For a long time, motorists regarded air conditioning merely as a guarantee of a cool workplace when behind the wheel. During the early 1980s, the optional extra was predominantly ordered as protection against the midsummer heat inside the car, true to the motto: the heat has to stay out, irrespective of how hot the sun is. The greater the “refrigerator feeling” experienced by occupants was, the more effective an air conditioning system was considered to be.
However, over the years, consumers have changed their attitude and the demands on interior climate comfort have increased significantly. Whether in extreme heat, heavy rainfall or severe cold, a cosy interior climate has become a must.
In the case of the new BMW 3 Series, air conditioning experts go even a step … CONTINUED
SoCal BMW dealers were recently invited to the F30 Ride and Drive Event - a primer and first hands on driving experience for the all new 2012 3 series sedan. They were given the opportunity to drive the 2012 F30 328i and 335i and evaluate it against the outgoing E90 3 series as well as the competition - Mercedes C class and Audi A4.
BMW brought out a fleet of over 80+ F30s for the event and gave an opportunity for those in attendance to test the F30 both on the road and track (auto-cross format).
Just out the extensive event photos from our site member inside.
BMW of North America has unveiled a new advertising campaign that will feature a few digital shorts and have created a contest called “Zero to Desir3 in 5.9 Seconds”. BMW is asking for contest participants to submit a 5.9second video showing how badly they desire the F30.
If your video is chosen as a winner, BMW will putting you in the driver’s seat of a brand new 2012 BMW 3 Series Sedan, a national television spot and a series of homepage takeovers, designed to support of the launch of the all-new BMW 3 Series Sedan.
BMW is accepting submissions through facebook (http://www.facebook.com/bmwusa) and YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/bmwusa) starting today, through March 9. Then 30 finalists will be chosen to be voted on by the public! A winner will be announced … CONTINUED
Insideline recently strapped the 2012 328i with its turbo 4 cylinder N20 engine on the dyno and achieved even higher at-the-wheel power than the EAS Dyno we reported on recently.
On 91 octane and a dynojet, this F30 328i achieved 240hp / 257 lb-ft torque at the wheels
Assuming a 16% drivetrain loss for the sake of argument, this would equal approximately 286hp / 306 lb-ft torque at the crank. Compare this to the F30 328i’s factory rating of 240hp / 255lb-ft torque at the crank. The 328i could be underrated by as much as 46 hp and 51 lb-ft torque. Impressive indeed!
Compare this to the EAS dyno which achieved 226hp / 230lb-ft torque at the wheels.
It’s official: Only a couple of days after the first teaser, BMW announces their new M Performance Parts. Think of this program as the successor of the Performance parts avaiable for E8x 1 series and E9x 3 series.
Intitially, M Performance parts will be available for the F30 3 series, the F10 5 series, and the F20 1 series (not available in the US). Available are:
- Black kidney grilles
- M Performance exhaust systems
- M Performance brakes
- Carbon fiber front splitters
- M Performance steering wheel
Premiere: BMW M Performance Parts and Original BMW Accessories
The Geneva show also marks the premiere of new accessory division for BMW vehicles: BMW M Performance Parts. BMW M Performance Parts are designed in close collaboration with BMW M … CONTINUED
The 2012 328i (F30) impresses again as Motor Trend comes in with their review and performance results of the F30 328i Sport Line model they recently tested.
In performance results, the 328i with its touted N20 turbo 4-cylinder engine managed to achieve a 5.6 second 0-60mph, quarter mile in 14.2 seconds @ 97.8 mph, and 0.90g on the skidpad.
All in all, Motor Trend feels that the 328i is better than the 335i. As they put it: Want to know the real kicker? Don’t tell BMW, but the 328i is better than the 335i. I lapped both at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca during BMW’s launch event. We brought both home to test (you’ll be seeing the 335i First Test soon), and we all agree. Yes, the 335i … CONTINUED
Insideline gives a great in-depth guide on the entire BMW F30 suspension.
Here is another look at some of the F30 3 Series launch events/presentations around the world - this one in Moscow, Russia. We get a look at some of the fancy projection presentation being used at many of the worldwide F30 launch event presentations in these videos inside.
The retail launch for the 2012 BMW 3 Series Sedan (F30) is today, February 11. But Hong Kong held its launch event for the F30 on 7th Feb 2012. The venue was Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Center, the most famous convention center in Hong Kong. All generations of 3 series were on display to welcome the guests. One of the common themes seen at all the F30 launch events is a special projection illumination display on the F30.
The entrance was decorated by the big famous “Angel Eye” of BMW. Of course the venue also packed with people. Check out some event photos inside.
