Tuesday, September 29, 2009

2010 Facelift Images Show Minor Changes Coming

Car Magazine (UK) is reporting some coming changes for the next BMW E93 convertible. Several images hint at areas that may get some modification in what looks to be a minor-facelift.

Some changes appear to be modifications around LED usage on the front and rear lights, expect tiny LED bulbs galore like the Audi A5. LED lighting abuse is the new trend in automotive design.

Other changes could happen around the side skirts, lower rear bumper and front lower lip. All areas are hidden on the "mule" pictured by Car Magazine. I'm personally hoping for some new side skirts as I would love to see something a bit more sporty than the current M-Sport side skirts and not as aggressive as the M3 sides.

In-car Internet access and the improved iDrive changes are all part of the technology changes. BMW Blog is reporting that there is a lot of speculation about the new N55 engine replacing the current 335i N54 engine. more.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Service Manual Released Covering E93

Bentley Publishers has finally released a service manual for the 2006-2009 BMW 3-series models that covers the 335i and 328i convertibles. If you are not familiar with these books, you should be. Bentley makes some great books for the do it yourself mechanic.

If you are not so daring as taking on the projects yourself, the books are great for understanding what is being done to your car if you hire the work out. Also, I find these books to be a great resource to help diagnose problems and use for routine maintenance.

The price is a bit steep at $81.87 right now on Amazon.com, but at over 1,200 pages it sounds very comprehensive. more.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

One Owner Shares His Waterfall of Angst


Sometimes the ownership experience can be ruined by a engineering failure or design flaw or you happen to get the "lemon" of the bunch. Such is the case with one owner who is suffering a down pouring of dislike on his E93. He started a blog - called BimmerIssues - with one post to get the word out about his car's flooding issue that happens in heavy downpour or car wash.

I personally haven't had this issue. I will on occasion get a small amount of water coming through the corner where the top connects with the front windshield and the driver's window, but I've owned a couple convertibles and have always had some minor drips, but it's nothing like the video above.

It's always good understanding what issues can happen to best understand the car. So, I decided to post this person's experience if you want to know the other side of ownership that isn't all roses and balloons, like mine has been. more.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Garage419 Reviews the 335i Convertible in Paradise


Loaded with great driving shots of the 2009 BMW 335i convertible driving along California’s ultra scenic driver’s road The Pacific Coast Highway, the team at Garage419 takes out the E93. “Wide open stretches, tight corners” is some of what makes the PCH such a great road to enjoy the dynamics of the 335i convertible.

There are some great sounds from the exhaust note too. Nothing is really new here but some great video shots make the video a joy to watch and personally makes me weep thinking how my car gets beat to hell on Michigan’s pothole infested roads; instead of living in the paradise that is driving through the windy roads of Northern California.