RideLust

An E46 3 Series. Image Rudolf Strickler

If you own a BMW 3 Series model built between 2002 and 2005, heads up: the automaker is recalling some 241,000 325i, 325Xi, 330i and 330Xi models manufactured between September 1, 2001 and March 1, 2005. At issue is the electrical contact between the wiring harness and the tail lights. Over time, resistance can build up at the connection and cause the failure of the brake lights, tail lights or directional signals.

While no accidents or injuries have been reported, the condition could increase the chances of being in an accident. BMW dealers will inspect the connections and repair as necessary, when the recall begins in October. Owners with questions or concerns can reach BMW’s customer service at (800) 525-7417, or they can contact the NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236 for additional details on this recall.

Source: NHTSA

*Photo Credit: Autoguide.com

With the release of the 2012 BMW M5 right around the corner it’s no surprise that the boys from Strudel-town are beginning to release some actual footage of their new beast. The old 500 hp V10 has now been replaced with a twin-turbo V8 that puts out a whopping 550+ horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque and I’ve to admit, it sounds glorious. Recently BMW took the new M5 out for a few laps at Leguna Seca raceway and while it’s not the most exciting BMW footage I’ve ever seen, I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t want to see more of it immediately.

Now we just need a 2012 BMW vs 2011 Cadillac CTS-V video to really get people talking.
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Let’s be honest: the global economy sucks right now, and there aren’t any indications it’s getting better any time soon. I’m living proof that having an established career is no guarantee of ongoing employment, so having a fallback plan is essential in this global downturn. You could train to be a plumber or electrician, but that takes time, costs money and involves getting your hands dirty. Read More…

BMW 745i. Image: IFCAR

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating claims that 2002 to 2007 BMW 7-Series models equipped with BMW’s “Comfort Access” system and electronic gear selector, which is supposed to put the vehicle into “Park” when the ignition is shut off, can potentially roll away on their own. The agency initiated the investigation after receiving a report of a 2006 BMW 7 Series rolling away after the driver had exited the vehicle. Read More…

Ever since the reincarnated BMW 6-series debuted in 2003 I just can’t seem to wrap my hands around it. It looked like a turtle, wasn’t particularly good at anything, and even though it was quite large it was still too small for four adults. The original 6-series debuted in 1976 and has styling that has held up remarkably well over the last 35 years. More importantly though, the original car was a drivers car. It was meant to evoke passion and get the driver excited about blasting down the autobahn or their favorite back country road. The new one though… not so much. It’s now 2011 and even though BMW has just revised the 6-series again, it still doesn’t do anything for me. Yes it has power, and yes it has all the bells and whistles, but is it exciting? Um… no. Inside Line recently put the new 650i through its paces and while it posted impressive numbers it just wasn’t exciting to watch. Sorry BMW…
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Earlier this year I took part in a documentary series in which BMW asked questions about the Future of Mobility. We talked about existing car technology, profiled electric car technology and discussed why our driving habits as a society needed to change if we wanted to move forward. That series was a small introduction to what BMW is doing now with their new i3 & i8 concept electric vehicles. The concept vehicles and the surrounding infrastructure that BMW has planned is nothing short of visionary, which is good, because right now there is a lot of trepidation in the electric car marketplace. By addressing the issues of range anxiety and conveying that electric cars can in fact be fun to drive as well as environmentally conscious, BMW has seemingly moved how we the looked at the electric car into a different, much brighter light.
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There are times when we as individuals just connect with certain things. Some people love fine art, others are smitten with wine, yet others still, like myself for example, love cars. We form a bond to these machines that can sometimes last a lifetime. Sure they may be made out of metal, but make no mistake, these four wheeled machines absolutely have a personality all their own and that personality has a way of creeping into our souls. The following video gives us just a little insight into a man and his vintage BMW 2002, a car that was one of the first European sports sedans to become popular here in the United States, and one that still looks to have a lifetime of miles ahead of it.
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For almost $95k, I'll pass on the 1 Series M. Image: BMW AG

When BMW declared that their “affordable” 1 Series M coupe would be a limited production model, we immediately knew that dealers would price gouge on any inventory that hit their showrooms. It’s the first law of capitalism: when a product has a limited supply and high demand, prices go up. I’m fine with that within reason, but sometimes dealerships take things to extremes. One southern California BMW dealer has a new 1 Series M on their showroom floor, and they’d be happy to sell it to you for the low, low price of just $94,635. Read More…

Leave it to the crew at Top Gear UK to reaffirm what we already know… that the BMW 1 Series M Coupe is a brilliant car. With its twin-turbo inline-6 making 340 hp and 370 lb-ft of torque in overboost mode, it’s not only fun to drive but will make you smile from the time you get in it, till’ the time you get out. Jeremy Clarkson of Top Gear UK generally hates everything he plants his ass in, so to watch him dote over the baby beemer is especially entertaining. Sure there are those that will complain that it’s $48,000, but the fact of the matter is, this little car is worth every penny of it. Click through for the video.
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BMW has been touting its new 1 Series M Coupe as the reincarnation of the original E30 M3 that came out in 1986. It’s small, squat and if you’ve read my on track review, then you’ll know it’s an absolute pisser to drive. The biggest problem is that BMW is only making about 800 of the little buggers, which in my opinion will not be enough to satisfy demand. However, just to get us even more jazzed about their newest pocket rocket the boys from Bavaria have decided to put on a little drift show for us atop the helipad of the U.S. Bank Tower in Los Angeles, CA. Now while the antics of the little 1M are nothing short of hoon-tastic, the real question should be: how in the hell did BMW get approval for this?
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