Bimmer Times

Wednesday, 3:59 PM

San Diego

Howdy…

As I am a great admirer of smaller cars that pack power intelligently, the BMW 135i Coupe should fit neatly into my ideal garage. The 135i Coupe is a good ball of fire that brings back our crazed youth in various BMW 2002’s. High performance in a tight little package, the 135i harks back to the iconic BMW 2002. The design of the 135i is a huggable bad boy car. The rigors of German premium car construction and modern safety regulations make this 1-series Coupe a much more substantial-feeling experience than any 2002tii. For many Americans, the 1 coupe will represent a new level of affordable BMW performance when it goes on sale in spring of 2008.

Potent performance it promises…

Packing a 300 horsepower twin turbo six-cylinder, 18 inch wheels and tires, sport suspension, beefy Brembo brakes. Turns can be fun. It is easy to click off the Dynamic Traction Control and then the entire Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system via the upper dash button…the fun button, as this is the 135i’s natural state. The DSC on the 135i is designed specifically for spirited driving, including a gas pedal with a quicker response rate and electronic rear brake management to simulate a differential lock for stronger acceleration in turns.

BMW 335i v 135i

Despite their similar weights and specifications, the two cars have vastly different characteristics that reveal themselves from the moment you catch a glimpse of them. Not only is the 135i’s styling more youthful thanks to its M Sport body kit and 18 inch wheels, its interior is also geared toward a younger audience. Where the 335i’s interior is all good taste and seriousness, the 135i’s is ever so slightly more playful without being garish. It’s certainly smaller, with a more intimate cockpit than the spacious 3 Series.

The release of this car should be a home run for BMW.

See you on the road.

Sammyg

Wednesday, 11:55 AM

San Diego

Howdy….    

  I just came across a new concept which would revolutionize the car door world.   A company in the UK is making these disappearing doors.  Integrate this into your BMW and you would surely have a head turner.  This would be the ultimate in arriving in style. 

     It does appear to have some functional reality to it also.  As the door slides under the carriage of the car rather than opening sideways with the current 2 hinge concept, it would definitely make it easier to park in today’s store lots without banging into the neighboring car. 

     Check out the video below.  Pretty cool.

     See you on the road.

     Sammyg

Tuesday, 3:53 PM

San Diego

Howdy….

     It is stunning to see the development proceeding on BMW’s concept “V” car.  The working name for the project in BMW’s headquarter is “Space Functional Concept” but it is likely that by the time it reaches production, it will wear a V (for versatility?) badge, much like the X of BMW’s off roaders.  The first model to arrive is expected to be a rival for the Mercedes R Class.  That means it will offer seating for six passengers, a high roofline and an opulent SUV like interior.  Even a potential weight saving carbon fiber roof.

     Known by BMW’s development team as “space travel,” this room functional concept car will be a sleek fastback coupe-like vehicle although it will not be as spacious or plain as the Mercedes R Class.  It will drive like a car, handle like a car, and have the same weight distribution as a car.  IDrive functions should download into the ignition key from home or office terminals so all settings are stored for each driver of the car.  This includes vehicle settings, seat position, routes, drive preparation, and music.

     Fascinating to see the design growth.

     See you on the road.

     Sammyg

Sunday, 11:37 AM

San Diego 

Howdy…..

     I don’t have the risk of running over deer in the highway in my neighborhood, but this is a cool addition for gadget freaks.  BMW has introduced a night vision screen on the display monitor for the new 5,6, and 7 series.

     The positive…. Driving in the dark requires greater concentration than in daytime.  The risks are greater.  In the dark, you don’t always see hazards in time, and so the likelihood of accidents increases.  If you do live in a rural area where the presence of animals appearing suddenly is very real, this option is very valuable.  The system’s infared camera shows living creatures as thermal images up to a distance of 1600 feet in front of the vehicle.  Thats  over 5 football fields in length.  Pretty impressive.  Click on the cute youtube BMW video.

See you on the road.

Sammyg

Friday, 12:31 PM

San Diego 

Howdy, 

    BMW has just released on the road snapshots and video of its latest vehicle, the X6.  This new Sports Activity Coupe further embeds BMW as a genuine trendsetter, segmenting the already innovative Sports Activity Vehicle market the company invented.  The new X6 is, in essence a sporting interpretation of a BMW X model, but this time around the emphasis is certainly on driving potential.

     The new vehicle is characterized by its low-slung roofline, short front overhang, long wheelbase and long rear overhang which give it the side profile of a coupe.  With its wide track, flared arches and huge wheels, the X6 looks every inch the sporty companion it was designed to be and as it is the first car in the world to feature Dynamic Performance Control (a new system that detects over or under steer and varies power to each rear wheel accordingly), as well as X-Drive, it should drive like one too.

     The exterior of the vehicle looks dramatic from almost every angle and is unmistakably BMW.  The unique design of the D-pillars further contribute to the sense of power and stability, while striking elements such as the enlarged kidney grille, accentuated side sills and front-mounted air vents all underline the motor’s sporting character.

     In our opinion it looks a little like an X5 that’s been on holiday, and come back looking a bit street and cool, but that’s no bad thing.  The only real question is, who’s going to buy one?  Surely if you’re after a sporting coupe, you’ll go for a 6  Series, or if size is of importance, possibly the forthcoming Porsche Panamera.  If you want a 4X4, you’d get the X5, but who are we to question BMW?  I think we shall soon find out.

See you on the road,

Sammyg

Friday 5:36 PM

San Diego, CA

Howdy…

     BMW’s convenience plan is your little Genie of the road.  With BMW Assist, you can summon help 24/7.  Add the optional Convenience Plan, and it’s like having a team of assistants ready to make your life easier.

     You were delayed at the office, but you’re finally on the road…and late for your next meeting.  No problem.  You’ll just use your cell phone to notify the client.  Oh great - you left your cell phone back at the office.  Now what?  Luckily, you signed up for the BMW Assist convenience services.  So you press the SOS button, which connects you to a BMW Assist response specialist.  Soon you’re talking to your client for up to five minutes on an operator-assisted call.  Problem averted, account saved.

     This critical calling feature, which can be used up to four times a year, is just one of the premium services that are included when you sign up for the optional BMW Assist Convenience Plan.  The safety plan is included for four years at no additional cost.  For just $199 a year, you can add the Convenience Plan, which offers a wealth of features that enhance your BMW ownership experience.

     Say for example, you want to make reservations at that hot, new restaurant - but don’t have the time to keep waiting on hold.  Call the BMW Assist Concierge and let them handle it for you.  You don’t even have to be in your BMW to call - the Concierge is accessible online and and by toll-free phone, 24/7.  They can also send the restaurant’s address and phone number directly to your BMW’s navigation system and your compatible Bluetooth wireless phone.  How’s that for convenience?

      What is your BMW doesn’t have a navigation system?  Again, just press the SOS button, tell the response specialist where you want to go, and they will direct you to your destination.  They can also help you steer clear of traffic jams along the way, and tell you what the weather will be like when you get there.

     This might seem a little over the top for mere mortals, but for the executive in us, the convenience is well worth the cost, not to mention the great impression this service will make on your passengers!

     See below for a good, yet humorous demo with our German BMW friends.

     See you on the road.

     Sammyg

Monday, 11:50 AM

San Diego

Howdy….

BMW’s are notorious for accumulated brake dust.  BMW enthusiasts have come up with some clever suggestions:

Meguiar’s Hot Rims Wheel Cleaner.  Spray it on and leave for 3 minutes.  The brake dust comes off like magic.  Rinse the rim with cold water and volia!

Consider Purple power from Autozone, Walmart, or Advance Auto.  It has an acidic base and works great.  Use it straight without diluting.  The stuff contains xylene and is pretty darn strong.  It’s an adhesive remover that can be used to get tar and grime off.  Take it to the back of the rim with a scrubbing pad and rag.  The brake dust and dirt have no chance.  It will literally wipe right off!  First wash the rim with soap, degreaser and a brush, taking the majority of it off.  Goo-off will clean the rest up very well.  It shouldn’t harm the original factory finish.  Brake dust on, goo-off!

Make your job easier.  When you first get your BMW wheels, or after you have cleaned them thoroughly, give them a good paste wax job.  It will make cleaning your wheels a much easier task.

Tuesday, 11:47 AM

San Diego 

Howdy….. 

 As a seller of BMW wheels, I often overlook the importance of a good BMW wax finish in complementing a great set of wheels, so I set out to find out what other BMW enthusiasts prefer…. Far from a scientific proving ground, I did find a few brands that kept popping up. Zymol recieved many 1st choices. “Only Zymol touches my baby”. Zymol was recently bought out by Turtle Wax. They bought the name only and not the rights to the patents.Zaino. . . “I have tried a bunch of diifferent wax..they don’t touch Zaino.” I was reminded that Zaino isn’t really a wax, it is a sealant. Another tells it like it is…”wax sucks…any of the real detail freaks will tell you the same thing…wax is for lazy people who don’t care…go uber wet look…Zainobros.com. Someone who has tried almost all the products finally settled “on Zaino Z2, Z5, AIO, C/S, for the best protection and shine [he] has ever seen. Their ZPC-Fusion is an awesome light scratch and swirl remover. Their Z16 is the best tire dressing [he] has ever used.”Several fans of Meguiars…, though they seem to want to try zymol…

P21S…”The p21s is easy on/off and no white residue is left on the black mouldings.” This product got a good review from Chem. Weekly. Their enhancing cleanser and Concours wax got a 4 star rating for effectiveness and cost/value for European car finishes.I saw a good endorsment from someone who used both Zymol and P21S. Both are great. Zymol is more expensive but gives your car that showroom shine. P21S is good for a quick shine that looks great, but it won’t last as long as Zymol.Should you use an automatic buffer? I have been told that machine buffers are bad for your car because you can damage the clear coat and also you can buff off the wax you just put on.

One BMW enthusiast said his neighbor used to put Turtle Wax on his Lincoln. He would apply, then dry, then spend a long ass time buffing it off, elbow greese indeed. Thats what is so good about P21S. . .You don’t need a lot of it per application. It just buffs off so easily. Each container costs approximately $30, but from the two cars that he did, the container is still full, hardly even touched.

3M car wax works the best for old weather beaten paint, though kind of expensive.

Someone felt using any tools (ie buffers besides your own hands) is bad.

A professional detailer uses Eagle 1 tire dressing beacause it is the least oily tire dressing he could find. He goes with Armorall cleaner for the interior. He has tried numerous brands yet finds these to produce the best results.

More good advice: Clay it first (Sonus), 3m Imperial Hand Glaze, (Zymol or P21s pre wax cleaner) & top it off with 1 Grand Blitz wax - after that all it needs is a rinse of H20 for months.

*Clay: go easy with clay! - not only using very light pressure but only use it when surface feels rough. Clay has been used for years by body shops for getting rid of overspray, it’s like “micro sandpaper”. Using it too often WILL go through paint. Use it once maybe twice a year.

Avoid using cheap waxes, “you buy cheap - you get cheap” & also German finnishes are different paints/components than the Japanese and American cars. German clearcoat is also softer than J/A cars.

And a “biggy” to remember is to apply in STRAIGHT LINE not circular. Initially circular was thought to be similar to buffing, and better coverage (overlapping motion). But circular motion adds swirls & scratches. Have you ever seen a painter appling paint in circular motion?

Now if all the above is BS, you can always use a candle!

See you on the road.

Sammyg