Monthly Archives: October 2019

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The 2021 BMW M4 Convertible Is Officially in the Testing Phase

Spy photographers recently snapped some pics of the 2021 BMW M4 Convertible prototype near Munich. Even the vehicle’s heavy camouflage couldn’t disguise the evolutionary design, which resembles cues from the Concept 4.

The main attraction of this prototype is its massive grille that looks like a giant peanut. Seriously, it’s absurdly large. Adrian van Hooydonk might say the comically big grille was a purposeful part of BMW’s continual evolution — but everyone is calling BS. We’re talking 24/7 grille, people. Soon there will be nothing else — only grille.

Of course, the M4 does have some pretty attractive features (however overshadowed they might be by ). Slender headlights and a bulky front bumper flank it. A high-performance system with blue calipers backs the lightweight brakes. The shots give us a good look at the body lines, fender flares, exhaust setup and lip spoiler. The back end is tame, but the four-pipe exhaust system suggests hidden power under the hood. Plus, you can’t take your eye off the rear spoiler, which features a third brake light.

Under the hood is a 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo engine. It generates 473 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque. Or, if the Competition Package is more your style, you’ll enjoy 503 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque.

The cabin’s interior will look a lot like the 3-Series. You can expect a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster display and a 10.25-inch infotainment system. The biggest challenge is the return of the retractable soft top. While the top will reduce weight, you’ll also notice more prominent blind spots.

The Debut of the BMW Concept 4

BMW unveiled the Concept 4 at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September of this year, which previews the next-generation 4-Series. The company describes the design as an interpretation of their commitment to the magic of coupe driving.

There’s been a lot of rumors surrounding the M3 and M4. BMW has yet to release details about the powertrain. However, you can expect four- and six-cylinder motors.

Reports suggest the cars will offer rear and all-wheel drive, though it’s not clear if this feature is available for the M4 Convertible. You’ll also be able to choose between a six-speed manual and an eight-speed automatic.

Frank Van Meel, head of BMW M, claims the company will adopt a four-tier model strategy. Along with the M3 and M4 Standard and Competition guises, we’ll also see a CS and CSL version.

The Competition will offer more power than the standard version, while CS will showcase track focus and weight-saving measures. The CSL’s durable design is meant to replace old GTS models — complete with improved aerodynamics, stickier tires and less weight.

Grilles, Grilles, Grilles

Critics praise the vehicle for its low roof, sharp lines and rear deck. Honestly, the only judgments I’ve heard made about it relate to the grille. Based on spy photos and videos of the upcoming M3 and M4, the peanut-shaped feature is a definite possibility for the Concept 4.

Adrian van Hooydonk, BMW’s design chief, claims he knew the massive grille would draw backlash. Still, he’s hurt by the comments, saying the design was an attempt to turn the original kidney concept into a pair of lungs — meant to represent a horse.

Hooydonk suggests the car’s complaints come from different customer priorities around the world. The loudest criticisms hail from Europe, where drivers like sleek black designs and prefer to go unnoticed. The market, which is strongest in the U.S. and China, backs up this claim.

The Future of the 2021 BMW M4

Priced starting at $70,000, the M3 and M4 will keep facing strong competition from Audi, Lexus and Mercedes. We’ll have a better idea of what to expect from the 2021 BMW M4 when the M3 debuts next year.

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2019 Monterey Motorsports Reunion Earns its Masters

The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca may be an old event, but the scenes every August are anything but. Think more along the lines of a 15 year old Scotch rather than a Coors Light well past it’s suggested best-before date. Historic racing keeps getting bigger and bigger each year, with more events around the world as the fanbase grows and yearns for these iconic machines of yesteryear. Yes, it’s usually the same cars at each edition, but this installment had a new addition: the Masters Endurance Legends. What’s the Masters Endurance Legends? Let’s take a trip through a (relatively recent) memory lane.

All photos by Mitchell Weitzman and Daniel Blodgett

It Reminds Me Of…

The setting is Florida, early 2000s. The grid is lined up for the 12 Hours of Sebring. Up front is the Le Mans-conquering Audi R8. In GTS you have a Corvette C5-R, Saleen S7, and Ferrari 550 while GT features 996-generation Porsche 911 GT3 RSRs, BMW M3s, Ferrari 360s, and even a Panoz, too. This is the racing I grew up on, having formed the basis for my love of sports car and endurance racing. In fact, the 2005 12 Hours of Sebring holds a special place in my memory, as it was the first endurance race I ever watched.

Seeing the lineup of cars in this event gave goosebumps that made me feel like I was 12 years old again. Also, I was here at Laguna Seca in 2005 for the season-ending ALMS Monterey Sports Car Championship – I remember seeing some of these exact cars here. It was a most welcome return. Some say nostalgia is a condition, treating it like a disease. In this situation though, who cares.

The Masters series, though, extends further than just this one generation of racing cars, featuring racers from the 90s through the end of the 2000s. But the best part, and really, this is the best part: Most races at the Monterey Motorsports Reunion last the best part of 25 minutes to keep the action turning throughout the day and to get all the respective classes in. The Masters race, though? Double it. Hey, it does have endurance in the name. 45 minutes might not sound like endurance, but it’s an extra 20 minutes that you otherwise wouldn’t have. The longer i get to hear and see these cars on track, the better.

BMW In The Lead

Leading the way for the Saturday AM race was BMW legend Bill Auberlen in the mighty V12 LMR. The V12 LMR was BMWs prototype effort in the late 1990s that yielded overall victory at the 1999 24 Hours of Le Mans. Like the name suggests, it’s a V12 missile; no small-displacement turbocharging here. The wail from that sonorous mill could be heard from across the track. It was a favorite of mine in Gran Turismo, to see it take to the track with my own eyes was a fantastic sensory fulfillment.

A E92 M3 GT2, E46 M3 GTR, and E36 M3 also were part of BMWs factory efforts for the weekend, with factory drivers John Edwards and Connor De Phillipi behind the wheels of the former two. The M3 GT2, originally run by Bobby Rahal’s squad, has a flat-plane crank 4.0L V8, that sounds more akin to two smaller four-bangers at war with one another. The E46 M3 GTR, though, had a piercing, exotic wail from its own 4.0L V8, with Edwards bouncing the rev limiter at the end of the front straight each lap before nailing the brakes for the turn 2 hairpin. The E36, while lacking the specialness of the later model M3 race cars, was a joy to see on track with the highly exaggerated wide wheel arches and the smooth, almost vintage inline 6 soundtrack.

The Grammy Goes To..

Best sounding car of the group goes to that Ferrari 550 GTS, though. The raw, unfiltered, banshee of a V12 set the crowd alive. It truly makes me miss the real days of GT1, with large displacement V8s and V12s – the real bruisers. Newer, turbocharged GTE cars like the M8, Vantage, 488, and GT just can’t match the magic these older cars produced. The red livery of the 550 was most fitting as well – did you really expect it to be any other color? He spent most of the race dicing with the Audi R8, one of the most successful LMP1 cars ever. For those hoping to recreate the 2003 and 4 Le Mans battles between Corvette and Ferrari, it was a little disappointing to see the Ferrari and the lone, thundering C5.R never together racing on track.

Other exciting races? Formula 1 was back with a plethora of 70s and early 80s F1 cars. The Cosworth DFVs rang your eardrums for half an hour, but nobody was complaining at all. Seeing and hearing their splendor immediately made me want to rewatch Rush for the umpteenth time. Such fantastic machinery at a time when each car was notably different, as teams all were racing towards innovation as much as racing on the track. The ground effects-laden Lotus 91 led the pack in the ever-iconic John Player Special black and gold color scheme.

Pick Your Flavor

From there, the racing ranges from 1930s Grand Prix cars to 1950s Sports Cars worth millions of dollars, all the way to Group C/IMSA GTP cars. The latter produced a thrilling fight for the lead between the AAR Eagle MKIII and Mazda RX792, whose small, revving-to-infinity rotary faced the Eagle’s hugely boosted 4-cylinder. The Eagle was the most successful racer ever in IMSA GTP, taking 21 wins in only 27 events.

The Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Laguna Seca remains a fan favorite of Monterey Car Week. From the exciting action on track to the low entry price, it’s easy to see why. Plus, the paddock is free to walk through to see every car up close and allowing you to chat with mechanics and drivers. You can either go to a car show and simply look and gaze at classics, or, you could watch them race instead. Or you can go to them all, that’s what most do.

I love cars, but I love racing even more, and getting the chance year after year to see some of the most storied cars lap one of the world’s greatest circuits is the gift that keeps on giving. And this year, it only got better, thanks to the inclusion of that aforementioned new class. My hope is that the class only expands, basically to the point of being an exact recreation of that initial 12 Hours of Sebring I watched as a kid. I think I’m going to have to go play some Gran Turismo now…

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4 Tips for Starting a Used Car Dealership

The passion for starting your own business is something that many people can relate to. Being the boss over something you’re passionate about that helps your community is invigorating.

If you have a passion for BMWs and the desire to start and run a successful business, you should consider starting a used car dealership. Channel your passion into your full-time job and develop your skills as a business owner at the same time.

Read on to learn five essential tips for starting a used car dealership. With the right knowledge and preparation, you’ll shift into the role of a business owner without any bumps in the road.

1. Set Up Your First Steps

The first steps to starting your used car business may seem obvious, but don’t let them get overlooked. First, you’ll need to choose a location for your business. This may be where you live or in a separate city.

Look around a few areas to see what land is for sale or if there are any businesses that are closing. Compare the costs of starting with a couple of fresh acres or using an existing building.

Next, you’ll have to choose a name for your dealership. This may need to follow guidelines provided by BMW, so reach out to a corporate representative to talk further about the specifics. They may have a procedure set in place to help new dealership owners.

After you’ve chosen your dealership’s name, you’ll need to secure a domain name that will be your business’ permanent web address. Be aware that there are upfront fees to claiming the domain name, even if you don’t immediately start building the website. You may also have to pay a yearly fee to maintain ownership of your domain, depending on which company you register with.

Last, you’ll have to think of the logistics. What is your target market? Think of the age range of the people in the area where you’ll set up your dealership. Who is already there and would want a BMW and who do you want to win over? Start with your practical market and make a plan that will grow your business from there.

Don’t worry if this all sounds like a new language to you. Take these steps slowly to get used to the process. You can also consider taking a few business classes or earning a diploma to make you a more successful business manager.

2. Determine Your Breakeven Point

That will help you figure out the initial costs of starting your business and compare it to when you’ll break even. The average used car dealership sells 87 cars per month, but it’s safe to bet that your dealership will sell a little less to nearly equal the amount per month in your first year. You’ll need time to market your business and make it a familiar place that people are willing to trust.

Be prepared for your dealership to not break even the first month. As time goes on, you’ll see a gradual return on your initial investment. Talk with a CPA or calculate your breakeven point to determine what numbers you need to pull to make your first profit.

3. Get Your Business in Order

Before you start construction or open your front doors, you’ll need to obtain a dealer’s business license to legally make a profit off of selling cars that aren’t titled in your name. Your local DMV will help you figure out how to get this license where you live. You’ll have to meet certain requirements, which may include things like:

  • Providing proof of business insurance
  • Passing a background check
  • Registering your business
  • Signing up for a pre-licensing seminar

You should also apply for an Employer ID, also known as a Federal Tax Identification number. It’s how the IRS recognizes your dealership as a business and processes your taxes accordingly. The good news is that it’s free to apply and once you’re approved, you’ll get that number immediately.

After you have your Employer ID, you can register for taxes with a local CPA. They’ll fill you in on any other loose ends that need to be tied up in order for you to be compliant with tax laws. Discuss whether or not your business should be a Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) or an S corporation (S Corp), which may provide better tax breaks depending on where you live.

The next local office you’ll have to call is your city’s business license department. Talk about how you should get your business license and contact the city’s zoning department to double-check that the land you’ll use for your dealership is zoned for that purpose.

It’s crucial to then get the insurance your dealership will need to succeed. You’ll need comprehensive general liability insurance to sign your eventual lease and any client contracts. It’s also what will protect you from lawsuits related to customer injuries or damages.

Once you have everything lined up, open a business bank account specifically for your dealership. This will make filing your taxes and reporting your income much simpler. Stick with the bank you trust for your personal finances or ask around to see which banks offer a better solution to your needs.

4. Review the Law

One of the most important things you can do for your used car dealership is review the laws that your business must abide by. Specifically, used car dealerships of any brand fall under the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC’s) Used Car Rule. It states that any car dealers who move five cars or more off the lot each year have to follow each guideline and regulation in order to remain open.

Use care dealerships also have to maintain and display the Buyer’s Guide, as explained in the Used Car Rule. The guide explains any warranties attached to the car and where to get information on possible future recalls.

If your dealership does not comply with either of these laws, it’s liable for large fines that meet or exceed $43,000. Check your state laws to see if your state is the one to reinforce these laws and if they have any additional rules you should be aware of as the dealership owner.

Ask for Help

Starting any kind of used car dealership isn’t something you can do overnight. There may be steps that are new to you, but don’t feel like you have to do everything alone. BMW representatives, your CPA and your state offices are there to help with any questions you may have. Asking for help along the way will help your dealership open up sooner and stay on the path to success.