Tag Archives: BMW Videos

Widebody Trans Am With 808 HP Pits Itself Against A 600 HP BMW E36 Time Attack Car

Hoonigan’s ‘This vs. That’ drag racing series routinely pits some of the quickest cars on four wheels against each other and in this latest clip, brought together a Plymouth Trans Am and a BMW E36 3-Series. However, both have been heavily tuned.

The owner of the 1970 Trans Am featured has gone to town overhauling his muscle car, outfitting it with a 6.5-liter LSX V8 that churns out no less than 808 hp. Coupled to this engine is a G-Force GF4A transmission that powers the rear wheels.

There is clearly no mistaking this Trans Am from a regular, road-going example as it features flared front and rear wheel arches. The interior has also been completely stripped out, meaning it weighs only 3,165 lbs (1,435 kg).

Read Also: Is This The Facelifted 2022 BMW 3-Series?

As impressive as this Pontiac is, the BMW 3-Series it raced is equally as unique. It’s been designed as a Time Attack car and has also undergone an engine swap that saw a massive 7.3-liter V8 slotted under its hood. It also features a sequential transmission, is rear-wheel drive, and tips the scales at 2,700 lbs (1,224 kg).

During the first race, the driver of the Trans Am messed up a gear change, allowing the BMW to take an easy win. The second rolling race, by comparison, was extremely close with the Pontiac taking the win by roughly one foot, meaning it was all to play for in the third and final race.

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C8 Corvette Vs. BMW M4 Competition In 500 HP Sports Car Shootout

If you’re lucky enough to have $70,000 to spend on a car and your buying criteria includes head-turning looks and the kind of power that can incinerate a set of tires before you’ve even left the dealer’s lot, you’re spoiled for choice.

That kind of money gets you into all manner of high performance front-engined coupes from the Dodge Challenger Hellcat to the brand new BMW M4 Competition. But in the C8 Corvette it also opens the door to the next best thing to an Italian supercar for those of us who can’t afford the real thing.

To find out which is best, Edmunds pitted its own long term Corvette against a BMW test car. The C8 had a $60,995 base price, but ended up costing $80,660 by the time they’d finished nibbling at the options list, adding stuff like the Z51 Performance Pack.

The BMW, on the other hand, stickered at $72,795, but loaded with the usual haul of press car goodies, came in at $101,995.

Related: 2021 BMW M4 Competition Takes On 2020 Chevrolet Corvette In A Straight Line

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They deliver eerily similar power, but do so in very different ways. The BMW’s 503 hp and 479lb ft comes courtesy of a twin-turbo 3.0-liter six, where the Corvette’s 495 hp is generated by a 6.2-liter V8. It kicks out a similar 470 lb ft, but being naturally aspirated, delivers it almost 3000 rpm further round the dial.

And Edmunds host Carlos Lago says the BMW’s stronger initial kick in the back means it feels far more powerful than the Corvette, despite the C8 beating the M4 to 60 mph and to the quarter mile mark.

The BMW’s limited traction also makes it exciting, Lago says, but maybe a little too exciting, while the Corvette is always controllable and surprises with a more comfortable ride, and, weirdly, more trunk space.

Pushed to call it, Lago gives the win to the Corvette for its value and breadth of abilities, but the four-seat, sideways-to-victory M4 runs it very close.

The New BMW M3/M4 Drift Analyzer Is Fun, But Could It Be Dangerous?

The new BMW M3 and M4 have a lot going for them, including an all-new engine that helps to boost performance over the previous-generation models. One of the updates also made to the new cars is the fitment of a ‘Drift Analyzer.’

As the name implies, this system analyses the drifts a driver performs in the car. It can only be accessed by turning off all of the safety nannies so is best used on a racetrack, rather than on the road. Eager to test out the system, Evo Magazine’s Steve Sutcliffe headed onto a circuit and started powersliding the new M3.

Read Also: After The M4, The 2021 BMW M3 Competition Also Makes More Power Than Advertised

The Drift Analyzer measures a host of different parameters to provide drivers with a rating of their drift. It measures things including the distance covered by the rear wheels, the speed of the drift and most importantly, the angle of the car.

The best drift performed by Sutcliffe was awarded 4.5 stars out of 5 by the system. Interestingly, he suggests that the system is much more interested in the angle of the drift than the speed or distance. The bigger the angle, the higher the score.

While the system will no doubt be appreciated by some owners, Sutcliffe also suggests that it could lead to a number of crashes as M3/M4 owners try to get the highest drift rating possible on the street.

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BMW M4 Vs. Mercedes-AMG C63 Vs. Audi RS5: Which Is The Quickest Premium Sports Coupe?

The BMW M4, Mercedes-AMG C63 and Audi RS5 are all great compact premium coupes with lots of performance, but which one takes the prize when you pit them against each other?

One might argue that the Quattro all-wheel drive system of the Audi is hard to beat. Some might say that the twin-turbocharged V8 engine of the Mercedes is simply superior here, whereas others would defend the BMW simply because it is arguably the most fun to drive.

Driven: Here’s Why The 2021 BMW M4 Competition Is Great – And How It Could Be Better

Okay, that obviously does not answer the question, so it’s time to see them in action, in a video that focuses solely on the straight-line performance, from a standing and a rolling start, and includes brake tests too. But before doing that, let’s see what the spec sheets say, starting with the Audi, which uses a twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 that makes 444 HP and 442 lb-ft (600 Nm) of torque. It can hit 62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.9 seconds and up to 174 mph (280 km/h) with the optional RS Dynamic Package.

The C63 S, on the other hand, which is the pinnacle of the previous-gen C-Class lineup, has a 503 HP and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 and will do the 0-62 mph in 3.9 seconds, with a top speed of 180 mph (290 km/h). And the new M4 Competition uses a twin-turbo 3.0-liter straight-six with 503 HP and 479 lb-ft (650 Nm), for a nought to 62 mph of 3.9 seconds and a maximum speed of 180 mph (290 km/h).

On paper, then, they are almost inseparable when it comes to straight line speed. However, 0-60 times are one thing; how they actually perform in the real world can be quite another. So, which comes out on top?

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BMW Racing Driver Takes New M5 CS For A Spin

BMW race car driver Connor DiPhillippi was heading to Daytona to drive an M8 GTE in the 24-hour race – and on his way, he stopped at the BMW performance center in South Carolina.

And there’s a very good reason for that, as DiPhillippi is among the first people outside of Munich to drive the recently unveiled M5 CS. That’s a pretty good opportunity, because BMW’s new, light-weight M5 is the most powerful production M car ever.

Not only is it more powerful than any other M car, with an output of 626 hp, but it also weighs a pretty impressive 104 kg (229 pounds) less than the M5 Competition on which it is based. BMW achieved that by removing some of the car’s sound deadening and adding a carbon-fiber roof, hood, front splitter, and mirror caps.

Also Read: 2022 BMW M5 CS Debuts With 627 HP, Hits 60 MPH In Less Than 3 Seconds

It also benefits from an improved Dynamic Damper Control system and springs, optimized for the lightened package. It also gets a RWD mode in case you’re in the mood for some spirited driving.

BMW claims that the M5 CS is capable of hitting 60 mph in just 2.9 seconds, but Car and Driver clocked the heavier, less powerful M5 Competition in the 2s even though BMW claimed a 3.1-second sprint. We would not, therefore, be surprised if optimal conditions led to lower times.

And what does DiPhillippi think of it all?

“I would say that the first thing I’m impressed with is,” he says, taking a beat to let a whoaa out, “the power. The torque. The agility of this car, I mean the M5 and the M5 Competition were already remarkable machines, and all the details that they’ve put into this CS is insane.”

“The boys in Munich,” he concludes, “have outdone themselves.”

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Is The 2021 BMW M440i A Bit Too Soft For A Sports Coupe?

There has been a lot of talk about the new 4-Series Coupe, most of which relates to its horrible controversial kidney grilles. However, there is a lot more to the car than its looks.

Sitting beneath the skin of the M440i featured in this review is the B58 3.0-liter turbocharged straight-six that includes a mild-hybrid 48-volt starter-generator and pumps out 380 hp. Coupled to this engine is an eight-speed automatic transmission that sends power to all four wheels courtesy of BMW’s xDrive AWD system.

Watch Also: 2021 BMW M440i xDrive Looks Odd And Feels Heavy

The M440i is essentially a coupe version of the M340i that TheStraightPipes have driven in the past. However, according to one of the presenters, it feels as though BMW has messed with the steering of the M440i, making it feel disconnected compared to the M340i, something that you may not expect from the sporty coupe variant. However, the second reviewer doesn’t share the same sentiment about the steering.

One thing both reviewers agreed on is the fact that the M440i is a very quick car and makes for an excellent daily driver thanks, in no small part, to the adaptive suspension that provides a great ride in all conditions and on all kinds of road surfaces.

For those that want more performance than the M440i provides, the latest BMW M4 is the way to go. While it also has a controversial front grille, it does promise to be an excellent sports car to drive and features a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six pumping out 473 hp and 406 lb-ft (550 Nm) in standard guise and 503 hp and 479 lb-ft (650 Nm) in the Competition.

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Is The V10-Powered BMW M5 E60 Worth The Maintenance Risk?

When the E60-gen BMW M5 came out in 2004, with its menacing naturally aspirated V10, many thought that sports sedans couldn’t get more exciting.

The 5.0-liter engine, which was shared with the M6, developed 500 HP and 384 lb-ft (520 Nm) of torque, for a 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) of 4.7 seconds and a 155 mph (250 km/h) electronically limited top speed.

Unlike the AWD modern M5, the range-topping E60 was rear-wheel drive. It was offered with an optional six-speed manual gearbox in North America, and with a seven-speed SMG semi-automatic in the rest of the world, although the latter did not do justice to an otherwise great sedan.

Video: Here’s A Love Letter To The BMW E60 M5’s Epic V10 Engine

Made during the Chris Bangle era and criticized for the controversial looks, it has nevertheless aged quite nicely inside and out. Moreover, even after more than a decade of constant use, this 2008 example, bought three years ago for around $34,000, feels robust. The high quality interior is still in very good position despite sitting in the sun for 12 years, and that’s one of the things that matters.

Another one is that, in the right setting – and the M5 E60 has 279 powertrain and chassis combinations to choose from – it is surprisingly comfortable. It was built as a highway cruiser, but it doesn’t disappoint on a twisty road either. Sure, the steering ratio needs more finesse and the inflatable seat bolsters will kick you in the ribs every time you turn the steering wheel, but the M5 really comes to life at higher speeds.

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BMW M2 CS And Porsche Cayman GT4 Vie For Straight-Line Speed Honors

While supercar manufacturers continue to engage in a seemingly never-ending horsepower war, it’s good to know that there are still some sports cars that aren’t all about on-paper performance but are instead focused on driving thrills. Take the BMW M2 CS and Porsche Cayman GT4, for example.

While the M2 CS and the Cayman GT4 represent the flagship variants of their respective bloodlines, they are not solely focused on crazy output numbers and lap times. Instead, they offer just the right amount of power that can actually be used on the street. However, performance cannot be overlooked, which begs the question which of the two is the fastest.

To find out, Lovecars recently conducted a drag race between the M2 CS and the Cayman GT4. It’s worth pointing out the GT4 featured is the 981-generation model and not the latest iteration. Nevertheless, it is an absolute pleasure to drive.

Watch Also: The BMW M2 CS And Jaguar F-Type Are More Evenly Matched Than You May Think

As the M2 CS uses a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with 444 hp and 406 lb-ft (550 Nm) of torque, it has a significant power advantage over the Cayman GT4 that is powered by a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter flat-six with 380 hp and 310 lb-ft (420 Nm). Both are rear-wheel drive and are fitted with six-speed manual transmissions.

In theory, then, the M2 CS is faster than the Cayman GT4, so did it manage to beat the Porsche in a straight line?

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Should You Really Want A BMW M3 E46 In Your Life?

When thinking about certain modern classics, nostalgia tends to hit like a train. And it’s even worse whenever you’re out driving, because it seems like there’s a BMW 3-Series E46 around every corner, and practically every petrolhead loves an M3 from that very same generation.

Depending on the model, miles and overall condition, the best E46 M3s can almost nudge the six-digit territory, and when we think about other cars that we could get for that kind of money, the nostalgia suddenly seems to vanish.

Watch Also: A BMW M3 CSL With A Manual Transmission Is The Greatest M Car In The World

But what if there is a perfect E46 M3 out there that’s on sale for a reasonable price by someone who does not care about the money and only wants to find a nice home for their prized jewel? Should you do everything possible to buy it? We would say ‘hell yeah’ again and again, because this is probably one of the best-looking M3s ever, not to mention that it goes like stink and handles wonderfully.

Let’s talk numbers. The E46 M3 does the 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in around 5 seconds and will sprint up to an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h). Its 333 HP and 262 lb-ft (355 Nm) of torque in the U.S.-spec model produced by the 3.2-liter naturally aspirated inline-six engine, was sent to the rear wheels through either a six-speed manual or the less-favored SMG. The latter provides horrible shifting in automatic mode, but becomes more decent in manual, a thing highlighted by the owner of this blue example sampled by RegularCars on video below, along with a whole bunch of stuff pointed out by the reviewer.

Note: The following video contains language that some viewers might find offensive

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Should You Go For The “Regular” BMW M2 Instead Of The M2 Competition?

Both the BMW M2 and M2 Competition have been widely praised since they hit the market, and even though the regular M2 is no longer available new, it is a very compelling prospect on the used car market. Knowing just how good the M2 is, YouTuber Seen Through Glass decided to see if it is actually better value than the M2 Competition.

The black M2 featured in this clip has 15,000 miles (24,140 km) on the clock and is currently up for sale for £31,990 ($40,537). By comparison, the orange BMW M2 Competition present here is also a used model but has just 1,500 miles (2,414 km) under its belt and an asking price of £44,990 ($57,011). That’s quite a big difference, so it’s understandable why someone may find the regular M2 more appealing.

Read Also: World’s Only BMW M2 Convertible Is Faster Than A M2 CS Around Sachsenring

In terms of power, the M2 is driven by the N55 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder that produces 365 hp at 6,500 rpm and 343 lb-ft (465 Nm) of torque between 1,450 and 4,750 rpm. The car was offered from the factory with either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch that directed power solely to the rear wheels.

By comparison, the M2 Competition hit the market with a detuned version of the S55 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged straight-six used by the F80 M3 and F82 M4. This engine is good for 405 hp between 5,370 rpm and 7,200 rpm and 406 lb-ft (550 Nm) of torque between 2,350 rpm and 5,230 rpm.

Which of the two is the best to drive and the better value? Watch the review in full to find out.

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