BMW may have the words “motor works” in their name, but no motor is impervious to damage. Many BMW fans prefer to keep older cars in their garage for the nostalgia and tactile driving experience they deliver. However, as cars age, they become more susceptible to breakdowns. One part that could break on older or higher mileage cars is the head gasket.
Head gasket failure is one of the most ominous issues that car owners deal with, but it doesn’t have to result in a totaled car. If you know what signs to look for to identify a leaking or blown gasket in your BMW, you can take steps to fix the problem before your situation becomes dangerous.
Here are a few signs to look for and some steps you can take to solve the problem.
Warning. This does contain an obligatory video of arousing exhaust noises.
Now, can you believe that the M2, the self-proclaimed savior of driving fun, has been out for over a year? Me neither. And yet dealer’s are still asking sticker or more. It was also only a matter of time before the Munich suits decided what was needed is a limited edition version of an already highly limited car. For more money, of course!
So what’s this new M2 Performance Edition all about? It takes the already highly impressive M2, takes some stuff out, and puts some extras in. Let’s go positives first, with what is gained: Trick, tire-hugging coilover suspension, an attractive and especially throaty exhaust with a switchable track mode, black accents on the mirrors, kidney grills and the fake side vent looking thing behind the front wheel. Lastly, it includes the M Driver’s Package, which gets you a day at a high-performance driving school, as well as raising top speed to 168, as if 155 isn’t enough.
Now let’s go to what you lose: Power seats, dual zone A/C, comfort access keyless entry, and a standard stereo instead of the upgraded Harman Kardon unit. Alpine White is the only color offered.
Only 150 will be available, made clear by a LED door projector that displays the fact loud and clear. All this bumps up the price to $61,695.
So is it worth it? Depends on what you’re looking for in an M2. Having only ridden in it, the suspension is on the stiff side of things, but the way it hugs the taut body right over the 19″ wheels is glorious. The standard exhaust on an M2 is already quite good, but this sounds like it should be jumping over Pflanzgarten at the Nurburgring. Included is a handheld remote switch that looks like it’s for detonating plastic explosives. Well, in a way it does, as it’s what sets said sexy exhaust into a track, or loud mode.
I could personally make do with manual seats, how often do you really change your seating position anyways? The lack of proximity sensing comfort access is a bit less convenient, but the single zone climate control, well, I dislike having to adjust both sides as it is, so that’s a win for me. Stereo downgrade? Not really, you got a stereo playing out four bazooka tailpipes out back already.
Thing is, you could get a base M2 and then upgrade it, with Dinan parts or such for the same money, especially if you want the gorgeous Long Beach Blue color which isn’t on offer here. So here’s the deal with it. I wouldn’t wait for one as there’s only 150 and only a few left available I bet, but if you’re looking for an M2 and this is what your dealer has, you probably don’t have much of a choice. The exhaust alone will sell this car.
The M2 Performance Edition pictured is currently available at BMW of Roseville.
We’ve all done it. Browsing BMW’s own accessories catalog for cool apparel, that is. Face it, you love your BMW(‘s), and as a result you want the world to know it. Yes, everyone knows it when they see you in your said steed, but you got to dress the part too. And no, I don’t mean like Jeremy Clarkson as seen above or Alex Kersten of Car Throttle in hilarious copycat fashion here. But, BMW’s own apparel line isn’t exactly what one would call cheap. Think of it this way, if you can afford a new BMW, then you can also afford their new tees and polos.
So what I have here are some choice selections from a couple vendor’s and artists, as an alternative, read- cooler ways of showing your love of the brand from Bavaria.
