2001 Bmw Z8 Topaz Blue/black 1 Owner Only 2100 Miles on 2040-cars

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BMW previews new M6 GT3 racing prototype [UPDATE]

UPDATE: A previous version of this post specified the incorrect weight target for the M6 GT3. The text below has been updated with the correct information. BMW may not compete at the top level at Le Mans or in the World Rally Championship, it may have withdrawn from Formula One and shuttered the Formula BMW series, but it's not without its racing programs. Aside from the Minis that dominate the Dakar Rally, BMW fields the M4 in DTM, the M235i Racing in the BMW Sports Trophy and the Z4 in GT3 competitions around the world. But now it's preparing to launch a new GT3 racer based on the M6. Currently undergoing development, BMW has presented its new M6 GT3 prototype at its factory in Dingolfing, Germany. Based on the road-going M6 coupe, the GT3 retains its 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine with dry-sump lubrication, producing over 500 horsepower – which is actually less than the road-going model you can buy, but has to be restricted to meet FIA certification. At less than 3,000 pounds, it is a fair bit lighter than the production version, and promises to deliver blistering performance figures to whichever privateer teams buy one to enter in racing series around the world. The M6 GT3 is slated to hit the circuits next year, when it will join the lineup alongside the M6 coupe, M6 convertible and M6 Gran Coupe, to say nothing of the M6 safety car used in MotoGP. In a related development, BMW Blog reports that the Bavarian automaker is probing potential interest in bringing the M235i Racing to North America. The entry-level model in the BMW Motorsports range, the M235i Racing sells in Europe for the equivalent of $68,000. The next milestone: the BMW M6 GT3 is rolled out at the BMW premises in Dingolfing. 05.02.2015 Munich (DE), 5th February 2015. BMW's new figurehead for the GT racing scene has been given its first run: last Saturday, the test track on the premises of the BMW factory in Dingolfing (DE) provided the stage for the roll-out of the BMW M6 GT3, with which BMW teams will compete in national and international series, as well as at iconic endurance races, from 2016 onwards. The car left the garage for the first time at precisely 14:00 with Jorg Muller (DE) at the wheel. This gave the BMW works driver the honour of creating the next milestone in the development of the BMW M6 GT3. "This is a big moment for everyone who has worked so intensely and passionately on the development of the BMW M6 GT3 in recent months," said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt.

BMW shows off 435i Coupe with M Performance parts

Greetings from the famous Circuito do Estoril racetrack in Portugal. We're here to put the 2014 BMW 4 Series coupe through its paces, and we'll have the chance to sample the updated 2014 BMW M5 with its new Competition Pack, as well. But before going out for some hot laps, we took a few minutes to check out this 435i Coupe that's been fitted with a full suite of goodies from the BMW M Performance parts catalog.
Starting with the exterior, carbon fiber bits are the most noticeable additions, with the lightweight material added in the form of a massive front splitter, mirror caps and a rear spoiler. Other visual changes include lightweight 20-inch wheels, a blacked-out grille, and unique M Performance side stripes. No, that's not a shadow you see under the 435i's strong side character line - that's a stripe. Yes, we're serious.
Inside (we couldn't get photos of the interior, sorry!), BMW has added its sport steering wheel with race display, unique M floormats, steel pedals, and a whole mess of carbon fiber and Alcantara trim.

Thanks to smaller engines, vehicle dependability falls for first time in 16 years

As automakers have made engines smaller and smaller to improve fuel economy, problems in those vehicles have gotten bigger and bigger. That's the synopsis of a J.D. Power vehicle-dependability study, which found that dependability dropped for the first time in 16 years, largely because the proliferation of four-cylinder engines is causing the vehicles to be less reliable. Specifically, the number of problems per 100 vehicles (or what J.D. Power calls PP100) during the past 12 months for 2011 model-year vehicles rose six percent from the year-earlier figures for 2010 model-year cars. Singling out four-cylinder vehicles revealed about a 10-percent increase in problems during the past year. This issues largely related to engine hesitation, rough transmission shifting and lack of power, signaling the inability of vehicle makers to iron out some of the problems in their smaller engines as they strove for better fuel economy. Six- and five-cylinder engines proved far more reliable. Among car brands, BMW's Mini sub-brand came out as least reliable, with 185 problems per 100 vehicles during the past year. Toyota's Lexus badge was easily the most reliable, with just 68 problems per 100 vehicles. Coming in second place was Mercedes-Benz. The overall average was 133. Check out J.D. Power's press release below. J.D. Power Reports: Increased Engine and Transmission Problems Contribute to Decline in Vehicle Dependability for The First Time in More Than 15 Years General Motors Company Receives Eight Segment Awards, While Toyota Motor Corporation Garners Seven and Honda Motor Company Earns Six WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.: o Owners of 3-year-old vehicles (2011 model year) report more problems than did owners of 3-year-old vehicles last year, according to the J.D. Power 2014 U.S. Vehicle Dependability StudySM (VDS) released today. The study, now in its 25th year, examines problems experienced during the past 12 months by original owners of 2011 model-year vehicles. Overall dependability is determined by the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100), with a lower score reflecting higher quality. The study finds that overall vehicle dependability averages 133 PP100, a 6 percent increase in problems from 126 PP100 in 2013. This marks the first time since the 1998 study that the average number of problems has increased. "Until this year, we have seen a continual improvement in vehicle dependability," said David Sargent, vice president of global automotive at J.D.