Modelers have a name for it: kit-bashing. It’s when parts from different model kits are combined to make something new. That’s exactly what BMW did to create the X6. Sorta.

BMW refers to the new 2008 BMW X6 as a Sport Activity Coupé (note the accent), much as it calls the X3 and X5, despite being sport utes, Sport Activity Vehicles. Compared to the body-on-frame construction typical of SUV’s when the X5 arrived, giving the X5 its own classification just seemed like the right thing to do. Besides, BMW simply couldn’t produce anything so prosaic as an SUV. What would the world be coming to?

What the world came to is the new BMW X6.

Did we think the world is in a good place? Read the full review of the BMW X6 to find out, then come back and tell us if we’re right.

Posted in BMW, X6, car review, road test by admin on May 15th, 2008

To anyone around at the time, seeing Harry Theodorocopolous - call him “Harry T” - take on the Pete Brock-prepared factory-sponsored Datsun 510’s in a privateer BMW 2002 was magic. Datsun wound up winning the manufacturer’s trophy in SCCA’s 2.5 Challenge, the junior edition of the fabled Trans Am, and Brock the driver’s honors, but Harry T and his Bimmer kept the Datsuns (and the Alfas) honest.

The 2002 was the model that won American hearts for BMW. The name came from two liters and two doors and it proved as magic on the road as on the track. But that’s another story. All good things must end, though in the case of the 2002 it meant being replaced by another nifty sedan, the 320i, roomier inside and bigger engined as well, though the size mostly combatted the new federal emissions requirements’ effect on performance.

Anyway, time rolled around with one generation replacing the next until it got to the point that the 3-Series, as the 2002’s linear successor would be called, had “matured.” Ouch. With the 3-Series Mature or not, BMW saw an opportunity to slide another model, smaller and less expensive, under the 3-Series. Available in the U.S. as a coupe or convertible (a three-door hatch is available elsewhere, but Americans won’t buy ‘em), the new 1-Series shares the engines of the 3-Series but in a lighter, more compact chassis.

 Sounds like fun to us.

Read the carbuzzard.com review of the BMW 135i and then come back and tell us what you think about the car, the review, your place in the universe…

Posted in 1-Series, BMW, car review, road test by admin on February 28th, 2008

Not that we think you need to be warned about the latest scam spam making the rounds, but the following arrived in our mailbox and it’s funny enough that (1) we felt we had to share it with you, and (b) pass along that according to at least one web forum there were people who were actually upset that they weren’t going to get a free BMW.

From “jen and katie” in Rochester, New York: We both got the e-mail and were excited- they seemed pretty legit- but then it started to fall apart when i began researching the whole “BMW Automobile International Awareness Promotion (IAP)” so like many of you, i still want my car and money even though i know it is non-existent more

Posted in 5-Series, BMW, scam by admin on October 9th, 2007