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After a long (long, long) break we’re back with a special episode of the BimmerCast. Special because we have special guest Bryan Joslin firmly of Vortex Media and now Editor and Chief of the forthcoming magazine Gran Turismo. Being a longtime BMW fan Bryan joins us to talk BMWs and his history with a very special 318is. We also touch on the M6 Gran Coupe that we both drove recently at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin Texas.

Next up we touch on the launch of BMWi and the i3. It’s a huge launch and one that everyone in the auto industry is watching with great anticipation.

Finally we get to Bryan’s new project, Gran Turismo Magazine. It’s an enthusiast-based automotive magazine that brings fresh perspective on the world of European motoring. Cars and motorcycles. New and classic. All European, all in one place.

Frankly we’d love to see it in the marketplace and are supporting it ourselves. And we’d urge you to check out the Kickstarter campaign and considering doing the same.

Oh and one more topic. In talking about the ideas behind Gran Turismo we started to wonder what you could buy new today that really hit on the simple principles of a sporty car. Steering, braking and acceleration with connection and feel. Is there still a car for sale that feels analog in all those ways? We come up with some answers.

The post BimmerCast #70: M6 Gran Coupe at COTA, i3 Launch, The Last Analog BMW & Gran Turismo Magazine appeared first on BimmerFile.

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We ‘re back with a quick recap and news and then a look ahead. The Geneva show is hours away and it serves as the perfect backdrop to talk about what BMW will be up to for the rest of the year. Here ‘s a quick look at the topics of BimmerCast #69.

– BMW i3 with range extender detailed
– The M3/M4 and what to expect (plus when to expect it)
— But more importantly we get into the debate that will drive enthusiasts for years to come – will the F80 equal the special-ness of the E90 V8 M3?
– M235i and how it ‘s what the 135i should have been all along
– The 3 Series GT and why we can ‘t quite wrap are heads around it
– The X5 leak – it ‘s real and why we ‘re a little disappointed
– The new 328d in the US. What to expect from BMWNA ‘s new efficiency leader.
– A quick recap of the latest BMW news and what to expect for 2013

The post BimmerCast #69: M235i & the Future of the M3 – Can Either Live up to the E90? appeared first on BimmerFile.

While at NAIAS we caught up with Victor Lelue, BMW 3 Series and Z4 Product Manager for the US. We used this opportunity to chat about everything you can imagine 3 Series. Starting with the 320i and why it exists without much if any improved MPG figures. We then moved onto the new 3 Series wagon and what we should expect with it. And yes that means only xDrive and 8 Speed auto.

But the big subject we tackled regarding the 3er is of course the new diesels. We learned from Victor that the new 3 Series diesel will be powered by a 2.0L four cylinder (as expected) with around 180 hp and 300 ft lbs of torque. And MPG? BMW is expecting 40 pus MPG on the highway.

The new 3er diesel (likely called the 328d) will be all about efficiency where the 335d was marketed mostly with performance in mind.

Yet the Z4 had a big day at NAIAS with the world debut of its LCI. Victor gives us some insight into why the LCI was so subtle (hint – it ‘s already pretty good looking). Additionally we asked Victor about the lack of a M Performance Line Z4 considering the 35is is basically just that. And what about that N54 sticking around? You ‘ll have to listen to find out the official answer.

The post BimmerCast #68: BMWUSA 3 Series & Z4 Product Manager Interviewed appeared first on BimmerFile.

The 4 Series coupe concept not only marks the first time we ‘ve seen the letter four used by BMW, it also marks the first concept lead by BMW Designer Won Kyu Kang. Won Kyu (pronounced 1-Q) was visibly excited if not a touch anxious when we caught up with him at NAIAS shortly after the 4 Series concept introduction. Yet his enthusiasm for the concept and articulate and thorough walk-through of the design principles belied his youth and the fact this was his first NAIAs. In short if you ever wanted to see the future of BMW design, you ‘re listening to it in this interview.

The post BimmerCast #67: Behind the 4 Series w/Designer Won Kyu Kang appeared first on BimmerFile.

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It ‘s time for our annual look back at the year that was with a look ahead to what ‘s coming. As we ‘ve mentioned previously 2012 was a huge year for BMW. We look back and ahead at the following:

– The BMW ActiveHybrids (5 and 3 Series) and why they sell in small numbers
– F30 3 Series – the biggest launch of 2012
– The proliferation of xDrive
– M5 and M6 finally launched in the US
– M6 Gran Coupe – the best looking BMW made?
– M135i – a look ahead at the M235i
– Driving the M3 CRT and why it may be the best M3 ever
– The classic beauty that is the Z4 and why there ‘s no MZ435i
– BMWi launch and how it will change the brand
– Six Diesels in the US for 2013
– M325i – coming sooner than you may think
– The final production form of the 4 Series

Jam packed to say the least. Also please note that to record this show in time for the new year it was recorded “on the road ” so to speak. So the quality isn ‘t as good as the last few shows.

The post BimmerCast #66: 2012 Reviewed & 2013 Previewed (Diesels in the US, M Performance) appeared first on BimmerFile.

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We ‘re back for the November episode of the BimmerCast with a full plate of BMW news to discuss. Here ‘s a quick run-down on what we cover:

– The M550d – Michael talks about his time in the diesel barn burner and how it might just be the perfect car.
– The Manual M5 – likely the last manual M5 ever. Does it still make sense in the land of monster power and dual-clutch transmissions?
– Diesel in the US – it ‘s come in six different models. We break them down.
– BMWNA Sales and why this year has been up and down.
– What ‘s wrong with the F10 5 Series and why isn ‘t it selling?
– Finally some healthy debate on our recent JCW GP review.

As always if you have comments or suggestions for future shows let us know in the comment section below.

The post BimmerCast #65: M550d, Manual M5, Diesels in the US & the JCW GP appeared first on BimmerFile.

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The BimmerCast returns from summer vacation with a huge show… over an hour. Here ‘s a quick run-down on what we cover:

– First on the list; the introduction of the X1 to the US market. It ‘s the cheapest new BMW in the US and appears to be moving off lots quickly based on our sources. But what ‘s behind the X1 ‘s success in the US and worldwide? And is it the first BMW hatch-back in the US since the 318ti?
– The M135i; We ‘ve driven it and we give you a quick read what it ‘s like behind the wheel and how it compares to the 1M
– The F80 M3; So many rumors and so many secrets. We do our best to decode as much as possible and give you a glimpse on what could be a revolutionary M car.
– The M5 and M6; heavy weights that somehow defy physics. We ‘re just back from Laguna Seca and putting both cars through the cork-screw. We ‘ve got lots to cover and lots to dissect – especially on the highly improved M6.
– BMWNA Sales are down and we have some theories. Less deals (especially vs the competition), more bundled options and higher prices. Lots to discuss.

As always if you have comments or suggestions for future shows let us know in the comment section below.

The post BimmerCast #64: X1, M135i, F80 M3, M5, M6 & BMWNA\’s Sales Problems appeared first on BimmerFile.

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The BimmerCast is back this week with lots of M talk. First up the M6 and M3 CRT first impressions. We had a chance to drive both recently and we give you some insight into why both are exceptional (and surprisingly related). But why is the CRT not the CSL? We have the untold story we ‘ve never fully brought to you before about both the scrapped E92 M3 CSL and the second generation V10 M5 that never saw the light of day except for the one-off M5 CSL.

Then we move onto the M550d and how it redefines diesel performance. Michael had one for a couple weeks in the Alps and talks about day to day performance and efficiency. Then finally (before moving away from M) we talk about the news that the next generation (F80) M3 will indeed have electric steering rather than the standard hydraulic rack that ‘s been in mainstay of M cars for years. What does it mean for the car and what hurdles will m have to overcome? We discuss all.

Done with M we dive into the Toyota and BMW partnership. What does it mean for both companies and will it really lead to a new sports car co-developed by the two companies?

Finally we move onto the upcoming front wheel drive BMW. The car based on the UKL platform and sharing most of it ‘s basic components with the MINI. The first glimpse will be a lightly disguised concept car that will debut in Paris this September. What does this tell us about both the new BMW and MINI ranges? Either click play above or head over to iTunes (via the link above) to subscribe to the BimmerCast.

The post BimmerCast #63: Untold Story of the E92 CSL & M5 CSL (Plus; M550d, M3 Electric Steering & Toyota?) appeared first on BimmerFile.

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BimmerCast 62 is all about Motorsport. We catch-up with Michael who ‘s just back from the first DTM race of the season. yes BMW is back after a 20 year hiatus in the premier Touring car racing series in the world. We go in detail about the race, the season and what it all means for BMW Motorsport.

What about the 24 Hours of the Nurburgring? This year BMW will be putting their weight behind a private team running the Z4 GT3 race car in place of the M3 they ‘ve run for the past few years. Is this a hint at what ‘s to come for BMW Motorsport? It ‘s certainly a clue.

We then move onto production cars:

– F80 M3; V6 vs I6
– M5 ordering guide and those 10K carbon brakes
– M6 on-sale and not a single journalists has driven it.
– M6 GranCoupe
– 3 Series Touring debut
– 3 door 1 Series debut
– 2 Series debut

The post BimmerCast 62: DTM, 24 Hours of the \’Ring and Future Product Releases for 2012 appeared first on BimmerFile.

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While at the Geneva Motor Show Michael had a moment to catch-up with Karim Habib, head of Exterior Design at BMW. It ‘s a casual conversation that was held spur of the moment on the showroom floor at during the press day. That means (the good) it ‘s the the kind of off the cuff conversation that we rarely get to hear in the automotive press. Exactly the kind of thing we love to bring you here at BF. The bad is that the quality is a little spotty. Specifically Karim can be a little hard to hear towards the end of the recording.

Yet we couldn ‘t pass up posting on BF as it ‘s a great example of the kind of fascinating conversations we get to have at these kind of events. Conversations we often can ‘t bring you.

The post BimmerCast #61: Interview with Head of BMW Exterior Design Karim Habib appeared first on BimmerFile.

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BimmerCast 60 is here and we ‘ve got quite a bit to catch-up on. The M6 is first up (with a proper orange no less) that captured our attention more than any 6 series product before it.

We then move onto the M Line of Performance cars. The car that has us particularly excited is the M135i. It may not be thesuccessor to the 1M that some had hoped but it ‘s better realized take on the 135i (which was originally meant to be an “is ” model). We then move onto MINI ‘s JCW and how that may have served as the template for the M Performance Line.

And the rumor of BMW buying Saab? Oddly makes sense to us. You ‘ll want to listen to hear the rational.

The post BimmerCast #60: The M6, M Performance Line & Why BMW May Want Saab appeared first on BimmerFile.

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After a long day of interviews at the North American International Auto Show Todd and Matt caught up with BMWNA ‘s M Boss Matthew Russell with an impromptu interview that covered a range of topics. First up we talk 3 Series and the fact that the NAIAS this year is all about 3er. But then we quickly move onto the M5 and why Mr. Russell loves the X5M but thinks the M5 is hands-down the best car in the world.

Then things move onto the 1M and Todd asked the big question; will we ever see a 1M again? Mr. Russell clearly admits that M took notice of the excitement around the 1M but no promises have or will be made any time soon.

What about the US Alpina range that Russell also heads? Will we see something more than a B7 that ‘s currently in the US market? Russell would like to see some new offerings – especially something like the diesel powered D3. There ‘s also clearly more that can be done on the 5 and 6 series platform and Russell doesn ‘t want to rule anything there either. But at this time there ‘s nothing to confirm.

It ‘s a quick show but one we ‘re sure you ‘ll enjoy.

The post BimmerCast #59: BMWNA M Head Matthew Russell Interviewed appeared first on BimmerFile.

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We ‘re back but a week since our last show with a look ahead at 2012 and some improved audio quality and another big 60 minute show. But more importantly we tell you how to properly order an F30 and what those “Lines ” really are.

After the F30 we move onto the Detroit and Geneva Motor shows and what to expect at each. But what about M? 2012 will initially be the year of the M5 and then as things warm-up a drop-top with close to 600 hp. We break-down what to expect from the new halo M car – the M6. Finally I admit to temporarily putting an E60 M5 into limp mode due to cold weather and a little impatience.

Then we move onto the i3 and the i8 – the latter which has recently sprouted some very normal looking doors.

Finally we talk tech and BMW apps. More specifically we get into the positives and negatives of BMW Apps and BMW ‘s Online service. But more importantly, through our sources, we take a hypothetical look at the feature of BMW ‘s online in-car services. If you think things are interesting now, just wait a few years.

The post BimmerCast #58: How to Order an F30, Updates on the M6, i8 & and the Future of BMW Apps appeared first on BimmerFile.

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Something funny happened after Michael and I finished our last podcast for BimmerFile. We started talking MINIs. And as we ‘re prone to do, we quickly started talking about future cars and the direction of the brand. What followed was the most efficient use of ten minutes possible to MINI fans. In short we break down when you ‘ll see the next generation MINI, what will be under the hood, and what will happen to the rest of the MINI range through 2015. IF you ‘re a MINI fan, you ‘ll not want to miss this one.

The post BimmerCast #58b: The Future of MINI appeared first on BimmerFile.

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After a very long break we ‘re back with another big show. First up we recap the last two months of BMW news starting of course with the 6er Gran Coupe and then quickly moving onto the F30 and next generation M3. We round out the news with some thought on DTM and the future of BMW ‘s racing programs. But this show is all about our personal highs and lows of the year with Michael and I dishing a few surprises.

Here ‘s the full list of news recapped (after the break).

– 6 series Gran Coupe
– M6 Gran Coupe
– F30 and BMW of North America ‘s option snafu
– F80 M3 updates (V6 or not?)
– DTM and the future of the M3 in racing

The post BimmerCast #57: BMW\’s Year in Review appeared first on BimmerFile.

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After a very long break we ‘re back with our biggest and longest show ever. We start with the M5 and new 3 Series and Michael ‘s first-hand experiences with both cars. And as much as that could be a show in itself, we move on to tackle pretty much every other major BMW topic from the last three months. The show runs a little over an hour and weighs in at 45 mb but it ‘s one you won ‘t want to miss.

Here ‘s the full list (after the break).

– M5: Engine diff and the truth behind the M5 ‘s sound enhancement
– F30: We talk design and equippment
– Active E: Quick review
– 650i/640i Coupe + Convertible (Yes we finally found a 6er to love)
– Z4 2.8i + 528i: A four cylinder to be proud of
– F20 120d / 118d: Michael gives us his take on the new 1er
– 3 series vs 4 series? We give you some insight from some of our sources.
– 1M Slammed by Motor Trend? Our take.
– M3 Frozen with all M Performance options driven through the Alps (yes we actually did it).
– The new V6 M3? We give you the inside details

The post BimmerCast #56: M5, F30 3 Series, F20 1 Series & Full Recap of the Last Four Months of BMW appeared first on BimmerFile.

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We at BF get a lot of opportunities to drive BMWs. But rarely do we have a chance to current M line-up aganst each-other at a track like Laguna Seca. And more than anything we wanted to see how each the M3 and the X6M stacked up against the newest and most acclaimed M cars in years – the 1 Series M Coupe. I won ‘t give the results away but one thing that was pretty telling was how excited I was on each lap with each car at the famed corkscrew. There ‘s one car late in the recording that causes me to almost scream like a little girl.

The big take away from this test (beyond the eventual winner) has to be the track. I ‘m not talking about Laguna (which of course is one of the best tracks in the US). I specifically talking about driving street cars on a close circuit. We ‘ve long been a big proponent of track time and clubs such as the BMWCCA who host such events. We simply can ‘t stress enough how much better a driver it makes you and how it improves your understanding of what your car can and cannot do.

The post BimmerCast #55: the 1M vs the M3 & X6M at Laguna Seca appeared first on BimmerFile.

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We caught up with Mr Watts while at Laguna Seca where M was showing off the new M5 for the first time on US soil. We wanted to check in on the latest from the M Division (ie the M5) as well as shed some more light on the background of the 1M. Specifically we were able to get some fascinating new details surrounding the 1M and how it almost didn ‘t come to market. Mr. Watts also was able to dispel some persistent rumors around the car. Specifically whether we ‘ll see a 2012 model year and whether or not a 1M CSL is coming.

It ‘s a must listen for any BMW M fan – especially 1M owners.

The post BimmerCast Interview: Brian Watts – Head of Marketing & Sales for BMW M appeared first on BimmerFile.

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We ‘re back after a month break that saw Michael make the big move across the pond to Germany. But the news never stops and, as you ‘d expect, we have a ton to catch-up on. Full list of topics after the break.

– 1M CSL Rumor (squashed)
– M2; what to expect
– X1 M and X3 M
– Z4M Coming?
– M5 Engine details
– Valencia Orange F20 1 Series?
– 6 Series Gran Coupe boring?
– 5GT M Sport (is it a punch-line?)
– M1 rumors
– N20 and Start/Stop on the US
– F32 M3 Tri-turbo engine

And more.

The post BimmerCast #53: Z4M, M5, Tri-Turboes & the 6 Series Gran Sport appeared first on BimmerFile.

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As you may have guessed we ‘re pretty pumped for the 24 Hours of the Nurburgring this weekend here at BF. Sure F1 is at Valencia, but for those could do without the glitz and glamour and would rather focus on the ultimate man and machine, there isn ‘t a better race in the world. So with that said we thought it appropriate to do a little refresher on the track that will be featured this weekend and that has so shaped BMW over the years.

The Nordschleife Nurburgring has been synonymous with the BMW brand since the 1930 ‘s. BMW and its products are probably more closely tied to the ‘Ring than any other manufacturer. Every car BMW designs and engineers ultimately makes its way to the ‘Ring for what some would consider the most important part of its development process.

But the beauty of the Nordschleife is that you can actually drive any street legal car on it much of the year. All it takes is around $30 and you have a chance to tackle the most famous (and perhaps dangerous) track in the world. Having driven it in the past I can tell you that there is simply nothing that can totally prepare you for the experience. No matter how great video games have become, there is no way they can match the sensation of the real track. And beyond that the paddock area is about as close to automotive heaven as you can get. Every kind of car from every manufacturer is there in one of the best impromptu car shows you ‘ll ever see.

So to celebrate the 2010 24 Hours of the Nurburgring we ‘re presenting both our BMW podcast (recording while driving the ‘Ring with our good friend and Axel) and the official BMW PDF all about the history of the track.A highly recommended and listen read for anyone with interest in the ultimate track.

+ The Nordschleife Line / Sport Auto PDF (by BMW, 2003)

You can see more photos of our last trip to the ‘Ring below.

The post BimmerCast Special: Guide to the Nurburgring appeared first on BimmerFile.