Jalopnik: bmw 3-series

2009 BMW 335d Diesel Testing In U.S., Features Bluetec-Style Peeburner

Mark Arnold — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 10:00:00 EDT

Reports that the US market will be getting the new diesel BMW 3-series have gained additional credibility with this 2009 BMW 335d sedan spotted testing on our shores. It's no secret that modern European turbo diesels are wonders of efficiency and low-end torque; the BMW oilburner is no different, producing 425 lb-ft of torque at just 1,750 RPM. But there's more than just diesel fuel being splashed around. To meet U.S. emissions, the engine will also be injecting urea. Yep, pee. Sort of...

Urea is actually a compound found in mammal urine. Utilizing a method that's been put to use on Mercedes' Bluetec models, BMW will be using urea to clean up exhaust emissions. The urea will be stored on-board in a separate tank, and your friendly BMW service department will take care of refilling it for you. In a completely unrelated story, BMW dealership service departments are now serving St. Pauli Girl in the break room. (Update! Steel_ETC sent in some shots of what looks to be a very similar car testing in Maryland. Thanks Steel_ETC!)
[autofiends via BimmerFile]

Homemade Driving Sim Cockpit Made of E30 Parts, More Realistic Than Modern BMWs?

Mark Arnold — Thu, 29 May 2008 13:20:00 EDT

The cockpit of many modern cars may make the driver feel like they're in a video game, what with drive-by-wire steering, floppy-paddle gearboxes, and an array of electronic nannies. But what about a video game that makes you feel like you're in a real car? Thats what one Bimmerphile over at r3vlimited was apparently going for with this: a driving simulator cockpit that utilizes the ergonomic interior of an old E30 BMW 3-Series. But, this isn't just some junkyard seat sitting in front of a TV, everything is actually functional. The steering steers, the shifter shifts, the gauge needles pivot, the vents blow, the radio cranks out tunes, you even have to twist the key to restart the car if you stall out. Don't believe us? Check out the video.

[r3vlimited] Hat Tip to TheGuinnessTooth!

2010 BMW F3 Spied Plotting The Automotive Apocalypse?

Mark Arnold — Tue, 20 May 2008 12:30:00 EDT

What have we here? It looks to be some sort of tarted-up BMW wagon, and according to the guys at BimmerPost, it's a mule for an upcoming 3-Series based crossover to be known as the BMW F3. Of course, there's no way to be sure. The last time we saw a lifted E91 we thought it was an X3 powertrain mule. Then there's some people who think this little black wagon is a mule for the X1. So what is it really?

Who cares? If you want a lifted 3-Series wagon, why not buy a 3-Series wagon and have it lifted? Really, how many niches must there be? Does the world actually need something that's part wagon, part SUV, part minivan, part sedan? The bad part is that once the F3/V3/X1 finally does arrive, it won't actually be a bad vehicle. We'll test drive it, and declare that it's well-built, drives well, and is quite practical. And then people will buy it. Profit will be made. Other automakers will take notice and build similar vehicles. The niche will be filled. Then, two new niches, one to either side of the old niche, will be created. Those niches will be filled, and sooner or later we'll all be driving (or merely riding along) in nondescript blobs. Our children will have no knowledge of hoonage, at which point the world will likely end.
[BimmerPost.com]

BMW X3 Powetrain Mule Probably Cooler Than BMW X3

Ben Wojdyla — Tue, 06 May 2008 15:20:00 EDT

What can be said about the BMW X3 that we haven't already been through? It's a compact SUV which would be better off as a four-by-four station wagon, just as AMC showed us. Funny thing though when you're developing a new X3 to come out sometime before 2011, you may need to wrap the test power train in something other than the final sheetmetal — like the modified body of an E91 3-series station wagon. Another funny thing about the situation is the resultant car looks freakin' great! With this mule we're really beginning to wonder if the X3 wouldn't be better off this way. What do you think? [Bimmerfile]

Want To See Where The BMW 3-Series Is Built?

Ben Wojdyla — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 16:15:00 EDT

Here's a nice piece of BMW propaganda touting its love of ideas and stuff by way of architecture. The voice over is a little overwrought, but the content is pretty cool. This looks like none of the plants we've ever worked in, which mostly were dirty, messy places that smell like sour cutting oil and failure. But we've only ever worked for the big three, so what do we know. BMW's Leipzig plant is the birthplace of all BMW's which carry the 3-series genome, and apparently they went all out for the assembly plant of their bread and butter Bimmer. Guess this is the kind of thing which explains why the cars are so darn expensive. [BMW Wesbite]

2009 BMW 3-Series To Undergo Plastic Surgery

Ray Wert — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 15:00:00 EST

Chief spy mistress Brenda Priddy's just sent out her latest batch of spy shots from her European ~~slave labor~~ photographers. It's looking like, based on these new photos anyway, as though the 2009 or 2010 BMW 3-Series will be getting a bit of a face-lift before the 3-Series gets a full refresh for the 2013 model year. That includes, as we saw in the last batch of shots, updated headlamps and taillights, plus what's being termed as a "tweaked" interior. Full spy report from Ms. Priddy below the jump and a high-resolution shot of the new look front-end here.

2009/2010 BMW 3 Series (facelift)
Although BMW will be debuting an all-new 3 Series for the 2013 model year, these pictures are evidence of a mid-cycle facelift - likely for the 2009 or 2010 model year.

Based on these photos, we're expecting a new front and rear fascia, including updated headlamps and taillights - as well as a tweaked interior. No word yet as to the powerplant, horsepower and fuel economy updates.

$2.8 million Ivory-Carved Dragon BMW Speaks for Itself

Travis Hudson — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 15:15:00 EST

Some carved vehicles are okay, but this one by Folk artist Su Zhongyang, definitely isn't. You see, Su spends a lot of time carving dragons into ivory and yak bone. The carvings themselves doesn't look too bad, especially if you check out some of close-ups in the gallery below. However, it's what he did with the carvings that is truly horrifying. As if you can't already tell, the carvings are plastered all over this BMW 3-series that's already on the Tammy Faye-side of the gaudy meter, thanks to the excessive usage of gold and even diamonds. Surprisingly, the ivory rock only adds another 600 pounds or so to the vehicles curb weight, having a who-knows-what effect to the performance. The car's on display in Guangzhou's Zhenhai Tower, if anyone feels compelled to see this thing in person. [Born Rich]

The BMW 3-Series Is A Cult On Wheels, Makes For A Good Commercial

Ray Wert — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 11:00:00 EDT

Yes, the BMW 3-Series is a religion to many — a part of pop culture, a subculture. Heck, it's like Joseph Stalin or Kennedy — it's a cult of personality. And it also makes for a killer car commercial. In a world of watered-down attempts at humor and silly jingles — this 3-Series commercial stands out. It's an ad that's does what ads about cars with a history should be doing — drawing upon that history and the positive emotions associated with it to use to sell the present day car by showing us the new version of the ride with a clear white background — a lack-of-color representing the endless possibilities of the future. Don't get us wrong, it's no Ferrari Shell ad, and it's no Michael Bay Chevy ad — but it does succeed where many recent commercials have failed — it made our pulses quicken and lean forward to pay closer attention. What more does an advertiser want?