-
BMW Blog, Performance, Tuning, Motorsport, and Modification News
Published on 06-23-2012 03:12 AM
The new F10 M5 is the current automotive hot topic as a new M5 model often is. Here is a very cool and creative advertisement on the part of BMW Canada. This "Bullet" commercial essentially has the M5 play the role of a bullet that is shot out and goes through various objects at high speed. The slow motion capture as the M5 hits its target is absolutely perfectly done in exceptionally high quality. Definitely worth watching. ...Published on 06-22-2012 11:41 PM
Here is a comparison many of us have been waiting for, seeing the manual CTS-V go head to head with the new F10 M5 also with a manual transmission. Road and Track picks the M5 in first place and it is difficult to disagree. The M5 is the better car here offering a performance advantage as it should considering it is the car to come to market later. The M5 outlaps the CTS-V by almost 1 and half seconds (1:21.01 to 1:22.44). Handling clearly being in the M5's favor with lap times, skidpad, and slalom numbers all surpassing the CTS-V. ...Published on 06-21-2012 09:21 PM
It was only a matter of time before this happened, the manual will be dead in the M5 after the F10. The manual in the M5 already was eliminated everywhere in the world except in the USA starting with the previous generation E60. The numbers simply do not justify BMW continuing to offer a manual in the M5 as orders with the manual option are declining. BMW M's head of engineering Albert Biermann stated, "Last year, maybe 15-20 percent of our M5s in the U.S. were manuals and maybe this year it will be 15 percent. It's declining. The trouble is that nobody wants it in Europe or anywhere else, so this will be the last time we do it, even for the hard-core U.S. buyers." ...Published on 06-21-2012 01:27 PM
COBB Tuning is proud to announce the release of AccessTUNER Race tuning software for AccessPORT equipped BMW N54-powered vehicles. The AccessPORT is the only hand-held OEM ECU flashing, managing and monitoring device available for N54 equipped BMWs, and when combined with our free AccessTUNER Race software, the result is a groundbreaking, end-user-tunable engine management system with all of the sophistication and drivability inherent in the factory BMW ECU. ...Published on 06-20-2012 04:01 AM
The new F12/F13 M6 is a beautiful design, no doubt about it. However, an M model is supposed to be about performance and engineering over style. This new M6 cabrio was supposed to be slightly lighter than the previous generation E64 based on the BMW press release stating a 4312 pound weight. Well, Insideline tested it at a staggering 4,495 pounds. This is 122 pounds heavier than what they tested the previous generation M6 convertible at which was not exactly a lightweight itself. ...Published on 06-19-2012 06:31 PM
Congratulations to BimmerBoost member djborya (Boris) who managed to break the 8 second barrier in the 1/4 mile with this turbo E30 BMW. As far as BMW's in the USA are concerned, this is the only one we know of to get in the 8's that is not a tube chassis dedicated drag car. The vehicle has a full body, BMW independent rear suspension, and runs E85 fuel. The 80mm turbo makes 836 horsepower to the wheels through a 2-speed powerglide transmission. ...Published on 06-19-2012 04:11 AM
By now everyone has heard of the Vorsteiner GTRS3 carbon fiber widebody kit for the E92/E93 M3. Vorsteiner has updated the design of the kit releasing the GTRS5. The front and rear bumpers received a redesign with the front addition vertical vents for improved air channeling. The rear bumper gets a slightly longer diffuser to help create more downforce. The E46 CSL style trunk also receives a redesign that looks much cleaner. This GTRS5 kit is limited to only 40 units worldwide and we expect similar pricing ($25k installed) to the GTRS3 setup. ...Published on 06-19-2012 12:06 AM
Tuning for the new N63 twin turbo V8 has been a bit hard to come by from sources other than Dinan. Unlike the S63 in the X5M and X6M, it seems the N63 has been harder for tuners to crack. Not Dinan however who has updated their offering to a Stage 3 tune. Dinan does not publish dyno numbers with their products (which we definitely do not like) so we want to thank BimmerBoost member alextremo for taking the time to dyno his rear wheel drive and manual 550i on a dynojet with just the tune only. ...Published on 06-16-2012 02:09 PM
The Audi R8 V8 really is not all that fast of a car for the money. It's beautiful, but straightline speed is not its forte with a DCT M3 being faster stock for stock as well as a Carrera S even with a smaller motor with six cylinders to the R8's eight. The 1M pulls the R8 from a roll easily in the first race but it looks like the R8 got on it late. In the second run the R8 gets a slight lead only for the 1M to bridge the gap. The cars are close but with the 20 inch HRE's on the R8 and power going to all four wheels it is begging for boost to show what it is truly capable of. ...Published on 06-15-2012 11:41 PM
In the absence of a BMW M7 (which likely will be coming) the Alpina B7 is the closest vehicle available to such a car. With the 7 Series receiving updates for the 2013 model year Alpina is not resting on their laurels updating the B7 exterior as well as the Alpina custom N63 V8 under the hood which gets another 40 horsepower. This horsepower boost was necessary as the to keep distance from the 750i which got a bump in horsepower to 450 from 400 as a result of a bump to the N63 V8 for the new 6 Series GranCoupe. ...Published on 06-14-2012 03:10 PM
This is becoming a disturbing pattern although it sure is looking good for Audi. Just earlier this month Car and Driver picked the S6 over the new M5. Insideline also gave a scathing review of the new 640i GranCoupe. Now MotorTrend joins the fray picking the Audi S4 over the new 335i. The Audi significantly outperforms the 335i running 12's in the 1/4 mile stock with a 12.9@108.7. The 335i runs a 13.5@103.9. When is the last time BMW's direct competitor for an Audi model lagged this far behind? We all grew accustomed over the past couple decades to it being the reverse. ...Published on 06-13-2012 05:10 PM
BMW's dominance at the International Engine of the Year awards continues. No real surprise considering BMW is the most awarded manufacturer in the history of the competition now with 59 awards making for more than double that of the second place. The BMW S65 V8 wins its fifth straight award and likely its last with the M3 soon to end production. What makes this victory impressive is that the motor beat out the McLaren MP4-12 3.8 liter V8 as well as the new Porsche 3.8 liter direct injenction flat-6 in the new 991 Carrera S. ...Published on 06-12-2012 05:53 PM
The BMW 1M in stock form is a slower car than either the Panamera Turbo or the C63 AMG. When tuned however that changes a bit when the N54 twin turbo motor is opened up. The 1M here features an Evolve-R Stage 3 race tune with full bolt on's which include downpipes and exhaust. Evolve states the car puts out 440 horsepower on their dyno dynamics which is likely conservative considering how it handles the C63 AMG and Panamera Turbo. Video of the races below. ...Published on 06-11-2012 03:57 PM
This is still so hard to believe but it is not a nightmare, it's really happening. Yes, BMW is going to show off their front wheel drive one series in concept form this September at the Paris Auto Show. We still believe front wheel drive should stay with Mini (especially considering this car will share the Mini platform) but BMW no longer cares about heritage or brand purity and simply wants as much sales volume as possible. This from the company that once mocked front wheel drive in a series of advertisements. Things just keep getting more bizarre at BMW. ...Published on 06-10-2012 02:11 PM
As many may already know, I get pretty much all my work done at VS Motorsports. They are a local race and service shop in the suburbs of Chicago, IL. Although they work on pretty much all makes and models, I can't help but notice their expertise and commitment to any car that wears a BMW badge. They daily drive BMWs. They service BMWs. They race BMWs. Not only do they have extremely knowledgable and experienced technicians, but every single member of the VS Motorsports team has automotive advice that carries weight. ...Published on 06-09-2012 05:01 PM
What is happening with these new BMW models? Just recently we saw the M5 finish last in a comparison test and now the 640i is getting poor reviews. This is a bit of disturbing trend for the direction in which BMW is heading. The Gran Coupe is a beautiful car but since when are BMW's more about exterior style than substance? This is supposed to be the Ultimate Driving Machine after all. ...Published on 06-08-2012 02:11 PM
BMW seems to be set to majorly expand their lineup copyrighting new model names such as the X2, 2 Series, M7, and M10. The 2 Series is no surprise really as we all knew it was coming. It will essentially be the successor to the E82 1 Series in the United States. The X2 is a bit of a surprise but we would guess this would be an X6 style SUV based on the X1. The M7 we already told you was being considered and finally everyone else is catching up to our report. ...Published on 06-06-2012 11:42 AM
This is a debate that ranges all the time on the forums. What is faster, DCT or manual? Well, the dual clutch simply does shift faster and we see time and time again that the manual can not match it. This is a constant on every platform with a dual clutch and manual option (Porsche PDK versus manual direct comparison was posted earlier this year). The more shifts involved the bigger the advantage a dual clutch will have. ...Published on 06-06-2012 01:27 AM
Many of you know Renntech from the Mercedes tuning world. They continue to expand their offering for other platforms including BMW. Below is a dyno graph from Renntech's S65 V8 software. The vehicle is a 2008 6 speed manual E90 M3 with 78,000 miles and a high flow cat. It was run on a hot Florida day in STD correction. Gains are 25 wheel horsepower at peak with just a tune only on pump gas from the baseline. The gains are throughout the entire curve, solid results from Renntech. ...Published on 06-03-2012 07:56 PM
Seeing highly modded cars take on bikes (and modified bikes at that) is just plain cool. When a car can hang with some very fast liter bikes it deserves and has earned respect. The Nissan GT-R in the video here is said to have 890 wheel horsepower at 28 psi on C16 leaded race gas. The BMW S1000RR has a Power Commander 5, Austin Racing exhaust, and runs a custom map set by the owner. The BMW bike is very, very damn fast. Check out the video below.
...
Today, 08:21 PM