympics for sponsors to search for ways to get around IOC advertising restrictions.

“Fans have become accustomed to seeing their favorite Olympians in clean stadiums but they may come to accept brands appearing on the field of play if they have a clear role and add some value to the experience,” said Lucien Boyer, chief executive of brand agency Havas Sports & Entertainment. “The Mini radio-control cars collecting javelins have been useful to the organizers and amusing for spectators.

“However, the IOC must be sensitive to the reactions of other partners and mindful of what has made their sponsorship program so successful as these opportunities develop.”

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My BMW Remote app now also available Android

The My BMW Remote app is now available for smartphones running the Android operating system, too. The application can be downloaded for free from the Google Play store (Android Market), and offers all the same functionalities as the iPhone version first brought out in autumn 2010.

My BMW Remote allows users to operate all manner of functions in their BMW from outside the vehicle, without even having to be nearby.

• “Remote Door Lock & Unlock” allows the car to be locked and unlocked from a smartphone.
• “Climate Control” makes it possible to control the interior temperature by adjusting the auxiliary ventilation and heating settings, and programming the systems by timer.
• With “Horn Blow” for sounding the horn and “Flash Light” for briefly switching on the exterior lights, users can trigger acoustic and visual signals to help them find their vehicle in crowded car parks, for instance.
• · If the car is out of sight and hearing distance but within a radius of up to 1,5 km, the “Vehicle Finder” function is able to display a map on the smartphone screen showing the way to the vehicle’s location. This function is only available when the ignition is switched off, thereby making it impossible to track the vehicle’s movements.
• Finally, using Google Local Search, users are able to import points of interest (POIs) from their smartphone into the vehicle’s navigation system via the message list.

“By extending our My BMW Remote app to Android devices as well, we are responding to the recent rapid spread of this operating system,” explains Dr Eckhard Steinmeier, Head of BMW ConnectedDrive. “Google Android is the fastest-growing software platform for smartphones and tablets, so we are now delighted to be able to offer our customers the remote app functions on this operating system, too.”

Both My BMW Remote apps can be used in conjunction with a valid BMW ConnectedDrive contract in all current models equipped with BMW Assist. The range of functions may vary depending on the model, year of manufacture and destination market. Customers receive detailed information regarding this when downloading the application.

Happy Monday fans! Can you guess the year and model of this BMW?

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BMW Voted World’s Best Car Manufacturer by Readers of Frequent Business Traveler

BMW has been named World’s Best Car Manufacturer by the readers of Frequent Business Traveler (www.frequentbusinesstraveler.com), an online publication written for and by affluent frequent business travelers.

The Frequent Business Traveler GlobeRunner Awards recognize the world’s best travel companies, including airline, hotel, car rental agencies and travel websites.

BMW has been singled out by the road warrior readers of Frequent Business Traveler as the best Car Manufacturer in the World,” said Jonathan Spira, editorial director of Frequent Business Traveler. “Their very selective preferences and extensive patronage of hotels, airlines and everything travel-related make their votes particularly meaningful.”

 

Award nominations were made by the publication’s editorial team of experienced travel journalists in more than 20 categories. Voting was conducted online from March 1 through May 15, and almost 50,000 votes were cast. Winners will receive a personalized award. In addition, a donation will be made in their name to the PKD Foundation, an organization dedicated to discovering treatments and a cure for Polycystic Kidney Disease which claimed the life of Frequent Business Traveler co-founder Greg Spira.

Coverage of the awards, and the complete list of GlobeRunner award winners, is available online at www.frequentbusinesstraveler.com/2012/07/globerunner-2012.

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BMW M6 Gran Coupe Launching in 2013

We expected BMW would branch out and build a high-performance, M-tweaked version of its 6 Series Gran Coupe. And now BMW has confirmed the M6 Gran Coupe will launch within the next year.

Motor Trend technical director Frank Markus broke the news about the confirmation this morning, after speaking with BMW officials in Germany. Last week, we also broke the news that BMW would bring four- and six-cylinder diesel engines to the American market.

This morning, BMW U.S. spokesman Dave Buchko confirmed to us that the M6 Gran Coupe will debut in 2013, but he couldn’t offer any additional information. The car will be sold around the world, including in the U.S. market.

The BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe (pictured) is the curvy, four-door version of the company’s 6 Series coupe and roadster. BMW already offers the M6 in both two-door coupe and convertible trims, so adding the Gran Coupe would complete the go-fast 6 Series family.

We have previously spied the BMW M6 Gran Coupe testing both in sunshine and in the snowy climes of Sweden. Despite abundant camouflage tape, the prototype cars clearly displayed the flared fenders, gaping air intakes, larger wheels, and quad exhaust tips that are signature features of BMW M models. All the car’s mechanical components should be identical to those in the M5 and M6: a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 with 560 hp, and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission that sends power to the rear wheels.

Because the 5 Series and 6 Series Gran Coupe have an identical wheelbase (the 6 Series coupe and roadster have 4.5 fewer inches between the axles), the M6 Gran Coupe will probably have more mechanical similarities to the M5 sedan than to the current M6 models.

It remains to be seen whether BMW will offer a manual transmission on the new Gran Coupe; the automaker has confirmed plans to sell the new M5 with a six-speed stick at some point in the future, but has yet to make the same promise about the M6.

Source: BMW

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BMW To Offer Voice Control in Certain Cars

It is not quite “Kitt”, the artificially-intelligent car from David Hasselhoff’s 1980s “Knight Rider” TV series. But it is getting closer.

German automaker BMW is introducing Nuance’s Dragon Drive technology to its luxury 7 Series vehicles and some of its 3 Series starting this summer. The service pairs with the driver’s smartphone, as Information Week explains:

Dragon Drive! Messaging is a platform-level service that integrates fully with the on-board navigation computer of the car. It lets drivers speak, listen, edit, and respond to text messages and emails. Using commands, drivers can even format emails, dictating punctuation, new paragraphs, new lines, and more.

Beyond messaging, Dragon Drive! messaging and BMW’s Navigation System Professional together let drivers issue other commands, such as calling contacts or navigating to specific addresses.

Presumably eventually it will be able to work with something similar to Apple’s Siri virtual personal assistant. For now, however, the purported aim is safety, as the system enables BMW drivers to keep their hands on the wheel while communicating between meetings. Although, in some jurisdictions, it is illegal to use even hands-free devices while driving.

This isn’t the first time BMW has partnered with a mobile technology company in its cars.

Several years ago it showed off Bluetooth technology in conjunction with Research In Motion’s Blackberry. With certain BlackBerry models and certain BMW models, drivers were able to listen to their text messages and emails, which were spoken to them by their car. The service didn’t include voice dictation, however.

BMW is just the latest automaker to provide such services. Perhaps the most well known is Ford Sync and My Ford Touch, which offers a library of 10,000 voice commands.

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2013 BMW 5 And 6 Series V-8s To Get More Power

The twin-turbo V-8 that BMW uses in the new 750i and 6-Series Gran Coupe makes 445 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque. That’s a significant jump from the 400 horsepower and 450 pound feet of torque produced by a variant of the same 4.4-liter V-8 in BMW’s 5 and 6-Series models. The gains come from the addition of BMW’s Valvetronic valve timing system, which also makes the engine some 25-percent more efficient than the model it replaces.

In the interests of fuel economy and product standardization, Car and Driver says that’s about to change. Beginning with the 2013 model year, BMW’s 550i, 550i GT and 650i coupe will get the higher horsepower V-8 from the 750i, giving buyers one more reason to shop for the Bavarian sedan, coupe and wagon back.

Oddly, there are no immediate changes planned for the X5 and X6 crossovers, which retain the lower horsepower 4.4-liter V-8 for the time being. We’re not sure the logic behind that, unless BMW had a supply of components to burn through before switching to an all-Valvetronic V-8 model.

Car Maintenance Tip: Oil Change

An oil and filter change involves draining out the old motor oil and replacing it with fresh, new motor oil. The oil filter also gets replaced at the same time.

Should I do this service when it's recommended?

In general, yes. Changing your vehicle's oil is one of the most important things you can do to avoid bringing large bags of money to your mechanic later on.

However, there's a lot of controversy about exactly when engine oil gets old and how often it should be replaced with new oil. Because there are many factors at work -- how you drive, the condition and age of the engine, the external environment you drive in, and stop-and-go versus highway driving -- it's an inexact science. Owner's manual recommendations for oil and filter changes vary from 3,000 to 10,000 miles.

We recommend that you change your oil and filter every 5,000 miles. That's our best estimate. It may be too soon for many people and too late for a few, but for the vast majority, 5,000-mile oil changes will help your engine last to a ripe, old age.

You may want to consider changing your oil more frequently if:

• You drive like a knucklehead: jackrabbit starts, heavy acceleration or high-speed driving
• You live where the climate is extremely hot or cold
• You often drive on dirt roads
• Your engine is old and burns oil
• You frequently carry heavy loads (several mothers-in-law or other cargo)

Why do I have to do this?

Oil undergoes thermal breakdown due to high operating temperature. When this occurs, the oil becomes less effective as a lubricant. And without a good lubricant (read: expensive), parts of the engine rub together and wear each other out.

You'll need some type of oil-filter wrench; here are two sizes of socket-style cap wrenches -- one fitted to an oil filter and the other to a 3/8-inch-drive breaker bar handle.

Oil also contains additives that have the ability to neutralize acids. Over time, these additives get used up and stop being effective.

Finally, oil can absorb water, dust and combustion byproducts and also hold them in suspension. Eventually, the oil gets saturated with this stuff and can't absorb any more. Then that stuff remains in the engine and can cause corrosion.

What happens if I don't do this?

Your engine won't last as long as it could. Oil serves many crucial functions, and clean oil performs those functions better than dirty oil. Oil is relatively cheap, and changing your oil every 5,000 miles is a very cheap insurance policy against major repairs down the road.

Is there any maintenance required between intervals?

Yes, you need to check the oil level every few hundred miles. With your car parked on a level surface, remove the oil dipstick, clean it on your brother's best shirt and then reinsert it. Remove it again, and check the oil level.

The dipstick shows the engine's oil level; the MIN marking means the oil is at the minimum operating level and is one quart low.

Ideally, it should be right at the full mark. If it's at or below the add mark, that means you're a quart low and should add a quart of oil to the crankcase. If it's in between the two marks, you can add part of a quart to bring it up to the full mark (the distance between add and full represents a quart, so use that to estimate how much of a quart you need). Be aware, however, that since oil flows slowly when it is cool, the dipstick may not immediately reflect any oil you just added. So estimate the amount of oil you need based on your first dipstick reading, and then check it again later that day or the next day to be sure you're near the full mark.

A word of caution: Be careful not to overfill your car's crankcase with oil. If you put in too much oil, the engine's crankshaft can actually come in contact with the oil. And because the crankshaft is turning at several thousand revolutions per minute, it can quickly whip your oil into a froth -- like the steamed milk that sits on the top of a cappuccino. Why is that bad? Well, the oil pump can't pump froth very well, and as a result, it can't get oil to the parts of the engine that need lubrication. The result ... a hefty boat payment to your mechanic.

If you are low on oil, you can add any grade of engine motor oil you like -- though we advise you to use the grade of oil recommended in your owner's manual.

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BMW Mini Rocketman getting special London display during 2012 Olympics

BMW is planning an Olympic-sized promotion for its Mini Rocketman, which will be on display at the 2012 London Games this summer.

From the end of July to September, the BMW pavilion near the athletes' village is set to showcase the concept car that was first shown to the public last year’s Geneva Motor Show. The Mini Rocketman sports a new glass roof, creating light effects both on the outside and inside of the vehicle.

Mini will greet athletes participating in the Olympics (July 27 to August 12) and Paralympic Games (August 29 to September 9) with the updated version of its Rocketman concept painted in the colors of the Union Jack.

The body's blue hue features contrasting carbon details on the front and doors, and the white 18 inch alloy rims provide added contrast.

The Mini Rocketman Concept's defining feature are the light effects created by the glass roof, with light strips recreating the British flag's pattern that turn white when they are switched off. At night, the strips provide subdued lighting for the car's interior, certain to attract gazes from the exterior too

In a nod to the Games themselves, the center console is designed to symbolize a basketball court, complete with miniature players.

The concept is set to draw thousands of Londoners and tourists during the Olympics, but it won't be on sale before 2014 at the earliest.

Source: NY Daily News

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BMW showcases electric lineup at i Store

BMW hosted a preview of its first i Store, a London-based showroom that will feature the premium automaker’s line of electric and hybrid vehicles, including the BMW i3 and the i8 sedan.

The event also showcased the debut of the BMW iPedelec, an electric bicycle concept. Constructed in aluminium and carbon fiber, the iPedelec can reach speeds of 25 km/h (15 mph), will have a 40 km (25 miles) range and a battery that can be totally charged in four hours.

The BMW i3 is the first totally electric car conceived by the German firm. Designed to be used in an urban environment, the model is also unique in its use of interior space, which provides an impression of openness and is based around sustainable materials. The airiness of the car design is enhanced by the fact that much of the electric technology is largely out of sight in the lower portion of the vehicle.

The BMW i8 has a sportier design and is not purely electric but rather an extended range hybrid with a three-cylinder gasoline engine that takes over when the battery on the electric engine is drained.

Both cars are designed to be on the market in 2013-2014.

Last month the German brand debuted another unique car retailing environment with the opening of its Paris showroom on tony Avenue George V, a site which hosts the brand's most luxurious models in addition to concept cars and models on loan from the BMW museum in Munich.

The Park Lane London showroom officially opens its doors to consumers July 25.

Source: NY Daily News

BMW Marks Three Decades Of The (Second Generation) 3 Series

BMW launched its first E21 3 Series model back in 1975. The original generation of the 3 Series was sold through 1983, while a second generation, internally called the E30, was launched in 1982 as a 1983 model.

While the E21 pioneered many features still found in the 3 Series, it was arguably the E30 models that won the affections of enthusiast drivers, solidifying BMW’s claim of building the “Ultimate Driving Machine.”

Unlike the E21, which came in coupe and cabriolet forms only, the E30 was available in coupe, sedan, wagon and cabriolet variants. E30 buyers could also choose between rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive, while the E21 was rear-drive only.

The E30 was produced from 1982 through 1991, although the cabriolet version soldiered on through 1993. While the E21 largely emphasized fuel economy, the E30 focused on performance, and ultimately gave rise to cars like the 325is and the first-generation BMW M3, originally developed to race in the DTM series.

To honor three decades of the BMW E30, Germany's E21/E30 BMW 3 Series Club will hold a gathering on June 16 at the BMW Museum in Munich. Over 50 cars are expected to be on display, and club members will be on hand to field questions relating to the E21 and E30 models.

A tour of the BMW Museum is also planned, including access to the normally-restricted BMW Group Classic display. If you find yourself in Munich this weekend, it may be worth dropping in just to check out the time capsule cars on display.

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BMW Still The Ultimate Driving Machine, Not That It Ever Wasn't

BMW of North America has revived – make that reinforced – its famous tagline, “The Ultimate Driving Machine.”

A recent TV ad says, “We don’t make sports cars. We don’t make SUVs. We don’t make hybrids. We don’t make luxury sedans. We only make one thing. The Ultimate Driving Machine.”

That’s stating the obvious. The Ultimate Driving Machine has been BMW’s unforgettable identity since the 1970s.

 

 Yet the tagline is a touchy subject inside BMW. BMW came up with what eventually became a worldwide ad campaign called “Joy,” in time for its sponsorship of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, Canada.  The idea was to reinforce the user benefit of owning The Ultimate Driving Machine.

BMW never entirely abandoned “Ultimate Driving Machine,” but the “Joy” campaign started a public uproar that BMW was turning its back on one of the best taglines ever.

Dan Creed has been vice president, marketing for BMW of North America LLC, since October 2010. He’s spent much of that time stoutly maintaining that BMW never, ever dropped the old tagline. The following are edited excerpts from an interview earlier this spring:

What’s up with “Ultimate Driving Machine?”

It’s The Ultimate Driving Machine whether it’s the 3, the 5 or the 7, and as we look at other segments, like smaller cars, like front-wheel drive, it will be there, too. We have great confidence in the product.

Is there a danger that more fuel-efficient cars aren’t seen as high-performance?

When you’re a premium brand, it all comes down to authenticity and credibility. Because with a smaller car you run the risk that “efficient” is at the expense of “dynamic.” But I think we have a lot of credibility for doing that.

So Ultimate Driving Machine is back?

We never got rid of Ultimate Driving Machine. We had a campaign called the “Joy” campaign, but Ultimate Driving Machine, we never ever, never ever, moved away from it. The idea of the Joy campaign was that if there was one group that was not always our strength, but that we could do better with, it was women. “Joy” would warm the brand up and make it approachable. And it did that. The brand is still seen as dynamic, it’s still The Ultimate Driving Machine, but “Joy” is still at the center of the experience.

The Ultimate Driving Machine, for us, I think, is something that’s got legs of its own – but yes, we are back.

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All-New BMW 3 Series Sedan Earns “Top Safety Pick” from IIHS Newest sports sedan continues BMW long tradition of class-leading safety

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety today named the all-new 2012 BMW 3 Series Sedan a “Top Safety Pick”, continuing the company’s long-standing commitment to offering class-leading safety with each new model. In order to earn “Top Safety Pick”, a car must receive a rating of “good”, the Institute’s highest rating, in all of four tests – 40 mph frontal offset impact, side impact, rear impact protection/head restraint and rollover protection – and must be equipped an electronic stability control system like BMW’s Dynamic Stability Control.

“The new 3 Series is a testament to BMW’s long tradition of passenger safety as well as to the men and women who engineer and build them,” noted Tom Baloga – Vice-President, Engineering (US) for BMW. “While we remain committed to providing the best possible passenger protection, we believe that the best crash is the one avoided. The new 3 Series offers even more active safety technology, firmly rooted in the dynamics and handling that have made it the quintessential sports sedan through six generations.”

The newest crash test being conducted by the Institute as part of its overall evaluation is the rollover protection test. Rollover ratings assess vehicle roof strength for protection in rollover crashes. To measure roof strength, a metal plate is pushed against one corner of a vehicle’s roof at a constant speed. The maximum force sustained by the roof before 5 inches of crush is compared to the vehicle’s weight to find the strength-to-weight ratio.

The Institute believes that electronic stability control is so beneficial that, in order to be deemed a Top Safety Pick, a vehicle must have it. BMW introduced Dynamic Stability Control for the 1995 model year and made it standard on every model sold in the US beginning in 2000.

In addition to Dynamic Stability Control, ABS brakes, Bluetooth mobile phone integration, front and side airbags and head protection airbags, the new 3 Series sedan makes available features previously introduced on higher-end models. These include a full-color Head-up Display, Lane Departure Warning, Rearview Camera with Top-View and Blind-Spot Warning.

Models equipped with BMW AssistTM also receive BMW’s industry-leading enhanced Automatic Collision Notification, developed in cooperation with the late Dr. Jeffrey Augenstein and the William Lehman Injury Research Center. In the event of a collision severe enough to cause an airbag deployment, BMW Assist with eACN uses an algorithm developed in cooperation with WLIRC to use data from the vehicle’s crash sensors to assess the risk of severe injury. That assessment is transmitted to the call center, along with the vehicle’s location, providing first responders with information that will better prepared them, potentially saving precious minutes when they arrive on an accident scene.

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BMW Seeks Sales Growth, Lower Margins as New Models Hit Market

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW), the world’s largest maker of luxury vehicles, predicted record sales and profit in 2012 boosted by eight new and updated models.

The maker of the Z4 roadster stuck to its target of beating last year’s record earnings on higher deliveries and the auto unit generating a margin at the “upper end” of a range of 8 percent to 10 percent, Chief Executive Officer Norbert Reithofer said today. The Munich-based company reported earnings before interest and taxes of 11.8 percent from vehicle sales last year.

“These targets are based on the assumption that the underlying economic conditions remain stable,” Reithofer said in a speech at the company’s annual shareholder meeting. “The high level of public debt in some countries and the euro crisis harbor ongoing risks for the global economy.”

The car and motorcycle manufacturer is expanding to fend off efforts by Volkswagen AG (VOW)’s Audi and Daimler AG’s Mercedes- Benz to grab the sales lead in luxury autos by the end of the decade.

The maker of BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce models expects higher sales at all its brands, pushing pretax profit higher, Reithofer said today. First-quarter profit beat analyst estimates, with ebit climbing 19 percent to 2.13 billion euros, BMW said May 3.

The company is rolling out a 3-door version of the 1-series compact, a new derivative of the 3-Series, as well as updating the X1 compact sport-utility vehicle, X6 luxury SUV and 7-Series sedan in 2012. These models will add to the Mini Roadster, which hit the market earlier this year, and coupe and convertible versions of the high-performance M6.

Sales of the 1-Series compact, which was revamped late last year, climbed 20 percent in the first quarter while the X3 SUV surged 55 percent, lifting total sales to 425,528 vehicles. BMW is counting on demand for a new generation of the best-selling 3-Series sedan, which was introduced in February, to boost deliveries further and offset development costs for the i3 battery-powered city car, which will be rolled out in 2013.

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Steve was great, he actually works at Infiniti which was my initial vehicle of choice. However, just like STL weather my mind changed constantly. He was actually kind enough and able to assist me at any of the Plaza Dealerships. He was extremelyyyyyyyyy patient with me. I was soooooooooo indecisive about the type of vehicle I wanted. What I did know is I required pure luxury(woodgrain, leather and power everything). I went from white infiniti, to white mercedes, to black mercedes, back to infiniti fx35 then BMW the car of choice. I took almost a month going back and fourth but Steve(what a trooper) he stuck with me, stayed polite,never pushy, very genuine guy(or great actor lol). I can not say enough good things about this man. What I will say though another BMW dealership offered me the same style BMW(different color), 10k less miles at the same price/deal as Plaza, but because of Steve Bierman's most awesome shomanship and patience I went with Plaza. I have and will continue to refer to Steve/Infiniti/Plaza. I am truly a life long customer!-Stl_Heat

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