Tag Archives: BMW

DIY

How to Put a Bike Rack on Your BMW

Riding a bicycle can be a great way to get some low-impact exercise, which is perfect if you want to get active but your knees or ankles just won’t let you start running. Unfortunately, if you don’t live in an area that is surrounded by trails, you might find yourself leaving the bike in the garage if it doesn’t fit into your car. The best solution is to put a bike rack on your vehicle — a task you can do yourself, even if you drive something like a BMW. 

If you want to get more out of your bike, here are a few tips and tricks to help you install a bike rack on your car.

Types of Bike Racks

The first thing you need to decide is what style of bike rack you want. This will depend on a lot of different variables, from the type of bicycle you own to the kind of BMW you drive. 

You may find more specific options depending on the make and model of your BMW, but in general, you’re going to have four options to choose from: 

  • Roof-mount racks that attach to crossbars on top of your vehicle
  • Hitch-mount racks that attach to an existing trailer hitch
  • Trunk-mount racks that don’t need a lot of extra equipment to install
  • Interior or truckbed-mounted racks that allow you to transport your bike securely inside your vehicle or in the bed of your truck

Now that you know what types of racks are out there, let’s look at how to install each of them. 

Installing a Roof Rack

If your BMW already has a roof rack or crossbar, you won’t have to do a lot of work. Most bike racks that attach to the roof are designed to work with existing equipment. 

If you drive a sedan or another BMW that doesn’t come equipped with a roof rack, you can opt to have one installed by the dealership or you can attach one yourself. The only difference between the two is that factory-installed bike racks are screwed into the car’s frame, while aftermarket ones tend to just be pinched down. Both are capable of safely transporting your bike. The only time a factory-installed rack might be more convenient is if you’re purchasing a new BMW and you’ve got the option to add it on.

Installing a Hitch Rack

If you want the easiest installation possible and you have a BMW with a trailer hitch, then look no further than a hitch rack. The hardest part of installing this type of bike rack is figuring out which model will fit your bicycles. Once you bring it home, all you have to do is assemble it and hook it into your trailer hitch.  

Installing an Interior Rack

If you drive a larger vehicle, like an SUV or a minivan, you might want to opt for an interior rack. These versions bolt to the cargo area of your car or in the bed of a pickup. These racks work by securing the bicycle via a bolt through the front fork. This means you have to take the front tire off to attach the bike to these racks.  

If you drive an older BMW X3, it comes with an interior bike rack as standard equipment. BMW premiered this in 2003, and it’s just as handy today as it was then.

Installing a Strap-on Trunk Rack

If you don’t want to drill holes into your BMW, you can still hook a bike rack up to your car. These attach by wrapping straps around the top and sides of your trunk. Once you tighten these down, they support the bike rack and any bicycles you hook to it.  

If you’re looking for something a little more secure, opt for a model that uses straps that all meet together inside your trunk. They’re harder to remove, but that means it’s less likely that someone is going to walk off with your bike. 

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask For Help

If you don’t trust your mechanical skills or are worried you might mess something up, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Getting a bike rack installed is an inexpensive and easy way to take your bicycle with you everywhere, no matter what you’re driving.

Information

The History of BMW in America

BMW is one of the most well known German automotive manufacturers in the world. The brand has been around since the early 1900s, tracing its lineage back to 1916, though it didn’t release its first motorcycle until 1923 and its first car until 1928. While most recognize the logo when they see it, when did this iconic brand make its way across the pond to America? 

Let’s take a look at the history of BMW in the United States and where it might go in the future. 

1956 — Introducing BMW to the U.S.

BMW first started selling its cars in the United States in 1956. At the time, however, if you wanted to bring home a piece of this German engineering, you had to have it shipped from overseas. Still, that didn’t stop dedicated BMW fans from seeking out models like the Isetta 300 Motocoupe from Europe.

An Austrian-born car dealer named Max Hoffman bought the rights to sell BMWs and other imported cars in the U.S. in 1954, though it didn’t do him much good until 1962 when the 02 Series started to become popular. BMWs have been a significant part of American automotive history since then, but that was where the story started, not where it ended. 

1975 — The First U.S.-Based Dealership

1975 was one of the most significant years for BMW in the U.S., as it marked the opening of the brand’s first dealership on this side of the pond after buying back the distribution rights from Hoffman. While its first entrants into the automotive market weren’t well-received — especially when overshadowed by the oil crisis of the early 1970s — once the brand started getting its foot in the door, it took off with a vengeance. 

The 1982 E30 was one of the brand’s biggest successes to date, and that growth led them to make another massive decision a decade later.

1994 — Manufactured in the U.S.

In 1994, BMW opened a manufacturing plant in Greer, South Carolina, making it the brand’s first factory in the United States. In 2016, BMW was the 12th highest-selling vehicle in the States, primarily due to the number of cars it was capable of assembling domestically. Today, the Spartanburg plant produces half a dozen models, including the X3, X4, X5, X6 and X7 SUVs, and is capable of completing more than 1,500 vehicles every single day.

The Future of BMW in America

BMW is one stalwart brand that is always changing and evolving with the times. 

While it might be too early to tell where the future of this company lies, one thing is certain — the U.S. automotive market would be a vastly different place if a single car salesman named Max Hoffman hadn’t purchased BMW’s distribution rights back in the 1950s. He was the man who showed us what BMW was and what it could be. While people may not have flocked to earlier models in decades past, these cars might not have made it to America otherwise. 

Editorial

BMW vs. Mustang GT

When you’re comparing sports cars, you might not think to put the BMW and Mustang in the same class, but if you’re talking about the Mustang GT and the BMW M4, you might be surprised how well these two models stack up against one another. Let’s look at these two magnificent pieces of automotive engineering and see how they compare to one another. Plus, we’ll discover which one might take the crown when we put them head to head.

Specs on Paper

When you look at the specs of these two cars on paper, they line up reasonably well. The Mustang GT possesses the classic 5.0L V8 engine that can crank out 460 horsepower, while the BMW M4 has a twin-turbo 3.0L V6 engine under the hood. Despite being two cylinders smaller, the BMW’s engine produces 444 horsepower, putting it in the same ballpark as the GT. 

The GT’s package upgrades don’t focus on the powertrain. Instead, the improvements focus on giving the car better aerodynamics and creating the smoothest ride possible with upgraded suspension and sticky summer tires that help it grab the road. Of course, the BMW also has super sticky tires, but the Mustang is definitely a bit more aggressive in that stance. 

BMW Sticker Shock

For two cars that line up relatively well when you look at their specs, the biggest difference between the two is their prices. You can bring home a 2020 Ford Mustang GT at prices starting at $35,630. A 2020 BMW M4 will start at $69,150, nearly twice the Mustang’s expense. Why is there such a big difference between the two amounts? You have to consider — are you just paying for the BMW brand name with the more expensive choice?

Giving the Car Its Voice

One of the most significant differences between the M4 and the Mustang GT is the car’s voice — the throaty roar you expect to hear when you put the pedal to the metal. Both vehicles have adjustable exhausts so you can customize how noisy they are. Put it in quiet mode when you’re home so you don’t disturb the neighbors, and open it up when you’re on the highway so you can really hear it roar. 

The BMW lacks soul when it comes to exhaust sounds. Even in track mode, the BMW sounds more like a tractor than a sports car. The Mustang, on the other hand, is everything you’d expect from a sports car. It can be a little much when you’re driving to the grocery store, but if you’re on the track, open up the exhaust and enjoy that iconic 5.0 roar. 

Which One Is Better?

Other than a $40,000 price difference, is there that much of a difference between the M4 and the Mustang GT? The M4 is a little bit faster out of the gate, but for purists, the Mustang GT comes with a manual transmission option — which isn’t available on the BMW. As to which one is better, that is entirely up to you. Both cars will be a joy on the street and the track, but we’d still take the BMW.