BimmerCast Archives - BimmerFile

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BimmerCast 60 is here and we ‘ve got quite a bit to catch-up on. The M6 is first up (with a proper orange no less) that captured our attention more than any 6 series product before it.

We then move onto the M Line of Performance cars. The car that has us particularly excited is the M135i. It may not be thesuccessor to the 1M that some had hoped but it ‘s better realized take on the 135i (which was originally meant to be an “is ” model). We then move onto MINI ‘s JCW and how that may have served as the template for the M Performance Line.

And the rumor of BMW buying Saab? Oddly makes sense to us. You ‘ll want to listen to hear the rational.

The post BimmerCast #60: The M6, M Performance Line & Why BMW May Want Saab appeared first on BimmerFile.

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After a long day of interviews at the North American International Auto Show Todd and Matt caught up with BMWNA ‘s M Boss Matthew Russell with an impromptu interview that covered a range of topics. First up we talk 3 Series and the fact that the NAIAS this year is all about 3er. But then we quickly move onto the M5 and why Mr. Russell loves the X5M but thinks the M5 is hands-down the best car in the world.

Then things move onto the 1M and Todd asked the big question; will we ever see a 1M again? Mr. Russell clearly admits that M took notice of the excitement around the 1M but no promises have or will be made any time soon.

What about the US Alpina range that Russell also heads? Will we see something more than a B7 that ‘s currently in the US market? Russell would like to see some new offerings – especially something like the diesel powered D3. There ‘s also clearly more that can be done on the 5 and 6 series platform and Russell doesn ‘t want to rule anything there either. But at this time there ‘s nothing to confirm.

It ‘s a quick show but one we ‘re sure you ‘ll enjoy.

The post BimmerCast #59: BMWNA M Head Matthew Russell Interviewed appeared first on BimmerFile.

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We ‘re back but a week since our last show with a look ahead at 2012 and some improved audio quality and another big 60 minute show. But more importantly we tell you how to properly order an F30 and what those “Lines ” really are.

After the F30 we move onto the Detroit and Geneva Motor shows and what to expect at each. But what about M? 2012 will initially be the year of the M5 and then as things warm-up a drop-top with close to 600 hp. We break-down what to expect from the new halo M car – the M6. Finally I admit to temporarily putting an E60 M5 into limp mode due to cold weather and a little impatience.

Then we move onto the i3 and the i8 – the latter which has recently sprouted some very normal looking doors.

Finally we talk tech and BMW apps. More specifically we get into the positives and negatives of BMW Apps and BMW ‘s Online service. But more importantly, through our sources, we take a hypothetical look at the feature of BMW ‘s online in-car services. If you think things are interesting now, just wait a few years.

The post BimmerCast #58: How to Order an F30, Updates on the M6, i8 & and the Future of BMW Apps appeared first on BimmerFile.

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Something funny happened after Michael and I finished our last podcast for BimmerFile. We started talking MINIs. And as we ‘re prone to do, we quickly started talking about future cars and the direction of the brand. What followed was the most efficient use of ten minutes possible to MINI fans. In short we break down when you ‘ll see the next generation MINI, what will be under the hood, and what will happen to the rest of the MINI range through 2015. IF you ‘re a MINI fan, you ‘ll not want to miss this one.

The post BimmerCast #58b: The Future of MINI appeared first on BimmerFile.

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After a very long break we ‘re back with another big show. First up we recap the last two months of BMW news starting of course with the 6er Gran Coupe and then quickly moving onto the F30 and next generation M3. We round out the news with some thought on DTM and the future of BMW ‘s racing programs. But this show is all about our personal highs and lows of the year with Michael and I dishing a few surprises.

Here ‘s the full list of news recapped (after the break).

– 6 series Gran Coupe

The post BimmerCast #57: BMW\’s Year in Review appeared first on BimmerFile.

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After a very long break we ‘re back with our biggest and longest show ever. We start with the M5 and new 3 Series and Michael ‘s first-hand experiences with both cars. And as much as that could be a show in itself, we move on to tackle pretty much every other major BMW topic from the last three months. The show runs a little over an hour and weighs in at 45 mb but it ‘s one you won ‘t want to miss.

Here ‘s the full list (after the break).

– M5: Engine diff and the truth behind the M5 ‘s sound enhancement

The post BimmerCast #56: M5, F30 3 Series, F20 1 Series & Full Recap of the Last Four Months of BMW appeared first on BimmerFile.

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We at BF get a lot of opportunities to drive BMWs. But rarely do we have a chance to current M line-up aganst each-other at a track like Laguna Seca. And more than anything we wanted to see how each the M3 and the X6M stacked up against the newest and most acclaimed M cars in years – the 1 Series M Coupe. I won ‘t give the results away but one thing that was pretty telling was how excited I was on each lap with each car at the famed corkscrew. There ‘s one car late in the recording that causes me to almost scream like a little girl.

The big take away from this test (beyond the eventual winner) has to be the track. I ‘m not talking about Laguna (which of course is one of the best tracks in the US). I specifically talking about driving street cars on a close circuit. We ‘ve long been a big proponent of track time and clubs such as the BMWCCA who host such events. We simply can ‘t stress enough how much better a driver it makes you and how it improves your understanding of what your car can and cannot do.

The post BimmerCast #55: the 1M vs the M3 & X6M at Laguna Seca appeared first on BimmerFile.

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We caught up with Mr Watts while at Laguna Seca where M was showing off the new M5 for the first time on US soil. We wanted to check in on the latest from the M Division (ie the M5) as well as shed some more light on the background of the 1M. Specifically we were able to get some fascinating new details surrounding the 1M and how it almost didn ‘t come to market. Mr. Watts also was able to dispel some persistent rumors around the car. Specifically whether we ‘ll see a 2012 model year and whether or not a 1M CSL is coming.

It ‘s a must listen for any BMW M fan – especially 1M owners.

The post BimmerCast Interview: Brian Watts – Head of Marketing & Sales for BMW M appeared first on BimmerFile.

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We ‘re back after a month break that saw Michael make the big move across the pond to Germany. But the news never stops and, as you ‘d expect, we have a ton to catch-up on. Full list of topics after the break.

– 1M CSL Rumor (squashed)

And more.

The post BimmerCast #53: Z4M, M5, Tri-Turboes & the 6 Series Gran Sport appeared first on BimmerFile.

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As you may have guessed we ‘re pretty pumped for the 24 Hours of the Nurburgring this weekend here at BF. Sure F1 is at Valencia, but for those could do without the glitz and glamour and would rather focus on the ultimate man and machine, there isn ‘t a better race in the world. So with that said we thought it appropriate to do a little refresher on the track that will be featured this weekend and that has so shaped BMW over the years.

The Nordschleife Nurburgring has been synonymous with the BMW brand since the 1930 ‘s. BMW and its products are probably more closely tied to the ‘Ring than any other manufacturer. Every car BMW designs and engineers ultimately makes its way to the ‘Ring for what some would consider the most important part of its development process.

But the beauty of the Nordschleife is that you can actually drive any street legal car on it much of the year. All it takes is around $30 and you have a chance to tackle the most famous (and perhaps dangerous) track in the world. Having driven it in the past I can tell you that there is simply nothing that can totally prepare you for the experience. No matter how great video games have become, there is no way they can match the sensation of the real track. And beyond that the paddock area is about as close to automotive heaven as you can get. Every kind of car from every manufacturer is there in one of the best impromptu car shows you ‘ll ever see.

So to celebrate the 2010 24 Hours of the Nurburgring we ‘re presenting both our BMW podcast (recording while driving the ‘Ring with our good friend and Axel) and the official BMW PDF all about the history of the track.A highly recommended and listen read for anyone with interest in the ultimate track.

+ The Nordschleife Line / Sport Auto PDF (by BMW, 2003)

You can see more photos of our last trip to the ‘Ring below.

The post BimmerCast Special: Guide to the Nurburgring appeared first on BimmerFile.