Hailey Kerr asked:


Since 1994, this season for the first time features a single Formula One race held in Germany - and it is entitled the “European Grand Prix” to blow. Nick Heidfeld and the entire BMW team are excited for their home race on the Nurburgring. Robert Kubica is also certain of a good result for the BMW Sauber F1 Team in the Eifel on July 22.

While full on the race is on the schedule in the actual pit lane, fanatics in the BMW Sauber F1 Team Pit Lane Park will have the chance to raise questions to Formula One experts and even try their hand at changing tires as well as refueling. Furthermore, they can clock up some race laps in the Formula One simulator, get the low-down on F1, and see and hold various exhibits that include a Formula One engine.

Demonstration drives in the Formula One race car will take place several times a day. This time Jorg Muller - the current FIA World Touring Car Championship leader – is behind the wheel, as well as demo rides in Formula BMW cars. Visiting the high-tech theme park to give interviews and sign autographs are Nick Heidfeld, Robert Kubica and reserve driver Sebastian Vettel.

The Pit Lane Park will be set up in zone A7 and will be open daily from Friday to Sunday just like last year. Even without an F1 entry ticket admission is free. The Pit Lane Park will be open from 10 o’clock in the morning to 9 in the evening on Friday, 10 in the morning to 6 in the evening on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. on Sunday. It will be party time in the Pit Lane Park on Saturday night from 7.45 p.m. Media with F1 accreditation are welcome to the BMW M Power Night, which is the highlight of the BMW M cars meeting.

Formula BMW Germany will be staging rounds seven and eight as the season’s highlight and as part of the support programme for the European Grand Prix. Formula BMW Europe will be launched beginning next season. With five wins in six races, last year’s rookie champion Jens Klingmann (Leimen) currently dominates the championship. Marco Wittmann (Markt Erlbach) is leading the rookie rankings.

About BMW

Along with its automotive concerns, the BMW Group is composed of the development, production and marketing of automobiles, and motorcycles. It is also into financial services.

The Group is the one responsible for the manufacture of BMW 318is parts.

BMW is also into motorsport. The BMW Sauber F1 Team looks back on a successful British Grand Prix with Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld finishing fourth and sixth respectively. With this result, the BMW Sauber F1 Team garnered another eight World Championship points to the team’s tally and maintained its position as third power on the Formula One grid.



Betty

pollux asked:


I took my car to the BMW dealer to have several things (service) done. One was to replace the outside rubber molding around the windshield. They told me that they would have to remove the windshield and that it would probably crack the windshield. Does this sound right to you?

Jacob

jopartr asked:


I drove a BMW 118d 5-door diesel around Ireland for 2 weeks and the mileage was unbelievable. I averaged about 45 mpg over the trip, and the car is a (relative) rocket. Most of the miles were city driving, so straight highway miles would have probably topped 50 mpg. Has anyone heard if BMW is planning to bring it over here?

Tanya

Claudia Beckford asked:


This past weekend we witnessed the Ferrari team take once more the lead; as the Brazilian driver Felipe Massa won the third race of the Formula One calendar - the Bahrain Grand Prix. Massa is Ferrari’s second driver but he counts with an extend background and plenty of experience which helped out to obtain the first points of the new season.

Another impressive performance was that of BMW-Sauber Polish leading driver Robert Kubica who began the race in pole position but eventually lost spots and finished third in the overall race. BMW boss Mario Theissen made a odd remark regarding their new hard-line approach as it is clearly reflected on the constructors’ championship standings – currently in first place – basically the first time in the team’s history as well as their three consecutive podium appearances in the last three competitions.

Despite Kubica’s his third position arrival and fourth for team mate Heidfeld they gathered enough points to be placed in first position just one point from team Ferrari.

“It’s true we are ahead of schedule - which concerns me a bit because if we go on like this we will get criticised for third or fourth place in future!” joked Theissen.

On the other hand, the alarms have been going off at the McLaren team due to the recent agony leading driver Lewis Hamilton has had to put up with. First there was his mistake at the start of the race followed by a distraction coalition into Renault ‘s vehicle driven by the Spaniard Fernando Alonso; as the two drivers speeded up out of turn three, Hamilton came close to Alonso’s back axle and rode up on his right rear tyre losing its front wing. A very unfortunate fate for Mercedes which doomed Hamilton’s chance and transformed it into the worst race finish; thirteenth position.

In the view of some; Alonso had deliberately lifted the accelerator but even Hamilton admitted that if there was anybody to blame was him not Alonso. Yet; Renault’s director of engineering Pat Symonds holds data to show the Spaniard driver had not wrong doing in the matter.

After the eminent blow the 23-year-old Briton had not many choices but to continue and end his battle only that this time the gap between him and his Ferrari rivals Raikkonen and Massa was deeper as it meant many precious championship points.

Bahrain has been tough on McLaren and Hamilton who is used to error free performances; perhaps it is time to reassess the dynamics of the team as the championship is becoming a three way battle; in which BMW Sauber is showing sufficient pace to overcome McLaren and fight for more wins.

Nevertheless, we are still three weeks from the following F1 race in Spain and the Spanish racetracks have always been McLaren’s territory and we know that from this point forward each race will be more difficult especially now that the lines have been crossed and the speed knights’ motivations are in full gear.



Tony

Michael H asked:


Im looking into buying a BMW x5 and am wondering if simple things such as oil changes, tune ups, and those types of things are more expensive than on another vehicle, and by how much.Thank you.

Bertha

Mizan asked:


I want to install something in my BMW (in the trunk) to MAXIMIZE the volume so that people can hear the music from thousands of feet away. What should I install?

Dolores

Wayne Hemrick asked:


Even if you drive a late model BMW (’02 or newer), it may be time to consider a BMW Bluetooth upgrade. After all, Bluetooth is like any other digital technology – it is constantly being updated and refined. A BWM Bluetooth upgrade will ensure that your vehicle’s ability to integrate with your cell phone is up-to-date and ready for whatever may come next.

The Advantage of Bluetooth

If you’re like many people on the go, your cell phone is on and at the ready almost every waking minute – including drive time. However, studies (and a few bitter experiences) have clearly demonstrated that attempting to use a cell phone while driving highly distracting and dangerous, posing a hazard to both driver and others on the road (in fact, in 2005, a woman in Portland, Oregon drove off a bridge and into the Willamette River while talking on a cell phone). Many states and municipalities are now passing laws prohibiting the use of cell phones while driving.

A BMW Bluetooth upgrade makes it possible – and legal – to use your cell phone while driving.

About Bluetooth

Named for the Viking king who briefly united the Scandinavian countries over a thousand years ago by the Swedish engineers who first developed it in the 1990s, Bluetooth technology actually has its roots in the work of early Gugleimo Marconi and Nicola Tesla and their pioneering work on wireless communications during the late 1800s. It is an industry standard protocol that allows wireless communication between computers, cell phones, digital cameras and more.

Unlike radio, Bluetooth is a very specific protocol for linking a variety of digital devices over a very short range; in addition, such communications can be encrypted so as to protect privacy. Today’s BMW Bluetooth upgrade enables much stronger encryption to be maintained over connections that last a longer period of time (up to 23 hours and 20 minutes).

Features

With the new Bluetooth 2.1 and a headset, you’ll enjoy total “hands-off” operation of your cell phone, as our BWM Bluetooth upgrade allows you to hear your incoming calls over your OEM radio, using the control buttons on your steering wheel.

A BMW Bluetooth upgrade also means that you won’t miss any more important calls, since it will automatically turn off any programming you may be listening to on your radio. The BMW Bluetooth upgrade is also very easy to install and very affordable. With “plug-and-play” capability, you’ll be up and running with your BMW Bluetooth upgrade in no time!

What’s Available?

BMW Bluetooth upgrades are available for 3 Series, 5 Series and X5 vehicles manufactured between 2002 and 2006. Add safety and value to your fine vehicle today with a BMW Bluetooth upgrade from Bavarian Soundwerks.



Charlotte

leah i asked:


It seems every time I search for a turbo for a BMW, its for a M3 or an older model. If anyone out there knows where i can find one (besides ebay) please let me know.

Crystal

IC asked:


BMW stands for “Bayerische Motoren Werke”, this is an independent German company founded in 1922 but it is said that its origins go way back to 1913 or around the years of pioneering German aviation. BMW not only produces vehicles but it also manufactures and distributes high quality motorcycles.

BMW is also the parent company of brands such as MINI and highly prestigious Rolls-Royce. MINI is actually the name of a Cowley, England based subsidiary as well as that of a car produced by it. This type of car is said to be marketed as a retro design of the original Mini which was a small car produced around 1959. The most recent popular class is the Mini Cooper.

Rolls-Royce on the other hand, is the manufacturer of the high performance luxury car recognized world wide. This is also a subsidiary of BMW which is responsible of the Rolls-Royce Phantom production and development. Rolls-Royce Plc. the British aircraft engine manufacturer was privatized in 1987 and is considered the second largest in the world after General Electric Aviation, so this particular name brand goes a long way.

The most prominent and recent models this subsidiary has produced are: the “Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe” and the “EX-10″.

BMW vehicles are classified according to “series”, some of them are:

* 1 Series: The 1 series is an entry-level vehicle introduced to the market in 2004. This series is expected to be launched in the US in 2008 in the 128i and 135i.

* 3 Series: This series is also known as the compact executive type of car. The most recent models are the sport coupe (E92) and the sports coupe convertible (E93).

* 5 Series: This is also known as a mid-size luxury/executive car and it is this particular series the one used to run tests and experiment new things. Recent models are: the E60 and the M5.

* 6 Series: This series is known as the grand touring luxury sport coupe. Popular versions are the 645i (convertible), 650i (coupe) and the M6 which is a high performance vehicle within the 6 series.

* 7 Series: Due to its design it is referred to as the full-size flagship executive sedan. This particular series features several groundbreaking characteristics such as the iDrive and also the first Hydrogen-powered luxury performance sedan. A prominent example within this series is the 760Li.

* X3 and X5 Series: These are SUV type of vehicles, the X5 is referred to as a mid-size luxury SUV which has been in the market since 2000. Some examples are: the BMW X3 and the E70 BMW X5.

* Z4: This is the 2 seater roadster and coupe which succeeded the Z3, a good example is the Z4 M.

There are many more categories within the BMW production line and since its vehicles are among the best in the world, this company has and will compete against other prestigious companies such as Ferrari and Benz.



Eileen

Anthony Fontanelle asked:


French automaker Renault may be in the same league as German automaker BMW in terms of popularity in the European auto market but in the current Formula One season, BMW has the upper hand as Renault is trying to catch up with the German-Swiss team.

BMW Sauber is currently third in the constructors’ championship standing behind McLaren and Ferrari. Renault, on the other hand, is fourth on the standings and is eyeing the title of being the ‘best of the rest’. Renault is last year’s champion but is currently caught up in a contest with third place BMW Sauber.

While McLaren and Ferrari are caught up in a battle for the championship, BMW Sauber’s Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica have been performing well to give the team enough points to stir clear of Renault. The French team, on the other hand, has started the season with dismal result. At the Canadian and United States Grands Prix, the French contingent stepped up their game to catch up with BMW Sauber.

Renault’s Giancarlo Fisichella is confident that his team has what it takes to overtake BMW Sauber in the constructors’ championship. Initially though, Renault has planned to retake the world championship it has won in 2005 and 2006, the team was forced to revise their plan. The plan now is for Renault to catch up with and overtake BMW Sauber.

At the two recent races though, BMW Sauber increased its lead over the French team. The German-Swiss Formula One team now has a 25 point lead over Renault. BMW Sauber’s Robert Kubica made sure that their lead over Renault will increase as the Pole finished fourth at both the French and British Grands Prix. Nick Heidfeld, on the other hand, also performed well on board his F1.07 car with BMW engine and racing parts as reliable as BMW E39 parts.

“It is fair to say that the last two races were a bit disappointing, all the more so because they were our home races,” said Fisichella. “We knew that it would be a tough battle with BMW: all of the teams are making progress, and our challenge is to do so faster than them in order to get ahead and try to close the gap in the Championship,” he added.

Although they are behind BMW Sauber in points leading to the ninth race of the season, the European Grand Prix, Fisichella is confident that his team is moving in the right direction. “We are going in the right direction, and everybody is doing their maximum,” said the Italian Formula One driver. “I am convinced that if we carry on like this, our hard work will pay off.”

Renault’s technical director Bob Bell is in agreement with Fisichella. “The target is clear: to continue closing the gap to BMW on track, and to begin doing so in the Championship,” said Bell.

“If you look back to the opening races of the year, it was as if we were in a different race to them. Now, we are regularly qualifying in the top ten, and according to the type of circuit, racing with our direct rivals.”

“Giancarlo and Heikki are both pushing very hard and getting the maximum from the car. They now need more performance to fight on equal terms with BMW,” Bell said.



Donald