BMW Recalling 200,000 Vehicles in the U.S. Over Airbag Problem

Today, NHSTA announced that BMW is recalling 200,000 vehicles in the U.S. over concerns that the front passenger airbag may not deploy in the even of a crash due to a sensor problem. The models affected from the recall include the 2006 MY 3-Series, the 2004-2005 MY 5-Series and the 2004-2006 MY X3 SUV. According to NHTSA, depending on the manner and frequency of the front passenger's entry and exit, small cracks could develop in a seat detection mat. If this occurs, the front passenger air bags (with the exception of the head protection system) will be deactivated and the air bag warning lamp as well as the passenger air bag "on-off" lamp will be illuminated. -Continued

BMW said that its dealers will rework the front passenger seat sensor mat so that external force application to the seat does not cause a crack to the mat. The recall is expected to begin during late September 2008. The German carmaker also announced that it will extend the warranty on these vehicles to 10 years from first registration without any mileage limit.

Inside Performance BMW 3-Series Tuning Package

The crew at Inside Performance has developed a new styling package for the BMW 3-Series Sedan and Touring models. The most prominent features of the package are the M6-themed alloy wheels and the sport exhaust system that includes quad tailpipes similiar in design with those found on the M3. The exhaust system that is priced at €1,150 can be combined with carbon fiber rear diffuser that will cost you an extra €650. Inside Perfomance’s styling package also includes an array of carbon fiber accessorises ranging from the carbon-mirror housings to the carbon rear spoiler lips and from the carbon air intakes to a complete carbon interior. -Image gallery after the jump

Via: Autoblog.nl , Source: Inside Performance

BMW Owner Covers Black 335i Coupe with White Tape!

Let’s say you get bored of your car’s exterior colour, what do you do? If repainting it is out of the question then you can follow the example of this BMW owner from Munich, Germany that changed the colour of his black 335i to white by applying a special tape developed by 3M over the entire car apart from the roof, mimicking the appearance of the M3.

From we gathered the adhesive tape from 3M has been used by the German military to cover their vehicles in an olive green colour while the process is also popular with taxi companies and racing teams. The tape, which protects the car’s paint is said to be good for about 3 to 4 years and most importantly, it can be removed without causing any problems to the original paint job. -Image gallery after the jump

Via: Autoblog.com , Source: E90post

43.5 MPG BMW Alpina D3 Bi-Turbo Coupe Goes on Sale in the UK

Alpina’s diesel-powered D3 Bi-Turbo Coupe has arrived on UK shores. Based on the BMW 3-Series Coupe, the D3 Bi-Turbo Coupe uses a modified version of the 123d’s 2.0-liter twin-turbo diesel producing 214 HP. While the coupe is more than capable with a top speed of 152mph (245 km/h) and a 0-62mph (100km/h) time of 6.9 secs, yet it manages to return 52.3 MPG UK (5.4lt/100km or 43.5 MPG US) with a manual gearbox and 50.4 MPG UK (5.6lt/100km 42.0 MPG US) with an automatic transmission in the EU combined cycle. -Continued

This year, around one hundred D3 Bi-Turbo Coupes are destined for the UK market with prices set at £32,950 (manual gearbox) and at £34,540 (automatic transmission).

Video: 2009 BMW 3-Series Sedan & Touring Facelift

We’re wrapping up our story on the 2009 3-Series facelift with BMW’s official video footage that includes exterior, interior and driving shots of both the Sedan and Touring models. Due to make its public debut at the Paris Auto Show in early October, the facelifted 3-Series features a subtly redesigned front and rear end along with minor tweaks in the interior. Click here to read our story and see the official images of the new BMW 3-Series or follow the jump to check out the videos. -Continued

BMW 3-Series Sedan

BMW 3-Series Touring

BMW 335i Coupe & Cabriolet Get M3’s 7-Speed Double-Clutch Gearbox

Parallel to the market launch of the facelifted 3 Series sedan and touring models, BMW announced the availability of its new 7-speed semi-automatic gearbox with double-clutch for the 335i Coupe and 335i Convertible models. Named DKG, the new double-clutch transmission was introduced for the first time on the M3 Sedan. It offers the driver the choice of controlling the gearbox changes through a shift lever on the centere console or via paddles on the steering wheel.

Equipped with this gearbox, the 335i Coupe with the 306Hp twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter straight six completes the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in 5.4 sec or 0.1 sec faster than the model fitted with the 6-speed manual transmission and 0.3 seconds faster than the 335i Coupe with the previously available 6-speed automatic. -Continued

Furthermore, the double-clutch gearbox helps drop consumption in both the 335i Coupe and Cabriolet by up to 5% compared to the equivalent models with 6-speed manual or automatic transmissions. In particular, the 335i Coupe & Convertible models with the DKG achieve an average fuel consumption in the combined EU test cycle of 8.8lt /100km (26.7 mpg) and 9.1lt/100km (25.9 mpg) respectively.

2009 BMW 3-Series Facelift - Official Pictures

Just a week after the presentation of the all-new 7-Series, BMW has now taken the wraps off the facelifted 3-Series sedan and touring models that are due to make their first public appearance at the Paris motor show in October with sales following shortly after. The most significant changes in the 2009 3-Series concern the fresh front and rear styling, partially inspired from the new 7-Series.

In particular, the 2009 3-Series’ reworked front end is more dramatic thanks to the sculpted hood, the new heavily profiled bumper, the revised headlights and the new grille that lost the chrome “eyebrows”. At the rear, BMW’s design team (finally) added a new set of tail-lights reminiscent of those found in the new 7-Series along with a newly shaped trunk lid and bumper. The exterior mirrors are also new.

Inside, minor tweaks include the new trim combos, a revised armrest and an updated version of BMW’s iDrive controller along with a new, high-resolution 8.8-inch color monitor. There are no changes under the hood as the 3-Series retains the same engines as before. -42 high res images after the jump