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Tips for Making Your BMW More Disability-Friendly

At present, 1 in every 4 Americans is living with a disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While it can certainly be challenging for individuals with disabilities to navigate daily life, limited mobility, however, does not put a damper on the passion a true BMW enthusiast has for their cars. Although merely viewing beautiful cars can be fulfilling, driving is important to anyone that wants to maintain a degree of independence. Thankfully, there are a number of vehicle accessories available on the market that will make a classic BMW more disability-friendly. Not only can accelerating and braking be made easier, but steering and even getting in and out of the car can be simplified for people with disabilities.

Simplified speed control

One of the biggest obstacles faced by drivers with disabilities is the use of the accelerator and brake pedals in a car. By installing an electronic accelerator your BMW instantly becomes more accessible. There is a wide range of accelerator and brake models, such as ring and trigger, available _ most of which are controlled with minor finger movements. For drivers who are still able to use the conventional pedals but have trouble reaching them, a simple extension of the pedal will make a world of difference in terms of comfort.

If you have limited mobility in your right leg, it is also possible to install a left-foot accelerator that is a simple, portable device that easily be moved from one vehicle to another. This is one of the easier and also more budget-friendly modifications available to make a car more disability-friendly. Affording some of the bigger modifications may depend on an individual’s ability to earn an income or on the availability of disability compensation.

Steering doesn’t need to be a difficult

Any BMW enthusiast knows that it steers like an absolute dream. An individual with mobility concerns may, unfortunately, need a bit more assistance in order to safely steer their beloved car. Thankfully, there are a number of technologies that can be utilized to make a vehicle easier to steer. A steering wheel ball can be fitted to give the driver more control over the car and comes highly recommended if other hand controls are also installed as it makes a lot easier and safer to steer the car with one hand.  Other steering wheels adjustments that won’t alter the appearance of the vehicle include steering column extensions, steering spinners, and a deep-dish steering wheel.

Small modifications make a big difference

Apart from modifying the steering, acceleration, and braking of a BMW, there are also a range of other modifications that can make it easier for a person with mobility concerns to drive.  While newer-model cars can be fitted with one-touch direction control buttons, extended indicator arms can benefit those with limited upper-body mobility, significantly.  Other useful modifications include swivel seats that make it easier to get in and out of the car, especially for wheelchair users.  Other worthy investments to make includes adapted mirrors, adapted seatbelts, electronic windows, and keyless entry to the car.

Being able to drive contributes greatly to the independence of a BMW enthusiast with mobility limitations. Thankfully, there are many great technologies that can be utilized to allow drivers with disabilities to pursue their passions and stay safe on the road.

How To Customize Your Bimmer Without Losing Your Insurance

The motoring world is abuzz with BMW’s announcement that the 7-series will be fully electrified by 2022, with the 5-series soon to follow. For car enthusiasts, this leaves little wiggle room in terms of customizations; however, your insurance company might just thank you for it. Dropped suspension and performance enhancements might seem like a good idea, especially when you join the local bimmer club, if you’re happy with the consequences to your insurance. There are a few tips and tricks to customize your bimmer without having to give up your insurance, although, some might increase your premium. 

Safe Exterior Changes 

While fins and spoilers can improve the aesthetics of the car, they can also affect the performance. Instead, take a look at adding a sunroof or having the bimmer refinished in customized paint, such as a matt finish. Another way to boost the exterior is by swopping those stock wheels for alloy rims and a different profile tire. The value of the rims could affect the insurance cost, so be sure to expect an increase. Headlight conversion kits, for instance, different colors or swopping out halogen for xenon or LED, also allow for an interesting facelift. However, be sure to go with options that are acceptable in your state. This is also the time to give the grille a facelift, along with a sporty body kit approved by your insurer. 

Fully Customized Interior 

The car interior is possibly the safest way to customize the car, without touching the performance. Newer bimmers have lots of fixed features and built-in safety gear, which means that changing the dash, steering wheel, and even seats becomes a little difficult. This leaves room for interesting little add-ons such as in-car mood lighting and extra sound. You may also request customized pedals and shift sticks directly from the dealership; however, that’s as far as the customization goes before reaching the boundaries of the warranty. In older models the options are a little more extreme. It’s possible to have an entirely different dash fitted, along with customized steering wheels and gear stick. Automatic models also have a much easier ride when it comes to changing gears, as there is no clutch control necessary. This means customizing the shift lock release button on automatic models is also possible. 

Ramp Up The Sound 

While pricey, upping the sound of a bimmer is not only an essential right of passage; it also happens to be a great way to add some personal flair without voiding a warranty. Sound and infotainment systems can go as far as video screens for backseat passengers, along with their own audio jacks. This is quite handy for long road trips. Additional speakers and subwoofers permit you to up your sound game and give you street cred. But this also means that you would need to notify the insurer, as these changes increase the value of your car, and you would need to fork out a higher installment to cover that difference. It’s good to know that not all stereo systems are created equally, and some are designed with the layout of the bimmer interior in mind, especially the placement of the speakers. 

There are car modifications and then there are car mods, the latter alluding to something a little more extreme and underground. For those who still need to keep their insurance intact, the prior might be the better option. 

The First-Ever 2019 BMW 8 Series Convertible … the M850i xDrive Convertible

BMW has just introduced the first-ever BMW 8 Series Convertible, which joins the new BMW 8 Series Coupe in blending ultra-sporting driving dynamics with an emotional and elegant design. The soft-top, four-seat BMW M850i xDrive Convertible combines immense power and torque delivery with tenacious grip and peerless poise from the advanced chassis, luxurious comfort and state-of-the-art innovations in technology, driver assistance, and connectivity. The result, is a vehicle that delivers an impeccable four-season driving experience, with the charisma of a low-slung, aggressively styled open-top sports convertible, inviting the warming rays of the sun and the wind flowing past the cockpit to be your constant driving companions.

The launch of the first-ever BMW M850i xDrive Convertible marks the premiere of a new BMW TwinPower turbocharged V8 engine. The latest generation of the 4.4-liter eight-cylinder engine has been radically revised with numerous detailed improvements. Two twin-scroll turbochargers with charge air cooling located within the V-shaped space between the cylinder banks, high precision injection, VALVETRONIC fully variable valve control and Double-VANOS variable camshaft timing all form part of the M Performance TwinPower Turbo technology, whose extensive overhaul has given a substantial boost to maximum power, torque and efficiency.

The M850i comes with BMWs xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system which has been improved for more efficient operation. With its rapid, precise and fully variable distribution of drive torque between the front and rear wheels, it maximizes traction and handling stability not just when driving in adverse road conditions, but in performance driving situations as well. Power is split in accordance with demands at all times using an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch that is networked with the powertrain and chassis systems. This results in extremely quick and exact response to any change in the driving situation.

To increase the system’s efficiency, all of the drive torque is directed to the rear wheels in situations when all-wheel drive is not needed. The xDrive system’s rear-biased set-up guarantees a driving experience for which BMW sports cars are renowned. The fact that the all-wheel-drive system has been specifically designed for performance handling is especially noticeable in the SPORT and SPORT+ modes selected via the Driving Experience Control switch.

Standard on the M850i is Adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled dampers. Both compression and rebound are adjusted continuously and independently. This facilitates finely tuned spring and damping responses, providing the driver with only relevant information about the road surface. The extremely stiff suspension springs reduce roll tendency and allow the dampers to stabilize the wheels as much as possible, avoiding traction losses caused by bumps and ruts in the road surface. The electronically controlled dampers respond adaptively to road surface conditions and driving style in order to eliminate undesired vehicle movement. Minor road damage is comfortably filtered out and narrow bumps do not induce unwanted pitching movements.

Damping characteristics can be adjusted via the Driving Experience Control switch. SPORT and SPORT+ modes activate optimal responses for maximum handling. This is noticeably different from the comfort-oriented damper setting in ECO Pro and COMFORT modes.

Active roll stabilization is optionally available for the first-ever BMW M850i xDrive Convertible and further enhances the car’s sporty handling characteristics. Electric swivel motors on the front and rear anti-roll bars ensure fast and precise compensation for lateral forces during dynamic driving maneuvers. The system is controlled through a constant analysis of vehicle speed, lateral and longitudinal acceleration, steering wheel position, wheel and body acceleration and variation in height levels. In BMW M Performance models, active roll stabilization has an exceptionally sporty set-up and adapts to changing requirements. It optimizes agility and directional stability on turn-in and helps line the car up as neatly as possible for improved acceleration out of corners. The reduced body movement also means that fast evasive maneuvers can be executed with great assurance.

The standard specification for the new BMW M850i  contains exclusive design features and options to enhance the driving experience. In addition to multi-function seats and the M leather steering wheel, there are M pedals, M driver’s footrest and special floor mats to imbue the cabin with a distinctly sporty flair. The illuminated door sills and the display in the instrument cluster bear the BMW M Performance Automobile model badge or the M logo respectively.

The M850i xDrive Convertible is scheduled for release March 2019 with a starting price of $121,400 plus $995 destination charge.