Will We All Be Driving 2 and 4 Series BMWs?

Reports are surfacing that BMW may be changing their convertible options for the 1 and 3 series cars to be 2 and 4 series vehicles.

You can read more about this breaking news on AutoBlog.

MSN Declares 335is a Top Ten "Need to See" Convertible

"Living up to the company's motto, this folding hardtop is a fantastic package for anyone who wants a BMW with "M" specs but who can't afford it." - MSN article

If you wanted to feel better about your decision to purchase or continue driving what you already have, MSN today made the 335is convertible one of their Ten Best picks. No surprise really since it is the one to beat in the four seat, hard-top convertible segment.

http://editorial.autos.msn.com/slideshow.aspx?cp-documentid=1183495#5

A Couple New Zealand Reviewers Pit the 335i against a Volvo C70

The Volvo reviewer feels the C70 is enough car for him and for most people. He is probably right. The C70 is a nice car but it doesn't match the sophisticated driving dynamics of the 335i.

What's interesting is the comparison of "the boots" (trunks) of the two vehicles. I thought BMW's was bad, the Volvo requires the top to be lifted back up to get underneath the space below the folded top. At least Volvo has a button that's easily accessible in the trunk to make this simple, but still it shows an interesting difference I had not seen in other reviews of the Volvo C70.

Not a lot new here, but an interesting perspective on two competitors in the hardtop convertible market.

You Can Get a Limited Slip Differential for a Non //M Car

"It's called DTC but it should be called fun," says the Autocar reviewer in the video. "The car will come out of corners like a proper rear-wheel car"

Limited Slip Differential or LSD is something that can be had on the //M3 but not the 335i, that is until now. Dinan sells a version for $2,595 (comes in two versions one for Auto and the other for Manual transmission.) Another manufacturer Quaife is selling their LSD for $1,305, that's a special price on the E90Post board.

So why even get a LSD for your car? Limited Slip Differential is designed to provide power to both wheels instantaneously allowing for faster lap times, better control and even power distribution. Most will feel the advantage if they track their cars. For thosee who do not track their car they will see some advantage when roads are rough where the LSD will correct the impact of one wheel hitting lumps and bumps on the freeway without having the pounding we feel in the open differential that is in a stock 335i.

You can learn more about Open vs LSD differentials here.

CSL Trunk Lid Finally Available for E93

DUKE DYNAMICS has released a new rear trunk lid for the E93. It's similar to the CSL Trunk lid look that can be found on many modified E92 coupes. The part isn't inexpensive but it is highly unique and is a rather large part since it replaces the trunk lid and is not just a rear spoiler piece. It lists at $999, but is currently discounted to $845.

Check it out for yourself if you want to see some additional pictures of the CSL Trunk lid. more.

MotorTrend Bores Us All with a Tease

Okay you may just want to skip this post. I was really hoping MotorTrend was going to race the BMW 335i convertible against the Infiniti G37, Lexus ISC 350, and Audi S5 but instead this is just a lame race to see whose top folds down fastest.

Even more boring, it is the Audi because guess why? It's a soft-top and the other three are hard-tops. The Lexus wins that pointless contest, but really who cares about this. Why didn't MotorTrend show us a top-down drag race? Now that would've been worth writing about (oops, I still wrote something...) more.

DIY Oil Change

An excellent step-by-step oil change on a BMW 335i is available at the Team BHP website. Full photos of the DIY oil change is available on the site with complete write up. I highly recommend this site for those of you who like changing oil instead of having to hassle with the dealership. more.

BMW Announces Pricing for US 2011 3-Series Models

U.S. pricing information for the 2011 BMW 3-Series models was just announced late last night. You can view all of the pricing details at BimmerPost's blog by clicking here.

Here are the main details about the changes for the 2011 BMW 3-series Convertibles (E93):

328i - $45,875 MSRP (includes $875 destination and handling)
335i - $52,075 MSRP (includes $875 destination and handling)
335is - $59,075 MSRP (includes $875 destination and handling)

Changes from 2010 to 2011:
New headlights, tail lights, hood, kidney grill, sideskirts, wheels, front and rear fascias.
335i coupe gets new N55 twin scroll turbocharged inline-6 engine
New colors: Vermillion Red, Deep Sea Blue, Mineral White Metallic (Mineral White is available starting June 2010).
Optional Harmon Kardon Surround Sound System replaces BMW's HiFi professional system.
Bamboo Anthracite Wood trim now available
Double Clutch Transmission (DCT) will be available on the 335is as a $1,575 option.

The big change of course is the addition of the all-new 335is. Car & Driver reviewed the newly enhanced N54 engine that is in the 335is.

More Details Leak About 2011 3 Series Coupe/Convertible

BMW Blog is reporting that several assumed changes are coming for the new 3 series coupe and convertible. Most reports have thought some front fascia and rear light treatments were bound to occur based on where mules where covered when photographed in early testing.

Here is a link to some details around the LED Angel Eyes treatment coming from spyshots: BMW Blog Article

Performance changes include power numbers for the N54 engine to increase in line with the new Z4 sDrive35is: "335 horsepower (340hp in Europe) at 5,900 rpm and 332 lb-ft in “regular mode”; an electronically-controlled overboost function can briefly increase torque under full load by another 37 lb-ft bringing the torque peak to 369 lb-ft."

The Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT), which was currently only available on the current M3, will now be available on 335is models. I believe the new "s" added to 335i means "sport" package models. more.

Interior Trim Tool Kit for Christmas

I'm getting a few things for my car this Christmas and one thing I wanted to add to my toolbox is a decent set of interior trim removal tools. After some searching, I found a great set of 10 nylon pry tools from Eastwood. The kit is $39.99 plus tax and shipping is currently free. Looks like a good kit and I saw it mentioned on Bimmerpost from someone doing a full trim replacement on a 1-series.

To order the kit, go to Eastwood's site. It's a nice set for our cars and any future automotive projects. more.

LeatherZ Complete Gauge Kit

LeatherZ has released a relatively affordable gauge cluster kit for the E9x 3-series cars, including the E93 convertibles. The kit allows for 3 gauges to fit in place of where the ashtray currently is in the center console. Pricing is about 10-20% lower than other custom solutions I've seen and the cluster kit is configurable running from $305-$550 depending on which VDO gauges you choose.

There are a few recommendations from the supplier dependent on what kind of car you have:

E9x 328i - Oil Pressure, Oil Temperature and Voltmeter

E9x 335i (Stock) - 0-15PSI Boost, Oil Pressure and Water Temperature

E9x 335i (Modified) - 0-30 PSI Boost (Or Vacuum/Boost), Oil Pressure and Water Temperature

E9x 335i (Track Setup) - Pyrometer, Oil Pressure and Water Temperature

Installation takes from 4-6 hours and instructions come with the kit when ordered. I was disappointed the instructions are not available online. This would really help those of us considering buying the set who are DIY types to see what is involved.

This is definitely something I plan to do with my car in the next year or so. Hopefully someone on the boards will beat me to the task and post some instructions with photos. more.

BMWCCA Going Social

The BMW Car Club of America is extending their social reach with a new Facebook Fan Page and a more active Twitter account @BMWCCA. If you are not a BMWCCA Member, I highly recommend joining. The Roundel publication alone is reason enough to join as it has the best BMW owner, history and enthusiast content available. I've been a member for over 10 years and have loved every minute of it.

The Club also holds several driving performance and safety events. I wish my car was able to join the track events, but Club rules force me to have a roll cage which is a real shame as the requirement is quite extreme as compared to most track policies which only require rollbars and 5-point belts for convertibles. Oh well, it's still a great club and worth joining so do so today and at minimum join the Facebook and Twitter accounts to stay engaged.