Counter Steer: More Than Just a Name

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Michael

Change is something that often takes us by surprise, it is something that many have difficulty with as to put it plainly- we are creatures of habit. In the not so distant future BMW fans will be given a significant dose of change as BMW is once again revamping its naming system.Gone will be the historical 3 series coupe/convertible to be replaced by the 4 Series. It should come as less of a surprise to most fans as recently there was a 4 Series concept shown off to the world, but truth be told most car buyers are just buyers and not brand enthusiasts so consider this a primer.

The change has ramifications greater than just in a name, but it is a hint as to what to expect. Starting in our toddler years we learned that some numbers are greater than others; in this case 4 is greater than 3. BMW and the marketing department will drive that home, with more luxury, more options and more room than before in a 3 series based coupe. Unsurprisingly, it will also cost more. Having seen a basically undressed test mule recently I was amazed at how much larger it seems compared to the outgoing model, both in length and width and performance; it looks more in line with a six series now for better or worse. This move up market will make more market room for the smaller 2 Series coupe (think E46 in size). The current generation 3 series coupe has been a huge success in sales and overall performance thanks to the reign of the M3.

What will become of the M3? It will continue on in sedan form with its latest itineration bowing later this year. Gone will be the initially controversial high revving V8, replaced by a forced induction six with output somewhere in the 425hp neighborhood with boat loads more torque on tap. The M3 could be M’s most important car launch because it is the name that has propelled the brand for so many years and yet it will be different- a sporty coupe being replaced only with a four door sedan. The M3 sedan will foreshadow, like the M5 did for the M6, the M4. A question that was recently posed to us was “why is BMW Motorsport still racing the M3 in DTM with Joey Hand’s car sporting a huge M3 decal on it?” We’re not so sure, it could be a farewell tribute to BMW’s racing history in the model or as some sources report- there will be no M4 and both the coupe and sedan will use the M3 name. WOuldn’t the latter confuse consumers even more?.

Regardless of what BMW names these cars we know that they will irk some enthusiasts because of the increases in size, complexity of the switch gear and abundance of technology. Be forewarned, this is the path all cars are on and the only way back is to buy a classic. Let’s just hope that it all “works” and BMW has another success on their hands so the M2 gets the green light and a smaller more nimble M product will be built (if that is more your cup of tea). We expect the M3 to be an amazing piece of engineering that will keep just about everyone smiling from behind the wheel.

328i Wins Cars.com Sports Sedan Comparo – We Go Behind the Scenes

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Gabe

Our friends at Cars.com had an idea. Bring together the best of the current crop of mid-size sports sedans and pick a winner. But it’s not the normal buff-book test. Instead Cars did what they do best; looking at the question from the consumers point of view while not forgetting the intent of the sports sedan. You can read the full story here.

Naturally, the line-up was impressive: Acura TL, Audi A4, BMW 328i, Cadillac ATS, Mercedes-Benz C250 and the Volvo S60. The winner?

As you might have expected, the 328i walked away with the crown. Great for us BMW fans, right? But what about the rest of the story. How did it win? Why did it win? And what did the folks at Cars really think about it versus the competition? These are auto writers who don’t live and breathe BMWs like we do. We wanted to know more, so we reached out to Cars.com Managing Editor (and long time BimmerFile friend) Dave Thomas to get his take on the test and on the 328i.

BimmerFile: First off thanks for joining us and giving BF readers a deeper glimpse into the test. Can you tell us more about attributes of the test?

Cars.com / Dave Thomas: “Our test involved five other experts besides myself and I don’t want to speak for them and their findings. We were all asked for our favorite and least favorite attributes about each car for the results so what you see there are things that we noticed, but might not have impacted the scoring significantly.”

BF: Did the 328i surprise you?

DT: It didn’t surprise me specifically as being the best of the group and certainly many of us guessed at its mileage prowess from past experience. But many of us were surprised at just how big a difference the M Sport package made to the car’s all-around performance. Not just at the track.

On area roads it was the only one that turned mundane driving around suburbia into something that resembled fun. When we were done with tests it was the car I grabbed the keys to for driving to dinner or the drugstore.

BF: Over the years we’ve heard that the A4 and ATS were closing or have closed the gap on the 3 Series overall if not performance. What did you find?

DT: The A4 is a terrific all-around car and I liked it on the track more than others did. It still feels light and spry and the turbo is one of my favorites. It is showing age now as you’d expect, especially in the interior. Audi probably needs to boost power or offer a slightly better performance model or packages below the S4 to compete with what the 328i is doing. I’m not sure their available Sport Package would have helped enough here.

The ATS dynamically comes really close to the 328i. The weight distribution, steering and handling were all really remarkable. For them it is just refining the turbo and the transmission and then they’ll be right there. It is small though inside. I see it and perhaps the CLA offering these driving dynamics but sacrificing practicality.

BF: How does the price premium of the 328i effect its place in the market. Do you think its justified?

DT:The cool thing about our test is we found a price that was the average for 328i sedans listed on Cars.com. A huge sample actually. We then asked all the automakers to come in under that price and equip the cars as they saw fit. The challenge was a $46,000 challenge. Cadillac and BMW equipped their cars to that price as close as they could and Acura was not far behind. I was surprised Audi left over $5,000 on the table. It really showed in our evaluations in terms of features.

We really rate value highly in all of our challenges and for this one it was if you were getting your money’s worth. That’s why we have payment comparisons listed too.

The automakers are pretty smart about what cars they bring so the least expensive Volvo S60, which was still second fastest in 0-60 and 1Ž4 mile, had a ton of equipment like keyless entry, start, nice leather etc. It wowed the real-world couple we had.

For the BMW if you’re not an enthusiast you’d save nearly $4k on the M Sport option and fall quite nicely in the middle of the pack with a decent slate of features.

BF: You mentioned an uneven interior. What specifically did Cars.com feel could be improved upon?

DT: Again, I’m only going to speak for myself, and we were asked to list our least favorite attributes. I thought it was a perfect interior for this price. Interior quality is one of those things auto experts routinely disagree on. I mainly focus on them in terms of the price of the car or the segment they are in. None of the other cars there had a decidedly “better” interior than the 328i. Your tastes however may have you preferring the S60 or ATS more, like our test couple.

BF: We agree BMW hasn’t quite perfect the auto start-stop – especially on the N20 four cylinder. Who does it right?

DT: No one really does it well. Some of the better integrations are on hybrids which obviously have advantages. Trust me, the CLS AMG auto start-stop is the most disturbing thing I’ve ever encountered in a car. Feels like the car just died at the stop light with a loud clunk and stutter. Turn it off and you have zero complaints about that car.

BF: Finally you mention the lack of feel within the controls and how BMW has lost that little by little each generation. Do you believe that today’s average consumer notices that and feel the same? Do you think that BMW is in danger of losing its unique position as the ultimate driving machine by that loss of a textured driving experience or do you think that most simply look at grip and acceleration?

DT: That was another comment from a single expert of the group. In fact, I really think what BMW has done with the new 3 series is remarkable. I thought the model I tested after it initially came out was a great compromise and something I’d recommend to anyone in terms of ease of driving and comfortable ride. And it had plenty of backseat room for my kids’ car seats.

Throw in the M Sport package and it is a driver’s car that is entirely livable… but might not be for everyone. So BMW has really addressed two markets with a $3,850 option. Plus… now I don’t recommend anyone opting for the 335i and its $6,000 price premium over the 328i with M Sport.

And as the test proved, it was the ultimate driving machine versus the other five we had on hand.

A big thanks to Dave Thomas and Cars.com for giving us a bit more insight. Often we read these kind of tests as consumers and take away just the results. But the reality is that, when you get a bunch of automotive writers together for a story like this, there’s quite a lot more that goes into the final piece. And it’s often more interesting for enthusiasts than what is presented to the common consumer. We also like the fact that they too agreed with our view that the 328i is the better car- something we’ve gotten grief for over the last year!

All photos above are courtesy of Cars.com and Joe Bruzek

BMW 328d Sedan Debuts at New York International Auto Show

Posted on March 30, 2013 by Michael

We’ve talked about this engine over the past year in other models and how it truly is the fuel miser than many diesel fans crave- with a bit of unexpected grunt. In our 120d we are seeing an average of around 50 mpg in combined driving with our often heavy left foot so the estimates of 45 mpg for the 328d on the highway may even be a bit on the low side.

The new BMW 328d Sedan debuted to the US market at the New York International Auto, ushering in the next wave of BMW Advanced Diesel models in the US. The 328d will feature BMW’s 2.0-liter TwinPower diesel 4-cylinder engine. It produces 180 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, available from 1,750 rpm. It will be mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The 328d Sedan will accelerate from 0 – 60 mph in just over seven seconds. Preliminary highway fuel economy estimates are expected to be 45 mpg. The 328d Sedan will be available in rear wheel drive and also with xDrive, BMW’s advanced all-wheel drive system. The sedans will be joined by the 328d xDrive Sports Wagon. All Three variants will arrive in US showroom as 2014 models in fall of 2013.

BMW Advanced diesel models have already shown to US enthusiasts that diesel power can be perfectly suited to The Ultimate Driving Machine. With the introduction of the first 4-cylinder diesel BMW engine offered in the US, BMW Advanced Diesel power and particularly outstanding levels of torque and outstanding fuel efficiency. Preliminary fuel economy estimates for the rear wheel drive 328d Sedan are 32 mpg city/45 mpg highway/37 mpg combined*. BMW Advanced Diesel technology includes Selective Catalyst Reduction to make the new 328d models true clean diesels.

Unlike in past BMW diesels there will is not an additional cutout for the AdBlue, it will be along side the fuel filler tucked nicely behind the filler door and out of sight.

Levels of performance and luxury expected of any BMW 3 Series will be ensured with levels of standard equipment on par with the 328i gasoline models. The options list will include Luxury, Sport and Modern Lines as well as M Sport.

Detailed specifications and pricing will be available closer to launch. All three 328d variants will be available in US showrooms this fall.

More Power: BMW M Performance Power Kit for 2012 and Later BMW 335i Sedan.

Posted on March 27, 2013 by Michael

Increased power, responsiveness, and sensation are hallmarks of BMW’s fully-developed kit.

BMW today announced a new M Performance Power Kit for the 2012 model year and later BMW 335i Sedan and 335i xDrive Sedan models. The M Performance Power Kit joins the existing M Performance Parts line which includes chassis, aerodynamics, exhaust system components, and trim accessories. Developed through consultation by the engineers at BMW M GmbH, the M Performance Power Kit is immediately available through all Authorized BMW Centers in the US, with MSRP starting at $1,100 (plus Installation) and retains BMW’s 4-Year / 50,000-mile New Vehicle Warranty when purchased with a new vehicle.

More Power. More Dynamic. More Emotion. Once the Power Kit is installed, the vehicle’s rated horsepower is increased from 300 to 320 on all models. Automatic transmission-equipped models enjoy a 32 lb-ft peak torque increase (to 332 lb-ft), while manual transmission-equipped models benefit from a 17 lb-ft peak torque increase (to 317 lb-ft). All models receive a re-mapped accelerator pedal calibration for more dynamic throttle response, and the Power Kit produces a signature, highly-emotional “exhaust burble” sound during engine overrun conditions. 0-60mph acceleration is improved 0.2 seconds compared to standard 335i models, while 50-75mph times drop by a full half-second.

The BMW M Performance Power Kit features comprehensive engine tuning via advanced software 335i and 335i xDrive Sedan models. The kit includes updated software or replacement engine DME (electronic control unit), high-capacity engine air intake system, signature BMW M Performance engine cover, and rocker panel decals. This gives the 335i Sedan or 335i xDrive Sedan a substantial power boost (+20 horsepower) while retaining the original 50-state legal emissions certification and fuel efficiency ratings.

Installed with Confidence. The vehicle’s original BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty is not affected by the installation of the M Performance Power Kit, and Kit components are covered under warranty for the duration of the original BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty (4 Years / 50,000 miles) if purchased at the time of new vehicle sale, or for 2 Years / unlimited miles if installed later.

Video: BMW ALPINA B3 BiTurbo

Posted on March 22, 2013 by Michael

We are not going to be apologetic in our love of all things Alpina. Sure they are expensive, sure they sometimes can be a bit over the top but that is the whole point. The automobiles that Buchloe churns out are nothing less than stellar when you consider the bespoke nature and exclusivity they represent. The B3 BiTurbo is the essence of performance and luxury wrapped into one. Don’t believe us? Check out the video. The caveat being the US can only dream of this car- especially in wagon form.