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Blog Archives for June 04
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28 June 2004. Blog entry by Bimmerman.
Having seen more of the new 5 series on the road,
I am beginning to understand the logic for the styling. The design attracts
attention. It combines the sharp edges from their more angular/earlier car
designs with the smooth curves that characterizes modern car designs.
Underneath the skin, it features the latest gadget and technology from BMW
which includes active steering, iDrive system, active roll stabilization, etc.
Nevertheless, the casual car observer on the street will probably not be
able to appreciate these. But hey, these technologies come at a premium
and any owner lucky enough to be able to afford one would certainly want
others to know they are driving one such car. So how do you advertise this?
Stuff them all in a styling so bold and distinctive from previous generations
BMW and any other car that all observers will know you're driving the latest
model with space age technology!
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23 June 2004. Blog entry by Bimmerman.
What I like about BMW engines is they are all still normally aspirated when competitors like
Mercedes Benz and Audi have turned to supercharging and
turbo-charging for their performance oriented models. BMW have managed to squeeze more horsepower and torque from their engine using the latest technology such as double-vanos, valvetronic, etc. My personal
favorite is their straight six petrol engine. They are miles smoother compared to the older generation four pots whilst more economical than the big V8s. Being lighter than the latter the engine should allow the car to be better balanced. However, we need not fork out top dollars to own the latest BMW to sample the legendary smoothness and wonderful sound of their straight six. The 2.5
liter six provides plenty of fun in the nimble e30 3-series. Alternatively, 2.5
liters of straight six power makes the e34 5-series a smooth cruiser. Although the latest
Sixers are smoother and quieter, their earlier straight six engines sound better and feels more exciting!
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18 June 2004. Blog entry by DaBoss.
An Easter Egg in the BMW M3 violently
launches the BMW M3 from a stop position
after being revved up to 5,000 RPM. Easter
Eggs are rampant in the software industry
but this is the first ever Easter Egg
reported for an automobile. Apparently
this Easter Egg is tuned down for American
versions of the M# due to federal law
prohibitions.
Want to
know more?
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13 June 2004. Blog entry by Bimmerman.
The latest BMW designs (7-series and 5-series) have not found
favor with many BMW fans. Although the cars are still
recognizably BMW with the double kidney grille taking prominence, the overall look is too
avant-garde/futuristic for BMW traditionalists. I am of the opinion that the older generation BMW looks better than the current crop. Not only are their shape more accessible, I think that the previous designs will better stand the test of time. Nevertheless, there are some nice touches in the latest designs such as the 'angel eyes' showcased on the 5-series. I feel BMW should have taken the safer path by
modernizing the designs of existing cars similar to what they've done for the Mini and the Rolls-Royce. They look conservatively fabulous!
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8 June 2004. Blog entry by Bimmerman.
How accessible is the 'ultimate driving experience'? Surprisingly,
very much so. Although BMW is a luxury brand and their cars are not exactly cheap when new, it is possible to find a bargain BMW. The advanced design and engineering technology of BMW cars are generations ahead of most middle and lower market segment cars. Coupled with the excellent
German build quality, these cars can hold up very well years after being replaced by newer models. This is especially evident with modern classics such as the e30 3-series and the e34 5-series. They can be picked up at bargain basement prices and yet still provide all the enjoyment of driving a BMW such as
drivability, handling and performance (depending on the model).
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1 June 2004. Blog entry by Bimmerman.
BMW assign body codes to their cars to distinguish between different models and also the different generation for a particular series. These body codes are frequently used by BMW car owners, magazines and reviewers to described a particular model. The body codes for current models in the BMW lineup include the e46 3-series, e60 5-series and the e65 7-series. The body codes for some of their earlier cars (80s and 90s) that are still popular today amongst BMW enthusiast are the e24 6-series (1977-1989), e30 3-series (1982-1992), e34 5-series (1988-1995), e36 3-series (1991-1998) and e39-5 series (1995-2003).
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