Andrew

I'm backkkkk... Need to get in touch with Gavin Bellars and see what we will do with this car. Am weighing up my options. IF the flywheel has broken (which is a possibility, I don't know yet) then I will be back and go racing. If the crankshaft has broken then I may give it up for a while longer. At least another season. Haven't been around much as I've lost faith in BMWs for a while and spending huge amounts of money on a car isn't something I can do anymore, so have to do it carefully. At least I have an E36 daily now - the sentra is gone.

I scared him away...

I love cattle prods... Seriously though - come tonight it is badass. I can pick up up from taka if you want. 021 921 733. Tony will protect you

This time an old 2002/1602 - pref in red/orange (or any old 60/70s car) Short notice: For a couple of hours tomorrow in Auckland? Woodhill. Call me 021 921 733 Cheers

Rolls-Royce today officially revealed the first sketches of its next new model knows as the RR4. Ready to be launched in 2010, the RR4 will be smaller than the Phantom and will be powered by a new engine. Rolls-Royce says that the design was signed off in 2007 so these sketches must be pretty old; however engineering work is fully underway. While Rolls-Royce didn’t give any details on the ‘new engine’ rumor has it that power will come from a 6.0L V12 engine that produces 550 horsepower. That would give the baby Phantom the ability to go from 0-62 in just 5.5 seconds. The company’s Goodwood plant has been fully reconfigured to accommodate production of the RR4 moving into a two shift system next year. More details will be released during 2009. So why the sketches now? To build up the excitement people - come on! Rolls-Royce RR4 Design Sketches: Click through for the press release. Press Release: ROLLS-ROYCE RELEASES FIRST SKETCHES OF RR4 Rolls-Royce Motor Cars today revealed the first design sketches of its next new model. Known as RR4, the car is due to be launched in 2010 and will sit alongside the Phantom model line-up. RR4 will be smaller than Phantom and powered by a new engine, unique to Rolls-Royce. The design was signed off in 2007 and engineering development is now fully underway. The Goodwood manufacturing facilities are being completely reconfigured to accommodate the RR4, with extended paint, wood and leather shops as well as a second assembly line. The company will move to a two shift system next year as it gears up for full production of the new model. Chief designer, Ian Cameron, said, “Effortless performance and standard-setting levels of comfort and efficiency, executed with the utmost care and attention, remain fundamentals of Rolls-Royce design. The RR4 has a more informal presence than the Phantom models with a greater emphasis on driving. In design terms this is expressed through its slightly smaller dimensions and more organic form, yet with powerful, purposeful proportions. It is a true and uncompromising Rolls-Royce in every sense.” “RR4 will mark a milestone in the history of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars”, Chairman, Ian Robertson added. “The business continues to go from strength to strength and the introduction of this new model will expand the appeal of the brand. We look forward to this next chapter with anticipation and confidence.” Further design and engineering details will be announced during the course of 2009.

Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann is not worried about fuel-economy or emission standards set by the government. Winkelman said that while a supercars are all about how fast they accelerates or the top speed, it does matter how the car sounds. In an interview with Automotive News, reporter Mark Rechtin asked Winkelmann whether Lamborghini will downsize its V10 and V12 engines in order to meet future CO2 regulations. Simply put, Winkelmann replied “No. We are selling very few cars, and our customers drive less than 5,000 miles a year, so it’s a very small impact.” Winkelmann also said that the company has no plans to make major changes to its lineup; so you can kill all those rumors of a Lambo SUV. He said that with only 150 engineers the company is working at its full-capacity. When asked if Lamborghini worries about Audi adding three Porsche executives to its supervisory board, Winkelmann replied that he has no contact with the Porsche guys. “Porsche sells 100,000 cars a year. We sell 2,500. I don’t see any overlapping in terms of products.”

Every time we write about Jeremy Clarkson, we always think what would happen if he and Simon Cowell exchanged some words. Anyway our main Top Gear man can’t seem to stay out of the news and this time, well almost all the time, for being bluntly honest. Road safety campaigners are urging BBC to kick Clarkson off Top Gear after he admitted to driving over 186mph on public roads. During his recently famous interview at Hay Festival in Powys, where the 48-year old revealed that he will be racing a bullet train in Japan while driving a Nissan GT-R in the next season of Top Gear, Clarkson claimed he’s driven 120mph over the nations speed limit. CEO of Brake, Mary Williams said:”Jeremy Clarkson is extremely offensive and irresponsible. His comments are very upsetting to loved ones who have suffered a bereavement through a road crash because of a speeding driver. He is the most appalling role model for our next generation of drivers. The BBC should sack him - he is totally out of control.” Clarkson broke the speed limit traveling 186mph at the Limehouse Link tunnel between Central London and Docklands in none other than the Bugatti Veyron. We can’t wait to see the next season of Top Gear Clarkson; keep at it sir.

According to survey conducted by a California based research company, Strategic Vision, luxury brands have once again dominated the U.S. automobile quality survey. To us it would make sense - after all they are luxury vehicles. However Strategic vision found that overall quality dropped for the first time in four years. According to Strategic BMW led all brands followed by Hummer, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Infiniti, Lexus, Land Rover, Cadillac, and Lincoln. Volkswagen (including Audi) on the other hand led all corporations with 892 points, followed by GM coming in second as a corporation with 867 points. Ford and Honda tied for third with 862 points while everyone’s favorite, Toyota, came in fifth with 860 points. The survey found that Volkswagen, GM and Ford were the only corporations showing improvement in this year’s survey. Alexander Edwards, president of the Strategic Vision’s automotive division, said that overall, industry quality dropped from 864 points in 2007 to 860 in 2008. That is the first drop since 2004. For those of you still confused: If you’re worried about brand-specific quality BMW came out on top. If you’re worried about a corporation as a whole (such as where Cadillac and Hummer are owned by GM) Volkswagen came out on top.

When BMW released the M1 Hommage concept at the Concorso d’Eleganza 2008 di Villa d’Este, head of design Adrian van Hooydonk told us that the car was nothing more than a celebration of BMW design and had no plans of making a production version. The car was revealed with no interior, no engine; it simply had working headlights and a steering. However, according to our friends at CAR BMW is working on production model as we speak. “We have the know-how, we have the right engine, we even have the infrastructure to build such a car,” said BMW board member Herbert Diess. CAR’s July issue reveals the timetable for production, the powertrain line-up and why the car won’t be called the M1. Supposedly the lightweight body construction with ‘heron-wing’ doors will be driver focused with a multi-layered interior. It is expected to go head-to-head with the Audi R8. We haven’t been able to get our hands on the July issue as of yet but as soon as we do, we’ll bring you more details. BMW M1 Hommage Concept:

Yes .. and no. You can cut the front off the gearbox and weld it back up on the correct angle. This has worked for me pretty well.

What what kind of car? If it is for a 318i why bother with the dogleg/short ratio box? You can easily find a replacement manual box for sweet bugger all.

Welcome - nice ride.

The G-Power 730-hp BMW M5 is the fastest street legal BMW on the road, reaching a top speed of 224mph. Yes it’s downright sick and probably the hottest thing a tuner has ever done to a BMW without going overboard on ugly aerodynamic packages. Well it was after building the world’s fastest BMW M5 Sedan it was only right that G-Power get their hands on the M6 convertible and produced what they say is the worlds fastest and most power convertible. Taking the BMW M6’s 5.0 liter V10 engine, G-Power engineers increased output from 500 to 635-hp. 0-62mph comes in at just 4.6 seconds; 0-124mph in just 11.9 seconds; and top sped is clocked in at 198 mph. A fully converted G-Power M6 Hurricane convertible is available at 183,000 Euros ($288,865). The M6 Hurricane Coupe is available with the famous 730-hp tuning package found in the M5 Hurricane. Click through for more pictures and the press release. G-Power BMW M6 Convertible Hurricane: Press Release: The G-POWER M6 HURRICANE with BI-Kompressor system One of the world’s fastest and most powerful convertibles is made by G-POWER. The 335-km/h G-POWER M6 HURRICANE is based on the latest BMW M6. At the heart of the high-performance convertible is a five-liter V10 engine with G-POWER BI-Kompressor system that delivers 635 hp / 467 kW. To achieve the desired increase in power output of 128 hp / 94 kW for the fast-revving engine that normally produces 507 hp / 373 kW, G-POWER has developed a high-tech supercharging system. The system uses one belt-driven ASA T1-12 compressor for each cylinder bank. Contrary to conventional mechanical chargers that waste a large portion of the additional power on being driven themselves, the ASA compressor has an efficiency rate of up to 80 percent. The ASA charger is also small, which allows G-POWER to install two of them in the tight confines of the M6 engine bay. With a maximum airstream volume of up to 1,200 kg per hour per cylinder bank the compressors are designed for an even higher power output than the limited boost pressure of 0.4 bars featured at the M6 HURRICANE convertible. In comparison. The G-POWER M5 V10 HURRICANE based on the BMW M5 with a boost pressure of 0.7 bars is producing 730 hp and holds the record for the fastest street legal BMW with a top speed of 360 km/h. The pre-compressed charge air is cooled down in a highly efficient dual-flow water-to-air intercooler system that is mounted above the engine. This measure optimizes power yield, throttle response and also ensures the engine’s thermal health. Specially developed mapping for engine electronics and SMG gearbox controls coordinate the perfect interaction of all new components. The supercharged M6 V10 engine produces its maximum power output of 635 hp / 467 kW between 7,500 and 8,200 rpm. The high efficiency rate of the two ASA superchargers, each spinning at up to 100,000 rpm and more, results in a torque diagram that rises early and at 4,800 rpm already surpasses the production engine’s peak torque of 520 Nm, delivered at 6,000 rpm. The new peak of 600 Nm is reached at 7,200 rpm. This special characteristic is, apart from the outstanding reliability and long life qualities, the reason why ALPINA features the ASA superchargers in their models B5, B6 and B7, as well. Acceleration performance benefits from the perfect performance characteristic accordingly. With a sprint time from rest to 100 km/h of 4.6 seconds and to 200 km/h in 11,9 seconds the 2-ton convertible accelerates like a true sports car. The 300-km/h barrier is shattered after 34,5 seconds from standstill. Contrary to the production car the G-POWER HURRICANE is not limited electronically to a top speed of 250 km/h but to 320 km/h. The determining factors therefore are weight, tyres and most important the soft top of the M6 convertible. The enormous performance places extreme demands on aerodynamics, tires, suspension and brakes. The G-POWER front apron, upon request also available made from especially light carbon fiber, replaces the production part in its entirety. Its large air inlets provide optimal supply of cooling air for all radiators and front brakes. At the same time the spoiler minimizes lift on the front axle at high speeds. The G-POWER rocker panels smooth the airflow between the wheel houses and give the M6 a longer, lower and sleeker appearance. Lift on the rear axle is reduced by the carbon-fiber rear diffuser for the G-POWER rear apron. Even better driving dynamics and more exclusive looks are the hallmark of the G-POWER Silverstone 21-inch light-alloy wheels that fill out the space beneath the wheel arches perfectly. The drop-center rims have brilliant-graphite coated centers while the outer rim wells and spokes are polished. They are mounted in sizes 9.5 J x 21 with size 255/30 ZR 21 tires in front and size 10.5 J x 21 wheels with size 295/25 ZR 21 tires on the rear axle. Technology partner Dunlop provides the perfect high-speed tires. The large wheels make room for the G-POWER high-performance brake system with eight-piston fixed calipers and 380 x 34 millimeter brake discs on the front axle. The M6 handling can be made even sportier by installing the height-adjustable G-POWER coil-over suspension RS with nine selectable settings each for bound and rebound. The G-POWER M6 HURRICANE convertible is available as a fully converted car starting at 183,000 Euros. Any existing M6 – sedan and wagon – can also be upgraded with the G-POWER twin-compressor system along with numerous items from the extensive G-POWER tuning accessories lineup. For M6 coupé drivers only is the 730 hp version of the G-POWER BI-Kompressor system available, as well.

Whether you think its practical or pointless, the BMW X6 will turn many heads on the street as you cruise by. However, if you have enough cash to burn and end up going for the 5,000 pound xDrive50i, you probably won’t be cruising at all. The xDrive50i is powered by a new 4.4L V8 engine that produces 400 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque. 0-60 for the xDrive50i comes in at 5.3 seconds. The new BMW X6 xDrive35i is already in showrooms with prices starting at $53,275. The xDrive50i will arrive later this summer priced at $63,775.

Pretty interesting news here. According to AutoExpress, the next-generation 5-Series will also be available in a hatchback version for practicality use. The new variant has yet to get the green-light from the top level execs. The hatchback option will ad an extra 80 liters to the already 520 liter sedan. That is almost the same capacity of the current BMW X5 SUV. We’re just wondering what the point of the station wagon is. Well, at least you can buy sedan-style hatchback BMW 5-Series rather than settling for a wagon. Or maybe this is just as pointless as the BMW X6.

Just do it yourself - it isn't particularly hard and you could have it done in a day. I'm sure someone down there can give you a hand. Doesn't Doug have heaps of free time?

The folks over at BimmerPost have posted spy shots of what they say is the BMW F3 prototype. Others think it’s the BMW X1 testing with the newly announced inline 4-cylinder engine that BMW is building in collaboration with PSA. BMW has previously killed rumors of an F3; not to mention the F3 isn’t a part of its product outline for the company’s short-term goals by 2012, so it may be too early to be testing the F3. The BMW X1 was however confirmed to hit the roads before 2012 as early as 2010. More photos @ http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=143325

The M3 Sedan just hit the dealerships last month and BMW is already working on facelift. Caught here, the 2009 BMW M3 Sedan will get updated headlamps with LEDs, revised tail lights as on the regular 3-Series Sedan and a slightly upgraded diffuser These photos from M3Post confirm that the M3 Sedan will also receive a new color; Space Gray. Of course the 420-hp 4.0 liter V8 won’t be upgraded.

Cadillac is really proud of its recent Nurburgring achievement with the 2009 CTS-V bringing in a lap time of 7:59.32. When we heard the news, we were left wondering if the 7:59.32 time of the 2009 CTS-V, which Cadillac says is actually the fastest documented lap time for a production sedan, beat any of its German rivals. So what German marquees do you leave behind when you drop a 6.3 liter small-block V8 that is closely related to the LS9 found in the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1? Pumping out a total of 550-hp the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V leaves behind a pair of high-performing BMW ‘M’ division cars. The BMW M5 clocks in at 8:13 while the new 2008 BMW M3 is listed at 8:15. So yes, the Bayerische Motoren Werkes have a lot of work to do. 2009 Cadillac CTS-V:

This is why BMW is the ‘Ultimate Driving Machine.’ The German automaker has won the ‘International Engine of the Year’ once again. Repeating last year’s victory, the 3.0L straight 6-cylinder twin-turbo engine was once again awarded the prestigious award for 2008. This makes it BMW’s fourth consecutive win with M6’s and M5’s 5.0L V10 taking the title in 2005 and 2006. If that wasn’t enough for you to believe that BMW makes good engines, the automaker also took first place for the ‘Best New Engine of the Year’ with its new 2.0L twin-turbo diesel engine that produces 204-hp used in the 123d. This was also the first time in the history of the competition that a diesel engine took the title. Click through for the press release and the list of other winners. Best New Engine of 2008: BMW 2.0L Diesel Twin-Turbo (123d) Green Engine of the Year: Toyota 1.5L Hybrid Synergy Drive (Prius) Best Performance Engine: Porsche 3.6L Turbo (911 Turbo, 911 GT2) Sub 1.0L: Toyota 1-litre (Aygo, Yaris, Peugeot 107, Citroën C1, Subaru Justy) 1.0-litre to 1.4L: Volkswagen 1.4L TSI Twincharger (Golf, Touran, Tiguan, Jetta) 1.4L to 1.8L: BMW-PSA 1.6L Turbo (MINI Cooper S, Clubman, Peugeot 207, 308) 1.8L to 2.0L: Volkswagen/Audi 2.0L Turbo (A3, A4 Cabrio, A6, TT, Eos, Jetta, Golf GTi, Seat Altea, Leon, Skoda Octavia) 2.0-litre to 2.5L: Subaru 2.5L Turbo (Forester, Impreza, Outback, Legacy) 2.5L to 3.0L: BMW 3.0L Twin-Turbo (135, 335, X6) 3.0L to 4.0L: BMW 4.0L V8 (M3) Above 4.0L: BMW 5.0L V10 (M5, M6) International Engine of the Year 2008: BMW 3.0L Twin-Turbo (135, 335, X6) Press Release: BMW STRAIGHT SIX-CYLINDER ENGINE WITH TWIN TURBO DEFENDS ITS TITLE OF “INTERNATIONAL ENGINE OF THE YEAR” Munich / Stuttgart. With six awards for five engines gained at this year’s “International Engine of the Year Awards”, BMW has successfully defended its position as the world’s leading manufacturer of efficient high-performance power units. For the second time in succession, the 3-litre straight six engine with Twin Turbo and High Precision Injection has won the overall ranking in this most significant international engine competition. The 225 kW/306 bhp engine employed in the BMW 3 Series, the BMW 1 Series Coupe and Convertible, as well as in the new BMW X6, also has repeated last year’s victory in the 2.5 to 3-litre engine category. Only one engine had previously ever succeeded in repeating overall victory at the “International Engine of the Year Awards”: the 5-litre V10 high-revving power unit employed in the models BMW M5, BMW M5 Touring, BMW M6 Coupe and BMW M6 Convertible received first prize in 2005 and 2006. This year the 373 kW/507 bhp high-end power unit won the Above 4-litre category. The BMW M GmbH was successful in positioning a further winner: the 309 kW/420 bhp V8 engine boasted by the new BMW M3 won the category for engines in the 3 to 4 litre category. Furthermore, the 2-litre four-cylinder diesel with Variable Twin Turbo employed in the BMW 123d received the award for “Best New Engine” of the 2008. And the 1.6-litre four cylinder with Twin Scroll Turbocharger and direct petrol injection employed in the MINI Cooper S managed to repeat last year’s win in the engine class 1.4 to 1.8 litres. For the first time in the history of the competition, the title “Best New Engine of the Year” has been awarded to a diesel engine. The 150 kW/204 bhp four-cylinder diesel with Variable Twin Turbo has earned this award due to a unique relation between performance and efficiency. As the world’s first full-aluminium diesel power unit it delivers a specific output of more than 100 bhp per litre of displacement. At the same time it facilitates in the BMW 123d an average fuel consumption of 5.2 litres per 100 km in an EU test cycle and a CO2 emission level of 138 grams per km. This renders it a fine example of the consistent realisation of the BMW EfficientDynamics development strategy. With its current win of six trophies, the BMW Group continues to impressively dominate the engine competition which has been held now for ten years. The repeated success of the straight six engine with Twin Turbo is already the sixth overall victory for the company since the foundation of the “International Engine of the Year Awards” in 1999. The bandwidth of the BMW Group’s currently successful engines is also remarkable. They range from the 128 kW/175 bhp four cylinder of the MINI Cooper S to the two high-revving power units produced by the BMW M GmbH. The “International Engine of the Year Award” has been presented since 1999 by an international jury consisting of highly prominent car journalists. This year the team of experts comprises 65 top journalists from 32 nations which include the USA, Japan, China, Russia, India, Germany, France, New Zealand, Korea and South Africa and, this year, Romania and Poland. Prizes are awarded for eleven categories as well to the winner of the overall rating. The award ceremony will be held on 7th May during the “Engine Expo 2008″ in Stuttgart.

The next season of our favorite show in the world, Top Gear, is just around the corner and Executive Producer Andy Wilman today gave us an idea of what to expect for series 11. Clarkson, Hammond and May will go to war with the German version of Top Gear with a very exciting race between the ‘RS6 against the most suicidal of skiers.’ The Top Gear crew will also put the new Mitsubishi Evo X against the new Impreza, get behind the wheel of the Mercedes-Benz CLK Black Series and may even get to drive the Mazda Furai concept. Wilman also told us that the team has come up with another ‘big race.’ Last season we saw the Veyron go up against a fighter jet, however this time it won’t be too crazy and will be more realistic. Hold it right there! While writing this we were browsing through our RSS reader and to our surprise, Top Gear was supposedly in Abu Dhabi this past weekend and lucked out with three Bugatti Veyrons for filming. Originally, the Top Gear Magazine was in town for a photo shoot when it sent out a request for a Bugatti Veyron. Instead, Top Gear was offered not one but three Veyrons, one of them being the exclusive Bugatti Pur Sang (of which only 5 units were produced). “No other place in the world could we have found three Bugattis in a span of 48 hours,” said a relieved Charlie Turner, the creative director for the magazine. Excited and surprised, the BBC crew arrived with the Stig and headed up the curvaceous roads of the Jabel Hafeet mountains. Transport officers helped closed the roads for hours while the Top Gear crew did their thing. Rumor has it that there was also a Koenigsegg CCX spotted during the photoshoot (see pictures below). Who knows, we may see a Veyron Pur Sang race against the CCX next season. Loaners of the 3 Veyrons wished to remain anonymous. All this Veyron and Top Gear talk has gotten us really excited. So we were kind enough to post the episode where James May takes the Veyron to its top speed of 253mph. Top Gear in Abu Dhabi:

Hi Chris Amanda and Harry, Quite a few of us on on the shore, albany specifically hence the meeting place. See you next month.

I'm sure a 318iS Turbo, My racecar, and e30 m3 should keep you satisfied gus. PLaying NFS Porsche unlimited is just wrong.... but I still am. hah

x 2 Shelley did a great job on the bimmersport race cars also.

I work in the Film Industry as a Post-Production person for Flying Fish/Fish 'n' Clips. Fish is New Zealand's oldest production company. We do a lot of the TVCs (non-retail) and music videos you see. It usually means I don't really sleep and hence I'm never really on here anymore. www.flyingfish.co.nz