BimmerCast Archives - BimmerFile

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We ‘re back for the November episode of the BimmerCast with a full plate of BMW news to discuss. Here ‘s a quick run-down on what we cover:

– The M550d – Michael talks about his time in the diesel barn burner and how it might just be the perfect car.
– The Manual M5 – likely the last manual M5 ever. Does it still make sense in the land of monster power and dual-clutch transmissions?
– Diesel in the US – it ‘s come in six different models. We break them down.
– BMWNA Sales and why this year has been up and down.
– What ‘s wrong with the F10 5 Series and why isn ‘t it selling?
– Finally some healthy debate on our recent JCW GP review.

As always if you have comments or suggestions for future shows let us know in the comment section below.

The post BimmerCast #65: M550d, Manual M5, Diesels in the US & the JCW GP appeared first on BimmerFile.

[audio:http://s3.bimmerfile.com.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/podcast/bimmercast64.mp3]

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The BimmerCast returns from summer vacation with a huge show... over an hour. Here ‘s a quick run-down on what we cover:

– First on the list; the introduction of the X1 to the US market. It ‘s the cheapest new BMW in the US and appears to be moving off lots quickly based on our sources. But what ‘s behind the X1 ‘s success in the US and worldwide? And is it the first BMW hatch-back in the US since the 318ti?
– The M135i; We ‘ve driven it and we give you a quick read what it ‘s like behind the wheel and how it compares to the 1M
– The F80 M3; So many rumors and so many secrets. We do our best to decode as much as possible and give you a glimpse on what could be a revolutionary M car.
– The M5 and M6; heavy weights that somehow defy physics. We ‘re just back from Laguna Seca and putting both cars through the cork-screw. We ‘ve got lots to cover and lots to dissect – especially on the highly improved M6.
– BMWNA Sales are down and we have some theories. Less deals (especially vs the competition), more bundled options and higher prices. Lots to discuss.

As always if you have comments or suggestions for future shows let us know in the comment section below.

The post BimmerCast #64: X1, M135i, F80 M3, M5, M6 & BMWNA\’s Sales Problems appeared first on BimmerFile.

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The BimmerCast is back this week with lots of M talk. First up the M6 and M3 CRT first impressions. We had a chance to drive both recently and we give you some insight into why both are exceptional (and surprisingly related). But why is the CRT not the CSL? We have the untold story we ‘ve never fully brought to you before about both the scrapped E92 M3 CSL and the second generation V10 M5 that never saw the light of day except for the one-off M5 CSL.

Then we move onto the M550d and how it redefines diesel performance. Michael had one for a couple weeks in the Alps and talks about day to day performance and efficiency. Then finally (before moving away from M) we talk about the news that the next generation (F80) M3 will indeed have electric steering rather than the standard hydraulic rack that ‘s been in mainstay of M cars for years. What does it mean for the car and what hurdles will m have to overcome? We discuss all.

Done with M we dive into the Toyota and BMW partnership. What does it mean for both companies and will it really lead to a new sports car co-developed by the two companies?

Finally we move onto the upcoming front wheel drive BMW. The car based on the UKL platform and sharing most of it ‘s basic components with the MINI. The first glimpse will be a lightly disguised concept car that will debut in Paris this September. What does this tell us about both the new BMW and MINI ranges? Either click play above or head over to iTunes (via the link above) to subscribe to the BimmerCast.

The post BimmerCast #63: Untold Story of the E92 CSL & M5 CSL (Plus; M550d, M3 Electric Steering & Toyota?) appeared first on BimmerFile.

[audio:http://s3.bimmerfile.com.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/podcast/bimmercast62.mp3]

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BimmerCast 62 is all about Motorsport. We catch-up with Michael who ‘s just back from the first DTM race of the season. yes BMW is back after a 20 year hiatus in the premier Touring car racing series in the world. We go in detail about the race, the season and what it all means for BMW Motorsport.

What about the 24 Hours of the Nurburgring? This year BMW will be putting their weight behind a private team running the Z4 GT3 race car in place of the M3 they ‘ve run for the past few years. Is this a hint at what ‘s to come for BMW Motorsport? It ‘s certainly a clue.

We then move onto production cars:

– F80 M3; V6 vs I6
– M5 ordering guide and those 10K carbon brakes
– M6 on-sale and not a single journalists has driven it.
– M6 GranCoupe
– 3 Series Touring debut
– 3 door 1 Series debut
– 2 Series debut

The post BimmerCast 62: DTM, 24 Hours of the \’Ring and Future Product Releases for 2012 appeared first on BimmerFile.

[audio:https://www.bimmerfile.com/podcast/bimmercast_61.mp3]

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While at the Geneva Motor Show Michael had a moment to catch-up with Karim Habib, head of Exterior Design at BMW. It ‘s a casual conversation that was held spur of the moment on the showroom floor at during the press day. That means (the good) it ‘s the the kind of off the cuff conversation that we rarely get to hear in the automotive press. Exactly the kind of thing we love to bring you here at BF. The bad is that the quality is a little spotty. Specifically Karim can be a little hard to hear towards the end of the recording.

Yet we couldn ‘t pass up posting on BF as it ‘s a great example of the kind of fascinating conversations we get to have at these kind of events. Conversations we often can ‘t bring you.

The post BimmerCast #61: Interview with Head of BMW Exterior Design Karim Habib appeared first on BimmerFile.