BMW 1 Series Coupe-Convertible

We're on the Road in the 2008 BMW 1 Series

The GOOD: The stellar driving experience you've come to know and love behind the wheel of a BMW continues in this latest outing - an entry level sports coupe (or convertible) that starts under 30k! Yep, we said BMW and Less than $30,000 to get in to a new one that drives every bit like BMW, solid!

The BAD: You wouldn't expect legroom in the back for adults in this vehicle, and you won't find it. Forget about cargo space as well, but that's not what this vehicle is about. What it is about: style and performance, where you'll find it excelling!

Overall: If you're looking for a vehicle that excels in it's own identity, you'd be hard pressed to find one that's more adept at being itself than this new 'entry level' sports coupe (or convertible) from BMW.

We GO on the Road in the 2008 BMW 1 Series

You got peanut butter in my chocolate, you got chocolate in my peanut butter - two great things, that go great together. The same is true of 'entry level' and 'BMW'. Who would have thought you'd ever see them together, but alas, the words fit solidly as does this stellar performing sports coupe (or convertible) from BMW engineers in Germany.

It's back to the future for the 1 Series, which is built on BMW's classic 2002 coupe. BMW's latest entry in the market attracts second glances, and some nods as drivers in other BMW's and other cars drive by and check out the new lines. A nice new pronounced shoulder line in the 1 series! The styling is unique whether you opt for the coupe or convertible, while still holding true (overall) to BMW's classic styling. The shoulder line runs parallel to the road from the hood to the trunk lid and it makes the car look like it could ride up onto a boat dock! Very nice lines!

Other highlights (some optional) include: stellar powertrain options, Boston Leather seating engineered to stay cooler, the adaptive tail lamps, the quick opening (and closing) convertible (at speeds of up to 25 mph); a connected driving experience you'd expect; and a deep growl from the powertrain (the devils bees) that are unleased at 1400 rpm all the way up, Driving excitement is very much a part of this new 1-Series from BMW. If you like the convertible, you'll probably like the cool moonlight black soft top, which is interwoven with shiny metallic fibers and gives off a shimmery silver light. For those more reserved, of course the top is also available in taupe or black.

Whether you opt for the coupe or convertible; you'll choose from two transmission and powertrain options. The 128i offers BMW's 3.0-liter, 230 horsepower inline six-cylinder engine with 200-lb feet of torque. The 128i features Valvetronic valvetrain management and aluminum / magnesium cylinder block construction-core elements of BMW's EfficientDynamics.

The 135i ups the anti with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six cylinder, that produces 300 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque. According to BMW the 135i coupe jumps from 0 - 62mph in 5.3 seconds. Believe! Worth noting for the speed racers among you, top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph - good luck finding a safe strip of land to test that. We should provide a legal disclaimer here: We would not encourage anyone to drive at such a speed (if you're going to anyway, can we catch a ride?).

A six speed manual transmission comes standard, while the six-speed automatic with manual shift control is a worthy upgrade. Paddle shifting can be a nice change of pace on your next weekend retreat in the mountains.

It's difficult to find a vehicle to compare side by side with this rear-wheel drive coupe (or convertible). The 1 Series may have a limited audience waiting to take advantage of this entry level two door BMW, but those that accept the keys will enjoy stellar sharp handling, an agile responsive sports car that will have you once again - 1/w the road. It's easy to enjoy the driving experience behind the wheel of BMW's 1 series and though we searched for shortcomings, other than limited space (a hurdle when you're building a small car!), we found nothing that made this car less BMW. Though it's ture, you can buy a 1 series for less than 30k (to start), by the time you equip it, you easily find yourself in the mid to high 30s, a range that might have you looking to the 3 series, but keep your eye on the 1, it does not disappoint!

SAFETY

The 2008 BMW 1 Series comes with a full compliment of standard safety features, like: four standard airbags (multi-stage); antilock disc brakes (with brake drying and standby feature); seats that are 'crash optimized' with specially padded headrests and backrests; dynamic traction control and stability control (which can be disabled); the convertible features two pop up rollover bars (which deploy in a fraction of a second from behind the rear headrests); Additional rollover protection is offered by the stability of the A pillar and windshield frame.

Driving Impressions

We kept expecting to find something that made this 1 series, less of a BMW. Maybe handling, fit and finish, we looked and listened then looked again, for anything which makes this entry level BMW, less of a BMW than it's older siblings. Get in this 1 Series and you'll find it to be every inch BMW, from the razor sharp handling that puts you in touch with the road, to the fit and finish, this Series will no doubt carve out it's place in this new niche segment.

Standard equipment on the 128i includes: 17-inch alloys; automatic headlights; sunroof (coupe); rain-sensing wipers; a tilt-telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel and 10-speaker stereo with CD player and an aux audio input jack; cruise control; leatherette premium vinyl upholstery, and the 128i convertible adds the power-operated soft top (up or down in 22 seconds, totally automatic) and an upgraded climate control system.

Standard equipment on the 135i includes: a more powerful engine, a sport tuned suspension, xenon adaptive headlights; 18-inch wheels.

Options for the 1 Series convertible include the Moonlight Black soft top, which has shiny metallic fibers (looks metallic in the sun or moon light); optional leather upholstery features BMW's exclusive sun-reflective pigments which can lower the surface temperature by 20-degrees.

The Way You Feel inside

When you get into a BMW, you immediately notice the build quality. The rule: The vehicle is solid. The 1 series is no exception. Though the 1 Series is a four seater, the rear seats are not good for adults, except on the occasional short ride. That said, we wouldn't look to this vehicle for rear space. Eyes in the Front (cabin) where driver and passenger are greeted with heated seats, his and her climate control; a unique, large storage bag that extends into the passenger compartment (from the trunk) and can accommodate two snow boards or a golf bag without soiling the interior upholstery (pretty cool); front engine, rear wheel drive delivers stellar traction and great control, but of course limits seating. The iDrive system remains a challenge for most to learn and use. There's a great deal to enjoy inside this new 1 series BMW, Coupe or Convertible!

Race Car Inspired BMW M3

German premier automotive maker BMW continues to maintain its hold as the top selling luxury auto brand in the world. Battling with archrival Mercedes-Benz year in and year out for the highest laurels, BMW continues to constantly tweak its existing line and add new vehicles to its line in a bid to stimulate and strengthen customer interest. One area where BMW has found much of its recent success is with its race car inspired line of vehicles, the M Series. Since 1979 various Motorsports [M} tags have been affixed to vehicles that have been developed by the BMW Motorsports division, including the BMW M3 a car based on BMW's popular 3 Series. Today, BMW engineers are hard at work on developing an all new BMW M3 and, if all of the auto buzz is correct, very few cars will be able to keep up with this 400 hp road commander. Please keep reading for a closer look at the all new, soon to be released, BMW M3.

A pitched battle in autodom continues to gather force pitting German automaker against German automaker. Legendary Mercedes-Benz is taking on heralded BMW for the right to call themselves the top selling luxury brand in the world. For years, the honor belonged exclusively to Mercedes-Benz, but a recent stumble on Mercedes' part coupled with a surge of new products from BMW has placed BMW in first place. Not far behind the two is Lexus, the luxury division of Toyota, but for now the battle remains a fight between these two German automakers.

For luxury car enthusiasts, the BMW-Mercedes rivalry has been a win-win battle as both automakers have been pouring engineering funds into their vehicles. Neither automaker is resting on their past achievements; instead both are pressing forward to add the latest safety features including Mercedes' Night Vision Assist and BMW's impact absorbing bumpers which absorb stronger impacts without damaging the vehicle's main body. Safety is one of the chief concerns for consumers when selecting a particular luxury brand according to all of the leading automotive industry surveys.

For BMW, its latest automotive project has been a closely guarded secret until very recently. Camouflaged spy shots of the all new BMW M3 have been circulating on the internet for some time now but only since June has a pre-production version of a fully unclothed BMW M3 been spotted. It was seen navigating the twisting roads of Southern California according to The Car Connection, the vehicle information and shopping site.

For BMW enthusiasts, news of a BMW M3 pre-production sighting means one thing: BMW will soon announce the date in 2007 when its latest M Series car will be available in dealer showrooms.

Right now, the current BMW M3 is still based on the fourth generation 3 Series which was replaced in 2006. The new BMW M3 will be based on the latest generation body frame and feature some notable improvements over the previous BMW M3 model including:

A larger, more potent V8 engine with an output of 400 horses. Currently, the BMW M3 features an inline six engine with a 333 horsepower output. The new model is expected to rocket from start to 60 in under 5 seconds, topping out at 155 mph.

A six or possibly seven speed manual transmission.

A longer wheelbase for better weight distribution.

Styling cues from the BMW M3 will find its way to the new model from front wing vents to twin exit exhausts along with the ubiquitous M series recognized emblems.

For Mercedes enthusiasts they can point to the soon to be released 2007 C Class, which is the direct competitor for the BMW 3 Series, as evidence that DaimlerChrysler will not let BMW out of its crosshairs anytime soon. A new AMG [motorsport] version of the C Class will follow, ratcheting up what is certain to a pitched battle to be enjoyed by compact luxury car devotees worldwide.

Additional competitors to the BMW M3 include the Cadillac CTS-V, the Audi RS4, and the Lexus IS. Prices have not been set for the new M3, but they can be expected to top out at around $60,000 fully equipped.

Body Kits For BMW

One of the most popular things about BMW today is their body kits. BMW have the biggest range of variety when comes to these cool aftermarket solutions. Of course every manufacturing process is all about the market and its needs. And today the market is growing allowing body kits to take larger place in it. This is mainly because of the nature of the drivers who drive BMW cars. They are driving enthusiasts who will most likely modify their car to fit every need they feel. For these men driving is a passion, an act of freedom where they could be themselves and live the way they want to.

When the high speed on the highway turn someone on he will soon need more than that and this is the normal process for every enthusiastic driver. But what could come next after buying the car of his dreams? Well - he could tune it up to cover his needs, to meet himself.

Is that enthusiastic driver you? If you feel the need of speed in the autobahn and the adrenaline is rushing into you when you just think about it - this article is for you. It will show you what is cool on the road and what could let you put your car into your own style.

Usually the design of a BMW car is not good enough. It is cool and everyone likes it but it is not good enough for everyone who feels the need to be different. And what could be more natural than this? We are different after all.

That's why BMW M cars came with pretty innovative look and design. They made easy for many aftermarket manufacturers to adapt to this new look and provide even better solutions. BMW M3 body kit became the most popular one for every BMW 3 series owners.

Now it is time to dive in the different BMW series and what is available for them. BMW 3 series is the first I will cover and there we will see many solutions starting with the fender and ending with the wing. When picking up a body kit you should first choose if you want to pick every element by yourself or you want to pick a whole body kit that is already made. For BMW 3 series you could pick for example the 4DR E46 M3 which comes with these elements: M3 Style Front Bumper (102057) R-1 Rear Bumper (102062) and R-1 Side Skirts (102451). I know that they may not mean anything to you only with these names but you could check them out on every catalog and see if you like every one of them. Keep in mind that you could change something and there is no need to pick a whole body kit if you don't really like everything in it.

For BMW 5 series or any other things are pretty much the same. There are many solutions and it's up to you to make the idea of what you want and pick it up. One cool solution here is E60 AC-S which looks really stylish in silver.

When you finally choose the body kit you want there are few things you should know. The first thing is that you could install it yourself. Yes, this could be done pretty easy but it may not be such a great idea. Due to some different tolerances of BMW 3 Series you may face a few difficulties which could be easily overcome by a professional. That's why I suggest that you take you car to a service where the body kit could be replaced and prepared for use. There is some tweaking to be made there too. It should fit perfectly in order for you to be fine with it.

You should know that the body kit comes unpainted. This is right for front bumper, rear bumper, side skirt, and fenders - they all will come to you unpainted. This is done in order for a perfect color to be kept after you install the body kit and paint the whole body of your car. Of course this is where the professional comes into play. Finally when you get the perfect color matching you could proceed further.

You should know that Carbon Fiber Hoods could be a good solution. They fit perfectly on BMW 3 series and they are very lightweight which reduce the overall weight of you vehicle.

Now let me give you a tip. It is about shipping. If you buy your body kit from the net or any other catalog that requires the body kit to be shipped to you keep in mind that there should be an insurance provided. This will guarantee that the body kit comes to you intact. If it is damaged the insurance will need to pay for it.

Since you are in the car when you drive there are many important things that should be taken care of too and they are inside the vehicle. Many people make the mistake to think about only the look from the outside and when they come into the car they don't feel the comfort they paid for. The interior is very important. It should not only make you happy when you watch it. It should keep you safe. That's why some quick release hubs could help you disconnect your steering wheel in seconds as a security measure.

Every component you touch should feel solid and ready for race. Everything you need should be within reach and easily manageable. I know that all this sounds a little unimportant but I am sure you will evaluate it with time.

The seat you are using should support you during the ride. It should be tested by you before you buy it. It should not only feel comfortable but it should also manage to keep your body at ease and after a long day on the road you should feel less fatigue.

Shift knobs are also important. They are not only adding some visual appearance to you interior. By adding some weigh on shifter you could feel it better and the response will be good.

Symbol Of The Perfect Car

For many people BMW is the symbol of the perfect car. It has the luxury to impress the connoisseur, the sporty look for every adrenaline lover and it is as safe as a car can be today. The great design and the driving experience you can get from it are an attractive factor.

BMW engineers took their time to think about every aspect of this amazing vehicle and the lights are one of their fine solutions. The simplicity is rarely the case when talking about the BMW lights. They are always innovative and modern looking. They are the very thing that comes to mind when thinking about the car of the future.

Latest technology is implemented on regular bases to keep the lights to the best quality they can be in every moment. They are durable and they will last as long as you could normally need them.

Headlights are maybe the most important lights for the driver. They ensure that the driver has the visibility he needs during the night or in dim and foggy days. The visibility should be always provided no matter of the lights you use but there are many other factors which are also important.

The technology of the headlights passed a long way. Headlight bulbs are improved to provide a better lighting with less energy cost. The glare they become for other drivers is also greatly reduced. This is one part of the technology that makes the BMW safer. Most of the headlights in BMW use the incandescent light bulb technology. Usually the halogen-type is used with separate high and low beam bulbs to insure light for short and long distances. In some cases a single light bulb is possible too. It has dual filament on each side.

The lenses of the headlights are also improved to provide a better heat resistance. No matter what the weather conditions are these lenses should endure everything for a longer period of time. New more durable materials are used to provide that and the final durability of these lenses is increased with every next solution BMW provide.

One very popular solution for BMW headlights is called Euro Altezza. Some pretty cool things about these lights are headlight covers and masks. These accessories are adding some aesthetic look to the lights. This pretty solution inspired many people to add the unique look they desire for their cars.

Every time the driver sits behind the wheel and takes control of the vehicle he has the access to all the levers and buttons that should be used while driving. Still even with all these functions present the driver can't have the absolute control over the vehicle. That's why some safety devices should be present. The auto taillights are one of these devices. They provide information about the car condition and if it will stop right in front of the driver behind it and provoke a dangerous situation.

Many car accidents happen just because of that - the driver behind can't tell if the one in front of him is stopping and bumps into him. That's why the taillights are so important and they should always be visible for the driver behind to tell him when he should decrease the velocity of his car to ensure a fine quick stop if he needs it.

BMW projector headlights are one reliable solution you could get. It will replace the standard headlights of your car. This will help you navigate in dark environment in a better way without compromising your safety. These projector headlights differ from the other one. The light here is more focused and the "scatter loss" is reduced.

The projector headlights are designed to work as a slide projector and not as reflectors. It is said that this way is superior and provide higher efficiency. This technology provides a good and accurate light dispersion. These lights also provide high and low beam and the driver will not feel a lack of anything he needs.

BMW projector lights are available everywhere and finding the one you desire will be very easy. Full specification is provided by BMW and it is available for everyone.

Now let's see a few products available on the market. The first one I will discuss is called Stealth Light Bulbs or Invisibulbs. These lights have a silver color and a pretty appearance when they are off. When turned on they radiate amber light. They are desired because of the fine style they give to the vehicle. They come with lifetime guarantee or in other words 5000 hours of work.

Xenon headlights are one very good solution too. It is normal for the xenon to warm up for 15 seconds but even in the instance you turn on these lights you will have enough light and the next seconds you will get even more. The real xenon BMW headlights will adjust themselves as you drive. They will dip the moment you brake and rise when you increase the velocity of the car. This simple thing comes to be pretty amazing when you are behind the wheel. They will adjust their position too giving you exactly the visible area you need. For example they will point up a bit when you accelerate keeping you informed of the distance further because you are rapidly reaching for it.

These automatic adjustment xenon lights will compensate everything no matter if you drive up or down the hill. It is illegal to prevent them from doing that by jamming them off because the xenon is brighter and it could become a risky component when blinding up other drivers ahead. That's why you should pay attention on what exactly you are buying when thinking about xenon headlights. Keep also in mind that their price is around $1000 for each of the xenon headlight assemblies.

Today car lighting is more than indispensability. It is a matter of style - some have it and some don't. It is up to you to decide if this style is important to you and you need for example the real xenon headlights. No matter what you choose always try to stay on the safe side and prevent every accident you could.

Unsurpassed Quality And Performance

Car enthusiasts will often tell you of their undying loyalty to a particular car brand. And for many, that means a loyalty to what is considered to be a high-end luxury vehicle brand. The BMW, by far, reflects the continued support of the public for those cars that are considered to be luxury vehicles. And the BMW M5 is included in the superior product line that continues to be offered by BMW.

Originating in 1913 in Munich, Germany, The Bavarian Motor Works company (BMW), was operated by Karl Friedrich Rapp who desired to create superlative vehicles that would be unsurpassed in performance and quality. Rapp achieved his goals in creating the BMW – a brand that has held vast consumer appeal for over 95 years. As the industry changed and grew so did the design of the BMW, transforming itself to keep pace with the changing marketplace. The BMW M5 is simply another stage in the evolution of the BMW brand.

The BMW M5 is considered a high-performance luxury sedan and is, in fact, known to be the most powerful sedan in the world and the fastest accelerating BMW model to be built to date. It features a V-10 engine with five-liter capacity, 10 cylinders, 500 horsepower, and engine speeds of more than 8,000 rpm. The BMW M5 is one of the most high-quality vehicles on the road today; the car to which all other vehicles are compared.

The models of the BMW M5 include the E39, E34, and E28, as well as a number of unique models highly appointed with luxurious options. The BMW M5 carries with it a high price tag but how much you ultimately pay depends on the specific model that you purchase.

The BMW brand will undoubtedly continue to engage consumers for many generations to come as it expands its product line and consistently delivers high-end quality and unrivalled luxury through the BMW M5 and other models to come.

Respected BMW Motorcycle

Since its beginning in 1913 Germany, the Bavarian Motor Works corporation (BMW) has been synonymous with quality and craftsmanship. But while BMW is normally associated with cars, it actually began its operations making airplane engines until the time that aircraft production was banned in Germany in 1919 under the Treaty of Versailles. Turning its attention to other modes of transportation in order to sustain the business, BMW was soon poised to begin production on the BMW motorcycle in 1923.

Such production stemmed from the company’s experience in aeroengineering; allowing them to get to work on what would become the famous BMW boxer engine. This boxer engine - which has been redesigned and reconstructed several times prior to reaching this place of effective operation - in combination with aluminum-alloy cylinders and a flat twin engine make up the R 32, the first BMW motorcycle and the model for future designs.

The following year, BMW won in a German racing championship, setting the BMW brand up for continued victories and a reputation for coming out on top. In fact, the R 37 – the next in the R series of BMW motorcycle – is introduced just two years after the R 32 and is defined by its racing design; a design that brings it much success in the racing world. Variations of the R model of the BMW motorcycle would continue to be produced for both consumer and racing use. Different styles of the design were based on consumer need at the time, as well as the company’s financial standing. But even when BMW officially began producing cars in the late 1920s, the BMW motorcycle continued to be the prime product of the company. BMW continued to produce the R series BMW motorcycle up until the 1980s when the K series was introduced to the market.

Today’s BMW motorcycle continues to be revered in the marketplace as much for its name as for the specific product. The products that BMW delivers continue to uphold the superior reputation of the brand; the brand upon which consumers have come to rely.

The BMW X5

For nearly 90 years, the BMW brand has been synonymous with quality and craftsmanship. Since opening its doors in 1913, in Munich, Germany, BMW has made a commitment to producing high-quality, superior products and the public has come to rely upon this commitment. Every year, BMW customers demonstrate their loyalty by purchasing vehicles of every conceivable BMW model. The BMW X5 – one of the more popular models – has successfully and effectively upheld the reputation of the BMW brand and attracted a loyal following of satisfied customers.

The BMW X5 is the BMW’s answer to the SUV – a mid-sized vehicle that has been on the market since the year 2000. This luxury SUV offered customers all-wheel drive and a choice between straight-6 or a V-8 engine. BMW acquired Rover – a British automobile manufacturer and producer of the Range Rover – in 1994. This takeover allowed BMW to get a close look at the Range Rover model and incorporate some of its outstanding features into the BMW X5.

The BMW X5, however, in contrast to the Range Rover, is not meant for off-road activity. Rather, it is modeled much as a luxury sedan and is meant for high-quality on-road performance.

In 2004, the BMW X5 was treated to a makeover at which time it received four-wheel drive known as x-Drive, an upgrade of the engine, additional exterior colors, and redesigned headlights.

Today’s BMW X5 is considerably bigger than its original design and includes a redesigned luxury interior, trailer stabilization control, adaptive headlights, and soft-boot close features in the trunk. Of course, it has also been outfitted to include the modern advancements of this new world of technology – including Bluetooth capabilities, Active Steering, and reverse camera.

The BMW X5 has simply validated what has been true of the BMW brand for the past ninety years; quality matters. Customers with a budget to support a luxury vehicle will surely continue to flock to the BMW brand for generations to come.

Find Your BMW Part

BMW is a brand long synonymous with quality. But like any other car, sometimes it is necessary to replace particular parts. Because BMWs are imported vehicles, a BMW part can not be purchased at any car parts dealer around the corner. Rather, special authorized dealers and retailers of the BMW brand are entrusted to provide the vehicle parts and service that uphold the company’s reputation. Finding the BMW part that you need can be accomplished in one of several ways.

First and foremost, the BMW dealership where you purchased your car – or any other BMW dealer for that matter – is the ultimate purveyor of the BMW part. Your dealership, especially, will have intimate knowledge of your particular vehicle and, because you are an existing customer, will give you the service you have come to expect. Part of the service included in buying a BMW part through a dealership is the comfort of knowing that the part will be expertly installed by experienced and knowledgeable BMW mechanics.

A BMW vehicle, however, is an expensive purchase. And, thus, it stands to reason that any BMW part that you purchase through a dealer is going to be expensive as well. If you have purchased a warranty through the dealership, then some particular parts may be covered through that protection plan. If you do not have a warranty, then you may find yourself facing a pricey situation when it comes to purchasing a particular BMW part.

In this case, you may want to attempt to purchase the BMW part on your own – either through other authorized dealers or through online resources where you can actually bid on items through an auction procedure. Ebay, especially, has been incredibly fruitful when it comes to finding a particular BMW part. Keep an eye out on this and other online auction sites – as well as online retail sites – where you may have the opportunity to get what you need at a deeply discounted price.

Of course, that still leaves the need to install the BMW part – a service which may wind up costing you even more if you don’t go through a BMW brand dealership. Weigh your options carefully when it comes to finding the best deal on your BMW part; you should be confident that you are not just simply trading price for a poorly completed job.