Tag Archives: BMW

Cars We've Driven, Luxury Cars, Uncategorized

A BMW 528i is a Superior Rental Car That Will Spoil You

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BMW 528I 5

Rental cars, they’re usually total crap that you’re only willing to put up with for a few days because they serve a purpose. Some trips can really use a bright spot, though, and for us gearheads a car can be just the thing to brighten up life.

I lost both of my grandmothers this summer, within a month and a half of each other. What can I say, it hasn’t been ideal. It was just my mom and I going on the trip, out to Tucson, Arizona last weekend. My dad was away singing in China, and my girlfriend had her busiest work weekend of the year. We were flying out to Phoenix, and then driving 100 miles, or so, down to Tucson. While we were definitely looking forward to seeing my mom’s side of the family and catch up with everyone, it was still a trip meant for saying goodbye to my grandma, Jody, who we all hold very dear in our hearts.

This trip was definitely one that needed as many bright spots as we could give it. So, when the rental car lady told us we could have a BMW 528i for only $20/day more than the Chevy Malibu we had booked, we were like, “Oh hell yes!” If we were going to be cruising through the desert at high speed, we might as well aim to be as comfortable as possible.

I hadn’t even planned to do an article on this trip, but when life hands you a Bimmer….

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Cars We've Seen

BMW Z8 Spotted in Greenwich, CT

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BMW Z8 Spotted Greenwich CT

This BMW Z8 was one of numerous tasty cars we saw on the streets of Greenwich during Concours weekend. It’s a roadster with the same engine as the BMW M5 of its day. Quite a nice recipe indeed, and as it turns out, also quite a good investment.

-Nick Walker

Car Shows, Uncategorized

BMW M4 GTS at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance

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BMW M4 GTS Amelia Island 1

The BMW M4 is already a very fast high performance sports coupe, more than enough for most people. There are always those who want more, though, and for them BMW has now made this, the M4 GTS.

The M4 GTS has an extra helping of boost with special tuning to be a total track weapon. It comes as the latest member of BMW’s special M car lineup, which began with the 1990 E30 M3 Sport Evolution, and continued through the E36 M3 GT, the E46 M3 CSL, and the E92 M3 GTS and CRT. The M4 GTS, however is the first of these extreme BMWs that will be sold in the USA. That’s right, BMW is only building 700 M4 GTS units in total, but 300 of those will be making their way Stateside.

As you might imagine, prices will obviously be quite steep. When a loaded standard M4 costs around $80,000, the GTS has a base price of $133,000, and that number is very likely to go up on the secondhand market. So what makes the BMW M4 GTS so special compared to the standard M4? Well, BMW has boosted their claimed horsepower output from 425hp to 493hp via the implementation of a water injection system, which allows for more boost. They’ve also fitted some aero bits, a fully tunable suspension, and some nice wide sticky tires. All of this adds up to a Nurburgring time of 7:28, or “really freaking fast!” in layman’s terms.

We were lucky enough to catch this M4 GTS on display at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. These are going to be quite a rare sight when they hit the streets. Enjoy the photos!

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Auto Idolatry, SHOWCASE, Uncategorized

Motor Trend tests the new BMW M2

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Here’s Motor Trend’s test of the BMW M2, where they pit it against its bigger brother, the BMW M4.

Could the M2 possibly be better than the M4?

-Nick

Opinions

Why I Hate Concept Cars: A Rant

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Lincoln Navigator Concept NYIAS 2016

Lincoln showed off their fancy new Navigator Concept at the 2016 New York International Auto Show to much acclaim. It was all over the news, and people were going mental over it. I mean, what’s not to love about a sparkly blue SUV with massive gullwing doors and fine wooden steps up to its luxurious cabin?

Yes, if it were real, the Navigator Concept would be a game-changer in the SUV market, but it isn’t real. People often miss the word “Concept,” and I must’ve had around ten people ask me if I had seen the incredible new Lincoln Navigator, as if it were actually the new production car. Sadly, I then had to break all of their hearts by telling them it was just a pipe dream that would never come true. An automotive strip-tease with no happy ending.

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Cars We've Driven, Everyday Normal Cars

BMW i3 Review: Expectations are Everything

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BMW i3 Electric Car Review 1

The BMW i3 is just a car in the same way that an iPhone is just a phone. It does the job, but it’s really about so much more than basic functionality. It is a techy gadget on wheels, and it’s as much a personal brand statement as it is a mode of transportation.

As a new age city car, a Toyota Prius C will do the exact same functional job as the BMW i3 for less than half the price. But you could say the same for any other BMW as well, compared to a normal car. BMWs are pure luxury items, just like an Apple products, so we need to look at the car in that way.

As a car reviewer, I have my experience driving the car for a few minutes, hours or days, and then I give the car back. Owners have to live with the car, day-in and day-out for extended time. Consequently, our two experiences can often wind up pretty different.

The BMW i3 is one such car. I had my experience driving it, and I developed my initial opinion based on that. But then I looked around online to see what actual customers were saying, and I found much more I needed to consider before rendering my verdict. I think a lot comes down to how you approach the BMW i3, and how you intend to use the car.

Here is my take from both my drive in the car as well as from further research I’ve done.

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Car Shows

Highlights from the 2016 Philadelphia Auto Show

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Philly Auto Show 2016 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

The Philadelphia Auto Show was lively this year, with many of the newest releases on display.

I must admit that I am completely in love with the blue Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio you see above (it’s stick too). I also got my first look at the new Fiata (124 Spider), Cadillac XT5, Honda Ridgeline, and the oh-so-sleek Volvo S90. I also got a good look at the new Toyota Prius, which was regrettable on the eyes.

There are a lot of great new cars to be excited about!

Enjoy the gallery.

-Nick

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Car Shows, Uncategorized

Slammed BMW M6 Convertible at First Class Fitment

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First Class Fitment BMW M6 Convertible

This slammed BMW M6 V10 Convertible was the first car that caught my eye this year at First Class Fitment. Even before I was inside the show, I shot it through the fence.

It was an immaculately done car, with a beautiful color combo, and some fine detail work.

Enjoy!

Slammed BMW M6 First Class Fitment 2 Slammed BMW M6 First Class Fitment 1 Slammed BMW M6 First Class Fitment 4 Slammed BMW M6 First Class Fitment 5

-Nick Walker

Car Shows

Muscle Cars at the Original Bob’s Big Boy in Burbank, CA

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1969 Chevrolet Camaro RS:SS

So, as all of you readers know, I was in Los Angeles during Thanksgiving week visiting my brother Matthew and his fiancee, Rachel. After a delicious meal of sushi that evening in Burbank, we started to notice a whole bunch of American hot rods (old and new) passing us by on the streets outside. It didn’t take long for my interest to become piqued by the sounds of pushrod V8s and high-lift cams, so my brother said, “Let’s go check it out after dinner.” Thankfully, my flight wasn’t slated to leave until midnight, so we went out to the scene over at the original Bob’s Big Boy in Burbank, where the meet was going down.

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Auto Idolatry, Car Shows

Exotic Supercar Sounds from the Radnor Hunt Concours

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We all know that no exotic car show is complete without some V12s echoing over the countryside as people leave the event. Luckily we were much obliged this year at the Radnor Hunt Concours d’Elegance. Everything from a V10 Lexus LFA to a straight pipe V12 Lamborghini Murcielago opened the taps as they left the show.

We were there with our cameras ready!

Turn your speakers up and enjoy!

-Nick

Car Shows

Highlights From First Class Fitment 2015: Part 1

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First Class Fitment Volkswagen Mk1 Golf Slammed

First Class Fitment is a stance/modified car show held at the Airport in Princeton, NJ every fall. People come from all over the region, bringing nicely done rides of all sorts. The event is mostly stanced cars, as you might expect, but there are a few other gems sprinkled in for good measure.

This year was quite good. Lots of really well built cars with interesting details. That’s one thing I love about modified car shows, each car has so much personality. They’d all stand out parked on the street alone, but the ones that catch my eye at the show are always extra cool.

I took quite a lot of photos at the event, so there is much more to come. Enjoy the first gallery!

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Cars We've Seen

Modified BMW 335xi Spotted on Woodward Ave

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BMW 335xi Modified Woodward Ave

We came across this well-modded BMW 335xi while out cruising Woodward Ave this summer. Fitted with M3 front bodywork, and a carbon fiber splitter, this 335xi is quite a nice-looking car.

I had a nice chat with the owner, and he informed me that the car was making around 430awhp, fitted with the full array of bolt-on modifications. The twin turbo N52 Engine in these things makes quite a bit of power easily, and this car was a great example.

335i’s are quite affordable these days too. For under $30 grand it’s feasible to make one of these into a solid 400hp+ GT carm like what you see here.

Well done!

-Nick