BMW Talk » BMW M Cars

BMW M3: Celebrating 25 years and 4 generations of a great car [Video]

Jaan — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 23:01:27 +0000

The M3 was launched in 1986 deriving its DNA from the E0 3-Series, and the history of automotive was re-written for the BMW brand.

Since the roll out of the very first M3, BMW has released three more generations of this vehicle. Through modifications of the engine, chassis, and aerodynamics of a standard 3-Series, an M3 performance car is born for enthusiasts.

The original 4-cylinder engine, fitted to the coupe or convertible M3, was replaced by the E36 6-cylinder model that was subsequently made as a coupe, convertible, and a sedan for the first time.

The BMW M3 takes the next chapter when the E46 came with a straight-six powerplant made available in convertible and coupe variants.

The current M3 E90/92/93 series was rolled out back in 2007 with its power given out by a new V-8 powerplant. The current M3 is offered as a sedan, hardtop convertible, and coupe variants.

With the celebration of the 25^th year of the M3, we want to share to our readers videos which detail the different M3 generations. It will take about half an hour to watch everything but it will all be worth it if you are a BMW fan.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Future BMW M5 cranks up to 600HP and a KERS system possible

Beemerfan — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 23:38:51 +0000

photo thanks to motorauthority.

Anyone who has driven a BMW M5 model shouldn’t find too much to complain about when it comes to technology, aesthetics, and power. And yet, BMW is taking the M5 up another notch in both power and technology.

The luxury car company will give the M5 a twin-turbo V8, replacing the existing V10 engine. The V8 comes with about 600HP. There is also talk that the KERS system may also be added.

KERS, which stands for Kinetic Energy Recovery System, is an F1-derived power system that converts unused thrust to energy but stores it for the time-being. The KERS system uses this stored energy for a blast of power that can be activated with a button.

Surely, an M5 with a KERS system will make any BMW fan salivate. However, the system is hugely expensive and complex. Even the F1 team is having a lot of trouble with the KERS technology. Therefore, its addition to the M5 model may take several more years before it sees production.

Let’s not forget the turbo-charged engine. BMW plans to take out the 5.0L V10 engine with 507HP, to replace it with the more powerful, turbo-charged V8 engine. According to AutoExpress, the X5M and X6M model would come with the twin-turbo V8 engine with the 564HP output. And that the M5 would get a higher rate at 600HP – the most powerful BMW five series ever!

BMW sure has a lot of plans for the M5 since the M7’s production is said to be delayed. With the M5 as BMW’s front liner in performance, surely, it would be the driving force in both power and technology.

BMW M3 Edition Models Set for Sale in July

Beemerfan — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 03:32:22 +0000

The BMW M3 has gone through a cycle evolution since it was launched with the E30 3 Series. When you see the new members of the line up, the BMW M3 had leaps in development compared to its older siblings. The new gen of M3 Edition Models presents new suspension packages and new appearances.

The power plant for this breed of road blazers from BMW still remains untouched. The design team focused on the enhancements of the car’s cosmetics and lowering the ride a bit. The obvious changes made are primarily on the interiors, paintwork, and the rims. The side gills and the kidney grille get a black and dark chrome treatment. The side mirror is also made elegant with a paint job in black.

The M3 Edition models offer classic choices to consumers with offerings of metallic Monte Carlo Blue body paint, non-metallic Black, non-metallic Dakar yellow and Alpine white in non-metallic finish. A high satin chrome trim provides a unique finish to them.

The interiors of the car are also extremely auto fashionable with leather trims in Carbon Structure. The seats are done in Black Novilo leather. Custom treatments were also made for the door handle. An M3 logo is embedded on the checkered flag entry bar of the doors.

The new BMW M3’s are also 1 centimeter lower than their standard siblings. The manufacturer supplies 19-inch alloy rims for this release with an option for a black or standard finishing.

The M3 Edition Models will hit the showrooms by July and will only be on sale for six months. The release of this special edition is aimed at boosting the sale of the company.

BMW M Cars: No More High Revving Naturally-Aspired Engines

Beemerfan — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 09:48:39 +0000

Amid the tougher emission standards set by the international community and the stiffer budget constraints, BMW decides to drop the high revving power plant of its M cars and switch to direct injection turbocharged engines.

The move will make a big character difference in the M cars known for their high performance, dependability, functionality, and their high revving race car like engines.

The X6 xDrive M will be the first BMW car to have the transformation as it enters the market June 2009. The X6 is designed to test the waters with rivals Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG and the Porsche Cayenne GTS. The X6 will sport the twin turbocharged V8 engine. This power plant will also be the heart and soul of the M5 set for release come 2010.

The new engine for the X6 will still be able to give what the car and the rider needs according to BMW officials. The M-powered X6 will be able to blaze from 0 to 60 mph in as short as 5 seconds. The top speed is expected at 155 mph.

The makeover for the M cars is not a downgrade but will just mean better consumption and lower emission.

Some car enthusiasts see the BMW move to pave the way for the appreciation of the past M cars. A lot are also anxious if the new engine will be able to match the gut wrenching performance of the naturally aspirated BMWs.

Rival Mercedes-Benz has also plans to turbocharge their V8 6.2L engine to be use for their 2010 directly injection engines.