This is the Last BMW M3 Coupe

As BMW gears up for 4 Series production, the final M3 Coupe has just rolled off the production line.

Don’t be too sad, but for the record, there will never be another BMW called the M3 Coupe. While the M3 Sedan will still very much remain in existence, its two-door counterpart is finished. Finito. Fortunately, the new M4 Coupe is just around the corner and will replace the outgoing M3. You see, BMW is revising its model naming strategy with the 3 Series lineup, calling the coupe variant the 4 Series. How clever. And now the outgoing BMW M3 is wrapping up production, with the final M3 Coupe just having rolled off the production line.

And it’s orange. To commemorate the M3 Coupe throughout its history, BMW has made note that since it first launched the first M3 Coupe in 1986, more than 40,000 examples have been built. The sedan and convertible didn’t come until after the original M3 Coupe debuted. Also take note that the E90/92/93 M3 lineup will be the last to have a V8 under the hood; the new M3/M4 will likely be powered by a twin-turbo inline-six. For now, details about the next M3/M4 are still not official, and BMW says that production of the current M3 convertible will keep going until September.

Source: http://autocarsweek.info/bmw/this-is-the-last-bmw-m3-coupe.html

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BMW's Colorful X1 Concept K2 Powder Ride Slides into the LA Auto Show

Among the less important/interesting world premieres of the LA Auto Show, is the BMW Concept K2 Powder Ride, which was created in partnership with winter sports equipment supplier K2.

What we have here is a cosmetically modified version of BMW revamped X1 compact crossover, supposedly designed for cold weather sports enthusiasts.

Besides the unique paintwork of the body that comes complete with a fox graphic on the sides, the study is equipped with roof rails housing a ski box, door sill strips, a snowboard bag, all-weather floor mats, roof mounted Harman Kardon sound system, ambient lighting, 19-inch alloy wheels and an 8mm (0.3 inches) taller suspension setup.

A less dramatic looking version of the K2 named the X1 Power Ride Edition was also presented in LA and will be offered exclusively for sale in the U.S. this winter.

 

PHOTO GALLERY

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This BMW 3-Series E30 Runs on a Ford-Sourced 302 V8

BMW's first ever 3-Series sedan model, the E30, remains a fairly popular choice among enthusiasts of the brand with the blue and white roundel, but finding a pristine example is becoming more and more difficult as the years roll by.

It’s not unusual for owners of E30s that have been around the block one time too many toswap the model's factory inline-four and six-cylinder engines with different powerplants, often from other brands.

The person selling this 1987 BMW 325e sedan from Columbus, Georgia, ditched the car's original 2.7-liter straight-six (not to be confused with the 325i that had a 2.5-liter unit) and squeezed a 302 cubic inch (5.0-liter) V8 sourced from a 1997 Mercury Mounaineer with approximately 110k miles (177,000 kilometers) under its hood.

Along with a few more modifications, the owner says that the V8 should give around 260-280 rear-wheel horsepower and more than 300lb-ft (406Nm) of peak torque.

The Ford-powered bimmer also gets a Tremec 1350 5-Speed manual gearbox, a limited slip differential and many other upgrades. The 'Buy it Now' price on ebay is $4,500 (€3,530 at today's rates).

If you scroll down, you will find a string of pictures and an excerpt of the seller's description of the car.

[From eBay Seller's Description]"This is a rare chance to buy an engine-swapped car for less than the cost of the conversion, without all the hard work! I've spent the past year and a half working on this car, I've got it running and finished, and I've lost interest in it. So my loss is your gain as they say."

"So, how does it run? Well, it is extremely fast, light, nimble, loud, and raw, as it should be. It scares little old women, and turns heads everywhere as people give me confused looks. It's a fun toy! I've had it out on the road a little bit, but it hasn't seen too much use as I just don't have time for it. I've been working on the car for a year and a half, and for the last several months sorting all the issues, and quite frankly I'm burnt out on it and car projects in general. I have lost interest in it and don't have a lot of time to play with it anymore."

"If you wanted to make a track/drift car, it's a perfect starting point. If you want a daily driver it just needs some TLC and finishing touches. Car comes with a second set of wheels/tires which are from a Miata. They fit but need spacers and aren't hubcentric."

 

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