ICA Warns of BMW Damage Issues
CHICAGO -- As has been previously reported by the International Carwash Association (ICA), the front axle control arm on the 2006-2007 BMW 5 Series all-wheel drive vehicles can interfere with the inside guide rail on some carwash conveyors.
The ground clearance of these BMW 4WD SUV's is 4 3/8 inches, which is 1 inch less than the 2 WD models. However, the inside rail height of some conveyor systems is more than 4 3/8 inches and can be as much as 5 inches. Thus far, only some Flapan/3G conveyors have been reported as impacted by these specifications.
The resultant interference of the aluminum front control arm and the steel guide rail causes significant wear on the control arm and could result in a control arm failure. The replacement cost of the control arm is approximately $600 at a BMW dealership.
Behind the Scenes with Seth Thomas
Behind the Scenes with Seth Thomas While most people are enjoying the holidays, BimmerWorld driver, Seth Thomas, is ready for the 2007 racing season to begin. Thomas hopes to win his first driver's title in the Speed World Challenge Touring Series in his BimmerWorld BMW E90 325i. In 2006, BimmerWorld was the only team to run the new E90 chassis and they spent a great deal of time testing and developing the car. Although they encountered many gremlins along the way, Thomas finished 12th overall in driver's points in his #38 BimmerWorld Performance Friction BMW 325i. Thomas is a natural on the track and he certainly has what it takes to help BMW reclaim the manufacturer's title. While competitive, his laid back personality and great sense of humor makes him popular in the paddock. I stopped by Seth's home town of Cumming, GA to learn more about this young energetic driver.
The Z4 goes bi: Hartge Biturbo Z30
BMW tuner Hartge is no stranger to building fast BMWs. Stuffing the 5.0-liter V10 into a 3-series, and a 4.4-liter V8 into a 1-Series are just a couple of their recent feats of magic. The latest transformation is the H30 Biturbo, taking the twin-turbo 3.0-liter straight six from the 335i and filling the bonnet of a Z3 with boost. Producing 380 horsepower and 332 ft/lbs of torque, the modified motor will get you to 62 miles per hour (100 KMH) in a scant 4.8 seconds on your way to a top speed of 177 miles per hour.More info and pics after the jump.
[Source: AutoMotorundSport]
Braking comes from 4-piston calipers gripping 380mm front rotors with 324mm rotors in the rear. The 20-inch wheel and tire combination featuring 245/30ZR20 front and 295/25ZR20 rubber in the rear also allows the H30 Biturbo to take full advantage of the chassis.
SPEED To Air Highlights Of Inaugural MOTO-ST Daytona 8-Hour
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. “ Fans and competitors of the newly-formed SunTrust MOTO-ST Series, which kicked off this past October with the 8 Hours At Daytona, will get a special look at the twin-cylinder motorcycle racing series on December 17 at 3 p.m. ET, when SPEED airs a one-hour race highlight package from the series' inaugural event. The race, which ran on October 21 at the “World Center of Racing," was won overall by the Super Sport Twins class No. 46 San Jose BMW R1200 of Brian Parriott, Stephane Mertens and Nate Kern, which outlasted the No. 18 M4 EMGO Suzuki SV1000S trio of Michael Barnes, Chris Ulrich and Geoff May. The show was filmed and produced by Chet Burks Productions in concert with SPEED. “SPEED has done a great job producing races in the Grand American Rolex Series and KONI Challenge Series for years now, and we were thrilled to have the network capture this historic motorcycle event," said Grand American Road Racing Association President Roger Edmondson.
BMW Convertible - official
The new 3 Series Convertible has innovations, unique technologies and powerful yet low emission engines, and BMW claims it will offer unparalleled levels of performance and refinement.
Clearly a 3 Series, the Convertible is differentiated in design at the front, back and side from the Saloon and Touring variants with its visually elongated lines and wide stance.
The new Convertible also features the first electronically-operated folding hard-top roof offered by BMW and is the world's first car to be offered with SunReflective seat cooling leather.
Under the skin, it will be powered by two efficient yet powerful engines at launch. The 162 kW 325i does 0-100 km/h in 7.6 seconds and has a top speed of 152 km/h, while the 228 kW twin turbo 335i rockets to 100 km/h in just 5.8 seconds, and runs up against the electronic limiter at 250 km/h.
According To Taste
This is a bit of an odd one. I can see why Volvo would want to investigate the sports coupé/hatch market, but it's putting itself up against formidable opposition from Audi (with the A3) and BMW (with the 1-Series).
Whatever the merits of those cars - and I must admit I haven't yet driven a 1-Series that impresses me - there is no shortage of younger drivers who aspires to the brands in question. I find it hard to believe that quite so many Bright Young Things are counting the days until they can afford to buy a Volvo, and if I'm right about that it surely follows that the C30 would have to be very different from anything else the company produces in order to entice the smart set into the showrooms. It certainly looks different. There are familiar Volvo touches, most of them at the front end, but the basic profile and the treatment at the rear bear little resemblance to anything else in the current range (though the tail harks back to the 1800 ES and the later 480).
Thunder Arabia race set
THE fourth round of the National Race Championship will be held today and tomorrow at the Bahrain International Circuit. Action starts at 8am and finishes around 4pm on both days. The only race on the first day will be the ninth round of the Thunder Arabia series while qualifying rounds in the Bapco Caterham Challenge, Formula BMW and Mini Cooper's will be the added attraction.
The final two rounds of the Thunder Arabia series will be held tomorrow along with . seventh and eighth rounds of the Formula BMW and the fifth and sixth rounds of the Bapco Caterham Challenge and the Mini Cooper's.
Meanwhile, more than 60 cars from Bahrain and the other Gulf regions will take part in the final round of test and tune tonight from 5pm to 11pm.
The event is being organised by the Bahrain Drag Racing Club (BDRC) ahead of next week's third round of the Chevrolet National Drag Racing Championship.
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