Tag Archives: Videos

VIDEO: See How the New MINI Compares to a Classic Mini

MINI is brand that’s entirely retro. While some brands make a car or two as a throwback to classic cars (See: the Ford Mustang, Chevy Camaro, Alpine A110), the entire MINI brand is a throwback to the original Mini. After purchasing the rights to the Rover Group, BMW acquiring the Mini brand along with it. So the suits in Munich set out to revive the brand, with Chris Bangle as the Head of Design and Frank Stephenson as the lead designer on the new MINI.

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In terms of style, there’s not question that BMW and its design team knocked it out of the park, as the revived MINI was a perfect blend of modern/retro styling. However, how does it actually compare in terms of driving dynamics? After all, the classic Mini is known for being one of the most fun cars to ever hit the road.

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This new video from TFLC, we get this interesting comparison which shows off just how much has changed since the 1950s. Or the 1990s, for that matter, as the classic Mini was almost unchanged from its original design for over 40 years.

It’s an interesting video because it really shows off just how clever and unique a lot of the classic Mini’s design details were. It was a car developed out of necessity, so it’s actually quite ingenious. What’s fascinating about the new MINI, though, is that it not only kept a lot of the original car’s quirky attitude but was able to offer it at a more premium level. BMW what was thought to be impossible and that’s sell a compact car at a premium price and make it work.

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You can also see just how spacious both cars are on the inside. The new one is just as impressive as the old one, in that regard. Sure, the new car is much bigger but it’s still compact for modern cars and it also has to fit far, far more equipment. It has a much bigger, much more complicated engine, ten times the safety equipment, crash zones and airbags.

So when you consider what the new MINI needed to accomplish, its interior space, performance, handling and fun-to-drive is just as impressive as the old car’s and it’s hard to understand that until you see them back-to-back. Still, the classic Mini is the more enjoyable car to actually drive.

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VIDEO: Watch the BMW M3 and M4 Reveal From BMW Canada

Each and every country sub-division of BMW had its own version of the M3 and M4 launch, obviously. BMW USA had its reveal, as did BMW Germany and every other major country in which BMW is located. One such launch was from BMW Canada and the live video reveal had a lot of detail about the new cars.

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Hosting the video is National Manager of BMW M for BMW Canada, Kevin Marcotte, along with Matthew Wilson, National Manager of Product Planning for BMW Canada.

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In the video, you get to learn just about everything you need to know about the new BMW M3 and M4. They mostly show the BMW M4, likely due to its very camera-friendly Sao Paulo Yellow, but the facts and figures are the same for the M3. The only real difference between the two, mechanically, is that the M3 is a few pounds heavier.

However, all of the important bits are the same, including the 3.0 liter twin-turbocharged engine, which comes in two flavors; 480 horsepower and 510 horsepower. As you learn in this video, there are a few ways you can configure your M3 or M4, with different combinations of transmission and drivetrain choices. Admittedly, the available configurations aren’t as vast as we once thought, as the standard M3 is only available with a manual and rear-wheel drive, but this is still the most versatile M3 in history.

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You also get to see the new interior of the BMW M4 Competition, which is far different from every other M3/M4 interior. It comes with lightweight carbon fiber buckets, which look great, and even carbon fiber paddle shifters. The latter of which are far more interesting than the typical little ones you get on every other BMW.

This video is especially helpful if you live in the Canadian market, as you know everything in this video will be available to you as a Canadian customer.

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BMW teaches us how to use RTTI on iDrive 6 and 7 platforms

In the latest videos of the popular “BMW How To” series, we learn how to get the most of the RTTI benefits in the iDrive 6 7.0-equipped BMW models. RTTI, or Real Time Traffic Information, is a very clever and useful tool that complements the satellite navigation system of your BMW with additional details related to congestion and overall traffic status on major roads (highways, express roads etc.), as well as suggesting possible alternative routes to avoid hold-ups.

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The traffic information technology has been available since 2011 as part of ConnectedDrive package of infotainment solutions. RTTI is offered at no cost in conjunction with the high-end Professional/Navigation Plus (depending on the OS interface) satnav systems and the Bluetooth telephony option.

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To simplify it, the technology behind RTTI is based on two essential parts: the TPEG (Transport Protocol Expert Group) and the cellular network of the built-in vehicle SIM card. In this way, the RTTI feature is able to map the traffic accordingly using a color code scheme.

Just as an FYI, TPEG is widely used technology employing data protocol suite for traffic and travel related information. The underlying transmission interface can use multiple data transfer networks, such as cellular, Wi-Fi and digital broadcast.

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Compared to the more classic Traffic Message Channel (TMC), RTTI is faster, more reliable and superior in accuracy, allowing for a 3-minute refresh rate. It also helps achieve more exact arrival times when route guidance is activated in the vehicle, by taking into account all the traffic events and congestion ahead of the destination.

Before using the RTTI, it must be booked using the driver profile on the BMW ConnectedDrive portal and acquiring the feature from the ConnectedDrive store. The booking of RTTI is done by means of VIN and is readily available in the car.

But, there’s one step needed before RTTI is fully functional in your BMW. In models equipped with the iDrive 6 (also known as “NBT Evo”), you can activate RTTI by going to Navigation, entering the Settings menu and then ticking the “Receive traffic information” box. Afterwards, the RTTI symbol appears in the toolbar of the map view.

Thus, the RTTI symbol can be used to check the overall traffic situation ahead of a planned route. If you want the route guidance to take into consideration all the relevant traffic information provided by the RTTI, you must activate “Dynamic guidance” from the Route settings menu.

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After booking the feature from the ConnectedDrive Store, in models based on the new Operating System 7.0 infotainment technology, RTTI is activated by following the next steps:

NAV >> Settings >> Configure Service >> tick the “Traffic information” box. Afterwards, the traffic status can be easily by selecting the RTTI icon in the toolbar of the map view.

To activate the RTTI-based navigation, select NAV, then Settings, Route criteria and, finally, set the Dynamic route guidance to Automatic.

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VIDEO: E53 BMW X5-Designer Frank Stephenson Talks BMW 4 Series

Frank Stephenson is one of the more respected automotive designers in the industry and has penned some of the most iconic cars of the past few decades. For instance, the return of the MINI Cooper was his design, as was the original E53 BMW X5. He also penned the Ferrari F430, Maserati MC-12 and McLaren P1. So the man knows his way around a pen and paper. Which is why our interest is piqued when he starts talking about the new BMW 4 Series.

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Without question, the 4 Series is BMW’s most controversial design. Its new kidney grille is the most outlandish it’s ever done and it seems as if it was slapped on at the last second. It’s been called everything from interesting to flat-out ugly but I’m not sure there’s a single enthusiast that finds it pretty. So what does Stephenson, a life-long designer, have to say about the new design?

To be honest, he’s far more complimentary than a lot of other critics. He obviously doesn’t love the new grille but there’s actually a lot about the new 4er’s design that he likes. There’s also a lot that he doesn’t like, outside of the new grille. So it’s really interesting to hear a designer talk about what he thinks BMW got right and got wrong.

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For instance, he really likes the shape and the proportions of the car and thinks it looks good from the side. He also commends BMW for taking some risks at the back end of the car and reminds enthusiasts that stagnation is equal to death in the world of automotive design, so risks must be taken. At the front, it’s not all doom and gloom, either. Stephenson seems to appreciate the headlights quite a bit, claiming they have an almost sinister look.

Though, he does have some choice words about the grille. He’s not as harsh as others but he’s certainly confused by the choice to put such a grille on the 4 Series, especially when it’s so different looking than the rest of the car. Stephenson’s opinions are worth listening to, so check the video out.

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VIDEO: How to Upgrade Your F80 BMW M3 iDrive Screen

One of the pitfalls of buying an older car is that you’re getting older technology. After seeing some of the new tech in modern BMWs, it might be tough to go backward and get some older tech in cars that are only a few years old. However, there are some ways to get around that old tech and retro-fit some of BMW’s newer tech into an older car. For example, this video shows you how to upgrade the iDrive screen in an F80 BMW M3 or F82 BMW M4 (or any F-series car, to be honest).

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Essentially, this upgrade replaces the stock iDrive screen in the F80 BMW M3 with the larger one found in newer BMWs. The newer screen isn’t some aftermarket part with questionable reliability or quality, either. It’s a factory BMW part that you can actually source from BMW. So it will not only work perfectly but it also looks cohesive and like it fits the car. It’s also not only larger but is a touchscreen unit, so it adds touch-capability to your F80 M3 (or whatever other F-series Bimmer you have) that didn’t previously have it.

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It’s not a super complicated install, either. Admittedly, it’s a bit risky as you have to physically modify the new screen to fit. Its brackets are a bit too big and so too is the plastic housing for the screen. So it needs to be cut back a bit, in order to fit properly. Considering the new screen is not cheap, that might give some owners a bit of anxiety, especially because you can break the new screen if you’re not careful. That said, once it’s done, it’s almost plug-and-play.

After the screen is installed, you need to adjust the car’s code before plugging it back in. That’s not a problem, honestly, because OBD coders are not only common today but they’re easier to use than ever before, thanks to mobile app integration. So you just plug the coder into the OBD port (which is something you should invest in anyway, as they can be incredibly useful), connect to it with your phone and just go through different setting and check some different boxes. All of which are listed in this video.

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Once that’s all done, you plug the screen in, turn the car on and voila, it’s done. Now you have a larger, clearer touchscreen iDrive unit that not only looks better than before but adds better usability. So your older car doesn’t seem as old anymore. It must be said that this should only be done on cars out of warranty. Replacing the iDrive screen is certainly going to void your factory warranty. But if your M3 is no longer under warrant, have at it.

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2021 BMW M3 and M4 Prototypes – Nürburgring Testing

The 2021 BMW M3 and M4 were introduced to the public last week. Even though their unveil is scheduled for September, BMW M is giving us an early look at the new tech in the iconic M3 models. They were even gracious enough to let us track the two M brothers on the Sachsenring, in Saxony, Germany.

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But today, we get an even deeper look into the development process of the G80 M3 Sedan and the G82 M4 Coupe. BMW M launches a new video which spans across multiple months, if not years, highlighting the technical wizardry of the two cars.

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The footage takes us on the famous Nurburgring race track, one of the most challenging circuits in the world, and home of the BMW Testing Facility. Christian Flessa, Head of Driving Dynamics BMW M, and Peter Schmid, Head of Driving Dynamics Systems BMW M3 / M4, are responsible for this fun video.

Whether control systems, shock absorbers or chassis components, engineers at BMW M have always stay focused on the overall vehicle concept and work tirelessly to refine driving behavior until it meets the desired requirements.

Read Also: Can I Turn Off The Rev-Matching in the New BMW M3 and M4?

The engineering due says the latter are always set high. “The BMW M3 was created to offer perfect control and maximum performance in all driving situations, both on the racetrack and in everyday driving,” says Flessa.

Naturally, this requires an extensive test program on public roads and at the BMW Group’s test center in Miramas in the south of France and in Arjeplog in Sweden.

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In addition to the Nürburgring, extensive tuning work is also carried out on many other racetracks. All in pursuit of the engineers’ ultimate goal: for the new BMW M3 G80 to be utterly unique in the high-performance saloon class.

Before we let you jump into the video footage, here is a small caveat. In some of the footage, the G80 M3 appears to be “carrying” small kidney grilles. Whether this is an early prototype or simply a great camouflage job, is unknown. But what’s certainly known to us is that the M3 Sedan will have the same size kidney grilles as the new M4 Coupe.

Both cars will be unveiled in September with first sales beginning in early 2021.

Read Also: The Ultimate Proof: 2021 BMW M3 and M4 will have a large kidney grille

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VIDEO: Watching this E36 BMW 3 Series Paint Restoration is Therapeutic

Watching any type of type of instantaneously gratifying work is constantly incredibly healing. Whether it be painting a wall surface, power washing a driveway or describing a cars and truck, seeing those instant outcomes, of something obtaining cleaner or far better looking, always makes people really feel excellent. If you’re one of those individuals that really obtain off on that sort of thing, enjoy this video of an E36 BMW 3 Series Convertible obtaining comprehensive.

Continue Reading Below As an enthusiast of the E36, I’m always intrigued by videos of people making them nicer. Especially when they aren’t M3s. I possessed a standard E36 3 Series and also it’s been the only Bimmer I’ve ever before actually possessed myself (there have actually been numerous in my family members over the years, though), so I love watching videos regarding routine 3ers. In this video, we get to see a 3 Series Convertible go from looking like a twenty six year old cars and truck to one appearing like it could be in the showroom of a dealer.

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Honestly, however, the very best part of this video clip is the reality that the E36 is painted in

Boston Green, one of one of the most underappreciated E36 3 Series colors. Everyone bears in mind the remarkable M3 colors, such as Dakar Yellow and Techno Violet, but the regular 3er’s Boston Green was an excellent color. I ‘d enjoy an E36 BMW 328is Coupe in Boston Green with a black inside as well as a hands-on gearbox. What a maker. At the start of this video, the E36’s paint is in fact in decent shape, simply with the common surface scrapes as well as swirl marks you ‘d expect from an auto its age. At the end of the video, it looks like it requires a home window sticker label and a service warranty. View this old Bimmer, in a great shade combination, come back to cope with simply a buffer and also some compound. It’s splendidly restorative throughout a time of fantastic tension.

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Drag Race: BMW M8 Gran Coupe vs GT63 S AMG as well as M5 Competition

This week, the focus of the Bimmer world is on the brand-new BMW M5. And that’s reasonable. However, we’re still a little bit away from seeing the new design on the roads as well as, in the meantime, we can check out what the old one has actually depended on. As well as by that I mean inspect some drag races, like the one posted below, including the M5 Competition, a BMW M8 Gran Coupe and also a Mercedes-AMG GT63 S 4-door

Coupe. These autos are rivals, despite the fact that some may claim otherwise. Leaving the entire ‘four-door sports car’ calling system behind, they are all sedans as well as they are all exceptionally fast. The M5 and also the M8 share a great deal of their bases. The engine and the transmission coincide, even though, by the appearances of points, the M8 is not a Competition design, which indicates it has somewhat much less power. And, think it or otherwise, that shows in the race, despite the fact that we’re only discussing 25 HP.

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Ferrada FR7 wheels for the BMW M8 Competition Coupe 3 830x555

So, what are the specifications we’re taking a look at here? Well, the BMW M8 and the BMW M5 both utilize a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 making 600 HP in standard guise. The Competition version has 25 extra ponies, while the torque figure continues to be the same at 750 Nm (553 lb-ft )of torque. Beyond, we have the Mercedes-AMG GT63 S 4-door Coupe which utilizes the exact same 4-liter twin-turbo V8 you’ll find on most 63 AMG designs yet used up to 640 HP and also 900 Nm(664 lb-ft)of torque. All autos have four-wheel drive as well as launch control however one of them is heavier than the various other two. Like guess which one? That’s right, the AMG which definitely reveals. The video clip mores than 20 mins long and also consists of plenty of runs, most of them finishing similarly. I won’t spoil it for you however it does show a clear advantage for the BMW designs.

Video: 2020 BMW 4 Series styling described by BMW Head of Design

In the video clip below, we reach pay attention to Domagoj Dukec, BMW’s Head of Design, that explains the layout philosophy behind the brand new BMW 4 Series. Dukec goes into a prolonged style introduction, clarifying the intricacies of the brand-new 4 Series Coupe. Naturally, it’s always best to listen to get a summary from a developer, so Dukec explain quite a few fascinating points.

According to Dukec, the primary goal here was to establish the 4 Series aside from its 3 Series sibling as well as give it its very own individuality.

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“From now on, the number ‘4 ‘will certainly stand for an even more self-confident as well as meaningful series of products, says Dukec. “All models will certainly reveal a total differentiation from the existing 3 Series, as

we believe in the different specific personalities of our customers. “The BMW 328 and also the 3.0 CSi are additionally conjured up right here, 2 of the most legendary Coupe models BMW ever before made, which likewise had instead big grilles up front. In fact, the 328 vintage car could still be the king in that respect. “The popular vertical kidney and also the famous double headlights create a bold and

positive identification. THE 4 screens BMW’s signature percentages at their most modern-day kind. A stretched hood, long wheelbase and a quick roofline create an elegant and also vibrant Coupé synopsis,”claims the BMW Head of Design. BMW M440i Rendered with 2 Series Gran Coupe Grille And also you can’t truly say with those points. The automobile has presence,

regardless if we live the general bundle. There are other information that make this design job, like the defined core line that runs between the wheel houses as well as highlights a reduced center of mass or the strong, large back fenders. All of those work in favor of the new 4 Series, as Domagoj Dukec will discuss in the video listed below.

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