5 European Cars That Missed The Mark

We often tend to think of automotive brands as being free-standing, independent entities with their own very individual characteristics. There's the design language of the exterior, interior, powertrain, and chassis, but also their unique feel and identity. A BMW looks, smells, and drives like a...

Buying a BMW E30 is an exciting experience. They’re light, quick, fun, and timelessly styled. If you get one that’s in good shape, and you take care of it, they’re also reliable. If you’re thinking about buying an E30, awesome! If you’re still figuring out which E30 models you’re interested in,...

The BMW X5 was never supposed to be an SUV. Instead, BMW called it an SAV or Sports Activity Vehicle. The idea was to create a large family car with the body of an SUV but with the driving characteristics of their sports sedans. That driving dynamic was readily apparent in the original X5 and has...

Your BMW oil service light is on, but what does that mean? What is wrong and what does your BMW actually need? The oil service light can mean that your car needs more than just a basic oil change. This brief guide covers the BMW E46 3-Series, BMW E39 5-Series, BMW E38 7-Series, BMW E83 X3, and...

  If BMWs weren’t the first thing you thought of when you heard “drift car,” we wouldn’t blame you. However, we have a whole lot to show you to change your mind. Drifters are constantly on the edge of control and chaos while sliding around at considerable speeds in competition. Professional...

  Turbochargers have been in use for a lot longer than many seem to realize. Lockheed’s P-38 Lightning used two turbocharged Allison V12s to power it along back in the 1940s. By the 1970s, turbocharging had become a big focus around race tracks after the Porsche 917/10 and 917/30,  utilizing two...

Direct ignition coils are a common failure item in a vehicle's ignition system. How do you truly know if your vehicle's misfire is due to ignition coils? An engine misfire can be so many things. Ignition, electrical, mechanical, the list goes on and on. Gareth Foley, our BMW Catalog Manager,shows...

 ZF and their transmissions, both automatic and manual, have always been a favorite of European automakers. Their most recent longitudinal automatic transmission offering, the 8HP, continues their success with one of the most talked-about automatic gearboxes in an era full of CVTs and DCTs. From...

  Automatic transmissions are fickle beasts which can be astronomically expensive if not maintained. Throw in the fact that it's a BMW, and the need for regular maintenance becomes quite clear. Unfortunately, a fluid and filter change is not as easy as it used to be. When parts are replaced in a...