1998 Bmw M3 Coupe - Hellrot Red - 161k on 2040-cars

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2014 BMW 2 Series is a 1 and then some

Pricing for the new coupe starts at $32,100 for the 228i and $43,100 for the M235i.
BMW has taken the wraps off its replacement for the 1 Series, the 2 Series, ahead of an official debut at the 2014 North American International Auto Show in January. Pricing for the new coupe starts at $32,100 for the 228i and $43,100 for the M235i that we showed you earlier today - not including $925 for destination. And before you break out the torches and pitchforks, know that those numbers compare favorably with the current 128i Coupe and 135is Coupe, which start at $31,500 and $43,550, respectively.

New BMW M3 and M4 Competition Package to cost $5500

Can't decide between a standard BMW M4 or the bonkers new GTS? The Bavarian automaker has split the difference with the launch of the new Competition Package available for the M3 sedan, M4 coupe, or M4 convertible. Under the hood, BMW M GmbH upped the output from the 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six from 425 horsepower to 444 – neatly bridging the gap to the 493-hp M4 GTS, and not limited to just the coupe. The power boost nets an improvement in the 0-60 time of 0.1 seconds, so if you apply it to an M3 sedan or M4 coupe with the 7-speed DCT, you'll be rocketing to 60 in just 3.8 seconds. At the other end of the spectrum, an M4 convertible with the comp pack and the manual gearbox takes 4.1 seconds for the same sprint. The M division also fitted an active suspension and diff, 20-inch forged alloys, and staggered tires. Vehicles fitted with the package can be visually distinguished by their black chrome tailpipes and glossy black trim. Fixed-roof examples also benefit from new seats, which the convertible has to forgo. So while it'll cost $5,500 to fit the Competition Package to a sedan or coupe, the cost for the convertible falls to a nice, round $5,000. Related Video: New Competition Package Amps Up The BMW M3 And M4. Woodcliff Lake, N.J.: January 13, 2016 6:00 pm EST...The BMW M3 Sedan, M4 Coupe and M4 Convertible are already regarded as the perfect combination of high-performance sports car engineering with unrestricted everyday utility. From spring 2016, all three body styles will be available with a special Competition Package from BMW M GmbH that combines added sporty personality with enhanced dynamics. As well as extensive handling upgrades, the Competition Package also comes with additional equipment features and a hike in power that takes output to 444 hp. The extra power means improved performance. The BMW M3 Sedan and M4 Coupe with optional 7-speed M Double Clutch Transmission (M-DCT) sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds (without Competition Package: 3.9 sec.), while the BMW M4 Convertible reaches the same speed in 4.1 seconds (without Competition Package: 4.2 sec). The sprint time for models with the standard 6-speed manual transmission is likewise 0.1 seconds faster in all cases than without the package.

What does the open patents deal mean for Tesla ... and BMW?

Gift to the world or trade bait? Tesla Motors announced this week it would open its patents for other automakers to use. That has analysts guessing whether the California-based electric-vehicle maker is looking to either swap trade secrets with other automakers or to expand the proverbial pie that represents the plug-in vehicle market. For its part, Tesla says the answer is B. BMW, which is establishing its i sub-brand of plug-in vehicles, would be a natural collaborator with Tesla, Forbes says. In fact, executives from the two companies met in Europe this week. Details were not released, but a BMW spokesman said, "Both companies are strongly committed to the success of electromobility and discussed how to further strengthen the development of electromobility on an international level." While Tesla brings battery technology to the table, BMW offers its carbon-fiber advancements that lighten vehicle-body weight. Those advancements are key to range-extending efforts and could do wonders for Tesla on its journey to help spur technology for the sake of getting more of the general public to accept plug-in technology as a viable first-car option. Then again, Forbes says Tesla, whose investors include Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler and Toyota, may be keeping its best technologies to itself by not patenting certain advancements at all. What's in Tesla's patent pool? uAutoInsurance analyzed Tesla's 249 patents and found that 104 of them related to battery technology, while 28 pertained to recharging activity, which wasn't surprising (about a quarter of those 249 patents couldn't readily be categorized). Tesla also has nine patents related to sunroof technology. The company is based in California, after all.