BMW M3 - A Look Inside Foreign Automobile Engineering

The BMW M3 is a high performance edition of the popular compact car BMW 3-series automobile, made by BMW. The first day operating a BMW M3 can be a bit challenging, but hold on and adjust, since the payoff is worth it.

By benefiting from the outstanding overall design of the chassis components, a skilled driver in a BMW M3 can achieve an exceptionally high level of lateral acceleration. Featuring large compound disc brakes and electronic anti-lock, stopping power for the new BMW M3 is strong, precise and consistent.

The question is whether or not this handsome beast is most beneficial for your pocket? Well, numerous individuals say yes, if you have the experience on how to manage your finances the right way, and purchase the correct car for your needs. There are numerous unique generations of the BMW M3, which of course translates into the price variations as well.

If you are have a smaller budget, but still want an M3, then you should go for a used one. On the other hand if you have a higher budget range, you can go for the newer models. One thing to be keep in mind is that in luxury vehicles, older cars are in numerous respects as good as new.

There is a wide range and many styles of custom wheels to choose from, so a BMW M3 can be made as individual as the person who drives it. Now let us go through the various generations of the BMW M3.

E30

This is the earliest version of the BMW M3. Essentially as we know, the standard design of the M3, which is the sports version of the popular compact BMW 3 Series, was introduced here. The M badge carried not only the nature of this automobile being powerful, but also being stylish.

The power train was the 2.3 liters S14 engine, derived from the M10's inline-4 block, and the valve train and head architecture from BMWs notable but then historical M1 and later the singular M6's inline-6 cylinder. The first car resulted in 195 hp, then further retooled to 215 hp, and then to 238 hp.

The BMW M3 was initially fitted with a firmer and more aerodynamic body shell in addition to "box flared" fenders, which only the M6 had. This was basically to accommodate a wider track with bigger wheels and tires, which was typical of a muscle car.

People tend not to give much thought about the BMW M3 catalytic converter, nevertheless when it comes to the environment, it's one of the vehicle's most significant components. The BMW M3 is the most powerful M3 that BMW have produced this far and because of the environmental movement and recent down sizing movement possibly the most powerful that will be made until we have more environmental friendly choices to power our cars.

E36

After 6 years this version of the BMW M3 was ushered in. This E36 coupe model got the 3.0 liters straight-6 engine, which created 286 hp. Four years later, this was increased to a higher power train of 321 hp, which was derived from a new 3.2 liters. As an alternative, a new SMG gearbox was integrated. Named as one of the best models manufactured, this car is still available.

Drivers of the race-bred BMW M3 can also orient the car's manner and performance because of the Mdrive, which is placed on the steering wheel for quick access to the vehicle setup kept in the Mdrive menu. The highly dynamic driving experience of the new BMW M3 is the outcome of the 50/50 front-rear weight distribution, rear wheel drive, recently designed chassis with specific, weight-optimized components, distinctive BMW M axle kinematics, forged aluminum track control arms, complex high-performance brake system and electronic damper control (edc).

E46

This is the most recent version of the BMW M3. The principal batch of the E46 BMW M3 came in Laguna Seca Blue, with a more current SMG Drivelogic or the SMG II, producing a power of 343 hp. The M3 is also lower in gross weight than it past models. One of the reasons for this low weight is that the newer BMW M3 is the first production car in its industry segment to feature a roof constructed of carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (cfp).

Listen to Korbin Newlyn as he shares his insights as an expert author and an avid writer in the automotive field. If you would like to learn more go to BMW Dealership Comparison advice and at BMW Richmond information.

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New generation of BMW (BMW 6 Series Coupe)

2012 BMW 6 Series Coupe

The new BMW 6 Series Coupe will head up a range of three new 6 Series models, with the 650i representing the top model in the long-awaited line-up. A 'four-door coupe' variant is due to be launched in 2012.

With uncompromising sportiness, the distinctive design meets state of the art innovation thanks to the latest LED technology. The focus is very much on providing a luxurious interior design with premium features such as LED full and low beam headlights for the first time, with heightened sensitivity to contrast, imposing L-shaped tailgates (also LED) and a full-length glass roof to allow plenty of light into the opulent cabin. In addition, the turning light function, in combination with the LED lights, ensures that the road is perfectly illuminated in every situation.

The long bonnet is more contoured than before and the boot is also more integrated, boasting a subtle spoiler integrated into the metal. Boot capacity will remain at 450 litres.

The spacious cabin has an asymmetrical dashboard with a spectrum of finest materials and textures on show, many of which are framed by an elegant silver trim. Classically elegant options include piano-black panels and two-tone Napa leather and generous select wood in-fill panels.

BMW have not released details of the engine range as yet, but in keeping with the downsizing trend, expect follow-ups to both the petrol-engined range and the ever popular 635d oil-burner. Topping the new line-up will be a successor to the M6 running a new twin-turbo V8 from BMW's M division.

The new 6-series is set to go on sale in April. A fabric-roofed convertible version will follow before the end of the year - car leasing and van leasing specialists Kudos Vehicle Leasing will list details as soon as they have been announced.

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History of Bavarian Motor Works(BMW)

  Karl Friedrich Rapp is the name of the founder of BMW - one of the biggest world wide car manufacturing companies. BMW or Bayerische Motoren Werke (Bavarian Motor Works) was founded in 1916 as a successor to the Rapp Motor.

Many people think that the logo of BMW comes from a spinning white propeller seen in the background of the blue sky. This may be so but in fact it is known that it also comes from the white and blue flag of Bavaria - the largest state of Germany. The capital city of the state is Munich and this is the place where even today we can find the BMW Headquarters.

In 1916 with the foundation of the company a contract was secured for building V12 engines. These engines were about to be used in the creation of the automobiles from Austro-Daimler. These 12 cylinders V engines were at first used in aircrafts which is the original plan of the BMW Company. Taking in account the time when the company was founded it was very likely for them to continue like that.

However in 1919 after the World War I and the Treaty of Versailles the production of aircraft in Germany was prohibited and that quickly changed the politics of BMW. They began making brakes for the Rail transport. Soon after that BMW was able to design a motorcycle engine which was used for the creation of a motorcycle called with the model name Victoria. However Victoria was not built by BMW but by another company in Nuremberg.

In 1924 BMW made a model of a motorcycle which was the first one they built - the R32. This was a turning point in the BMW history because it was a major achievement and for decades they used its technology - 500 cc engines cooled down by the air. Soon after that BMW added one new innovation - the driveshaft. It came to replace the chain for driving the rear wheel and became a mark of BMW for quite some time.

In the German city Eisenach in 1927 began the production of Dixi - under license but only a year after that the Dixi Company was bought by BMW and they began mass production together with the model Austin Seven.

When the World War I began BMW took its place in it because of the German army's motorized division. They used BMW R75 together with BMW R12. Because of the high need of engines BMW note that period as highly profitable. BMW was the main supplier and even today words like Luftwaffe and Wehrmacht brings many memories. Some of the best planes in that historical time used the BMW aero-engines and till the 1945 more than 30 000 planes with these engines were manufactured.

BMW even made researches which enabled the company to make different jet engines for weapons. With the use of some men power consisting mainly by prisoners of the war BMW made many rocket-based weapons that were used in the war.

Soon after the creation of the rocket-based weapons parts of the company were bombed. Soviets razed to the ground most of the company located in eastern Germany and the base factory in Munich was almost completely destroyed.

After the war BMW was not able to quickly recover because of the need to rebuild the factory in Munich. After that when the restrictions from the Allies applied BMW was banned for three long years in which the company was forbidden from producing motorcycles until 1948 and cars until 1952.

In 1951 the Bavarian company was able to regain all trademarks and it looked like it was finally able to recover and start again from what was left. In 1959 Herbert Quandt became the "wheel" which turned the BMW around because he denied a deal with Daimler-Benz and soon after that he increased his share in the BMW Company up to 50%.

The name of Kurt Golda is stated as the man who incited Quandt to do this step and in the same year BMW began production of the BMW 700 which was based on the BMW 600. This small car used 2-cylinder, air-cooled engines and some years later it was renamed to "LS". Coupe and some cabriolet series were also manufactured.

In 1963 BMW offered dividends to the shareholders of the company and in 1966 the factory in Munich reached its maximum capacity and BMW bought Hans Glas GmbH. This deal enabled BMW to use factories in Landshut and Dingolfing.

With some new style provided by Bertone in 1972 BMW began production of 5 new series and in the years to follow the company made a big progress in the market. For 6 years under the leadership of Bernd Pischetsrieder BMW was able to expand its deal in the market by buying from British Aerospace the Rover Group. Rover Group's history starts in 1986 and till the moment when BMW owned it this company was able to achieve many things like for example the Rover 400 in 1990.

However the Rover was sold to Phoenix Venture Holdings and Ford Motor Company because of some years of losses for BMW. Jokingly the press called the Rover "The English Patient" after the release of the namesake film. This however was not very hard on BMW and they were spared from taking the blame. It looks like that even the British press was not very enthusiastic about the Rover.

BMW began production outside of Germany in 1994. New factories were made in South Carolina and even today the manufacturing of BMW X5 and BMW Z4 is made there. There are factories in some other places too like Oxford, Goodwood and others. After some time of assembly BMW began production in South Africa. Today BMW exports more than 50 000 3 Series vehicles yearly to Japan, USA, Africa, Australia and the Middle East.

In order to serve the market in Eastern Europe and Middle East BMW are planning to begin construction of a new plant located in Cyprus or Greece. A plant in Chennai, India already opened production in 2007.