You are hereBMW
BMW
Road Test: BMW X5 xDrive 35d
Yes, this is the diesel
Let me begin my review of the X5 Diesel with this: I'm not much of an SUV driver. I'd much rather drive a car, preferably one with a sporty nature. But I don't think I'm an atypical enthusiast. You know what I mean. It's much more fun to drive a car, even with just a hint of performance, rather than a truck or SUV.
The American market has struggled to accept diesel's, unless it's a pickup truck. The low-end torque makes diesel power ideal for towing trailers and hauling loads.
But when I heard I'd have access to a BMW X5 for a few days, I hate to admit it but I got excited. I have, of course, read a lot about the X5 and BMW's take on the world of SUV's. But I have never driven one, plus this was a diesel. Would driving a diesel be any different than a gasoline powered car or truck? What about the noise? And just how "green" would it prove to be?
What about today's diesels?
Some years ago, U.S. auto makers introduced buyers to diesel-powered cars with mixed results. Those 70's era Oldsmobile's and Cadillac's emitted such a clatter that it startled most potential buyers to dash the thought of better mileage for smoother running and quieter rides. Still land yachts, just not so noisy.
Any previous opinions I held regarding today's diesel vehicles were quickly dashed with this X5. Diesel engines have come a long way and BMW has done much to quell consumers fears about engine clatter and smelly exhaust.
Can you tell its a diesel? Well aside from the X5's graphics, you can when accelerating from a standing start. But the engine is at full grunt doing the job of getting the car up to speed. But standing outside the X5 as it idled or when at cruising speed, it was quiet and smooth.
The diesel X5 comes in two forms, the xDrive 30d or 35d. Each is powered by a turbocharged 3-liter in-line six, with the 35d bestowed with twin-turbos. The 30d has 235 horsepower and the 35d with 286.
BMW's diesel produces a hefty 425 lb-ft of torque at a low 1750 rpm. It accelerates to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds, impressive for a 5111-lb SUV. For those wondering about mileage, the EPA rates the diesel X5 at 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. I easily achieved these numbers, particularly on the highway where my local freeways are relatively flat.
The X5's handling easily rivals many "sports" sedans and is a ball to drive. The low end torque powers it through corners quite nicely and makes you think you're driving something other than a heavy SUV. Fun, yes, but the weight will catch up with you with a nod to understeer that is easily controlled and expected.
Electronic gadgetry
Hallelujah, I was able to pair my iPhone with iDrive! Or, more specifically, with the Communications center of BMW's disputed entertainment hub. I wasn't so successful with the 3 Series I tested not long ago so I was pleasantly surprised by my success this time around.
What I was disappointed with was the quality of the system itself. The iDrive control knob is nicely weighted and feels like it should be linked to a grade-A entertainment system. Unfortunately, the expected BMW quality ended there. The other buttons used to access the system were a hard plastic that didn't mesh well with nearby surfaces. The BMW standards guide may need a revisit.
I did find the iDrive system easy to navigate. BMW has taken much heat over the system since it was introduced and has simplified it. To those ends, they may have let the on-screen graphics suffer. A visual update is needed, especially in the age of computer gamers and hybrid "greenness" measuring dash displays.
How about the competition?
You can see how the diesel X5 faired against it's competition in this comparison published by Motor Trend. Based on their results, Motor Trend favors Volkswagen's Touareg TDI.
You benefit from German engineering in both the BMW and VW, but the Touareg seemingly wins out with a better designed interior. You want your time behind the wheel to be a great experience, not only in driving dynamics but in the quality of the environment. BMW may be lacking here, but first hand experience will be your best guide.
Any true-blue BMW fans out there? What do you think of a diesel BMW, particularly an SUV? Is it high time American buyers accept diesel, particularly with its miles per gallon advantage? Or will the higher showroom sticker price turn buyers away, not to mention the higher cost at the pump? Let me know what you think, especially if you are an X5 owner.
Lincoln's MKS takes on the Europeans
And does a fair job keeping up
Yes, this is a video produced to help garner sales but at least it's well done. And it's good to see Lincoln be competitive among a fair sampling of quality European sedans.
I won't spoil it for you but it's worth watching to see how far Ford has come in a tough market.
I've written before about the Lincoln MKS. I concentrate a lot on styling and branding. I'm of the opinion that the MKS has broken some new ground for Ford and recent sales figures seems to point to a receptive public. Ford is making money. Yes, the MKS is a bit more "shiny" than its European competitors but at least it doesn't look a slug. It's a car you wouldn't mind being seen in.
Let me know what you think. Are you willing to consider a Ford or Lincoln based on a video comparison such as this?
Road Test: 2009 MINI Cooper S Clubman
I just finished another long term test, this time in BMW's latest version of the MINI, the Clubman. Since BMW took over MINI, the car has taken on a new life, building on an already unique brand and creating an all new following. The Clubman version of the MINI expands on it even further. With an extended wheelbase and split rear barn doors, the Clubman gives MINI buyers another choice at being just a little different.
Where's the nearest track?
I was expecting the MINI to handle like a go cart but I thought it would come at the expense of a smooth ride. I was wrong. BMW has done an excellent job of tuning the Clubman's suspension. When you're tackling your favorite back road, this MINI corners flat and quick, with minimal body roll.
But when you're simply in a get to point A to B mode, be it city streets or the freeway, this MINI is quite smooth. It absorbs the majority of road irregularities, with the occasional thump from rough city streets. I haven't driven a standard size MINI Cooper to compare it to the Clubman. To be fair, the Clubman's ride may be benefiting from its slightly longer wheelbase.
Performance in a small package
MINI has developed an all-new 16-valve 4-cylinder for their cars, with the 'S' models outfitted with twin-scroll turbos and direct injection. The motor puts out 172 HP and 177 lb/ft of torque. 
I noticed after driving it for a short time that the turbo does take a moment to spool up but when it does, the Clubman accelerates quickly with a nice rasp from its twin tail pipes.
BMW decided to use Getrag to build their MINI manual transmission and it appears to have been a good choice. Not quite as smooth as the manual in the BMW 3-series, the Clubman's six-speed is sweet. Shifts are crisp with nary a doubt as to which gear you're in. It took me a moment to get used to the "slide left and up" for reverse (my daily driver is a five-speed) but once past that, it's fun to find the right gear for the moment, keeping that little buzz saw under the hood in the power band.
First Impressions: MINI Cooper S Clubman
In the Ridestory Garage
I'm fortunate again to have extended access to another car, this time a MINI Cooper S Clubman. Since BMW took over MINI, the car has taken on a new life, building on an already unique brand and creating an all new following. The Clubman version of the MINI expands on it even further. With an extended wheelbase and split rear barn doors, the Clubman gives MINI buyers another choice at being just a little different.
What's different?
Potential MINI buyers will find one characteristic of the Clubman very appealing. And that's size. The Clubman is longer and definitely more roomy inside than a standard size MINI. Hop in the back seat and it's actually functional. So four adults in a MINI can be comfortable? In a word, yes.
Clubman uniqueness continues though. In addition to the extra leg room, the rear of the Clubman opens up with two barn-like doors. Swinging the doors out provides easy loading and access to the rear of the car. An additional suicide door on the passenger side provides access to the rear seat.
MINI performance
Just because it's a MINI doesn't mean performance is lacking. This Clubman happens to be the 'S' version, delivering 172 turbocharged horsepower. My initial impressions can't detect any turbo lag. In fact, the MINI's 4-cylinder has got a nice punch with just a little rasp to the exhaust note. It's loads of fun to keep high in the rev range.
In addition, my test car has a six-speed manual transmission. Which, for me, is exciting. If you're a regular reader of Ridestory, you know I'm not a fan of automatics. And, for the most part, the MINI's manual is quite enjoyable. It's a little notchy, definitely not as smooth as the BMW 328i's manual. But fun none the less.
Does MINI mean strength in the car market?
News regarding the future of the car market hasn't been good lately. Bankruptcy and bailouts don't exactly exude confidence. But if the future of the automobile is anything like what BMW is delivering with the MINI brand, enthusiasts will continue to be happy drivers.
Look for my MINI Twitter updates over the coming week and I'll of course post more about it here on Ridestory.
The 2009 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este
Some amazing photography from this Concorso
A stunning 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Berlinetta Touring won 'Best of Show' at the 2009 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este on the grounds of Villa Erba in Cernobbio, which is about 25 miles north of Milan, Italy.
I received the release about the Concorso from the BMW Press Group but only decided to post about it when I saw the beautiful photography taken during the event.
Unfortunately, the weather turned gray on Sunday, with rain throughout the day. It didn't seem to turn visitors away though.
“The great response from the public despite the poor weather shows how this event has become a firm fixture on the calendar of car aficionados from both this region and countries around the world,” said Karl Baumer, President of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este and Director of BMW Group Classic. “The weather on Sunday could have been better for the 80th anniversary of the Concorso, but a sunny Saturday with this selection of cars provided a more than worthy setting for our anniversary Concorso,” added Jean-Marc Droulers, President of Villa d’Este S.p.A.
Road Test: BMW 328i
Can I keep this a little longer?
"Boy, I could get used to this." I lost count how many times I said that to myself as I drove the BMW. I got spoiled waking up each morning knowing that my commute would be in one of the best sports sedans in production today.
I knew following my First Impressions of the BMW 328i that I would have a hard time going back to my Scion tC.
Daily driver
Let's cut to the chase. If you're in the market for a sporty four-door, money spent on a 3-series BMW would be a wise investment. You have the convenience of the extra set of doors and room for four adults, wrapped up in a svelte German suit.
Notice I said four adults. The 328i, or any 3-series BMW for that matter, is meant to be comfortable for adults in sets of four. Yes, there's room for five. But I wouldn't want to be the fifth wheel. For comparison purposes, the Pontiac G8 GT that I road tested is more comfortable for five. But the G8's real Bavarian counterpart is the 5 series.
Six-shooter but not down low
Under the 328i's hood is BMW's 3.0-liter, 24-valve, inline 6 with 230 horsepower. The Ridestory test car came with the standard 6-speed manual.
Let's get my power train quibble out of the way first. Low end torque in this motor is lacking. At first I attributed my stumbling starts from a dead stop to inexperience with the car. But I continually had to modulate the accelerator and clutch for smooth starts. Otherwise, BMW's straight six is smoothly subtle when you want it to be but takes on an aggressive rasp when driven aggressively. It is loads of fun.
Quibbles aside, I'll gladly shake the hand of any BMW engineer in charge of this cars six-speed manual. It is smooth and notch-free. And it inspired confidence. At no time did I feel I was grabbing the wrong gear, which I can honestly say, I never did. The only other car that I've driven that had a similar feel was my old Acura RSX. The single advantage the RSX's six-speed had over the BMW's was shorter throws.
A BMW owners opinion
As 328iDude alluded to in his comment following my first post about the 328i, BMW's are incredible cars.
"I can easily sign off on the fact that most BMWs, and the 328i in particular, are magnificent cars. I'm on my 5th BMW now (+1 Mini Cooper), and I can't see myself without one in the future," he said.
"(My) current ride is a 328i, used for the daily commute and also track day use. Show me another brand that offers that same versatility. Maybe a Porsche, but even that is stretching it a bit up here in the arctic Norwegian climate."
I think that's putting it rather succinctly, don't you? Those who experience a BMW, whether it be a short-term test or a long-time owner, come away feeling the same way. This is a solid, well engineered car with outstanding performance.
As I asked following my first post about the 328i, I would love to hear from BMW owners. Anyone have an opinion similar to 328iDude's? Does anyone feel differently? Maybe your BMW experience was less than stellar. Leave your comments below and help educate all of us.
First Impressions: BMW 328i
Gushing over German engineering
You've heard it all from the motoring press. Rock-solid German engineering, a true enthusiasts sports sedan, slick shifting 6-speed manual and one of the best six-cylinder engines on the planet. In other words, BMW can do no wrong.
But I'm a newbie. I'll admit it, I've experienced minimal time behind the wheel of any BMW. So does that make me the perfect candidate to cast a critical eye? Maybe, maybe not. But I'll leave it for you to decide.
Details, details
The first thing that strikes me about BMW is their attention to detail, where making the little things matter is important.
First point, the turn signal, where a light touch provides three flashes for a lane change. But a firmer flick pushes the stalk past a second notch, leaving the marker blinking during a right or left-hand turn. This took some freeway and city driving to get used to but once you comprehend its purpose, it makes complete sense. How many other auto makers mimic a detail such as this? Probably not many for fear of being called a "copy-cat". Nonetheless, the savvy of BMW at work.
Second, the cars transmission. The 328i I'm driving has BMW's six-speed manual. It is very smooth and easily one of the best manuals I've driven. But what impresses me the most is the feather-light clutch. Now you may ask, "Shouldn't a car in this price/performance range have an excellent manual?" Absolutely. But you don't realize the importance of it until you drive it. You can't brand yourself the enthusiasts car without properly engineering one of the most important aspects of driving; i.e., simply shifting gears. It shouldn't be a distraction but a function of your driving. BMW realizes that their cars are purchased by drivers who will take their kids to school and run to the grocery store but also carve up their favorite switch-backs on the weekend. An excellent transmission makes performance driving that much more enjoyable. With this manual, there's no need to worry about your leg getting tired.
Long-termer
I have to laugh a little because for Ridestory, this BMW is a long-term test. It's a unique treat to have a car to wring out for six or seven days. But I'm not complaining. I'm looking forward to it and will bring you even more impressions as the week goes on.
I would love to hear from current or past BMW owners, particularly of the 3-series variety. You've driven this car or past variations much longer and I think your opinions and experiences would prove invaluable to Ridestory readers. You can DM me on Twitter, drop me a note via the contact form or leave a comment below. I look forward to hearing from you.
American Le Mans in Long Beach this weekend
Rahal Letterman BMW M3 GT2 coming off St. Petersburg success
Continuing along this weeks noticeably BMW theme, the American Le Mans Series picks up again this weekend in Long Beach, with the Rahal Letterman team hoping to podium again following their second place finish in St. Petersburg.
“Southern California's car enthusiasts love BMW and especially the M3, and our team is prepared to give them a great show,” said Martin Birkmann, BMW of North America Motorsports Manager. “We picked up our pace at St. Pete and a podium finish is an excellent result. We continue ironing out the reliability issues with the new M3 and are hopeful to finish with both cars in the points."
Test sessions began yesterday, with official practice scheduled for 9:00 to 9:40 a.m. today. There will also be a 25-minute qualifying session this afternoon at 4:00 p.m. The race starts at 4:15 p.m. tomorrow but will be televised from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. ET on Sunday on ABC.
Upcoming Ridestory Roadtest: BMW 328i
First of all, a quick thank you goes out to Jawna Prieto of the The Prietive Group out of Torrance, California. She's lined me up with a BMW 328i for a 7-day review. I will be taking delivery of the car Wednesday and, as you might imagine, I'm looking forward to an extended period behind the wheel.
Look for my posts over the course of the week as well as my brief snippets on Twitter.
Yes, the Ridestory garage is a bit bare. We're new to car reviews and have only done a few. But we're doing our best to build our own library of automotive impressions and will bring each to you as opportunities come our way.
You can check out the Ridestory Vehicle Reviews page for our opinions of the Pontiac G8 GT and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR.
BMW's M line grows with X6 M, X5 M
Say what you will about BMW's X6, car manufacturers are picking up on the new niche of the tall riding coupe. Case in point is the new Acura ZDX Prototype. Acura see's the potential of the new market, with their new car based on the MDX, while BMW's new X6 M is built off the X5 platform.
The X6 M is being heralded as one of the most powerful road-going BMW's built, packing a twin-turbocharged 555hp V8 engine. Mix in the advantage of all-wheel drive and you've got the makings of a true high-performance vehicle. The X6 M sprints to 62mph in a time of only 4.7 seconds, comparable to the incredible BMW M3.
Not only is the styling of the X6 groundbreaking, but it's 4.4-litre engine incorporates a world first for an M-badged vehicle. BMW has engineered the V8 to have both the turbochargers and the catalytic converter located within the vee of the power plant. This helps the engine breathe better and at a higher efficiency due to the shorter exit manifold, resulting in better packaging as the motor is more compact.
As I implied above, the X6 has no doubt raised eyebrows among BMW enthusiasts. Is it a coupe, an SUV, a sedan? All of the above. For now, it's unique, with BMW getting a lot of controversial attention. Time will tell how it translates into sales.
