2004 Bmw M3 6spd Phoenix Yellow One Owner 98k Miles on 2040-cars

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BMW X2 spied looking swirly

Generally, automakers really hate spy photos. They go to great lengths to disguise their cars, while engineers will do their damnedest to get away from spy shooters (or, you know, they just give them the bird). BMW, though, just doesn't seem to care about spies. That's the only reason to explain why our spy photographers were able to capture yet another X2 crossover undergoing testing on the sunny, autumnal German roads. Judging by the number plates, this is a different vehicle than the last couple of X2s we've spied, although it's camouflaged almost identically to last month's X2. This car does appear to have larger, sportier wheels than that blue prototype, although the similar bumpers has us thinking it's merely an optional wheel rather than the an M Sport model. Beyond that, though, there's not a lot to differentiate this X2 from previous sightings. Our spies continue to report that the X2 will echo the powertrain/drivetrain arrangement of the upcoming X1. It'll ride on that car's front-drive architecture, although like the X1, all-wheel drive will be optional in Europe and standard here in the US. The engine lineup, meanwhile, should include turbocharged triples, fours, and sixes, in both gas and diesel varieties. Here in the US, we'd expect the 28i and its 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder, at the very least. Considering the lifestyle angle of the X2, a more powerful 35i model would likely be a natural here in the US, but that's just conjecture. Have a look at the spy shots up at the top of the page. Related Video:

Thanks to smaller engines, vehicle dependability falls for first time in 16 years

As automakers have made engines smaller and smaller to improve fuel economy, problems in those vehicles have gotten bigger and bigger. That's the synopsis of a J.D. Power vehicle-dependability study, which found that dependability dropped for the first time in 16 years, largely because the proliferation of four-cylinder engines is causing the vehicles to be less reliable. Specifically, the number of problems per 100 vehicles (or what J.D. Power calls PP100) during the past 12 months for 2011 model-year vehicles rose six percent from the year-earlier figures for 2010 model-year cars. Singling out four-cylinder vehicles revealed about a 10-percent increase in problems during the past year. This issues largely related to engine hesitation, rough transmission shifting and lack of power, signaling the inability of vehicle makers to iron out some of the problems in their smaller engines as they strove for better fuel economy. Six- and five-cylinder engines proved far more reliable. Among car brands, BMW's Mini sub-brand came out as least reliable, with 185 problems per 100 vehicles during the past year. Toyota's Lexus badge was easily the most reliable, with just 68 problems per 100 vehicles. Coming in second place was Mercedes-Benz. The overall average was 133. Check out J.D. Power's press release below. J.D. Power Reports: Increased Engine and Transmission Problems Contribute to Decline in Vehicle Dependability for The First Time in More Than 15 Years General Motors Company Receives Eight Segment Awards, While Toyota Motor Corporation Garners Seven and Honda Motor Company Earns Six WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.: o Owners of 3-year-old vehicles (2011 model year) report more problems than did owners of 3-year-old vehicles last year, according to the J.D. Power 2014 U.S. Vehicle Dependability StudySM (VDS) released today. The study, now in its 25th year, examines problems experienced during the past 12 months by original owners of 2011 model-year vehicles. Overall dependability is determined by the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100), with a lower score reflecting higher quality. The study finds that overall vehicle dependability averages 133 PP100, a 6 percent increase in problems from 126 PP100 in 2013. This marks the first time since the 1998 study that the average number of problems has increased. "Until this year, we have seen a continual improvement in vehicle dependability," said David Sargent, vice president of global automotive at J.D.

BMW to launch loaner program to avoid range anxiety on i models

BMW is looking to stave off electric vehicle range anxiety with a new program that offers buyers a free gasoline loaner with every i3 purchase. Ward's Auto reports BMW is confident that the EV will give buyers the kind of transportation they need for 90 percent of their trips. The loaners, meanwhile, will be available for those few occasions when drivers need to cover more ground than the machine's batteries will allow. The i3 gets around with help from a 180-horsepower electric motor paired with a lithium-ion battery pack.
The combo is good for trips of between 80 and 100 miles depending on driving habits and weather conditions, though BMW also plans to offer a model with a small two-cylinder range-extending gasoline engine as well. That option will likely set you back an additional $4,000. When the machine bows in 2014, it will likely come with a charge time of four to six hours when suckling from a 220-volt outlet.
As far as the conventionally powered loaner car goes, the cost of the program is included in the i3's purchase price, though BMW has yet to figure out how many free loans will be offered, or what happens after that threshold is reached.