June 26, 2007

[Redwood]

-Video: Fifth Gear reviews the 414hp Vauxhaull VXR8 (http://www.motorauthority.com/news/videos/video-vauxhall-vxr8-review/)
-First drive: 412hp HSV Grange aka 2010 Impala SS (http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FirstDrives/articleId=121399?tid=edmunds.il.home.photopanel..1 .*)
-Holden to announce LS7-powered HSV Commodore? (http://jalopnik.com/cars/over-the-back-fence/holden-to-announce-ls7+powered-hsv-commodore-272267.php)
-New Mini gets Cooper Works treatment (http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/226320/)
-New Porsche 911 GT2 spied on U.S. soil (http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070625/FREE/70625023/1508/newsletter02)
-Regulators order U.S. importer to recall Chinese-made tires (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070626/UPDATE/706260403/1148/AUTO01)
-Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG - more is better (http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=34&article_id=5399)
-Cadillac Escalade Hybrid Prototype Spied (http://www.worldcarfans.com/spyphotos.cfm/country/acf/spyphotoID/6070622.001/cadillac/cadillac-escalade-hybrid-prototype-spied)
-First MINI Clubman pics without any disguises (http://thehollywoodextra.blogspot.com/2007/06/naked.html#comments)
-Chevy offers incentives on '06 models (http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070625/FREE/70625004/1530/FREE)
-(F1) 'Sutil can be Hamilton's biggest rival' (http://f1.gpupdate.net/en/news/2007/06/26/_sutil_can_be_hamilton_s_biggest_rival_/)
-BMW 350i: E30 3 series with a 350hp BMW V12 engine (http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2007/06/bmw-350i-e30-3-series-with-350hp-bmw.html)
-How Infiniti's G37 Beat BMW's 335i Coupe (http://forums.nicoclub.com/zerothread/260025)
-Europe considers ban on performance cars (http://www.motorauthority.com/news/industry/europe-considers-a-ban-on-performance-cars/)
-Preview of Lumma's new kit for the BMW E92 Coupe (http://www.motorauthority.com/news/coupes/preview-of-lumma%e2%80%99s-new-kit-for-the-bmw-e92-coupe/)
-Mexican Farmers Grow Corn For Ethanol Instead Of Agave For Tequila! (http://jalopnik.com/cars/go-ethanol/mexican-farmers-grow-corn-for-ethanol-instead-of-agave-for-tequila-272008.php) - Noooooooooooo
-Audi RS6 making 561 HP (http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/26/audi-rs6-making-561-hp/)
-Thousands of Aussies set to lose license, speed cameras to blame (http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/25/thousands-of-aussies-set-to-lose-license-speed-cameras-to-blame/)
-Video: Ford's Silver Creek truck torture test track (http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/25/video-fords-silver-creek-truck-torture-test-track/)
-How to Buy a Used Car - Pt. 3: Due Dilligence (The Inspection) (http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=4021)
-Efficient Dynamics for BMW 3-series (http://www.motorauthority.com/news/sedans/efficient-dynamics-for-bmw-3-series/)
-Reader spy: Porsche Panamera on the 405 Freeway (http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/24/reader-spy-porsche-panamera-on-the-405-freeway/)

[Redwood]

Interesting thing in that G37 vs. 335i article. It states "At the end of a couple of enervating loops in both cars, we're suprised by three things: the fact that neither car could run away from the other, that neither demonstrates a clear edge in handling, and - yikes! - the BMW's oil temperature is near the peg at 280F-40 degrees shy of system shutdown. This isn't a hot racetrack; it's a cool 75-degree misty morning. Munich: we have a problem. This type of running, lots of low-speed corner exits, with both turbos spooling cooks the oil cooling those turbo bearings, and our car has no oil cooler. BMW only installed them on manual Sport models until March, when automatics with the sport package started getting them. There is no recall or factory sponsored retrofit, but enthusiast owners should consider installing an oil cooler."

[John in Houston]

I think I read on bimmerforums.com that there was a silent recall to retrofit the oil cooler onto 335is. I'll have to see if I can find it.

[Redwood]

I did find this on Bimmerforums after you mentioned looking there...

From: Aaron Allsopp
Sent:
To: Sales Users - Email
Cc: Jake Logan
Subject: 335i Coupe Oil Cooler Retro-Fit Kit


You may have some previous customers having concerns about the lack of an oil cooler in their car, especially since post March production they are installed in the 335i Coupe with the sport package. Should they want the retro-fit cooler installed here, the following conditions must be met:

1. The coupe was built before March 2007
2. The coupe has been overheating
3. The coupe has the sport package

If your customer does meet the above 3 conditions, have them contact BMW NA customer relations at 800.831.1117 and express their concerns.

The following will then happen:

The BMW NA customer relations rep will forward their information and concerns to BMW NA exec offices. The exec offices will contact them within two to three business days. Our service department will then be contacted, and the retro-fit parts will be ordered. Upon arrival, the retro-fit kit will be installed under warranty.

On a side note:

My 335i coupe without the oil cooler and with the sport package and it's not overheating, and I've driven it hard in hot weather. In fact, I took it on a 7 hour road trip at an 85mph average in 95+ temps, without any problems. Chances are, they wont have any either.

Hope this helps...
Aaron Allsopp
CREVIER BMW Client Advisor
Cell: 714.809.3336
Office: 714.835.3171

[Fair!]

The E30 V12 swap (http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2007/06/bmw-350i-e30-3-series-with-350hp-bmw.html) looks daunting and silly for 350 lousy HP!

<pics wont post>

Looks like the entire master cylinder and brake booster are relocated far far forward (note the big bracket bolted to the drivers side strut tower).