• new cars

    BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo May Spell End For U.S. Wagon

    At an briefing today on the upcoming BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo, BMW's manager of product planning, Martin Berkmann, explained the new GT may spell the end for U.S. imports of the 5-Series wagon. Only time and sales numbers'll tell.
  • spy photos

    BMW 5-Series GT Caught Undisguised In Manhattan!

    Tipster Pearse caught the new production BMW 5-Series GT lazily hanging out for a photo shoot with models, hipsters and businessmen near the Holland Tunnel entrance in Manhattan. You know, where most of these will end up hanging out anyway.
  • new cars

    BMW 5-Series GT: First Press Photos Reveal Seriously Big Butt

    BMW plans for boosting and lifting automotive rear ends continue with the BMW 5-Series GT. While we already saw the concept in Geneva, these are the first official shots of the production version, set to debut at September's Frankfurt Motor Show and go on sale in early 2010. More »
  • spy photos

    2011 BMW 5-Series GT Is Like The 5-Series GT Concept

    Try hard to find something different between this lightly camouflaged 2011 BMW 5-Series GT and the concept version. We're pretty sure the only difference is the addition of pop-up headlight washers. More »
  • LOLCars

    British BMW Driver Follows Sat Nav To Cliff Edge, Darwin Loses

    British drivers have blindly following their navigation systems before, but Robert Jones took it to the extreme, driving his BMW 5-series down a rocky path before a fence barely stopped his plunge off a cliff. More »
  • spy photos

    2011 BMW F10 5-Series Brochure Scan Leak

    This scan from Bimmerpost appears to be the upcoming 2011 BMW 5-Series in a revealing leaked brochure scan, but could this image be more than meets the eye? More »
  • 2011 BMW 5-Series GT Concept

    2010 BMW 5-Series GT Design Sketches

    What kind of drunken mess occurred in the creation of the 2010 BMW 5-Series GT? The sketches below indicate the Concept CS, X6 and 5-Series mated to create this carefully designed mutant love child. More »
  • 2011 BMW 5-Series GT Concept

    BMW 5-Series GT Concept Officially Shows Off Flexible Rear

    Once Herr Bangle moved his posterior out of the way, we got a good look at the 2009 BMW 5-Series GT Concept. Now we've got the full photos and pictures. More »
  • 2011 BMW 5-Series GT Concept

    BMW 5-Series GT Concept: Giving Bangle's Rear A Lift

    Our friends at BMWblog got photos from the preview of the 2009 BMW 5-Series GT Concept prior to its official debut in Geneva. Thankfully Bangle finally moved aside so we can show the new design. More »
  • recalls

    BMW Recalling 200,000 Vehicles Due To Airbag Non-Deployment Issues

    BMW announced today that it was recalling approximately 200,000 vehicles because a sensor issue might stop the front passenger airbag from deploying. The issue comes from small cracks that could develop within a seat detection mat, causing the airbag to be deactivated. Affected are MY 2006 3-series and MY 2004-2006 5-series cars and MY 2004-2006 X3 SUVs. Thankfully, no one has reported being hurt because of potential problem, and it doesn't seem to affect other airbags. We guess It's a good thing that BMW drivers are so unlikely to crash... [MSNBC]
  • 2010 bmw 5-series

    2010 BMW 5-Series Spotted At The Ring, We Get All Up In Its Grille

    There's been some speculation as to the design direction of the 2010 BMW 5-Series. Specifically, there are those who wondered if it would be a conservative and evolutionary move from the E60 or a more drastic change similar to the BMW CS Concept. These spy photos, which show an undisguised grille, seem to point a larger and smoother opening more similar to the CS than the 2008 BMW 5-series. All the better for a twin-turbo V8 to breathe with? Spy report below the jump. More »
  • 2009 bmw 555i

    2009 BMW 555i Spotted In California?

    Attentive Jalopnik reader Brian Lopes was out-and-about when he spotted something slightly off about this new 5-Series BMW parked over the weekend in Long Beach, California. The badging indicates that this is a "555i" BMW. Those who have been following the company know that this latest version of the aging E60 is rumored to be getting a version of the 4.4L, twin-turbo N64 V8 good for about 400 horsepower and 450 ft.-lbs. of torque. The word on the street was that this was set to sneak out in 2009, so the chances of it running around in public are fairly slim and our BMW sources indicate that they have no knowledge of that model existing (though, they would say that wouldn't they?). Most likely, then, this is a regular 5-series owned by someone who purchased an extra badge and did the work themselves. Still, dare to dream.
  • ad watch

    Pontiac G8 GT Slams BMW 5-Series In Poetic Verse

    From the book of car, whatever that is, comes the latest in the march of ads for the Pontiac G8 GT. We all thought the Spy Hunter commercial was clever, and the Hot Wheels one was slick too. This new web-only commercial turns it up a notch, taking the fight right to the lion's den, comparing the new 2008 Pontiac G8 GT to the BMW 5-Series. Hmm, that's an interesting approach from the brand that never used to drive excitement, especially when they claimed they were, but since it's their ad, do we really have to say who comes out ahead in this one? What we really like about this latest commercial is the poetry slam vs. powerpoint presentation style, plus the funny pictures of goats. Subtle allusion to the Pontiacs of the past, perhaps, but automakers should remember that farm animals always make for a good direction for a car commercial. At least in our minds. [Youtube]
  • new york auto show

    BMW Debuting New CS Concept?

    There's something fishy going on at BMW this morning. We're pretty sure what you see here is just the BMW CS Concept that was shown in Shanghai last year, but some part of us is wishing it's the new luxury flagship that's allegedly being developed along the concept's lines, or maybe even the 2010 5-series. We'll see at 11:10 when the wraps come off. More »
  • stupid criminals

    Off With Their Hands! Dubai Car Thieves Jack Police Bimmers

    Forget the Interceptor, Johnny Law (or is that Mohammed Law?) in Dubai rolls in 5-series BMW's. How else do you keep up with the wonderful and unreasonably fast Arab prince specials? This has to be a bit rough on local thieves, forced to escape the clutches of the Bavarian police cruisers. Hey, if you can't beat'em, join'em. And if you can't join'em, steal their cars. More »
  • spy photos

    2010 BMW 5-Series, Rendered And Speculated

    The skilled Photoshoppers at eGMCarTech have used their airbrush and clone stamp to render what they think the 2010 BMW 5-Series will look like when it debuts sometime next year. The design clearly departs from the 2008 5-Series at the nose, picking up some cues from the BMW CS Concept, or maybe that's just us. We also see a Dürer woodcut in there. More »
  • ces

    The Devil Made Him Do It: Honda 5-Series?

    Convincing isn't it? The body work, the lights, the wheels, the stance... at first glance they all work together quite nicely to telegraph that yes, this is a riced BMW 5-series. You have to cry a little inside even though the BMW is a bit ugly to begin with. What can you think though, when you swing around to the front and notice that there's a four cylinder engine mounted east-west? Confusion, fear, disbelief - these are all normal feelings. When you realize this is a Honda Civic with more money invested in it than you have in your kids college fund, how does that make you feel? Is it better to be a poseur Civic, or a ricer BMW? Hey, who cares, there are blue boobs in the trunk. More »
  • spy photos

    BMW V5 Progressive Activity Sedan, on Video

    Call it the Ultimate Driving High-Roof MPV, a Mercedes R-Class killer, or the answer to a question they only ask in Scarsdale. BMW calls it the Progressive Activity Vehicle, though we hear it'll be tagged V5, as it's based on the 5-Series. Autocar vidded up a look at the PAS in action before it goes on sale early next decade. Will it remain a dubious luxury paradigm created via obsessive market research, or a favorite of empty nesters transporting sausage stuffing and pies across state lines. Only the AARP knows for sure. [via Carscoop]
  • spy photos

    2010 BMW V5?

    No folks, despite that extended rear end, we're told this tester caught by the spy peepers at UK's InfoMotori isn't the BMW X6 but actually is the 2010 BMW V5 out for some early testing. According to BMW's game plans revealed a few months ago, the V5's supposedly a sort of a mix between a Touring and an MPV, with awd variants. Although the unevenly shaped four-door may end up being called the 5 series coupe — especially seeing as it'll get the same engine lineup as the 5 series and the X5 — for the time being fans of Bayerische Motoren Werke are calling it the V5, so we guess we'll roll with them on it. [via InfoMotori]
  • racing

    Euripedes and Rusty Gallop the 24 Hours of LeMons!

    We're not going to let our recent trip to the Pumpkin Smash enduro distract us from our continuing coverage of the 24 Hours of LeMons race at Altamont a week earlier, since we haven't shown you some of the coolest cars yet. Like, for example, the amazing Circus Maximus BMW, which featured a lifesize charioteer-and-horseheads rig on the roof and a Roman-helmet motif done in beer bottle caps on the hood. "Nice art car," you might sneer, "but race cars should be fast!" Does it make you feel any better to know that this car led for most of both days, and only missed the checkered flag by seven seconds? More »
  • racing

    The 24 Hours of LeMons Winner: Black Iron Racing's BMW

    After all these posts on the cars of the 24 Hours of LeMons race at Altamont last weekend, we've overlooked a very important one: the winner! We know it's a BMW, we hear it's an '85, it looks sort of like a 5-Series-amino, and it blew away some very good drivers in some very quick cars to take the checkered flag. Good job, Black Iron Racing... and get ready to face the mighty Jalopnik Aztek at the next race! You can get a beater Aztek for under $500 now, right? Jump like an MR2 getting bounced off the wall by a '75 Buick to see photos and a bit of video of the glorious LeMons winners... More »
  • choose your eternity

    Project Car Hell, LeMons Edition: CRX or BMW?

    There's been a lot of talk among Los Jalops about the possibility of entering a car in the 24 Hours of LeMons race. Yes, we've been burning up the IM wires with our heated debates on the merits of various cars (a mid-80s Supra? A basket-case WRX available miraculously cheap? A P71 Crown Vic?), and you all even jumped in on the fun. But what it comes right down to is the fact that we want to win. And what dominated the track last weekend? Yes, BMWs and Honda CRXs. So, we've dug up one of each that squeeze under the $500 price barrier; feel free to knock-down-drag-out debate their respective merits and flaws. More »
  • engine

    Workhorse Engine of the Day: BMW M30

    First of all, thanks for all the great Workhorse Engine of the Day suggestions, everyone- we'll be working down the list, so keep the ideas coming and don't get upset if your favorite engine hasn't appeared yet. Today we're going over to Europe (thanks to the suggestion of PatrickAustin) to take a look at the venerable BMW M30 engine. Built in various displacements for nearly 30 years, the Bavarian über-six-banger powered a bunch of our favorite BMWs, ranging from our last DOTS BMW to the '94 730i. And while we're at it, we'd like to thank Wikipedia for boasting so many must-read engine pages that, once lured in, you might as well forget about working for the rest of the day. [Wikipedia]
  • iphone your ride

    BMW Welcomes iPhone, We Think iPhone May Even Welcome Them Back

    If you just unpacked your iPhone and you've got yourself a BMW 3 and 5 Series with 03/07 production, the X5 with 04/07 production and the 6 Series with 09/07 production dates equipped with an iPod/USB interface — guess what? You'll be able to drop the iPhone into your ride and faster than you can say "Boom!" in your best German accent — you'll be good to go. Or at least that's what we've learned from the following site that's just been pointed out to us below. What level of integration that means, we've no idea — but since BMW was the first to provide iPod support, one should expect they'd be first out the gate with iPhone support. More »
  • new cars

    BMW Releases 2008 5 Series

    BMW's just released the deets on their new-for-2008 5 Series, and we now know what we've already known — 2009's going to be the big refresh for the mid-size luxe sedan and wagon from the folks at Bayerische Motoren Werke. 2008's kind of "meh," with the only real changes in looks we're seeing from last year's model are some slight changes to the skirt-bound air intakes as well as to the headlights, dashboard and interior design. Otherwise, this Bangle-baby's pretty darn similar to the '06 model. The only real change appears to be coming from under the hood — it's enough that the 6-cylinder sedans and sport wagons will be receiving "new model designations, reflecting a marked boost in power." Exit the now old-school 525i and 525xi, and enter the new 230 hp 528i and 528xi. Similarly, say goodbye to the 530i and 530xi, and say hello to the new inline-six, 300 hp N54 twin-turboed 535i and 535xi. In fact, the only designation seeing a decease in numbers-in-name seems to be the old 290 hp V8 540i sports wagon that's now been renamed the 535xi. Check out all the numbers for yourself below the jump in the extra-long press release. More »
  • gossip

    Best of Both: A Diesel Hybrid from BMW?

    How far can we stretch a story based on one of Autocar's unnamed sources? Let's see. According to a senior engineer source of Autocar's, the company won't launch a hybrid unless it's as economical as a diesel. That sounds about right, considering BMW's spent plenty of R&D money on diesels, and is planning to expand its diesel line into the US. Is it too much of a leap to say the company's first hybrid — a version of the 5-Series, whose hybrid-drive system the company developed with GM and DaimlerChrysler — will be a diesel hybrid? Not for Autocar, which apparently surmises as such from the engineer's comments. Is it sexy conjecture, or will BMW be the first automaker to drop an oil-electricity system into a passenger car? Either way, the first hybrid 5-Series is expected to arrive in 2010, with or without a nod from Herr Rudolph. More »
  • new york auto show

    BMW Precision Cures Insomnia

    An afternoon press conference from the superior engineering crowd over at BMW didn't exactly infuse excitement in the already weary and jet-lagged crowd. BMW will continue to use clever internal combustion to achieve greater efficiency and create more horsepower. The Bavarians will utilize valvetronics, and have gone through great lengths to make the cars look happier. The coming X6 will bring Bavarian charm and dollars to Spartansburg, North South Carolina. BMW plans to continue lightening up the suspension for more precise handling. Business activities have been good overall. None of this news phased the unsprung masses, a few of whom made like Rip Van Winkle instead of Nick Heidfeld. Bottles of exhaust from the Hydrogen 7 were also served More »
  • clips

    B-Roll of the Day: BMW M5 Touring

    Sometimes, a soundtrack of 1980s house music or late-century London chillout provides a wholly appropriate sound bed for automakers' promo videos. But fans of sport wagons in general, and specifically of the new BMW M5 Touring, will appreciate the minimalism of this one is a more more elegant solution. The BMW V10, monster that it may be, isn't exactly a symphonic instrument, but here it puts on the best performance we've heard since Claudio Abbado left the Berlin Philharmonic. More »
  • gossip

    Report: Sportvan BMWs on the Way, Based on 3-Series, 5-Series

    We've been hearing about this bizarre BMW X6 (or F6) crossover for nigh on two years. But several generations of artists' renderings later, and one purported eyewitness account, haven't quite clarified things. We do know there's a new manner of BMW coming that looks like a 6-Series four door, only more aggressive looking and with a higher ride height. Now, MotorTrend reports BMW could be working up a similar vehicle based on the 3-Series, though it's yet to be greenlighted. Obviously, the company's preparing for the post-SUV world, where aerodynamics are again a consideration. What did we do to deserve this weird, new era. More »
  • gadgets

    Though Not a Hybrid, New BMW 5-Series to Have Regenerative Breaking

    Was ist das? A non-hybrid with a regenerative braking system. Yes, BMW's latest 5-Series sports an intelligent alternator that uses energy collected during braking to charge the battery. Not your regular Die Hard, this battery is a quick-charge glass mat, a new construction using saturated absorbent glass (boron silicate) mats between the plates rather than gel or liquid electrolyte. The system translates to a three percent decrease in CO2 emissions and fuel consumption. It's part of a new push at BMW to employ fuel-saving tech like low-resistance tires, start-stop systems and aerodynamics. Trickle-down hybridnomics? We'll take it. More »
  • news

    Loverman Dead of Aneurism: M5 Touring Video!!!

    Oh man. We typed the headline before we watched the video. So far we're at the 3-minute mark and we've learned that the M5 wagon is made of metal, has an interior complete with seats and an engine that says "V10" on it. Snore-a-roo. There's no sound, either. Wait, we're 3:14 in and the uberest of all uber-wagons (or at least the highest reving) is starting to move. 3:26 and we finally get the engine note. It sounds like five Hyabusas taking part in an Anaconda-style sex ball (don't ask, I'm on a roll). And... you know what? Even something as truly, righteously Bruce as a frigging 500 horsepower station wagon is just murdered by low-quality, low-production, low-rent internet video. And people wonder why we like Top Gear so much. How can this be so boring? Do a donut or something. It's at the 5:30 point and I need more coffee. Still, the car sounds quite good. But why bother — what's the point? Of the video — the rationale behind the car is crystal clear. Christ this is dull. And now it's over. More »
  • news

    Loverman To Suffer Heart Attack: BMW Shows Official Photo of M5 Touring!!!

    Yeah, I stuck my own name in the headline. From a dictionary: Gonzo is a style of reportage, filmmaking, or any form of multimedia production in which the reporter, filmmaker or author is intrinsically enmeshed with the subject action. Moving on; HOLY CRAP!!!! I want one, I want one, I want one@@@!!! Gimme, gimme, gimme!. Yes, sure, I know about all the drawbacks and compromises and ill-mannered bad stuffs about late model M-Division cars. And I don't care! Folks, that is a 500+ horsepower station wagon with an 8200rpm redline. My left arm just went numb. My breath is short. I'm dying happy. Oh, and BMW is refreshing the sheet metal of the entire 5-Series lineup and some other boring, non-world's fastest five-door stuff. More »
  • spy photos

    Spy Photos: BMW 5-Series Freshening

    Will the next BMW 5-Series have fewer Bangle angles? That's the question 5ers are asking as the midsized BMW heads into a freshening for spring 2007. The answer is a definite maybe, with a side of not really. The mid-cycle changes are subtle. Spies say the most noticable differences will be to the skirt-bound air intakes as well as to the headlights, dashboard and interior design. The big changes are reportedly coming in 2009, with an all-new model that's lighter, more understated and less flame-surfaced. More »
  • news

    Alt-Dot SMG: BMW M5 to Get Six-Speed Manual Option for 2007

    Just as rumors had suggested, BMW is offering the 2007 M5 sedan with a plain old six-speed manual. The no-cost option is a response to criticism of BMW's SMG III electrohydraulic automanual, which has been likened to an hyperanalytical mother-in-law who exacts compliance with a dodgy gearshifting agenda by the steely toe of her Wolverine boot. It's also somewhat of an admission that more complicated does not always equal better, though the SMG box will remain standard equipment. Still, SMG devotees will likely stick with their muse, at least until — *gossip alert* — BMW switches to Borg Warner's dual clutch transmission (DCT) technology (aka DSG) clockworks sometime late in the decade. More »
  • spy photos

    Spy Photos: 2009 BMW 5-Series

    What will become of the BMW 5-Series, the most pronounced of Chris Bangle's divisive designs, after the current generation wears out its welcome? According to spies, the next iteration five, due in 2009, will not only be longer, wider and more coupe-like, but Car magazine says it'll sport "less provocative" styling. Where's the fun in that? C'mon, Chris, just one more flame surface for the road. More »
  • spy photos

    Spy Photos: 2009 BMW 5-Series / 2010 BMW M5

    The UK magazine all about the car has some photoshopped shots of what they're claiming is how the 2009 5-series, and 2010 M5, are shaping up as they move into the sixth-generation of the four-door sedan. Supposedly the new version will be "less provocative in design" than the current incarnation and despite what car mag's claiming is an increase in size, the '09 model will use "more exotic, lighter materials" to give it a lower weight than the current model. As far as engines go, they claim to have the full deets, but in order to increase fuel economy, the engines should include something called "urea injection" which we hope means a reduction in Nitrogen Oxides in emissions, and doesn't mean they'll be shooting urine into the engine. More »
  • spy photos

    Spy Photos: BMW M5 Touring?

    It's a battle of the watermarks — Dutch magazine Auto Visie vs. Auto Spies — on these shots, which offer the latest evidence the BMW M5 Touring is nigh. There's no doubt that such a car would be the fastest station wagon in existence, outshining the 444-hp RS6 Quattro Avant and 476-hp E55 AMG estate with its 507-hp V10 (despite the SMG disadvantage). The production model is expected to emerge from the recesses of Munich this year, perhaps at the Paris show. Seriously, if dad could have hit 205 mph in his Olds Custom Cruiser, those Disney World trips would have been way less tedious. More »
  • celebrities

    David Lovering's Magic Ride: 2004 BMW 545i

    I was 14 years old and had just flunked geometry (for the first time) when a summer-school buddy handed me Surfer Rosa (along with Frankenchrist by the Dead Kennedys) explaining that, while I was a cool guy, I had lousy taste in music. Life being the ultimate ride, today I'm eating tacos with Pixies drummer David Lovering and he's agreeing with me that yes, Surfer Rosa is his favorite record from their catalogue. But we didn't come to talk music. We came to talk Deutsche-sleds. In particular, Lovering's black-on-black on black BMW 545i. More »
  • gossip

    Second Story Man: Tipster Says He's Seen the BMW "X6"

    A Jalopnik tipster say's he's seen the reportedly upcoming, super-skunkwerks-secret BMW "X6" crossover CUV/four-door "coupe." (Could it be be the car BMW's planning to unveil at the British International Motor Show in July?) He says, among other things, that the spec image of the X6 created by Auto Motor und Sport's artistes (above) is "somewhat of a close resemblance, but in a way doesn't even come close to what I saw." Still, if the following account doesn't sound exactly like what's been reported on the X6, we don't know what it could be. Click through for details. More »