If you just bought a 2008 M3 Sedan, we’d advise you to stop reading this article immediately because we’re pretty sure that you won’t like what you’re about to hear and see. The Bavarian carmaker went ahead and facelifted its all-new M3 Sedan just a few months after the high-performance sports sedan made its market debut earlier this year. Like the recently facelifted 3-Series Sedan (see here) , the 2009 4door M3 receives a new set of tail-lights inspired from the new 7-Series along with a more pronounced trunk lid. Not a lot of changes, but it does look better than the 2008 M3 Sedan. Inside, refinements include a redesigned air grille in the center of the cockpit, a new armrest on the center console and new available trim options. As with all 2009 BMWs, the M3 Sedan also gets the new generation iDrive that includes a redesigned controller with direct-dial buttons on the center console and a high-resolution 8.8 inch display along with an updated navigation system. There are no mechanical changes with the 2009 M3 Sedan retaining the same 420Hp 4.0-liter V8 engine as before

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AC Schnitzer is the latest tuning firm to present a styling and performance package for BMW’s self-proclaimed Sports Activity Coupe or as we prefer to call it, the new X6 crossover. The German tuner’s bodykit consists of a new front bumper fascia with larger air vents, side skirts and a rear bumper fascia that incorporates a diffuser and a new set of chromed tailpipes. In contrast to the standard X6, AC Schnitzer’s components are painted in the body-colour. Complementing the body kit is a new set of 22-inch multispoke alloy wheels finished in black.

Inside AC Schnitzer offers an array of options including the “EVO” 3-spoke Sport Airbag steering wheel, carbon fiber or aluminium trim, velour mats and aluminium sport pedals.

The BMW tuner has also developed a sport suspension kit and a new Motor Control Unit for the diesel-powered versions 3.0dX and 3.5dX details of which will be released at a later date.

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Don’t you just hate it when designers create something different or plain ugly with the sole purpose of standing out of the crowd without taking aesthetics and beauty into account? Because that seems to be the case with these renderings from the design students at Turin-based IED (Istituto Europeo di Design) that took part in a project to create a BMW of 2015 that was supervised by the Bavarian carmaker. In all, 35 IED students were involved in the project. The students were subdivided into 18 teams (yes, we have a loner) and the design proposals elaborated by all teams were later evaluated with the selection of 12, out of which 8 were developed in 1:4 models, in collaboration with Cecomp, and the remaining 4 turned into virtual models. All we can say is that a new generation of Bungle designers is coming our way… Continued

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Japanese tuning specialist Wald International has introduced a tasty carbon fiber outfit for the BMW M5 sedan. The aerodynamic kit consists of a front apron with integrated carbon fiber wings, side skirts, bolt-on carbon fiber air intake pockets, carbon fiber outline for the M5’s twin-kidney grille, a new lower rear bumper part with carbon fiber detailing and a carbon fiber deck lid spoiler. The carbon fiber body parts can be combined with a set of mutlispoke forged alloy wheels in black and new exhaust tailpipe outlets

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In order to satisfy the needs of those desiring a more aggressive look for their BMW 1-Series Coupe and Cabriolet models, Hartge has launched a new bodykit for the Bavarian compact sports car. The complete kit consists of a front spoiler, side sills, boot spoiler, a rear diffuser, roof spoiler (only for the coupe), and a stainless steel rear silencer along with a set of decals. Check out the image gallery after the jump.

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German tuning firm Hartge is expanding its offerings for the second generation BMW X5 with the introduction of a new 22-inch alloy wheel set called “Classic 2 Brilliant”. The new alloy wheels set that includes wheel arch extensions are combined with Pirelli Scorpion tires (front 285 / 30 ZR 22, rear 335 / 25 ZR 22) or with Continental ContiCrossContact tires (front 295 / 30 ZR 22, rear 335 / 25 ZR 22). Hartge hasn’t announced pricing but don’t expect any bargains….

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 Just like rival tuner AC Schnitzer, Hamann Motorsports has also revised its sport package for the facelifted BMW 6-Series. The German tuner offers two aerodynamic kits for the 6-Series, a basic package that includes side skirts and front, rear and roof spoilers, and a more aggressive styling kit called “Edition Race”. The latter adds new front wings, 4-part wing broadenings in the back and larger side skirts for a more “touring car” look.

For those who wish to combine looks with a bit more oomph, Hamann Motorsports offers a new ECU unit for the 630i, 650i and the diesel 635d that raises output by 21 hp. Moreover, customers can opt for the abolition of the electronic speed limiter which enables the 650i to boost its top speed from 250 to 270 km/h (168 mph).

And if that isn’t enough, you can also add a sport exhaust system, 20 or 21-inch alloys in various designs along with a series of interior accessories that include a 3-spoke sport steering wheel with an air-bag, a black instrumental dial with a scale up to 300 km/h as well as matching pedals, leg rests and hand brake handles made of aluminium.

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Proving once again that there are many factors which impact an automaker’s plans on how many vehicles to sell is the fact that the U.S. isn’t likely to get an additional supply of Minis any time soon. Despite the fact that Mini literally cannot keep enough cars on its dealer lots (there is only a five day supply of unsold cars in the U.S.), BMW is not planning to increase production. While it would seem to make fiscal sense to build as many cars as can be sold, it’s not quite that easy. Apparently, the plant in Oxford, England where the new Mini is still produced is already running at capacity. It could take years for the necessary expansion at the facility to produce more cars, and it is difficult to forecast just how long the sales boom will last.

What may be in for an adjustment, though, is the current Mini’s sticker price. An increase may be coming due to both high demand and the weak state of the dollar.

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Thanks to an anonymous tipster, we know have the first official images of the all-new BMW 7-Series! However, since we don’t have any official technical information whatsoever, we’ll stick to the car’s design. First of all, it’s much better looking than the current 7er, but then again, anythingis prettier than that.

If you love clichés, the rear quarter of the new 7-Series does remind us of the Hyundai Genesis sedan, but bear in mind that the Koreans were the ones to copy BMW not the other way around. The new Bavarian flagship model’s exterior styling does share many elements from the CS Concept, especially in concern of the front-end design. We also have the first photos of the interior which doesn’t seem as loaded and “heavy” in terms of styling compared to the current 7-Series. The design pretty much follows in the footsteps of the current bimmers, albeit the centre console does look to be more driver orientated. see photos after the jump Continued

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The BMW Progressive Activity Sedan (PAS or possibly V5) is on its way, whether the world wants it or needs it. According to Auto Motor und Sport, the 5-series based sedan will debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2009, and is expected to be very reminiscent of the recently released X6, with plummeting C- and D-pillars, a hatchback, a higher ride height (think Audi’s Allroad) and measuring in at approximately 4.9 meters (192 inches), about an inch longer than the X6. There’s no indication about which markets the PAS will be sold in when it arrives in late 2009 or early 2010, but it’s safe to assume th

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