BMWFanatics

BMWFanatics GP - CARFINATED V2.0 2024☕☕☕​

Howzit Fanatics!!!

Join your fellow BMWFanatics Members for a meet with clean cars, coffee and awesome company!

Deets:

Date : Sunday, 20th October
Time : 8.30am
Venue : Makana Coffee (PoloFields Shopping Center, Waterfall Midrand)

A Convoy from the south will meet at BP oasis ROBERTSHAM/ Goldreef City @7.30am and Depart @8.00am sharp.
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❌ NO SPINNING
❌ NO REVVING
❌ NO LOUD MUSIC
❌ NO ALCOHOL
⭕️AS PER CENTER MANAGEMENT RULES! Failure to comply will result in the event being cancelled & cars escorted out of the premises⭕️

Looking forward to seeing you all there!!!🙌

BMWFANATICS KZN - CARFINATED 2024
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Hey, KZN Fanatics!!!! It's time to get those Bavarian beasts out of the garage and onto the roads🛣

BMWFanatics KZN is back and proud to announce the Carfinated Wash and Meet🥳

We'll gather at Total Petroport North on the N2, and head to the Engen Garage Mt.Edgecombe for a coffee and car wash☕️🚗

Bring your friends and family for this catch up! Things are warming up, and KZN's events will be too! Watch this space😉

⚪🔵☕ Complimentary coffee for the driver of each vehicle at the Engen Garage. Redeem with code *bmwkznfan* ☕🔵⚪

Deets:

🗓️ Date : Sunday, 20th October 2024

📍 Location : Meet at Total Petroport North, and drive to Mt. Edgecombe Engen Garage (Old Mill)

🕐 Time : Meet at 15:00 - Drive at 15:30

CAR-FINATED™️ BY BMWFanatics.co.za HAS RETURNED!!!
THIS TIME FOR A SAUBER TECHNIK NIGHTWASH!
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Join some like-minded BMW Enthusiasts for a chill session. Get some coffee and get your car washed at Sauber Tech HQ, the best in the biz!!!

Deets:
When: Saturday, 10th August
Where: Sauber Technik HQ (Chartwell Corner Shopping Center - Gateside Ave, Dainfern)
Time: 18:00 Till Late (Car wash closes at 20:30)

❌️ NO SPINNING
❌️ NO REVVING
❌️ NO ALCOHOL
❌️ NO LOUD MUSIC

With the success of Dyno Day, let's keep the momentum going and make this event just as big!!! Hope to see all Fanatics there!🤙

LESS IS ///MORE!

Refreshed for the 2025 model year, the G82 & 83-generation BMW M4 will get a few small changes in the new year.
A slight facelift and a bump in power are on the cards for the silhouette, while BMW is still holding strong to its classic configuration "for maximum driver involvement", as the 6MT remains in the line-up!



The base M4 still comes equipped with a 353kW version of the S58 engine, mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, and rear-drive.
The Competiton RWD versions also remain unchanged, retaining the 8AT and 375kW. While the Competition xDrive models, (Coupe & Vert) both benefit from a decent 15kW bump in power over the pre-LCI, making a total power output of 390kW! Offering a bit more "bang for buck".
Regrettably, BMW S.A have, for some time now, opted to bring only the Competition xDrive models into the country, as the lowest trim level on offer.
Thus, a base M4 with 6MT cannot be had... But who knows, one could possibly enquire for a special order???



As this is an LCI after all, most of the changes came through in the aesthetics department.
Both headlights and taillights get fresh designs for 2025 - with the front changing to a chevron-shaped DRL, moving away from the 3/4 DTM-style which we've all been accustomed to. And the rear now utilizing laser diode technology, lifted from the limited edition M4 CSL.
Also on offer are optional 825M staggered wheels, rendered in a monotone bright silver finish.



As we move to the cabin, you'll find a new flat-bottomed steering wheel with redesigned spokes.
Every M4 is now outfitted with the 12.3" digital gauge cluster, but it's the 14.9" touchscreen infotainment system that gets an upgrade, to iDrive 8.5. BMW’s latest software version featuring M-specific graphics and content, it also includes updated climate control, and an easier interface to navigate different functions.



The refreshed M4 launches globally in March 2024.
No info has surfaced regarding pricing for the S.A market yet. However, U.S pricing is expected to increase by at least 5% on the base price of every trim level. Which suggests around a (conservative) R100k bump for the S.A model offerings.​

MAKING A BOLD STATEMENT​

The all-new U10 X2 and iX2 were officially revealed to the world 2 weeks ago, after much anticipation. Riding on the new-gen BMW UKL2 platform, the new X2 gets a more distinctive and sportier look, significantly larger dimensions and is tech'ed up to the 9's...

With the launch for the S.A market set for Q2 of 2024, the U10 represents a definitive leap forward for the silhouette in the BMW model range. It is also the first vehicle introduced under the concept of a Sports Activity Coupé (SAC), for the premium compact segment.

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BMW has also announced an all-electric, iX2 version (pictured below), for the first time. Featuring a twin-motor drivetrain that offers 230kW and 474Nm, but (hate to burst your bubble) this won’t be available in South Africa.

Instead, however; S.A will receive two petrol-powered derivatives, being:
The M35i xDrive "M Performance" model (pictured above) - Powered by a 2lt Twin-Power I4 motor. Good for 233kW of Power and 450Nm of Torque - also making this the most powerful I4 M Performance car BMW has ever made. And will get you to the magical 100km/h mark in just under 5.5 sec.
And
The entry-level sDrive18i - no info on the specs side yet but we can expect similar figures to the X1. Powered by a 1.5lt Twin-Power I3 motor, with 115kW of Power and 230Nm of Torque.
Both derivatives will be mated to a 7-speed Steptronic Transmission with Double-clutch.

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Now let's talk looks...
The new X2 went through a full shape redesign and shares absolutely no resemblance with its predecessor, the F39 - which was (if we're being honest) more of a cross-over 1 series, than an SUV. The biggest talking point of the redesign would be... that roofline! BMW have gone in the direction of a "coupé-shaped" exterior rather, and I think they've nailed it!

In terms of dimensions, the new BMW X2 is 194mm longer than its predecessor, as well as 21mm wider and 64mm taller, while sharing its 2 692mm wheelbase with the latest X1.
Taking after the X6 LCI, upfront the new X2 features chevron-shaped DRLs, hexagonal kidney grilles (which can be optionally specified with BMW's Iconic Glow), and a sportier front bumper with widened air dams.
Moving to the side, we have a set of M-style mirrors (for the M35i) and all-new wheel packages. Buyers can look forward to bigger wheels, ranging from 18 to 21 inches in diameter.
At the back, you'll find a much chunkier rear apron. While the M35i will have a unique design package that includes two pairs of tailpieces integrated into the diffuser and a gurney-style spoiler. All isn't lost for the sDrive18i though, as the M Sport package will be fitted as standard to all South African models.

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Inside is where the Tech journey begins...
The cockpit features BMW's Curved Display with iDrive 9.0, hexagonal and checkered aluminium and carbon fibre trims, and a “floating” armrest with an integrated control panel between the 2 front seats - Sports seats will be optional, but BMW says the standard front seats are “newly developed” and available in various upholstery finishes.
The new X2 will also boast items such as 2-zone automatic climate control, BMW Maps nav system, leather trim for the sports steering wheel, a powered tailgate and as many as 4 USB-C ports. Ofcourse, various equipment packages will also be on offer, along with individual options, such as a panoramic glass sunroof and an electrically operated tow hitch.
BMW also claims there is more passenger room inside and extra luggage space too, owing to the extended wheelbase and widened track.

With the previous X2 doing dismally in sales and somewhat in design too, I believe the new X2 will usher in a new era for this silhouette. As it cements itself as a proper contender in the premium compact SUV segment.

Let's hear your thoughts....💬💬💬

[SOURCE: BMW AG & IOL]

SUBTLE SOPHISTICATION + BRUTE FORCE

With the reveal of the all new B5 GT variants, Alpina have decided to treat us to a few gems they have locked up in their "closet". Also, a fitting way to kick off the Throwback Series, with a near showroom-fresh B10 Bi-Turbo!

Using the E34 535i platform as their base, Alpina took this unassuming family sedan to new heights by mating a set of Garret Turbos to the already powerful (for its time) 3.5lt I6 M30 engine. They didn't stop there however, Alpina did away with the stock pistons and threw in a set of forged units from Mahle. Also adding in a Bosch variable boost controller which can be controlled directly from the driver's seat. Giving you between 0.4 - 0.8 bar worth of adjustment.

This bumped the power & torque from a respectable 155kW & 305Nm, to a whopping 265kW & 520Nm. All these touches culminated in the B10 Bi-Turbo being crowned fastest production saloon car in the world, the year it was introduced. Doing the 100km/h dash in a blistering 5.6 sec and accelerating all the way to a claimed top speed of 290km/h. No simple feat when you consider this was over 30 years ago!



As this is a Sports Saloon, it should handle like one, right? Alpina went straight to work modifying the suspension to give the B10 Bi-Turbo a much sportier feel. This included Alpina-specific springs and anti-roll bars. Bilstein shocks were swopped at the front, and auto-load levelling units by Fichtel & Sachs were used at the rear, to give it that winning stance.
Other exterior modifications included: a front chin splitter, new boot wing and signature (now cult classic) Alpina wheel package. Finishing off with Alpina pin-striping and badging.

Only 507 examples of the B10 Bi-Turbo were ever produced, at a price which was double that of a stock E34. But (IMO) worth every penny - as till this day, it remains one of the most desirable Sports Saloons ever made (not just in the BMW stable).

Would this be the ultimate classic saloon for you? Tell us more in the 💬💬... AND if you'd like to see more of the Throwback Series😉...

[SOURCE: BMWBLOG]

THE GT YOU DIDNT THINK YOU'D WANT

For those who haven't heard of the Alpha-N name, they're a BMW tuning company based in Rheinbach, Germany.

A name you may have heard though, is Brabham Racing, one of the most successful British racing teams in Formula 1! Alpha-N was formed from the ashes of the defunct F1 team - headed by former employees, Alexander Zilliger and Markus Gutjahr.

Putting their years of expertise in F1 to good use, Alpha-N's vehicles are created according to superior quality standards and produced by using advanced technology. Development programs designed for the automotive industry and Formula One manufacturing procedures are utilized.
Their core focus has been sportscar construction, composites, prototype construction, tuning and motorsport. Some of their most notable work being the development and construction of the Veritas RS3 sportscar, powered by an S85!

Alpha-N's latest canvas however, is the polarizing G87 M2. Nicknamed the M2 GT, the kit represents a more extreme version of their "CSL" kit for the G87.
Combining design elements of BMW's great E36 M3 GT, Class III, with their own design ideas.



The Alpha-N M2 GT kit consists of the following carbon-composite parts:

ALPHA-N Carbon front spoiler CLASS III with adjustable splitter
ALPHA-N Carbon Grill
ALPHA-N Carbon hood with insert
ALPHA-N Carbon Fender with Vent and Blade Variant 4
ALPHA-N Carbon rear wing CLASS III
ALPHA-N Carbon Gurneys (Available end of 2023)
ALPHA-N Carbon Diffusor
ALPHA-N Carbon Underbody
ALPHA-N Carbon Engine Cover
ALPHA-N Carbon Brake Ducts
Additional:
Öhlins Road & Track coilover suspension with adjustable strut bearings
Edelweiss wheel set 20/20 or 20/21 color champagne
CanChecked additional display

Pricing for the kit isn't available yet. But with the quality of materials being used, we can expect it to be eyewateringly expensive.

That being said, I believe the Alpha-N kit (including the less extreme CSL version) makes a massive difference to the appeal of the new M2!

Let's hear your thoughts 💬💬....

ONE ELEGANT BREADVAN

Revealed at the 2023 Villa d'Este Concorso d'Eleganza last week, the BMW Concept Touring Coupé is a Z4-based shooting-brake.

With it's seamless rear bodywork (the money shot IMO🤑) and completely stock Z4 Roadster underpinnings, this one-off was created by Superstile, the same Turin-based prototype coachbuilder who helped BMW with the recreation of Marcello Gandini's lost Bertone Garmisch concept. Once the Italians agreed the shooting brake was actually possible and happy to begin design, a fully working prototype was scheduled to be finished for this May.

The idea for a Z4 coupé has actually been in the drawer since the current-generation roadster’s inception. BMW's design chief Adrian van Hooydonk told media that Designworks’ hardtop sketch had been filed under the “to be looked at at a later date'' folder for years, but was never forgotten by him. In fact, BMW even produced a full-size foam model of the coupé variant. But the idea was ultimately shelved... until now.



BMW is currently pondering a 50-unit limited production version of the Concept Touring Coupé. Which would mark the official return of the Clown Shoe!
If it does get built however, it will cost upwards of $250 000 (CRIES IN POOOOR), catering to a very niche market. And will still be powered by the 3.0lt turbocharged I6 B58 - but producing 400hp! Which is a fair bit more than the regular Z4 M40i’s 335hp.
BMW now offers a manual in the Z4, "So you could combine these ingredients into a very nice driving car” - says Adrian van Hooydonk.

There are already a number of people who would like to put their money down for a Touring Coupé, immediately. And we'd all love to see this one go into production. Personally, I don't think I've been this enthralled by a BMW Concept since the F8x. But let's face facts, we have to keep in mind that the Z4 Roadster has already been in production for 4 years. Add the insanely inflated estimated cost and problematic scheduling to the picture, and it’s starting to look more and more unlikely for this stunning Z4 coupé to ever make an official debut...

What are your thoughts on the Concept Touring Coupé?? Have BMW done the "clown shoe" name justice? 💬💬

[SOURCE: BMW AG, ROAD & TRACK]

COMPETITION, SPORT, LIGHT(ER)WEIGHT

DarwinPRO Aero prides itself on creating functional and aesthetically pleasing modular body kits & wide-body kits for high-end cars - taking your bland stock car to the next level and making it elite.

While Exotics has been their core focus over the years, they also dabble in the Luxury / Sports car market, down to the Tuner car market as well.

With the G8x being the "new kid on the block", it was only a matter of time before DarwinPRO put forward their offering for the platform.
And what a model they've chosen! The Limited-Edition BMW M4 CSL takes centre stage, featuring an (almost) fully exposed Carbon Fibre kit.

The kit consists of (replacement):
Front Bumper + Canards
Widened Front Fenders
Vented Hood, with Display Window
Side Skirts
Rear Bumper, with Diffuser
Boot Lid
Boot Wing
and
Exhaust Tips

Additional: Widened Rear Over-Fenders



According to DarwinPRO, along with weight savings, this aero kit is fully functional and provides real-world downforce gains, for a superior driving experience. And menacing looks, that are unmatched!

What are your thoughts on DarwinPRO's offering for the G8x platform??...💬💬

THE MOST POWERFUL ALPINA AUTOMOBILE EVER

ALPINA will bid farewell to the current-gen 5 Series with its 2023 B5 GT Limited Ed – an even more powerful version of its tuned super-sedan, the B5, that surpasses even the fastest M5s in terms of speed. This is our first look at the production version and is one of the first dealer delivered cars, finished in Arctic Race Blue.

Available in both Sedan and Touring body styles, the ALPINA B5 GT will be limited to only 250 units per silhouette, retaining its exclusivity as a performance brand for the discerning customer.



Under the bonnet is a tweaked 4.4lt Twin-Turbo V8, producing 466 kW of power and 850 Nm of torque, putting it just 1 kW under the hard-hitting M5 CS. This also makes it the most powerful engine piloting any ALPINA automobile, to date.
ALPINA has achieved this by updating the intake system with flow-optimised air intake ducts, exhaust silencer reconfig and an engine software retune. The B5 GT has also been treated to a launch control update.



With all the added grunt + Xdrive, the B5 GT Sedan will sprint off the line to 100km/h in a mere 3.4 sec. While the Touring will take an extra 2-tenths, at 3.6 sec.
Keeping your foot planted on the loud pedal will take you all the way to a claimed top speed of 330km/h in the Sedan, and 322km/h in the Touring. The M5 CS however will only manage 305km/h due to it's electronic limiter (and wanting to keep your Motorplan🙃).

In addition to all the go-fast bits, the B5 GT has better handling thanks to optimised roll support on the rear axles and a dome-bulkhead-strut for front-end stability, as well as a lower ride height that reduces the centre of gravity in the Touring.

From an aesthetics point (while also functional), ALPINA have introduced a few aerodynamic changes, including dive planes and front splitters on the front lip for improved downforce. A boot lip lifted from the B5, as well as an aggressive diffuser, both finished in body colour. The B5 GT also features a sports exhaust system equipped with a newly developed middle silencer for a better soundtrack. The exhaust tips are coated with titanium nitride and have a subtle black finish.
The B5 GT sits on ALPINA's latest version of their classic forged wheels in 20", keeping the exterior as classy as possible.



The interior is indistinguishable from the stock B5, as ALPINA has always gone to great lengths to make the interiors of all their cars plush and welcoming. The B5 GT is no exception here, being treated to the same quality interior and trim updates as the B5, including Nappa leather upholstery in several colours, with embroidered B5 GT lettering across the headrests and floor mats, as well as a heated steering wheel with aluminium paddle shifters, and Walnut Anthracite fine-wood trim throughout the cabin.
A full-leather Merino interior is optional, or buyers can choose a bespoke naturally tanned Lavalina leather interior created exclusively by ALPINA’s in-house saddlery. This option will only be available in limited numbers. The bespoke upholstery option also includes sports seats with flared side bolsters, finished in Black Dakota leather with Black Alcantara seat centres and blue accents.



It's worth mentioning that ALPINA has confirmed German pricing for the B5 GT, with the sedan priced at €145 500 and the Touring priced at €148 500, a few options (including the bespoke upholstery) will push this way past the €165 000 mark. Which, after doing some sums (excl. taxes), is an astronomical R3.2m😶 - still cheaper than the M5 CS though.

Given an unlimited budget, which would you have? 💬💬💬

[SOURCE: ALPINA CARS, BMWBLOG]