The BMW Experience Events are some of the most fun seminar/driving events organised by the German automaker. This type of event is usually held four times a year in the US, in different locations around the country. Last year it all took place in Philadelphia, where BMW lovers were able to see some old, new or not-yet-released models.

This year, BMW Experience Event was held in the beautiful and unique Hong Kong just last week.

Browsing through the photos, you will see some old BMWs, some Mini models, a BMW M3 Coupe with the aero kit and the BMW Performance Parts section.

[Source: BMWBlog]

The last few days have been filled with Internet news of what seemed to be an “exclusive” inside information from BMW. This information was regarding their roadmap for future cars until 2014.

Here is what some forums posted:

09/08 E90 Facelift
11/08 New 7 Series
01/09 New Z4
09/09 BMW PAS (Progressive Activity Sedan Crossover)
2009 BMW X1 arrives to dealers
2010 New 5 series
2010/2011 BMW CS based vehicle
2011 1-series Sedan
2011 Z2 lightweight roadster
2012 BMW Supersportscar tribute / M1 revival
2012 1-Series Coupe/Convert
2012 New 3 series Sedan, 6 months later the wagon
2012 Possible X4
2013 New 3 series Coupe and Convert
2013 New 6 Series
2014 New long wheelbase X5 or possibly called the X7

Unfortunately, it’s obvious that the list has many errors and misleading information. For example, the recently canceled BMW X7 project, which was clearly declared “Not-Happening” last month by the BMW AG Board of Members. Moreover, another confusing list item is the plan to build a BMW 1-series sedan based on the coupe body style in 2011. But what is a 1-series sedan?

So the person who compiled this “RoadMap” is clearly not someone who works within BMW AG.

[Source: BMWBlog]

BMW surprisingly decided to include the improved iDrive Navigation System in the BMW 5 and 6 series too. This comes as opposed to reports that have appeared in the last few months and that have led people to believe that the only models that will get the iDrive revision will be the BMW 1, 3 and 7 series.

Thanks to a BMW lover who has ordered a BMW 550i US specs from Germany through the Military program, we can all get a better look at the new iDrive system through the photos that he took. The quality of the photos isn’t that great. Nonetheless, this is clear proof and if you look closer, you can see the navigational buttons around the iDrive knob. Therefore, it’s clear that the BMW 550i is equipped with the new Car Infotainment Computer.

[Source: BMWBlog]

Five new spy photos of the BMW Progressive Activity Sedan ( PAS ) were just published by Autobild, the German car magazine. The camouflage used on the vehicle’s rear resembled early spyshots of the BMW X6. What’s happening now is that BMW wants to show BMW lovers a roofline different from all points of view than was planned to build then, so this is probably the same situation with the BMW PAS at the moment.

BMW PAS will most likely compete with the Mercedes CLS, plus other “four-door coupes”.

The Progressive Activity Sedan is considered an individual solution for the progressive individual who is no longer attracted to a regular sedan and SUV, but who is not willing to make any sort of compromise when it comes to driver enjoyment.

[Source: BMWBlog]

In order to take on BMW’s best selling car, the 3-series, Cadillac is joining the RWD game. The future Cadillac line is built on the new Alpha RWD platform and will replace the Epsilon front-drive Cadillac BLS in Europe. Moreover, Cadillac will expand its line up in the US market as well.

Of course, in order to compete with the successful BMW 3-series, beside the sedans, Cadillac will probably offer a folding hardtop coupe or a conventional coupe and convertible. For now, nothing is certain, not even prices, as the model is set to launch at a certain point in 2011.

Now the only question on the table is if an American manufacturer will live up to the unique German engineering.

[Source: BMWBlog]

BMW Canada takes everyone by surprise by lowering prices on their BMWs, but only after years of complaints about Canadian prices, which are higher in comparison with the ones practicated in the US, especially since the CAD hit par with the USD.

Therefore, the reductions are as followed: the new 3-series sedan and touring will make customers happy, as they will have MSRP reductions from $1,000-$1,100 and more standard features will be included. Reductions will depend on the model, of course. As for the 5-series model range, it will head into MY 2009 with revisions to standard equipment. Depending on the model, combined with MSRP reductions, will have an additional value from $1,300 to $6,600. The highest price reduction will be made for the BMW M6 Coupe and Cabriolet, which will be around $7,000 less in comparison with the previous year model.

However, there is an exception. The long awaited discounts will not be made for the newly introduced BMW 1 and 3-series or for the BMW M3 and BMW X6.

Everybody is talking about the rumor about a BMW Z2 in the works. The rumor is that the BMW Z2 will be based on the 1-series coupe design and that the model will cover the entry-level sports roadster market. This has been going around for some time now, but because of an AutoZeitung report, it returned stronger than ever, as the German publication announced that a decision regarding the BMW Z2 will be made by the end of this year, setting the launch date for late 2012.

Through this model, BMW wants to design a model that will be light, but fast at the same time, with a soft-top in order to reduce the weight and price as well. The entry-level model, which will probably be for Europe, might have 120 horsepower. On the other hand, the higher end model will come with a turbocharged 211 horsepower. The engines that will most likely be used for the BMW Z2 will be the four-cylinder ones, developed with PSA, a French company.

In order to be appealing, the BMW Z2 should be priced at around $30,000 for the US market.

We found some photos of the BMW Z4 spotted in Los Angeles, parked on Glendale Boulevard, next to Echo Park to be exact. It’s something to see spy pictures of the BMW Z4 in the US and not in Munich, from where we usually get our photos and from where we have kept seeing the model for a while now.

The BMW Z4 is still in the pre-FEP ( Final Evaluation Phase ) stage, as we can tell from the fact that the test mule still has the plastic panels on it. In this pre-FEP stage most of the cold/hot weather testing is being performed, with the plastic cladding on the car.

Previous spy photos here.

When BMW launched the BMW X6 in April, the German automaker and Google started offering a service called MyInfo, which is a system that included the well-known Google Maps. So now BMW decided to integrate Google Maps into the BMW 2009 line up, with the exception of the BMW X3. Therefore, from now on the BMW Search system will be powered by Google Maps and will be available only in the BMW models that come with BMW Assist and Navigation system.

When it came to deciding which mobile provider to choose for the US market in order to be able to use the same mobile technology as the European models, BMW had only two choices: AT&T and T-Mobile. In the end, BMW decided to go with AT&T, as this cell-phone company offers the largest network coverage. BMW’s in-car mobile technology will use the GPRS technology, as the 3G High-Speed networks are underdeveloped in comparison with Europe. GPRS is an older technology, so it will obviously be slower than the current standards, but the system will stil probably satisfy the needs of BMW owners.

The system costs $199/year as part of the concierge plan in the BMW Assist.

One of the members of E90post forum as just returned from a delivery at the BMW Performance Center. Not only did he deliver, but he also got to take some awesome photos of a BMW 335d in the Titanium Silver color.

When Park2670, the member from E90post forums, asked for the keys in order to chek out the 3er diesel, he was told by the BMW representatives that that model belongs to another customer, who is set to pick up the car next week. This arose some questions: will BMW release the first diesels next week, keeping it a secret? Or was he just falsely informed? We’ll find the answer pretty soon.

Nonetheless, check out the photos he took: