BMW cars

BMW HAS announced a new Competition Package that will boost the M5 and M6 to 567bhp.When the revised M-division cars arrive later this year the package will be offered across all variants of the V8-engined supercar chasers, including the M6 Convertible and Gran Coupe, although the cost will vary.Models equipped with the …

PURISTS might wince at BMW's decision to focus as much of its attention on luxury as it does performance, but this slight change in direction is also a realisation that an increasing number of buyers are seeking high levels of refinement to match their car's outright performance.As such, cue BMW executives promoting its …

BMW’s 3 Series has always been a car for all circumstances – fun to drive but practical and comfortable too, and over the years the range has expanded to widen the net still further. The estate Touring, the M3 and the ever-increasing range of diesel offerings meant there has always been a version to suit.Now there’s another …

ENGINES – Far from being starved of choice, BMW endowed the E90 3 Series range with a wide variety of both petrol and diesel engines. Mile-munchers will love the smooth, economical diesels while town dwellers will appreciate the quiet yet eager petrol motors. The six-pot engines might be automotive gems but don’t discount …

Following in the footsteps of its big brother the 5 Series GT, the 3 Series GT has added a third body style option to a compact executive car range that until now has only comprised a saloon and an estate, or Touring model.If you get a tape measure out you’ll find that the new GT is 200mm longer even than the 3 Series Touring, …

ENGINES – Unless you're made of money the petrol X5 can be an expensive car to run – especially if you opt for the V8. Alternatively you could go for a diesel X5. It’s worth knowing that the more recent cars run with a more powerful version of the stock 3.0-litre unit. Either way, diesel power will make life easier when …

WITH its package of Efficient Dynamics technologies, BMW has brought the likes of engine stop-start and brake energy regeneration to the masses. The firm’s engineers appear to have struck gold when it comes to making savings, as the inclusion of these various bits of technology have led to a minor revolution in the office …

IN THE gold-plated world of the luxury saloon, Mercedes’ S-Class is king. In recent years the German firm’s luxo-barge has undergone a radical transformation from visual wallflower to striking contender for Boldest Saloon of the Year Award.Contrast this with BMW’s 7 Series. The previous generation car came out of the blocks …

LOOK past the genuinely brand new cars from BMW in recent months and you’ll see a picture of gradual, continual improvement from the German car maker. Yes, the 1, 3 and 6 Series models are all very nice, but the really impressive act is being able to maintain the performance of an existing model in the middle of its lifecycle.The …

THERE’S a mixture of the familiar and the unfamiliar about the BMW Active Hybrid 3. It’s a 3 Series in largely the same style as any other, making it at a glance one of the most familiar cars on the road today.It has four wheels, a saloon boot and a six-cylinder petrol engine under the bonnet, too, plus either a manual …

HAVING a glorious back catalogue of driving machines can be both a blessing and a curse, especially if you've not managed to capture the brilliance of an early model and spend decades trying to better it. Thankfully this is not a problem that has befallen BMW's M Sport division. It turns 40 this year, and the first product …

IT’S NICE when a car gives you a pleasant surprise, but as prices climb it gets less and less likely that you’ll find something that feels worth more than the sum of its parts.But here’s an arrow to pierce the clouds of high-rolling disappointment, and it comes in the shapely guise of the BMW 640d Gran Coupe. It’s a longer …

German car maker BMW is recalling 1.3 million cars over problems with a battery cable cover which could in extreme cases cause a fire.

SPARE a thought for those who aren’t and probably never will be a fan of diesel. It’s hardly the most delightful of substances to handle, and service stations without disposable gloves on hand ought to be closed down. Trouble is diesel engines have seen huge advances over the last decade and with manufacturers pouring millions …

ENGINES – With a good range of refined petrol engines to choose from, this quieter option probably suits the 1 Series Convertible’s character better than the, predictably, more vocal diesel units. The low power engines might look good on paper but buy the most powerful you can afford - you’ll appreciate the decision later.EXTERIOR …

ENGINES – The X6 is a big vehicle, making BMW’s six and eight-cylinder engine offerings entirely predictable. And just like the X5 sister car, it’s diesel power that will make more sense if you plan on racking up the miles. Petrol X6s are rapid machines but you’ll pay the price at the pumps.EXTERIOR – In some quarters the …

IF BMW is feeling the pressure regarding the launch of its latest 3 Series saloon, it’s doing a good job of hiding it. When you make a car that forms one fifth of your total sales profile it’s important to get it right. Fortunately the German firm’s had plenty of practice, as past generations of the car have been well received …

BMW'S NEW M6 range has been unveiled, with higher performance, lower fuel consumption and increased touring range.The flagship M car boasts monumental power and torque figures from the same turbocharged V8 seen in the M5. With 554bhp and 502lb.ft, the latter available all the way from 1,500rpm to 5,750rpm, the coupé sprints …