Fluttering Noise Service Bulletin

Some owners of the new 3-series convertibles have reported an annoying fluttering noise in the cabin of the car when the hard top is up. I personally have not experienced this but several have and it has finally been recognized and addressed by BMW in a new service bulletin. Details can be found at: Service Bulletin Details Here.

Alpina's Version of the M3 Cabriolet

So if the opportunity existed for those of us on U.S. shores, would I buy an Alpina cabriolet? After reading this review, I would seriously consider it but unfortunately those of us stateside will never see this car let alone test drive one.

From Autocar.co.uk: "No question, the B3 cabrio is an exceptionally desirable car, one that combines monster pace with reasonable economy and emissions, genuine seating for four, and a proper folding metal hood that will allow you to enjoy those fleeting moments when the sun comes out in this country. And as ever it will almost certainly offer a more relaxing driving experience than the factory M3 cabrio, without feeling overly compromised by the removal of its roof. We like it, we like it a lot." more.

This Guy Is Cool, Literally

Near freezing weather in Seattle and driving top down for the test drive. This is one news reporter I can hangout with. Checkout a chilly drive in March as the local NBC automotive reviewer takes the 335i convertible for a spin. Amazingly there was no rain on his day out. As a former Northwest resident (Portland, in my case), I enjoyed seeing some nice twisty roads and green in March.

This guy even takes the car to Costco. He is completely nuts and why this is a fun review to watch. A bit abnormal and plenty of positive words as he does laps in a parking garage before handing the keys back. More.

3-Series Conception

Ever wanted to know where the 3-series BMWs are built and what the plant looks like. Here is a video showcasing the new Leipzig plant where all 3-series models are produced. This is definitely worth a watch. Check it out.

Chris Bangle Talks about the 335i Convertible

Wow, this is one cool video from the world's most polarizing automotive designer. Here Chris Bangle discusses some of the challenges and styling decisions that came together for the 2007 3-series convertible.

He talks about the "blood line" of the convertible. It is the the line from the top of the door to the end of the back seat. Watch and you will see what Bangle is talking about. Enjoy!

335i Launch Video on BMW-web.tv

While this video has been out for quite awhile, I have never viewed this full length version. These marketing videos are always pretty funny. It's interesting to see who the aspirational target customer BMW had in mind as they went to launch. Apparently, wearing shoes is optional and a hot trophy wife is required attire. Oh well, I guess that's the difference between consumptional target and aspiring..?

A reduced version was featured on the BMW convertible launch website. In fact, I used to carry a shortened version of this on my PS3 since BMW/NA had included a download to work with the portable Playstation. Anyway, here is the full version that was produced for product launch last year.

Great Product Perspective Video from BMW

I just love this video of this BMW 335i cabriolet shot in Mt Dandenong Victoria. It just has some great shots, effects, and a stylized look that makes me want to go out and drive. Enjoy!

335i Convertible Wins Play Car of the Year

Add this one to your awards given by web sites looking to generate more site traffic via press releases. Well whatever the reason, the 335i convertible was recognized by Cars.com as the 2008 Play Car of the Year and I'm not one to disagree.

From Cars.com: "The convertible's chassis is tuned for the discriminating enthusiast, with confidence-inspiring handling and compliant ride quality. In addition, the convertible's retractable metal roof adds year-round practicality and comfort and helps keep wind noise to a minimum. Plus, with the roof lowered, you're able to fully enjoy the inline-six's sweet exhaust note. The price for this kind of fun is on the high side, for sure, but as with most things in life, you get what you pay for. In this case, it's money well spent." more.

M3 Convertible Debuts at Geneva Auto Show

From Jalopnik: "The sleek and speedy vert has been unveiled after a long rumor mill process and the swiftly shifting hardtop is here to show the goods. While it gets 100% of all the things that make the M3 on it's own a fun little toy, the thing we noticed the most will be the something the golf playing lawyers who buy them."

Not much different here except the amazing new V8 in the M3. One changes is the upcoming M-DCT (dual clutch transmission) that's basically an automated manual that uses two clutches for inhumanly quick shifts.

I was really hoping for a rear spoiler option made available by the new M3 convertible, but the show car has no spoiler. Oh well, guess the limited options that exist continue to remain well... limited.

more images and information from Jalopnik

2008 Detroit Auto Show

Last Saturday I ventured down to the Detroit Auto Show with several members from E90Post.com. I took several images of the BMW display at the show and have a full set available for all to view on Flickr.

The show was complete with three major debuts: 1-series, M3, and X6. Unfortunately, no concept vehicles were on display especially since I was really looking forward to seeing the 2002tii Concept BMW showed at the Tokyo Auto Show. The CS concept shown in China was also not on display in Detroit. Concepts aside, the new vehicles look great. All of us were impressed by the look and interior room available in the 1-series. I even climbed into the back seat of a coupe and it really didn't feel much different from my 335i convertible. All in all, the 1-series is an impressive car. Would I swap a 135i convertible for my 335i? Not a chance. I love the hard top and the extra room which I need for carting around my twin boys. The 135i convertible while roomier than expected certainly gives up some interior space primarily back seat width and legroom.

The X6 is an interesting vehicle. Beautiful interior and an impressive V8 twin turbo engine. But I just don't get this SUV. It's huge like the X5 but lacks the interior hauling capacity of a SUV. So who wants a SUV that can't really haul anything??? I suppose if you just want to sit high and suck gas, BMW has a new vehicle for you. Just not my taste.

The M3 coupe and sedan were on display. Unfortunately no M3 convertible yet. I'm sure next year. The M3 wheels are stunning and something I may consider for a future wheel upgrade in 2008. The front reflector is horrid on the M3 and isn't flush with the front bumper. It distracts from an otherwise gorgeous car.

more images.

M3 Cabrio Images Leaked

Finally some non-camouflaged images of the upcoming M3 convertible made their way to the Internet late last week. Autoblog has a brief write-up with a gallery of images on their site.

Personally, I think the pictures don't do the car justice since the car is shown in white. The white 3-series cabriolets show the roof fold lines too much and with the additional body mold changes on the M3, the car just looks too busy with too many creases that visually interrupt the flow of the car. Of course, this could just be me being jealous in the coming year as I get passed by a M3 convertible thinking "damn! If only I had waited a year."

"The folding-roof M3 doesn't officially debut until the Geneva Auto Salon in March, but a German magazine jumped the gun and posted images on their website. Embargo apparently broken, the pictures continue to propagate about the internet." more.

Diesels Coming to 3-Series US Model Line

As much as I wanted a diesel E93, I just couldn't wait. I was looking forward to the new convertible and just bit early on a 335i. No real regrets, but for those of you who are still looking to buy you might want to wait to gain some nice fuel savings and still get BMW performance.

From Autoblog: "n the U.S., the 3.0L twin-turbo diesel is expected to produce 265 hp and 425 ft-lbs of torque, which is plenty for us. At the same time, it will return 23 city/33 highway mpg and take the 335d sedan to 62 mph in 6.2 seconds. Talk about having your cake and eating it, too." more.