Anyone who enjoys driving always wants to maximize the pleasure that they get from behind the wheel. For plenty of people that means making sure that the performance they achieve from their car is as good as it can possibly be. Sure, for some this includes making some pretty major modifications. But we’re not all experienced home mechanics or can afford to make big changes to our BMWs.

There are, however, some simple ways that we can make them run a little better, accelerate a little faster and create an altogether more exciting driving experience.

Lose a little weight

It sounds obvious, but it’s surprising how many people constantly drive round carrying excess weight in their cars. It might be snow shovels and other equipment stored in the trunk all year round or that set of golf clubs that just seems easier to leave in the car. So only carry the essentials you need for the journey – and some people even recommend only ever having a maximum of half a tank of gas for weight-saving reasons.

Put in some premium synthetic oil

Oil is like the lifeblood of your engine. It performs more functions than you might ever imagine. For example, it doesn’t simply lubricate all of the moving parts of your engine, it also cleans them and even helps to cool down its operating temperature. So, it makes perfect sense to use the highest quality oil you can find, and this is invariably a synthetic kind. It may cost a little more than natural oil, but it’s worth it.

Stiffen up the suspension

There’s a trade-off to be done here. If you want to greatly improve your BMW’s handling and cornering at speed, you’re going to have to settle for a firmer ride. But if that’s something you’re prepared to do then it’s well worth getting the shockers and springs replaced. While you’re about it, it’s also an idea to ask the suspension shop to swap any rubber bushes with polyurethane ones instead. They last longer and add to the firmer control.

Replace your spark plugs and air filter

These are both operations that are easy for the home mechanic to carry out. The principle behind doing this is simple. The stronger the spark igniting the gas, the better the combustion will be, and old spark plugs soon become corroded and less efficient. And, just like humans, engines need plenty of oxygen to perform at their best. Old air filters get clogged up with dust, dirt and other particles which stops a percentage of that oxygen getting through.

Get better tires

Tires are what keep your BMW car in contact with the road. So, fitting the best that you can is obviously going to be a big contributor to how it handles. Choose the right ones for the conditions in your area and the type of driving that you generally do, and you’ll soon feel the benefit. The best can be expensive though. So you might want to look into a good tire payment plan that’s going to help you spread the cost.

Tweak your ECU

Pretty much all the functions of engines these days are controlled by an electronic control unit. By loading different software, you can dramatically change the way that your car performs, you just need a garage that has the equipment to do this. One word of warning – this may well invalidate the warranty from some manufacturers if it subsequently develops an engine fault, even if it’s not been directly caused by the ECU.

It also goes without saying that taking good care and scheduling regular maintenance for your auto is also going to improve its performance. Then you also have the choice of making even more radical changes if you have the money and the inclination.

But, for most drivers, just following these six tips should do the job very well indeed.

About Post Author

Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post 6 Surefire Ways To Pep Up Your Car’s Performance appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

Are you a car enthusiast looking for the best ways to upgrade the speed of your car? As you head to a BMW performance shop for car parts, look to options that add efficiency and durability. By making these factors a priority, your BMW will be able to perform at a high level.

As they say at CarBahn Autoworks, “With the best car parts, your car will gain power and be more mobile.” When you strive for top-quality upgrades, you can customize your car to meet your exact needs.

Today, we’ll discuss some of the best ways you can make your BMW go faster.

Set Up A Large Diameter Throttle Body

One of the best things you can do for your BMW is to set up a large diameter throttle body. A throttle body helps to regulate the airflow going into your car’s engine. The LDTB is a central part of your car since its engine needs air to ignite more efficiently.

When you install an LDTB with large flaps, it allows more air to flow into your engine. With throttle bodies that deliver air at a higher rate, your car will be able to speed up faster.

Before you head to a BMW performance shop, think about making installing an LDTB part of your plans. You’ll stand to be on track to increase the overall performance of your BMW.

Look To Upgrade Your Air Intake System

Air intake systems contain a pipe with an air filter at the end. What this system does is that it allows your car’s engine to bring in more air. BMW engines run on a mixture of air and fuel. These elements allow for your car to breathe easier and run more efficiently.

As you enhance your car’s air intake system, you’ll want to ensure that your engine receives cold air. By helping your car take in more cold air, you can increase its power. With more power comes a faster speed for your BMW.

Work To Upgrade The Fuel System Of Your Car

While at a BMW performance shop, you can complement your car’s air intake system by upgrading its fuel system. Below is a list of high-flow fuel system parts you’ll need to help enhance the performance of your BMW:

• Filters
• Injectors
• Pumps

You’ll also need a sizable gas line to help your car consume more fuel in each cylinder. These parts help provide your BMW with the appropriate air/fuel ratio it needs for a faster speed. With the latest fuel system, you’ll be able to enhance your BMW’s performance.

Look To Upgrade Your Exhaust System

You can also enhance your car’s speed by upgrading its exhaust system. The exhaust system is another prime component that helps determine the overall performance of your BMW.

With a new or aftermarket BMW performance exhaust, you can ease the flow of the exhaust. What this measure does is that it helps reduce the amount of engine restriction. It also frees up some of the power in your car’s engine. With these efforts, your BMW stands to gain a faster speed and reach its potential.

Invest In New Electric Fans For Your Car

Each BMW car has a fan that pulls air through the radiator. It works to keep the engine at a cool and functioning temperature. Some older BMW cars have mechanical fans that draw power away from the engine.

If you have an older BMW model, replacing your old fan with an electric one can help benefit you. A new electric fan will help free up some of your BMW’s horsepower. Taking measures like these can help you gain more speed while on the road.

Tune The ECU System Of Your Car

ECU tuning is a software update that removes factory restraints on a car to improve its performance. Below are two ways you can tune a BMW engine:

Tuning Box

A tuning box works by changing the signal between the software and the fuel injection system. These efforts help increase the amount of fuel injection and enable the engine to boost pressure.

Full Engine Management System

A FEMS can serve you well if you have highly tuned cars or require maximum tunability measures. Here are some ways a FEMS helps boost performance:

• Ensures the right engine fuel amount
• Inspects your engine speed and load
• Provides ignition spark
• Tracks engine temperature

Either measure helps your BMW gain fuel efficiency and speed in the process.

Choose A BMW Performance Shop That Will Enhance The Potential Of Your Car

As you seek parts at a BMW performance shop, look to make productiveness a priority. Like CarBahn Autoworks recommends, “Upgrades that focus on efficiency will help maximize your car’s speed and power.” With the best upgrades, your BMW will perform at a high level.

About Post Author

Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post The Best Ways To Make Your BMW Go Faster appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

Tyre pressure seems like such a small thing, and most people believe they don’t even have time to deal with it. However, it has an enormous effect on the safety and performance of your BMW. Checking your tyre pressure monthly is one of the simplest ways to keep the tyres in good condition, as it helps them wear more evenly. Here, you’ll learn more about tyre pressure and its importance for your vehicle performance.

Why is Proper Tyre Pressure so Crucial?

When tyres have proper air pressure, it helps to distribute the vehicle’s weight evenly across the entire tread pattern, ensuring the stability of the tyre and the vehicle itself. If a tyre is under- or over-inflated, it isn’t as stable, and stopping, cornering, and handling are adversely affected. Over time, the tyre will show signs of uneven wear. An under-inflated tyre tends to show its wear on the outer edges, while over-inflated tyres wear in the middle. In either case, incorrect air pressure means faster-wearing tyres and less money in your pocket. After all, no one wants that!

The Risks of Over- and Under-Inflation

Under-inflated tyres flex more during braking and cornering, and they do not respond as fast as they would with proper air pressure. Therefore, you’ll lose some of the safety and performance benefits the manufacturer built into the tyre. An over-inflated tyre is just as dangerous. It may lose traction because the tyre’s shape becomes deformed due to excessive pressure, diminishing its contact patch with the road.

Over-inflated tyres are more vulnerable to damage. They’re much stiffer and they may not react well to common road risks such as potholes. Furthermore, over-inflation gives even the most luxurious BMW a noisy, harsh ride.

Check Pressure Frequently, When Tyres are Cold

At AutoCraze, we recommend that drivers check their vehicle’s tyre pressure at least one time per month, and anytime you’re planning a road trip. It’s best to check the pressure when your tyres are cold, such as before you leave for work in the morning. Driving generates quite a bit of heat, and as we all know here in Australia, things get quite hot during the day. All of these factors can temporarily increase tyre pressure, and as such, you will get a more precise reading when your vehicle’s tyres are at their coldest.

And, if you were thinking of ‘taking the short way around’, there’s no such thing as a visual pressure check. It’s nearly impossible to tell whether a tyre is over- or under-inflated by simply glancing at it. Use a good-quality tyre gauge, and if needed, adjust the pressure to the level recommended in your owner’s BMW manual or the vehicle’s door placard. This placard is typically located on the driver’s door, and it offers a range of important info about your tyres, such as proper pressure, speed and load ratings, tyre size, and much more.

Going Off-Road

When traversing rough terrain, deep sand, or mud, many off-road enthusiasts will decrease their tyre pressure to increase contact with the ground. They typically decrease speeds as well, because their tyres become less responsive as far as stopping and steering are concerned. However, it’s important to be careful; removing too much air may damage your tyres or cause the beads to roll straight off the wheels. If you’re going off-road, you must remember to add air before hitting the road to go home.

Rock Crawlers

Here, off-roading is taken to an extreme level. Rock crawlers love driving over tall rocks, steep ledges, and other rugged features. Decreasing tyre pressure makes the tyres pliable and soft enough to conform to the rocks’ shape, increasing traction and smoothing out an otherwise rough ride of your vehicle. In some cases, a rock crawler may decrease their tyre pressure to single-digit numbers!

Autocross and Road Racing

As with the other sports mentioned above, the goal is to maximise the tyre’s footprint on the ground. During a road race, tyres get quite hot, increasing their pressure, and race drivers compensate by continually measuring the hot pressure and fine-tuning it to get the best performance possible.
Autocross races are usually short enough so that hot pressure is not as much of a factor, but every race driver must consider other factors such as track surface and air temperature. It’s quite a complex process, and it requires constant measuring, modification, adjustment, and checking to achieve the quickest lap time. With all that, aren’t you glad, as a street driver, that you only have to check your tyre pressure once per month?

In Closing

As we’ve shown here, tyre pressure has a substantial effect on various facets of a vehicle’s performance, whether it’s on the road, off-road, or on the track. No matter what you’re doing with your car, AutoCraze has the best rims and tyres for you.

The post How Tyre Pressure Influences Vehicle Performance appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

North American owners of the BMW X5 Sports Activity Vehicle who desire more performance from their cars can now get it directly from the German car manufacturer since BMW Performance accessories will be available starting this month.

The parts that are available for the BMW X5 SAV are varied, some of which being aluminium pedals, aerodynamic components, new kidney grilles and a new sport steering wheel. The full offer can be found at all Authorized BMW Centers.

The BMW Performance Aero Kit for the BMW 2011 X5 includes new bumper covers which have a new design, new side skirts. Black kidney grilles are also available to offer a meaner look to the X5. The whole kit was designed with the purpose of reducing the drag in order to improve the stability of the car.

The interior of the BMW X5 wasn’t forgotten either, since it received a new pedal set and steering wheel. The Pedal Kit is made of aluminium for all three pedals which also feature rubber inserts. These pedals will be found in all of the X5 versions and will make sure to deliver a new feeling to the driver.

The post BMW Performance Parts for the BMW X5 SAV Now in North America appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

The Republic of Ireland is getting the new BMW X5 in an updated look both concerning the design package and the performance one (and might we add, lower emissions). BMW fans from the country couldn’t be happier and are sure to welcome the new changes with open hands and a smile on their faces.

Regarding the changes made to the car’s exterior, these are designed to show a more athletic look, with new front bumpers featuring bigger vents so that both the engine and brakes will get more air. Other features include new vent fins and lower scuff plates, new xenons and fog lights, bigger tail pipes and a new rear bumper coupled with horizontal LED lights.

Regarding performance, the BMW X5 features three engines, the xDrive30d (245 hp, taking the car from 0 to 62 mph in 7.4 seconds and has a 7.4 litre/100km consumption), xDrive40d and the xDrive50i. All three engines are EU 5 compliant. A standard eight-speed auto transmission will be supplied. New entries are also available on the standard equipment list such as the leather interior, Servotronic steering.

The new BMW X5 has a 76,580 euro price tag.

The post Ireland Receives the X5 in an Updated Look and Performance appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

BMW Group once again has shown that it can hold true to what it promises. Back in the year 2000, the brass at BMW said that the company was heading towards greater sustainability, this being one of its priorities. Now, fast forwarding a couple of years, BMW was called the Supersector leader for the automotive industry. And it seems to be a tradition ever since, because this is the sixth consecutive year for the company.

The Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes has shown once again that BMW is the leader. An interesting fact is that the car manufacturer is the only Supersector from Germany in the whole world, at least for this year.

According to Dr. Norbert Reithnofer, BMW AG Chairman, the company is even more motivated by this event and it can only show that the path it has chosen is the right one and big plans are being created for the future.

This can only bring good news for both the BMW employees and other people interested in the company’s evolution, such as people who invest in stocks. Congratulations to BMW for this achievement.

The post BMW Named Supersector Leader for the Sixth Consecutive Time appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

We talked many times about the Performance line developed by Germans at BMW, even we were talking about the 1 Series model, 3 Series or about the BMW’s X6 SUV. Now, BMW put all them together in a video in order to show us what the Performance version of the models told below are capable to come with.

What is BMW Performance? BMW Performance is characterized by the Bavarians as “passion means no compromise”. BMW Performance offers great accessories from aerodynamic components to the interior. This BMW Performance accessories range is dedicated to the real car lovers.

This accessories range comes with a variety of features from aerodynamic kits, new rims, carbon fiber parts to sport steering wheels, interior carbon trim and more other. Want to find more about the BMW Performance accessories range? Check this link, but until then, be sure that you watch the BMW’s Performance Promo below!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNV9mYSme2c

The post VIDEO: BMW reveals Performance promo appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

Not exactly least revealing article title ever but there you have it, if you’ve got an M3 and want to make it more aerodynamic and lighter, BMW Performance have got just what you need.

The component offering is related to a couple of things, both are related to pricing and exclusivity.

With that in mind, if you haven’t managed to get your hands on a BMW Frozen Gray M3 Coupe or perhaps the 2011 BMW M3 Competition Package is a bit rich for your blood, don’t despair as you can now buy a few bits for your M3 that will make it just as cool.

In fact, the best part of it is the price appeal as you don’t have to get it all at once.

The list includes the three new parts, a new rear deck lid spoiler, mirror caps and front splitters. All of the aforementioned are constructed of ultra-rigid carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) composite material. All the parts will also match the standard CFRP roof panel of the M3 Coupe.

Keep in mind that BMW Performance accessories feature a two year and unlimited mileage warranty but if you have them fitted before taking delivery of your new M3, the BMW Performance accessories will share coverage of the 4 year or 50,000-mile New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

The post BMW Performance offering carbon fiber aerodynamic components for the M3 appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

BMW has officialy revealed its BMW 7-series 760Li sedan which is powered by a V12 ultra technology engine with a capacity of 6.0-liters that produces 544hp (at 5000rpm) and a torque of maximum 750Nm (1500rpm). This luxury vehicle could be the M version of latest BMW 7 series in comparison with the power of this engine (544hp) but also BMW announced that will not be M7.

BMW 760Li (for Europe), respectively 760i (for USA) have a high precision injection and have a fuel consumption of 12,9-liters/100km in Europe with 4.5% less than the previous model.

The design of the new BMW 7 Series looks great, the interior is made with high quality materials. I am supposed to say that the position of buttons is very good, the buttons are very nice aranged and that’s a great thing.

This luxury sedan has a 8 speed automatic transmission, and per overall, BMW 760li has a great engine and also has high performance like its great acceleration.

Photo Gallery with 2009 BMW 760li:

The post 2009 BMW 760Li – Details and Photo Gallery appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

Before the official launch of the 2010 BMW 5 Series, we should take a look back at one of the most luxurious sedan that BMW can offer at the moment: the 2008 BMW 5 Series.

At this point, the 2008 BMW 5 Series is considered to be a fuel-efficient luxury sedan, one of the best in its class. What makes it deserve this title? The people from BMW are willing to offer a 12-year warranty for each 2008 BMW 5 Series which leaves the factory. The iDrive, sound system or hand free devices only improve the comfort already provided by the classy interior.

The 2008 BMW 5 Series offers performance, style, safety, dependability and fuel efficiency at the same time and this is something most car producers can’t achieve in the same model.

The post 2008 BMW 5 Series appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.