BMW is one of the foremost names in the automotive world and for good reason; they have been creating some of the most outstanding examples of aircraft engines, automobiles and motorcycles the world has seen. BMW or Bayerische Motoren Werke (Bavarian Motor Works in English) came into being in the small town of Bavaria. The Bavarian flag is a checkerboard of blue and white and a circular portion was adopted by BMW as their logo, which many confuse to be a propeller owing to their history of aircraft engines. Today, BMW is one of the leading manufacturers of sporty and luxury automobiles as well as sport and touring motorcycles, each of which is deemed by BMW to be the ultimate driving or riding machine respectively.
As a company, BMW has grown to include their passenger car division, their M or Motorsport performance car division, the Rolls-Royce brand, the Mini brand as well as their Motarrad motorcycle division. Owning a BMW can be a costly pleasure especially when major spare parts need replacing so awareness of ones options of sourcing used parts online can save a lot of money and hassle. Second hand or refurbished parts can be up to 85% cheaper than ordering a new part from the official dealership so well worth investigating.
TECHNOLOGY:
BMW is one of the top luxury brands in the world today, with top honors in many countries, and second place behind Mercedes in others.
Engines:
One of the highlights so far of the BMW range of cars has been their trademark straight six cylinder petrol engine, which has won International Engine of the Year in its category several times running. This engine, currently in 3.0L form with TwinPower Turbo technology puts out 300 horsepower and a wave of torque from low engine speeds offering superior driving characteristics whatever the situation. Of course, they have a multitude of engines in 4, 6 and 8 cylinder forms and, until recently, even a mind-boggling V10 was part of the onslaught. Over the years, the engine design got more compact and cylinder capacity and count was reduced with growing concerns over depletion of natural resources and global warming. BMW now offers a 2.0L TwinPower Turbo straight 4 petrol engine badged the 28i that develops 240 horsepower and more torque than the outgoing 30i 3.0L straight six without the turbocharger. This engine also made its debut in the Z4 roadster, another iconic BMW car model. This move was viewed by many loyalists as sacrilege to the brand. Engine parts and refurbished BMW engines can be found by searching the nationwide network of breakers
here.
xDrive:
While BMW cars were most renowned for being fun, rear wheel driven precision machines, BMW over the years has evolved an intelligent four-wheel-drive system which they call xDrive. The xDrive system is a major part of the X series activity vehicles - the X1, X3, X5 and X6. It is also offered on the 5-series Sedan and 6-series Coupe for those with all-weather or advanced handling requirements. Of course, the classic rear wheel drive models are still available under the sDrive moniker.
iDrive:
Contrary to the name, it isn't a driving system; rather, it is a control system that puts all the car's functions into the hands of the driver, with one control knob and a few buttons to control everything from the climate and lighting to the satellite navigation and entertainment systems. It is standard on all higher variants and optional in some base variants in some markets. When facing problems with the electronics it is usually best to see a licenced BMW dealership as they have the correct diagnostic tools and experience to quickly locate the problem.
Refurbished gearboxes can also be sourced through the breaker network and then fitted by a local mechanic.
BMW Models and Series:
BMW's range of cars is quite the list, extending from the new 1-series compact car, to the sporty 3-series which is available as a 2 or 4 door sedan or as a convertible. Then there's the larger 5-series executive sedan, which also spawned a big GT version. Following the 5 is the sporty 6-series coupe and convertible. There are also the all-road versions based on these platforms too, beginning with the compact utility vehicle the X1, the larger, sportier X3 and the biggest of the lot, with seven seats to boot, the X5. Of the more peculiar vehicles in any lineup is the X6 - a sports activity coupe, which blends the world of the off road vehicle with a sports coupe. Another feather in BMW's cap is the Z4 roadster, one of the most desirable little cars ever made. This long bonnet two-seater sportscar is quite the machine to drive and embodies all of BMW's values in the most compact package the company offers. At the top of the list is the 7-series, BMW's ultimate luxury car which takes automobile technology to the next level in terms of safety, comfort and entertainment.
M Division:
One of the most revered cars in the mind of any true enthusiast is probably the BMW M3 - the definitive sports saloon for many. It blends everyday practicality with supercar madness and leaves you smiling no matter what reason you take it out for. The Motorsport division also offers a loony twin-turbocharged 560 horsepower M5 and M6, the latter available as either a coupe or a convertible. The M division also fettles with the X5 and X6. Recently, it was announced that the M50d would be available with the xDrive system. This 3.0L straight six diesel motor puts out 380 horsepower and 740 Nm of torque, which is more than some big turbocharged petrol engines twice its size!
Recent quotes for BMW parts from our breakers