Frantic scratchings - stuff I want, stuff I need, stuff I like

Nice videos of BMW's M3 hardtop convertible, dubbed the e93.

The lovely Vicki Butler Henderson, of Fifth Gear, lets the track decides on who deserves the mid-size luxury coupe title, the all wheel drive Audi S5 or the rear wheel drive BMW 335i. The BMW's 3 series is the perennial favorite for the class as such it's a big target which Audi takes aim at with the new S5. Let's see who wins. Audi S5 BMW 335i Engine Type V8 inline 6 Displacement 4.2 liters 3.0 liters Compressor naturally aspirated twin turbocharger Horsepower 354 hp @ 6800 rpm 300 hp @ 5800 rpm Torque 325 ft-lbs. @ 3500 rpm 300 ft-lbs. @ 1400 rpm Driven Wheels all wheel drive rear wheel drive limited slip differential standard not available Weight 3792 lbs 3571 lbs M.S.R.P $50,500 $40,800 Fuel Economy 22.8 mpg 28.6 mpg

Here's a nice segment from Fifth Gear with Tiff Needell giving his first impressions of the new BMW E92 M3. And of course it wouldn't be proper unless Tiff gets the V8 powered M3 sideways, enjoy the white smoke.

from wikipedia The BMW film series, The Hire was a series of eight short films (each about eight minutes long, on average) produced for the Internet in the summers of 2001 and 2002. The "first season" films, were executive-produced by director David Fincher with small "interludes" (supposedly "bridging" the actual films together but having nothing to do with them at all) directed by Ben Younger. The three "second season" films saw directors (and siblings) Ridley Scott and Tony Scott take the place of Fincher in the role of executive producer, due to Fincher's full calendar with Panic Room. Fincher did manage, however, to help produce "Ticker". All eight films featured popular directors from across the globe and starred Clive Owen as the "Driver". Each film's story highlighted the performance aspects of various BMW automobiles and are an example of the technique known as branded content. Here are all eight films. Make ...

Automotorsport.se reviews the BMW E61 M5 Touring (Wagon). Here are some memorable quotes: largest brakes on a wagon nuclear power plant psychotic war machine childish mix of practicality and performance. Enjoy the video!

If you are lucky enough to drive a 500+ hp V10 car - please don't complain about gas consumption. This car needs to make it to the US shores.

Watch a BMW 328xi wagon, 530xi wagon, X3, and X5 rip through the snow using the xi awd system. Here's a brief explanation of the xi awd system: For 2006, BMW neutralized that last excuse by adding its xDrive all-wheel-drive system—similar to that in the X3 and X5 sport-utes, defaulting to rear-wheel drive and delivering up to a 50/50 split via an electronically controlled clutch pack as conditions require...

Click on the thumbnails to see larger pics. When you think of luxury executive saloons, one car always comes to mind - the BMW 5-series. A class leader since its inception, the 5-series remains a crucial car to BMW. With the current E60 5-series introduced back in 2004, BMW is preparing the sixth-generation model to be revealed in 2010. It will be a tough job for the designers as well as the thousands of engineers working across BMW's development centers to renew the current model, a car that already resides at the edge of the technical front line. The new design is critical for BMW's design manager Adrian van Hooydonk and his team, who have to create an exterior that radiates the brand's distinctive design values and at the same time feels new and fresh. Using information from various sources, these renderings were compiled by ourillustrator Radovan Varicak, giving us a preview of what the final version will look like. The front-end will likely feature a more upright kid...

From bmwblog.net It has been over three decades since the greatest racing cars on the planet came face-to-face with the world’s most challenging circuit. On 28th April the BMW Sauber F1.07 will become the first Formula One car for 31 years to grace the Nürburgring’s legendary Nordschleife track. Nick Heidfeld’s journey into history will be the highlight of a full day in the Eifel mountains with the BMW Motorsport racing arsenal. As BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen points out: “This day is our way of saying thank-you to the fans for their support. Unfortunately it's not the complete video and the lap time is unknown as of yet.

more pictures from autoblog .

The V10 engine is wrapped nicely in the utilitarian form of the E60. How I wish BMW USA would bring this to America. Here's the previous post to read the specs.

After a big snow fall, I always want to take out the car to an empty parking lot to do some drifting. Well Nick Heidfeld did us one better! He took out the 720hp Sauber BMW Formula One racecar to a horse track in Switzerland for some fun. Of course you'll also have your mechanics put on some metal spikes on your wet weather tires.

The biggest news about the tiny little 1 series is that BMW debuts several new technologies with it's introduction: Brake Energy Regeneration (iGR) - The system uses an Intelligent Alternator Control (IAC) and an Absorbent Glass Mat battery to recycle previously lost energy, in turn saving fuel. This is achieved as the IAC reduces drag on the engine by only engaging when required to charge the battery , whereas a traditional alternator is always pulling power from the engine. Additionally, the energy generated by the engine on over-run (under braking or descending a hill) was previously wasted. Now this lost energy is utilised by the IAC to charge the battery. iGR alone is responsible for a three per cent improvement in fuel economy . Automatic Start-Stop function to cut fuel consumption. Standard on all manual transmission models (except 130i), the system automatically switches the engine off when the vehicle is stationary and the driver puts the car into neutral . To restart t...

No one seems to be sure what this car is. The concensus from the internet is it's a Z9. And the internet is never wrong. Well there are many things wrong with this car if it is a new BMW Z9 roadster. Cloth Convertible Top - if they want a Z9 to go up against the MB SL, it needs to have a retractable hardtop. The new 335i has one already and they would certainly not go back to cloth. Twin exhaust not quad - if it's a Z9, it must have the V10 engine from the M6 and M5. This could be easily modified though. Skinny rear tires - those tires don't look like it will be able to handle 200hp let alone the V10's 500+ hp. Most likely it's a Z2 - an entry level roadster, hopefully better looking than the atrocity that is the Z4.

I may have made a mistake when I wrote the Meanest Wagon Around Introducing the Meanester Wagon... Ever had the feeling of getting groceries and scaring your neighbors all at once? Well this might be the best candidate. The all new BMW M5 Touring hides underneath it's homely shell a Formula One inspired V10. It produces 507hp at full tilt and can go 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds. Unfortunately only a 7 speed sequential manual gearbox (SMG) is available. That means paddles and no clutch pedal - come on BMW! Without the 155 mph limiter, standard on most BMW's, it can get you and 4 friends to the magical 200mph mark. The important stuff (specs): front engine rear wheel drive body style: wagon 5 liter, 10 cylinder engine, V configuration 507 hp 383.5 lb-ft torque 0-60 mph : 4.8 sec. top speed: 155 mph (limited) 7 speed sequential manual gearbox (paddles) So how does it compare to the other German super-wagons? Mercedes Benz E63 AMG wagon Audi RS6 Avant

It's not built to go to the grocery store. It's not built to go to the mall. It's not built to go antiquing. It's built for rough terrain and carrying gear! The fun starts at around the 3:50 mark. I can't wait for the BMW diesels to arrive in the colonies.

Jeremy Clarkson does it right again! He actually prefers the Z4 M over the Z06, bravo. The results are somewhat amazing considering the specs on paper.

Part 1 - Straight line drag race Part 2 - Drifting and One lap race BMW M3 CS Engine: In-line 6-cyl, 3246cc, 24v Max power: 338bhp @ 7900rpm Max torque: 269lb ft @ 5000rpm 0 - 60mph: 5.1sec Top Speed: 155mph (limited) Audi RS4 Engine: EngineV8, 4163cc, 32v, direct injection Max power: 414bhp @ 7800rpm Max torque: 317lb ft @ 5500rpm 0 - 60mph: 4.8sec (claimed) Top Speed: 155mph (limited) As you can see the massive power and grip of the Audi overwhelms the BMW, but the BMW seemed more fun and easier to drive but just not enough power. The results would probably be different on a dry track with less straight-aways. Let's see what BMW can do with the E92 M3 and it's V8... Thanks Fifth Gear and YouTube!

It looks like the old RWD vs AWD will be tested again. And you know what wins... Watch out at the 6:30 mark - it's beautiful! Too bad the m coupe wasn't around for the match. hint: red

Tiff Needle drives the legendary e30m3 against the rally legend, Lancia Delta. And here is the Colt CZT vs Fiesta ST. The new flagship turbocharged 150 bhp Colt CZT was built for customers who want dynamic performance, with affordability. Built in Japan with a specifically developed 1.5litre MIVEC DOHC 16 valve intercooled turbocharged engine which develops 150 bhp @ 6000 rpm and 210 Nm of torque @ 3500 rpm. Oh my how the mighty has fallen.