The BMW 3 Series has taken the sales crown for the compact luxury sports sedan segment for the year 2012. BMW sold 99,602 3 Series in 2012 compared to 81,697 C-Class sold by Mercedes Benz. The 3 Series figures include sales of the E92, E93, F30 and F31 models.
BMW managed this feat even with some supply constraints on the F30 3 Series experienced during earlier parts of 2012.
Here is the full list of the segment’s sales figures.
Now here’s a shade of color that’s rare even among the custom BMW Individual colors that we’ve seen ordered for late model BMWs - Oxford Green, a color that hasn’t been offered as a standard BMW color for years now.
We would never have guessed that it would look so good on the 2013 M6 (F13) coupe, but it actually works pretty well in our opinion. Not many exterior colors can pull off a champagne tan interior such as this, but Oxford Green happens to be one of them.
BMW received some jeers over the implementation of “Active Sound” technology in the F10 M5, where the car reproduces and boosts and the car’s engine sound electronically via the in-car audio system.
And the same technology may now be in use in the M135i (and possibly other models as well). The M135i actually sounds great inside the passenger cabin, but a BIMMERPOST site member recently conducted a test on his M135i by unplugging the sound symposer device, which led to the loss of much of the engine noise inside the car’s passenger cabin. Check out the comparison videos inside.
In 2012, the BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) achieved its best sales since the previous record year of 2007 retailing 347,583 vehicles, up 13.8 percent compared to the 305,418 vehicles sold in 2011. BMW Group reported December sales of 43,855 vehicles, an increase of 34.8 percent from the 32,545 vehicles sold in the same month a year ago.
“To turn months of critically short supply into the best year ever for the BMW Group in the U.S. is a monumental achievement, emphasizing what a customer-oriented dealer network with an agile logistics team can do,” said Ludwig Willisch, President and CEO, BMW of North America. “The post-recession sales momentum that started in 2010 reached an unprecedented level in December, making us strongly confident … CONTINUED
A few M5POST members gathered over the new years eve weekend for some socializing, driving, and exhaust sound-off.
Check out the photos and video footage from the gathering and listen as the F10 M5 shows off the Eisenmann Sport, Eisenmann Race, and RPi GT exhaust systems.
Auto Express UK track tests the new BMW M135i versus the Subaru WRX STI 340R. Here’s how they compare on paper.
BMW M135i:
3 liter inline 6 cylinder
316 hp / 450 Nm torque
0-62 mph (0-100kmh) in 5.1 seconds (manual), 4.9 seconds (automatic)
Weight: 3174 lbs
Subaru WRX STI 340R:
2.5 liter 4 cylinder
316 hp / 450 Nm torque
0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds
Weight: 3249 lbs
Car and Driver shares their comparison pitting the F10 M5 versus the F13 M6 at the Anglesey Circuit in the UK to see if the M6 is truly better at the track than the M5, as advertised.
The M5 and M6 share the same 560hp powertrain, but the M6 is billed as being even more suited for the track with its lighter weight (about 100 pounds), lower center of gravity (due to lighter carbon roof and lower roofline) and slighter faster acceleration (about a tenth of second faster to 0-60, at 4.1 seconds).
Check out the real world results and differences on the track.
Another resident artist, Harold Wood, renders a potential future BMW M2 Coupe. The M2 has not yet been officially confirmed nor denied by BMW, but if the 1M coupe’s success and its following is any barometer, we bet on yes for a future M2 coupe.
By moderator Dackelone: One of the cool things about living over here [Germany] is being spoiled. Spoiled rotten because I can pop into the Welt anytime. Even when meeting friends for dinner in München - and afterwards dropping by the Welt to check out what’s new on display.
It was cool walking around last night at the Welt because the workers are setting up for a huge New Year’s Eve party. Thickets are all sold out and you have to either have good connections or get lucky and win some tickets from the local radio station Antenna Bayern. Just like going to a sold out rock concert! How cool!!
Take a walk with me… (sorry) some of the photos came out sort of dark because the Welt … CONTINUED
