Tag Archives: Videos

Video: BMW iX3 range tested to the max by CarWow

Now that winter rolled in, electric vehicle drivers are starting to get a bit nervous, especially if this is their first cold season behind the wheel of such a car. That’s because electric cars really don’t like cold weather. Their range is drastically affected and that can induce severe levels of range anxiety. That said, the guys from CarWow decided to do one of their usual extreme range tests, running a number of EVs, including a BMW iX3, until the battery was completely dead.

The test included some serious rivals and some other choices from different segments. Among the cars tested you’ll find the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Audi Q4 e-Tron, Kia EV6 and Skoda Enyaq. In all fairness, the BMW was one of the most expensive of the bunch, and the only one that wasn’t built from the ground up on a bespoke, electric platform. As a matter of fact, the iX3 is sharing its underpinnings with the regular BMW X3. Will that work against it?

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Well, looking at the specs, you wouldn’t think so. The iX3 has a rather large battery to rely on at 74 kWh usable capacity. It’s nearly on par with all the other cars here. It also has one of the most powerful motors here, developing 286 HP. Albeit, it is only available in rear-wheel drive configuration and that may offset some people. The estimated range, according to BMW, should be around 450 kilometers.

But what did the iX3 get in the end? Well, for a car that’s not built on a bespoke electric platform, it fared very well. Furthermore, it even surpassed some of those electric models that claimed more range and more efficiency. The BMW iX3 covered 257 miles before running out of juice, with an average energy consumption of 3.6 mi/kWh. Furthermore, it achieved 91% of the estimated range, which is on par with the Kia EV6, these two models faring the best in this contest. The worst was the Audi Q4 e-Tron, followed by the Ioniq 5 and Mach-E.

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Video: Rory Reid shares thoughts on BMW iX xDrive50

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Rory Reid is one of the brighter upcoming stars in the automotive journalism field and is now starring in the Fifth Gear show, after a short stint at Top Gear. Today, he’s here to share is views on the new BMW iX. The technological flagship of BMW visited the AutoTrader team and Rory was in charge of reviewing it. This time though we’re looking at the xDrive50 model, not the xDrive40 we checked out yesterday. This is the top of the range version right now, while we’re waiting for the M60 to show up next year at the 2022 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

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As far as the review, Rory is one of the few journalists out there that appreciates BMW’s take on design. While most have been complaining about the huge grilles or squared off shapes, Rory actually put together a video about BMW not too long ago, defending it against the huge backlash it was facing. While we’re aware that some feathers might be ruffled by this new approach, being bold and taking risks is sometimes needed, and that’s exactly what BMW has achieved with the iX.

Will it work out? We’ll have to wait and see, but for now, the world is heavily divided when it comes to the design approach in Munich. Rory had other very interesting things to say about the iX though, and you should check out the video below and let us know if you agree. The first two BMW iX models – xDrive40 and xDrive50 – will arrive later this year. The entry-level iX packs 70 kWh battery for a range of 400 km (249 miles) and 240 kW (300 horsepower). According to BMW, the xDrive40 will around six seconds to get from 0-60 mph. The middle model – iX xDrive50 – has two electric motors split among the two axles producing 70 kW (500 horsepower) and powered by a battery pack larger than 100 kWh.

With that large battery, though, the BMW iX is said to have a range of 600 km (373 miles) on the WLTP-cycle. For the U.S., BMW is claiming around 300 miles of range. The BMW iX xDrive50 is also said to have a 0-60 mph time of under five seconds. The BMW iX xDrive50 can also charge its high-voltage battery at up to 195 kW using a DC fast charger.

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VIDEO: Is the R50 MINI Cooper a Car Worth Investing In?

At the moment, you can get an R50 MINI Cooper for shockingly cheap, in the US. A few grand on the used market will find you a decent R50 with a manual transmission. You might not be able to get a Cooper S for that money and mileage may vary but, whichever model you get, you can still get an R50 for pretty cheap. Which is why Hagerty UK thinks they’re good cars to get into right now.

Admittedly, the R50 MINI Cooper isn’t likely to massively appreciate but it’s probably going to go up a bit over the next few years, which means right now is the cheapest you’ll be able to get one. The R50 is a bookend for the current MINI brand, as it was the first of its kind, when it debuted back in 2000.

It’s also a hilariously fun car to drive. With a compact footprint, buzzy engines, a manual transmission, and go-kart-like handling, the R50 MINI Cooper is almost impossible to not love. It’s also a relatively practical hatchback, with decent trunk space.

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Sure, R50 MINI Coopers were never considered reliable, so an older example with high mileage might need some work but parts are fairly easy to find and aren’t too expensive. Considering the low cost of the car itself, reliability doesn’t seem to be a major concern. If you get an R50 MINI, and put in the time and money to make it nice again, it could appreciate a bit in value over the next few years (again, though, not too much) and become a bit of a classic later on down the line.

No one is going to make a killing on the R50 MINI Cooper but it’s cheaper now than it’s ever going to be again and it’s a really fun little car to drive. If you want one, now’s the time to buy.

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VIDEO: Would the V10-Powered BMW M6 be a Good Daily Driver?

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One of the more unique BMWs of the modern-ish era was the E63-generation (not to be confused with the AMG) BMW M6. For starters, its Bangle-era looks were interesting and even a bit odd, it was never actually a universally loved design. However, what made it so unique was its engine — a 5.0 liter naturally-aspirated V10. With such a high-strung, motorsport-inspired engine, is the BMW M6 worth buying as a daily driver?

In this new video from DriveTribe, we get to take a look at the E63 M6 and its V10 engine (codenamed “S85”) and whether it’s a good daily driver. It has a lot of the ingredients to be a great daily (so long as you don’t have children) but can it put them all together to make a properly good recipe?

It all starts under the hood. The 5.0 liter V10 makes 500 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque, or at least that’s how much it made when it was new. Current used examples may have lost quite a few ponies over the years. That engine is the make-or-break component of the M6 and the number one reason why you should either buy it or not.

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The engine itself is a joy to use. It revs past 8,000 rpm, makes an incredible noise, and has 500 horsepower. However, there’s one major reason as to why you’d want to hold off on buying an E63 BMW M6 —  reliability, or lack thereof. S85 engines are known for eating their rod bearings which, if not caught in time, will grenade the engine’s internals. Bye bye, S85. Rod bearings are expensive to replace, as the entire bottom end of the engine needs to come down and, considering E63 M6s have become so cheap, that replacement cost can be almost half of what you paid for the car. No wonder they’ve become cheap…

So is it wise to get an E63 BMW M6 as a daily driver? Check the video and find out.

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2022 BMW X6 wooden scale model impresses with great attention to detail

With more than 2.8 million subscribers on YouTube, it’s safe to say that the Woodworking Art channel has a huge following. It largely focuses on scale models created entirely out of wood, and each project impresses with the artist’s exceptional attention to detail. For the latest episode, it was the BMW X6’s turn to be shrunken down and replicated from the organic material consisting of a natural composite of cellulose fibers.

In case you are wondering why it doesn’t look like exactly a standard third-generation X6, there’s a good reason for that. This is not a stock version of the G06, but rather an aftermarket version recently introduced by LARTE Design. It looks far more aggressive than the high-performance X6 M, let alone the lesser trim levels of the coupe-SUV built at the plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

It’s not just the swoopy, high-riding body that has been reimagined from wood, but also the dashboard and even the engine bay. Taking into consideration the tuner’s full body kit adds complexity to the build due to the numerous extra components, it makes the author’s work (and patience) more remarkable. Every little detail has been meticulously replicated on a much smaller scale, from the windscreen wipers to the radar sensor.

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Just like the real thing, the wooden 2022 BMW X6 has a pair of stacked exhaust tips on each corner of the bumper. No production model from the Bavarian marque has this setup, but the road-going XM will lead the way from late next year with a fresh take on the M division’s signature exhaust arrangement. Inside, it’s not just the dashboard that has received the wooden treatment, but pretty much the whole cabin, including the rear bench.

The icing on the cake is presented by the four doors, hood, and tailgate as all these body panels can be opened. The more we look at it, the more details we notice. Pedals, footrest, fog lights (akin to an F1 car’s rain light), along with front and rear spoilers that stick out from the roof. It moves under its own power courtesy of an electric motor, making it a veritable RC car with a working suspension rather than just a static scale model.

[Source: Woodworking Art / YouTube]

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BMW shows how to download software via OTA update for iDrive 8

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BMW is widely regarded as the inventor of what today we call an infotainment system by introducing the original iDrive in 2001 with the E65-generation 7 Series Sedan. Fast forward 20 years and seven iterations later, Operating System 8 was introduced earlier this year in March and is currently available in the following models: iX, i4, and the 2 Series Active Tourer.

With more and more new BMWs switching to the latest hardware and software, it only seems right the German luxury brand has now released a video guide dedicated to its newest infotainment. Essentially, it’s a step-by-step tutorial for downloading new software courtesy of an over-the-air update. The rollout of OTA tweaks means visiting your local dealership to stay up to date with the latest apps will soon become a thing of the past.

It all starts with your smartphone as the company will send out a push notification to your My BMW app, informing owners of iDrive 8-equipped cars of the newly released software. Shown here is how the process works for the iX electric SUV, but it will be virtually the same for other current and future models with the most recent infotainment. The duration of the download will depend on your phone’s Internet connection and the size of the package.

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After the download is complete, the software can be transferred to the infotainment after pairing your smartphone to the car via either Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Once the connection has been established, the transfer will automatically be uploaded to the vehicle while you’re driving. Interrupting the connection won’t be an issue since the upload to the iDrive 8 will automatically pause and simply resume the moment the smartphone will once again be hooked up to your BMW. You can also pause the process.

Once the software package is fully transferred, the driver will then be notified about when it’s possible to effectively apply the upgrade. BMW mentions it can only be done when the car is “not in ready-to-drive mode.”

Which models are next in line to get the iDrive 8? The all-new 7 Series (G70) will also have it, much like the 3 Series LCI and the production version of the XM plug-in hybrid SUV. With the facelifted 3er getting it, chances are so will the first-ever M3 Touring production model. All of them are slated to arrive in 2022.

[Source: BMW / YouTube]

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BMW M3 CSL dyno test: S54 engine makes more power than advertised in 2003

2022 will signal the return of the Coupe Sport Lightweight after a hiatus of more than 15 years. The last BMW model to wear the CSL badge was the M3 (E46) of which only 1,383 units were ever made. The good folks over at Evolve Automotive own a right-hand-drive example finished in Sapphire Black (it was also offered in Silver Grey) and they were curious to find out how much power it still had after all these years.

As a refresher, the naturally aspirated inline-six with a 3.2-liter displacement was rated from the factory at 355 horsepower (265 kilowatts). Fast forward some 17 years later, this S54B32HP is still going strong, to say the least. As a matter of fact, it managed to push out an extra five horsepower over the official output, which proves once again BMW deliberately underrates its engines.

As far as torque is concerned, the high-performance coupe generated a healthy 269.5 pound-feet (365 Newton-meters) of torque, which is only about 3 lb-ft (5 Nm) lower than the factory rating from 2003 when the M3 CSL was introduced. Evolve Automotive knows what it’s doing and claims its dyno is properly calibrated, so these numbers should be as close to the real output as possible.

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Interestingly, the UK-based tuning shop also happens to have a BMW Z3 M fitted with the same engine but featuring a different tune. The “clown shoe” made 323 hp on the same dyno or 11 hp less than the official figure provided by the German luxury brand. The dyno run measured torque at 269.4 lb-ft (365 Nm), so virtually the same as the M3 CSL’s as well as the Z3 M Coupe’s official torque rating.

Of course, in the age of forced induction, these numbers are not impressive as they were in the 2000s. The M4 CSL coming next year should have well over the 503 horsepower available today in the M4 Competition. To live up to the iconic badge, the coupe is expected to shave off more than 100 kilograms (220 pounds) and might have only two seats akin to the M4 GTS. The M3 CSL lost a whopping 110 kg (243 lbs) and weighed 1,385 kg (3,053 lbs).

Much like the M3 CSL was a limited production model, BMW is expected to keep its spiritual successor exclusive. Perhaps even more so as we’ve heard only 1,000 units will ever be made, all with a rear-wheel-drive layout and an automatic transmission.

[Source: Evolve Automotive / YouTube]

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Video: BMW cars will get two special on-board animations for the holidays

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Some BMW models could make their owners feel very special right around this time of year. So to celebrate this special time of the year, BMW is surprising its customers in their own cars with two festive animations for Christmas and the New Year. The Christmas message inside the car will be accompanied by festive music and dramatic ambient lighting. Once the vehicle has been started, an app symbol with a Christmas hat will show up on the BMW Control Display, signaling the approaching festive season.

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The BMW Happy Holiday Festive Animation, which is available until December 26th, can be accessed by clicking the icon. The Control Displays will be illuminated with Christmas-themed visuals, a merry song will be played, and an ambient light show will create an ambiance in the interior. From the 31st of December onwards, a new app emblem with a stylized firework will be displayed in the Control Display to mark the arrival of the new year.

BMW has also included a New Year’s message in the vehicle, which includes festive music and an ambient light show. By tapping on the app icon, the driver can play both animations as many times as they want during the holiday season. With each passing year, more consumers around the world will see the individualized Christmas greetings in their BMW. This year, the New Year’s greeting is already being broadcast to nearly 2.6 million BMW automobiles in 48 BMW regions.

The vehicles must have the relevant optional equipment and a BMW iDrive with Operating System 7 or Operating System 8, as well as a manufacturing date after 07/2020, in order to display the festive animations.

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Video: BMW M440i Gran Coupe review includes 0-60 mph test

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While a lot of people scoffed at the idea of a BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe at first, the stylish model has become a crowd favorite over the years. According to BMW, out of all the BMW 4 Series models sold in the first generation, the Gran Coupe variety accounted for more than half of all sales. That’s about 800,000 units and, therefore, a sales success. That’s why the Bavarians simply had to make a second generation.

They did and it’s now here, reviewed by none other than Mat Watson, from CarWow. The BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe gets put through all of his usual tests, from the stick of truth to the usual acceleration run. And while we’ve seen reviews (and we’ve done a few also) of the new 4er so far, the one area we’re most interested in is the acceleration test. This here is the top dog M440i model, which means it has some good numbers to brag with.

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BMW M440i xDrive Gran Coupe Aventurinrot

Under the hood you’ll find a 3-liter straight six engine which makes 374 HP and 500 Nm of torque. That’s a bit different from the U.S. version because European models have a particulate filter. It is also an xDrive model, meaning all four wheels of the car get some torque, depending on their needs. The gearbox is the same brilliant ZF unit with 8 speeds. According to BMW, this combination should get you to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds.

However, you’ll be pleased to know that Mat’s test showed better times. According to his Vbox, the M440i did the run in 4.23 seconds, nearly half a second faster! That’s incredibly impressive and weird at the same time. It’s a lot faster and it raises some questions. Was Mat’s run done downhill, or what could possibly explain this huge gap in the performance figures? According to him, it’s just BMW downplaying the performance of the car.

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Video: BMW i4 and iX playing on Austrian Sölden Iceberg

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Both the  BMW iX and BMW i4 electric models are now being delivered worldwide to various customers. The cars are ready to take on the world and since we’re entering winter right now, BMW set up a photo and video shoot with the two, close to home, in Austria. The Sölden Iceberg was picked as the ideal location, due to its high altitude and snow-covered surface. Sitting at a hefty altitude of 2,830 meters above sea level, Solden is the perfect place to test your skills behind the wheel in winter conditions and maybe even ski a little in between runs.

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Leaving skiing aside, the Solden iceberg was also picked because it is home to a proper BMW Driving Experience center, where some of the best trainers in the industry come every winter to hold sessions with aspiring drivers. The BMW Driving Experience centers have recently celebrated their 45th anniversary, being the first such service offered by a car manufacturer. There’s also another reason why Austria is important for the iX and i4.

The Steyr factory is responsible for making a few bits for the two electric models. For example, the body panels for the BMW iX and i4 are done here along with the electric motors and gearbox. The precision of the Steyr factory played a big role in securing this responsibility for the new electric models. Furthermore, the cooling systems for both the iX and i4 have been designed and developed by the Steyr engineers. Now let’s watch them in action!

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