New BMW 316d with 116HP and 62.8mpg UK Released for Europe

BMW is extending its 3-Series' lineup in Europe with a new entry-level diesel model that will go on sale in September alongside the 2010MY 1-Series Coupe and hatchback models. Dubbed by the Bavarian automaker as the most fuel efficient and cleanest 3 Series ever, the 316d is powered by a de-tuned version of BMW's 2.0-liter 4-cylinder diesel producing a maximum output of 116 horsepower and peak torque of 260Nm or 192-lb/ft from 1,750rpm.

Power is transmitted to the road via a six-speed manual gearbox with BMW claiming that the 316d delivers a zero to 62mph (100km/h) time of 10.9 seconds while returning 62.8mpg UK (52.3mpg US or 4.5lt/100km) on the combined cycle with a CO2 emission rating of 118g/km. According to the Bavarian firm, the 316d has an impressive theoretical range in excess of 800 miles or 1290 kilometers.

In the UK, the new 316d Saloon will arrive at dealerships in September priced at £23,330 OTR.

Craigslist Find: 1991 BMW 340is E30 with 4.0-liter V8 Engine

It's not the craziest or most extreme E30 project out there (that title could go to the 350i with its 350HP 5.0-liter V12, perhaps even to the RX-7 rotary-powered 320i), but this BMW 340is that's up for grabs on Philly's Craigslist certainly caught our attention. As stated by the seller, the 318is' factory 136HP 1.8-liter four-pot gave its place to a 740i-derived 4.0-liter V8 engine (we're guessing it's the M60 V8 with 286HP) coupled to a 5 speed manual transmission.

The heavily modded E30 also features a limited slip differential, an upgraded suspension, M Roadster trailing arms, E36 M3 front brakes, M Roadster rear brakes, 17-inch M3 alloy wheels and a not so cool, larger double kidney grille.

The asking price for the 340is is $14,950 which may very well be justified by the work involved in the project, but don't forget that (in the States) with less than $15k you can get into the driver's seat of a M3 E36 Coupe.

Hat tip to Michail! - Link: Craigslist , Photos: AKG

BMW 3-Series Touring vs Estonian Tram: Driver Made it Out Unharmed!

Looking at the above picture, it's hard to believe that the driver of this black BMW 3-Series Touring actually managed to escape unscathed from this extremely tight fit between a tram and a traffic pole in the city of Tallinn in Estonia. And even though most of the photos were taken while the firefighters were trying to rip the car apart in order to free the tram, still, this driver should consider him extremely fortunate. And in case you're wondering, he's the guy with the long hair sitting at the rear bench of the bimmer fiddling around with his cell phone and laptop - any humorous captions are more than welcome.

See the entire Photo Album here : Pilt (via: Fishki)

BMW Reportedly Working on 1.3-liter and 1.8-liter Turbo Engines with 163 to 321HP

It's a rumor we've been hearing about since the beginning of the decade; BMW's turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engines, yet up until now, the only small capacity turbo unit we've seen from the Bavarian group is the MINI's 1.6-liter engine that was co-developed with PSA Peugeot-Citroen. Now, Britain's Sky Motoring is reporting that BMW is well ahead in the development of not only a 1.8-liter turbocharged four pot, but also a smaller 1.3-liter 3-cylinder unit, both of which will be available in the next generation 1- and 3-Series models.

The author of the article does not state where he got the information from, but he does give out detailed output and torque figures for all the possible variants of the two turbocharged engines. For example, the 1.3-liter 3-cylinder engine is said to be offered in three guises with 163, 201 and 241HP while the larger four-cylinder unit in two variants with 273 and 321HP. That means that the 1.3L unit tops out at an amazing 185hp per liter while the 1.8L at 178HP per liter.

The numbers are suspiciously high for a pair of gasoline engines designated to find their way under the hood of mainstream models such as the 1-Series, so for the time being and until we hear something new, this story remains in 'Rumorville'

Source: Sky , Via: Autoblog.com

LUMMA Design's new Styling Kit for BMW 3-Series Coupe

There seems to be no shortage these days of new upgrades for the BMW 3-Series Coupe. The latest offering comes from LUMMA Design that has developed a new styling package for the E92 that consists of a rear apron (€535), carbon fiber mirror caps (€395), front spoiler (€849), side skirts with air-ducts (€569), boot lid spoiler (€299 or €653 if you want it in carbon fiber), roof spoiler (€299 or €653 in carbon) and chrome plated exhaust pipes (€353).

For those that want the Full Monty, LUMMA Design also offers a pair of composite front fenders with M3-style air ducts at €850 and multispoke 19-inch alloy wheels priced at €4,900.

2010 BMW 3-Series Coupe Facelift Spied?

With last year's introduction of the subtly refreshed BMW 3-Series Sedan and Touring models, it was only a matter of time before we heard something about the Coupe and Cabriolet versions of the most popular model in the Bavarian automaker's range. Now, the BMW-loving crew over at E90post are claiming to have the first spy photos of E92 3-Series Coupe facelift, courtesy of Brenda Priddy and her team.

However, don't get too excited as the only thing that sets this prototype apart from today's model is the taped bumper and well, that's about it. We'll have to wait and see if BMW actually limits the styling changes to the nose or if the Munich-based automaker proceeds to more extensive cosmetic changes.

Via: e90post , Photos: Brenda Priddy

BMW RS35 BiTurbo with 414HP by Racing Dynamics

For those that insist on turning their backs on factory cars in favor of tuner-prepped models, or in this particular case, if you prefer a modified BMW 335i Coupe with 414HP over a standard 420HP M3, Racing Dynamics has revealed its latest proposal in the form of the RS35 BiTurbo. The Milan-based tuning firm that is also known as RDSport, has upgraded the 335i's turbocharged straight-six engine with electronic modifications along with a free-flowing intake and a larger, more-efficient intercooler resulting to an output of 414HP and 404 lb/ft of torque.

The Italian tuning house did not disclose performance figures for the RS35 BiTurbo, but we gather that it will be a tad faster than the stock 306HP 335i Coupe that goes from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in 5.5 seconds versus the M3's 4.8 seconds.

To improve handling, Racing Dynamics has equipped the 335i Coupe with "custom-valved" Bilstein struts, stiffer springs and anti-roll bars. The Bavarian coupe that rides on new 20-inch multi-piece wheels shod in Pirelli P Zero Nero rubber, now sits 25 mm lower in the front and 20mm lower at the rear.

On the outside the RS35 BiTurbo is distinguished by the new carbon-fiber front bumper with larger openings for better engine and brake cooling with an exposed carbon housing for fog lights. A new set of side skirts and revised rear apron with quad exhaust cut outs along with a roof and trunk spoiler complete the changes.

As for the interior, upgrades include the RS Pedal Set in machined aluminum, aluminum hand brake cover, logo carpet set, a new speedometer and RDSport crests in the steering wheel and shift knob.

Source: RDSport , Via: Worldcarfans

New BMW Alpina D3 Bi-Turbo with 214HP and 52.3MPG available in the UK

The new BMW Alpina D3 Bi-Turbo saloon has arrived on UK showroom floors priced at £29,950 when equipped with a manual gearbox and at £31,585 when opted with an automatic transmission. Based on the recently facelifted BMW 3-Series sedan, the Alpina D3 utilizes a modified version of the 123d's 2.0-liter twin-turbocharged 4-cylinder diesel engine producing an output of 214HP at 4,100 rpm and an M3-beating 450Nm (332 lbs)of torque at 2,000 - 2,500 rpm.

Alpina claims that the D3 Bi-Turbo saloon can reach a top speed of 152mph (245 km/h) while performing the 0-62 mph (100 km/h) sprint in 6.9 seconds. Not bad at all especially when you take into consideration that manual version returns a combined economy figure (EU cycle) of 52.3mpg UK (that's 5.4 lt /100km or 43.6 mpg US) with 143 g/km of CO2.

ALPINA D3 Bi-Turbo Saloon		Price OTR		Power hp	Torque Nm	0-62 mph Sec	Top speed mph	Combined mpg	CO2g/km
Manual gearbox		£29,950		214	450	6.9	152	52.3	143
Automatic gearbox		£31,585		214	450	6.9	152	50.4	148

BMW’s Munich Plant Produces its 750,000th Current Generation 3-Series

BMW’s Munich plant reached an important milestone today as it produced its 750,000th current generation 3-Series model. The 750,000th 3-Series was a white 335i Sedan that is heading for a customer in Mexico. The fifth generation 3-Series went into production in December 1st, 2004 at the Bavarian automaker’s factories in Munich, Regensburg and Leipzig in Germany as well as in Rosslyn, South Africa. -Continued

Overall, BMW has built around 1.75 million variants of the new 3-Series in Sedan, Touring, Coupe and Cabriolet forms since its introduction in 2004, which is about 300,000 units more than what it had produced of the previous generation 3er in the same period.