BMW's electric power steering and electric water pump simplified the rotating components on the front of their N20 and N26 engines. Now all the belt only spins the alternator and the A/C compressor. Even with the reduction in belt-driven ancillaries, ensuring that your serpentine belt and...

The entire advantage the BMW xDrive models have over the others is the significantly improved grip they have in treacherous conditions. Where the rear-wheel-drive models struggle in the snow, the xDrive-equipped cars can charge ahead in a safe and controlled manner. To drive the front wheels, BMW...

BMW's M-Sport package allows 3-series owners to experience some of the capabilities of an M3. The package equips your BMW with a lower and firmer suspension, more aggressive front and rear bumpers, a smaller steering wheel, sportier seats, and fixed piston, Brembo brake calipers. The yellow...

Without the rear differential, you wouldn't be able to put any power to the ground. Whether it has an open differential or a limited-slip, the condition of the components inside your BMW's rear differential directly affects how you can put the power down. Inside the differential is a ring and...

The direct fuel injection on BMW's N20 and N26 engines allowed them to produce a four-cylinder with excellent fuel mileage and plenty of power. Rather than sitting in a fuel rail on the intake manifold, the injectors sit in the cylinder head above the spark plugs. That allows them to spray their...

Direct fuel injection has become the standard injection system in the last decade. The N20/26 engine's in the BMW F30, F31, and F32 four-cylinder models use this injection system, giving them excellent fuel mileage with plenty of power. Unlike the traditional port fuel injection, the direct...

The sport sedan started with BMW, and their F30 3-series continued in that legacy. While not shy on power, the real excellence comes from its chassis and suspension, and just like everything else, the suspension needs to be maintained. When bushings and joints wear out, tolerances weaken, and the...

The only thing more iconic than the BMW roundel is the signature kidney grills on the front of every BMW. Whether it's the 507, M1, or new M4, we've come to expect every BMW to have those grills in some form. The BMW F30 generation 3-series is no different, as BMW offers a few different styles of...

Every engine needs fuel, air, and spark to run. The BMW's N20/26 engines have a spark plug and ignition coil for each cylinder. Failing plugs or coils will produce a weakened spark at best, resulting in poor ignition of the fuel/air mixture in the cylinder. Without the spark, the engine will make...

Twenty years ago, BMWs, especially the high performance, had a penchant for eating the connecting rod and main bearings. The N20 engine available in the BMW F30 features newer technology for more performance and better efficiency over the old engines, but quietly, still have issues with...