Andrew

Just last week we told you about the Chinese Smart ForTwo copy cat that Mercedes is planning on taking legal action against. Well BMW is headed down the same road as it plans to take legal action against another Chinese auto maker that will be displaying their ‘CEO’ SUV at Frankfurt. The ‘CEO’ SUV bears a striking resemblance to BMW’s X5. “We’ve already taken measures against the distribution of the CEO in Europe,” a BMW spokesperson told Automobilwoche. “We’ll consider taking legal action should the car be shown at the IAA.” The Chinese auto maker of the ‘CEO’ also makes the ‘UFO’ which is direct copy of the Toyota RAV4. All three, including the Smart ForTwo copy, are headed to Frankfurt to make their debut. China Automobile Deutschland, the independent importer that hopes to bring all three models onto the market in October, said it had no knowledge of the possible IAA ban. “The discussion might even be helpful, because it elevates our products to the same level as BMW and Smart,” company head Karl Schlössl told Automobilwoche. Companies that violate IAA regulations and are accused of product and brand violations face removal of their products at the IAA, according to Germany’s automobile association, the VDA. BMW has already issued a warning against the distribution of the CEO in Italy.

Wiesmann has announced that they will be showing their new GT MF 5 for the first time in Frankfurt. The car will be shown for the first time before the opening day of the Frankfurt Auto Show on September 10th at Wiesmann’s very first dealership. The Wiesmann GT MF 5 is powered by the same V10 engine found in the BMW M5 and M6, giving it the ability to produce 507 horsepower. According to AutoTelegraff.nl the rear-wheel-drive system is yet to be completed so expect the first units to arrive sometime in mid-2008.

The spies of WorldCarFans have caught the next-generation BMW Z4 doing rounds at the Nurburgring for some high-speed testing. There is not word on what engine specs we’ll see under the hood, but be sure to expect the twin-turbo 300 horsepower making its way to the 2009 BMW Z4. Head over to WorldCarFans for the full shots.

2008 BMW M3 Gallery:

You could build me one better than that

No

Icelink from Dension.

Looks great

I don't have coil overs - I use the turner motorsport J-stock kit. The most complete race kit you'll find.

I'd rather not have VANOS - repairing an S50 would cost heaps each time also.

sh*t loads - nearly 300. Manual obviously.

Despite it not being my taste - it does look well done.

The car is a driver btw - I did - New radiator +coolant pipes, new leads, dizzy, cambelt, tappets ajusted (thanks Will) - hasn't been driven since. New oil etc etc. New steering sh*t, new pitmen arms in the back. Basically got bored and didn't finish + my girlfriend doesn't really need a car as we drive to work together now. Technically it only needs 1 door for a WOF. Needs a wheel alignment before it could be driven far.

FTW - exhaust sounds badass. I totally had you though on esmonde

$1300 - Comes with free E28 525e - that has just had over 2000 spent on it to get a WOF - then I couldn't be f**ked finishing it (needs 2 new doors + wheel alignment to WOF)

Not really - An S50 is A) Hard to find Similar power C) Less reliable perhaps. D) Costs even more I could of put any BMW 6 cylinder motor in - even an S50 would only be around 170 rwKw - I'm aiming for the 170 mark with this motor also - and it's spanking new.

The main bolts all line up. Input shaft is correct. It works - but a bit of modding is required.

Here is the first look of BMW’s upcoming Audi R8 competitor. We’re not sure exactly what BMW is going to this car so we’re going with Automotive News on this one. Before the CS Concept made its debut at the Shanghai Auto Show, Automotive News reported that BMW will be unveiling a high-end sports car, called the BMW Z9, that would compete with the Audi R8. While BMW never unveiled the ‘Z9′ at Shanghai, BMW did say that the CS Concept was supposed to show where BMW design is headed. As you can see from these latest renderings, the BMW Z9 will take major influence from the front end of the CS Concept with a large grille, aggresively designed headlights and huge air intakes. The large intakes along with the two hood vents and side vents, indicate the use of a powerful engine, enough to rival the Audi R8. When the BMW Z9 makes its debut, it is expected to be powered by a modified version of the V10 engine found in the M5 and M6 and will develop 550 horsepower. BMW hopes to keep the weight below 1,400 kg with the use of carbon fiber, aluminum and magnesium. The car is expected to be priced way below the $130,000 price tag of the Z8, which we expect will be in the ballpark of Audi R8’s $109,000 to $118,000. Photo Rendering: BMW Z9 Gallery:

Shake 'n Bake baby!

Will Ferrell, star of “Talladega Nights, The Ballad of Ricky Bobby,” will be the first to be given a BMW Hydrogen 7 for everyday use. As a part of the Hydrogen 7 Pioneer Program, BMW will give industry leaders and prominent figures in entertainment, politics, business and more a BMW Hydrogen 7 for their daily use. The goal of the program is to state the fact that the BMW Hydrogen 7 is no longer a concept car, but a production model vehicle that has successfully completed the entire Product Development Process, meeting all the standards necessary for driving on U.S. roadways. Running in hydrogen mode, the BMW Hydrogen 7 essentially emits nothing but water vapor, representing a major step in reducing harmful CO2 emissions. Ferrell will be the first in a series of Americans who BMW plans to announce in the coming months that will help the company build widespread support of car. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have already shown up in the BMW Hydrogen 7 at the Ocean’s 13 Premier.

BMW hopes that the 1-Series coupe along with the introduction of a convertible variant in the U.S., will boost the 1-Series range past the half million mark. The BMW 1-Series coupe arrives in April of 2008 followed by the 135i convertible which will be available in SE and M Sport trim levels. From these latest spy shots from our friends at CarMagazine, it seems that the BMW 1-Series convertible will get a fabric roof rather than a hard-top convertible. Expect the 135i convertible to weigh significantly more than the 135i coupe to ensure handling. Of course the 0-60 time will increase to under six-seconds. CarMagazine says it expects the 135i convertible to be followed by the 125i convertible as well as a 123d twin-turbo diesel for the UK. Spy Shots: BMW 1-Series Convertible Gallery:

While developing BMW’s Efficient Dynamics technology is hurting the company’s financials, executives plan to spend more on BMW’s green plan since it gives it a huge competitive advantage over rivals like Mercedes. CFO Stefan Krause said that the cost of developing the Efficient Dynamics program had hit the company hard in the second quarter. Research and development costs increased by 40 percent to €835 million, while net profit fell 4.3 percent to €753 million. “Efficient Dynamics delivers a competitive advantage but pricing for these measures will remain a challenge. Over time we will solve it,” Krause told financial analysts August 1. BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer said, “We are convinced these measures will pay off in the long term. We are where other automakers want to be.” Reithofer expects 40 percent of BMW’s new cars to have CO2 emissions of 140g/km or less by the autumn. BMW recently added twin-turbo diesel engine to the BMW 6-Series which will give it an average fuel economy of 40mpg. The 1-Series range also got 123d with a 2.0 liter, 4-cylinder twin-turbo diesel engine that produces an outstanding 201 horsepower. That gives the BMW 123d the ability to do 0-60 in 7.1 seconds with a fuel-economy of 54.3mpg. Of course, only the lucky UK folks get these cars.

Yes people, the makers of Ultimate Driving Machines are bringing a new acronym to a dealership near you. After bringing you SAV, Sports Activity Vehicle (another name for an SUV used by BMW), BMW now brings you SAC, Sports Activity Coupe, with the new BMW X6. Caught here by our friends at CarMagazine, the BMW X6 is set to arrive at Frankfurt this September in its first concept form. When the production version hits dealers in mid-2008, expect engine sizes to be similar to the BMW X5 with a 3.0 liter petrol and diesel, as well as a 4.8 liter V8 355 horsepower range topper. Due to the dramatic sloping roofline, there will be no third-row seating as with the BMW X5. Spy Shots: BMW X6 SAC Gallery:

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Didn't Gary use the M50 box? It doesn't fit - you need to bend the gearlinkage or do the mod like I did to my Getrag 260 on the turbo.