2001 Bmw X5 4.4i Sport Utility 4-door 4.4l on 2040-cars

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2014 BMW Z4 sDrive35is

The BMW Z3/Z4 roadster has never really had a widespread following because it has either been too humble and small a roadster (albeit with some fun and very low-volume M editions) or it has been - in this E89 generation - too casual an image leader with no racier aspirations. The current 480-hp Z4 GTEs don't count, since they are as stock a Z4 as today's Pamela Anderson is the same blonde actress we knew as Heidi on Home Improvement. You know, sort of like those ever-so-slightly modified Toyota Camry coupes competing in NASCAR.
The ultimate highpoint for the BMW Z roadster franchise was at the very start of its life in the mid-90s, in the James Bond film GoldenEye with Pierce Brosnan. The Stinger missiles that Q's team installed behind the Z3's headlights were never fired, and BMW never even offered this self-defense package as an option. Yet another case of the ol' bait and switch.
And in all these subsequent years of Z3s and Z4s strutting their long-hooded stuff, the little sporting Bimmer could really have used a live Stinger missile or two to spice things up. The current Z4 exists, it is pretty dang sexy, and BMW seems content to let it linger there. We just drove the new midlife version of the roadster near BMW headquarters in Munich, and it served to reinforce our feelings.

BMW 3 Series GT gets nip and tuck

We brought you spy photos of the refreshed BMW 3 Series sedan, and now the versatile, hunchbacked Gran Turismo has been caught on camera. As far as refreshed Bimmers go, the treatment for the 3GT is pretty typical. That means a new front bumper and headlights, which we doubt have been changed all that much from the freshened four-door. Changes in back differ thanks to the GT's unique rear end, but the new features – new LED designs in the taillights – will be there. It also looks like BMW has tweaked the rear bumper. Like the sedan, the 3GT will get a few interior tweaks and an iDrive update. Basically, everything we showed you back in May when the updated sedan debuted should find its way onto the 3GT. What we don't know – and what our spies can't tell us – is whether BMW will add GT versions of the 3er's newest models, the 340i and 330e plug-in. We'd expect the 340i to replace the range-topping 335i Gran Turismo, just like it has on the sedan – although a hunchbacked, plug-in hybrid hatchback might just be a bit too niche, even for a brand like BMW. Check out the short gallery of spy photos, available up top. Related Video: Featured Gallery BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo: Spy Shots Image Credit: CarPix Spy Photos BMW Hatchback Luxury bmw 3 series gran turismo

BMW to be featured at 2016 Monterey Motorsports Reunion

The 2015 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion just wrapped up, with the Shelby GT350 serving as the featured marque. Track officials, however, are not wasting any time – or enthusiastic momentum – in announcing a featured marque for next year's event. Next year's Reunion will highlight BMW on the occasion of its centenary. Now if you're thinking that the Bavarian manufacturer hasn't been building automobiles for that long, you're technically correct. The company started out as an aircraft engine manufacturer 99 years ago in 1916. It then got into motorcycles in 1923 before rolling out its first automobile – the Dixi that was a licensed version of the Austin 7 – in 1928. However you trace the automaker's history that's still one heck of a long time. And BMW has been active in motor racing throughout, making it a worthy candidate for next year's celebration. This won't be the first time that Munich's finest will be featured at the reunion. BMW was given the same honor back in 1996. The featured marque can alternately be an automaker, a specific model, a type of vehicle, or even an accomplished racing driver. Last year's was Maserati, preceded by the Chevy Corvette, Shelby Cobra, Jaguar, and the legendary Dan Gurney. Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Jaguar, and Porsche have each been featured thrice - that's right, thrice! - in the history of the retrospective event. Related Video: BMW TO BE HONORED AS FEATURED MARQUE OF 2016 ROLEX MONTEREY MOTORSPORTS REUNION MONTEREY, Calif., August 16, 2015 — The full, rich heritage of the Ultimate Driving Machine® will be celebrated when Bavarian Motor Works is honored on the occasion of its 100th anniversary at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. The celebration takes place August 18-21, 2016 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on the scenic Monterey Peninsula. "The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion is a perfect stage on which to celebrate 100 years of BMW," stated Ludwig Willisch, President and CEO, BMW of North America, LLC. "The BMW brand and the legend of The Ultimate Driving Machine® was forged on and continues to be refined on racing circuits all over the world. In the United States, Laguna Seca has played a starring role. This year, our BMW Z4 GTLM racing cars finished 1-2 in IMSA competition there - almost 40 years to the date a BMW 3.0 CSL won our very first race on the classic circuit.