See a photo gallery from Hilary’s Helpers Charity Rally, coordinated with the help of Active Autowerke, and which saw attendance from the BIMMERPOST community, as well as enthusiasts owning other makes.

We bring you the best look yet at the 2014 2 Series Coupe (F22), this time in red. We previously posted photos of the M235i coupe and other 2 Series coupes, but this is the first clear look we’ve had of the F22 from all angles.

These photos provide an excellent look at the headlight shape, which are much sportier and sleeker than the much maligned headlights of F20/F21 1 Series hatchback (with which the 2 Series lineup shares a platform). The photos do not yet reveal whether the headlights connect to the kidney grilles as it does on the F30 and upcoming models such as the X5 (F15) just spied today.

2 SERIES LINEUP

The 2 Series models will be built on the same RWD platform … CONTINUED

Have a look at the more exposed 2014 X5 (F15) prototype which has dropped some major camouflage to reveal much more of its styling and design.

FRONT FASCIA / LIGHTS

We can now clearly see the front bumper design, with its integrated air curtain vents. Also clearly visible now are the tail lights and headlight designs, which connect to the kidney grilles as we reported before. The grilles are larger, wider, and have a thicker surround than those on the current X5. It retains the 7 slat design.

The hoodline has been moved to above the kidney grilles, but conform to the grilles and headlight shapes, instead of the higher (and more unattractive) hoodlines seen on newer BMW models such as the 3, 5, and 7 Series.

FENDER AIR … CONTINUED

Via BMWUSA:

YOUR BMW COULD STAR IN A COMMERCIAL.

We’re making a new BMW commercial and your car could be the star.

All you have to do is share your photos of your 3 Series with us on Twitter or Facebook and we might just pick your photo.

We need photos of 3 Series from every year between 1992 to 2012 [E36 to F30]. Front shots, side shots, shots of you and your car; any shot of your 3 in all its glory. Just so long as the car is not cropped or cut off. The photos could have been taken years back, or recently.

Photos that give a sense of the year through signs of the times, and show just how much things have changed over the last 22 … CONTINUED

We recently reported on the M135i recording a 8:05 bridge to gantry Nurburgring lap, but Sport Auto has now released its official time in the M135i for a full lap on the Nurburgring.

Sport Auto has piloted the M135i around the Ring in 8:18. The test car was RWD and equipped with a 6 speed manual transmission.

Here’s how this time compares to other notable cars with similar lap times:

7:48 - BMW M3 GTS
7:50 - BMW M3 CSL
8:05 – BMW E92 M3 (2007)
8:09 – Audi RS4 (2006)
8:09 – BMW E63 M6 (2005)
8:13 – BMW E60 M5 (2004)
8:13 – Mercedes C63 AMG (2009)
8:15 – BMW 1M Coupe (2011)
8:16 – Porsche Cayman S (2009)
8:17 - Porsche Boxster S (2009)
8:18 – BMW M135i (2012)
8:18 - Lexus IS-F (2007)
8:22 – BMW … CONTINUED

Release via 3D Design:

In recent months the F30 chassis has captured enthusiast’s imaginations, and has renewed our love for the BMW brand. The car’s excellent reception in the BMW community has resulted in numerous tuner specimens and a uncharacteristically aggressive kit from the BMW Performance division. 3D Design has worked diligently to create an aero package worthy of the M-sport kit.

The 3D Design M-sport sport kit consists of a urethane front lip, an optional carbon fiber front lip (in development), and a carbon fiber rear diffuser. Along with the release of their M-sport line 3D Design also completed a F31 hatch spoiler and a fully integrated gauge pod for all F30 models.

The urethane M-sport front lip brings some of the design elements of … CONTINUED

A new U.S. tuner plans to launch its operation with a highly modified BMW M6 Coupe (F13) tuning program, on the M6 which they’ve called the Risden 6R.

The Risden 6R M6 coupe features a functional aero kit, the most prominent part of which is the double rear trunk spoilers - one is the fixed duck tail CSL style spoiler, while the other is a retractable spoiler, deployed when needed to improve downforce and stability.

The 6R is also said to feature a fully adjustable suspension system, rollcage, and stripped down interior. The overall goal is to reduce the car’s weight, while adding a stiffer chassis/suspension and increasing power output.

So, it appears that the Risden 6R has been designed for track use and not just for … CONTINUED

Investors currently value BMW at approximately twice the amount of what Mercedes-Benz’s car business is worth. BMW’s market capitalization has risen to 45 billion euros ($58.8 billion) compared to 42.2 billion for Daimler. But, take away a reasonable estimated price for Daimler’s truck business and that the market cap figure drops to 25 billion euros for Mercedes’ passenger car business.

“The market is saying that the prospects for Mercedes are much worse than for BMW,” said Hans-Peter Wodniok, an analyst with Fairesearch in Kronberg, Germany. “The market’s always right. In terms of innovation, BMW is the leader.” “The market’s confidence in Daimler management is pretty much at rock bottom,” said Max Warburton, a Bernstein analyst in Singapore. “Investors have little or no confidence that current management … CONTINUED

BimmerWorld has started a build journal documenting the preparation of their V8 project M3 race car. They have gathered a lot of information and continue to do so.

Via JamesClay, BimmerWorld Team owner:

Red Line Oil has partnered with us on this project because they love the BMW marque almost as much as we do, and because they are also car guys who enjoy building something and running it around a track as more than something to slap a decal on. We have learned a lot from Red Line as we have interacted more frequently, and that too will show up here from time to time, not as a commercial message but hopefully more as a sharing of knowledge that is the reason we put Red … CONTINUED