Scott Huntington - 6/20 - Bimmerforums.com
All posts by Scott Huntington
Scott Huntington writes all over the internet about cars. He was (probably accidentally) interviewed to be the host of the next Top Gear USA.
November 1, 2018 Scott Huntington
BMW recently announced that it is recalling 1.6 million diesel vehicles worldwide because of potential fluid leaks that could cause fires.
The automaker said that in some diesel vehicles, the coolant glycol could leak out of the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler, which is part of the emissions reduction system. When combined with typical deposits of soot at the high temperatures that occur in the EGR module, the leaks could result in smoldering particles that could cause the intake manifold to melt “in very rare cases,” the BMW Group said in a statement. This could cause a fire “in extremely rare cases,” the company said.
The company previously recalled 480,000 vehicles in Asia and Europe in mid-August after fires were reported in South Korea. In August, the South Korean government banned owners of affected vehicles from driving them until they could be inspected after videos of BMW vehicles on fire went viral in the country. The company also faced a class-action lawsuit from customers that alleged that BMW did not respond promptly to the fires, which led to an investigation by the government. Police raided the automaker’s office in Seoul. In response, BMW said it would pick up the cars banned from being driven, provide rental cars to customers and conduct the necessary inspections. No injuries were reported related to the incidents.
Following the driving ban in South Korea, the BMW Group conducted further examinations of vehicles with engines with similar setups. The company then announced the ban for Asia and Europe. On October 23, BMW said it would expand its recall to cover a total of 1.6 million vehicles worldwide, including around 54,700 vehicles in the U.S and Canada. The announcement includes some vehicles made between August 2010 and August 2017. As part of the technical campaign, the company said it would check the EGR modules and replace any faulty components in all potentially affected vehicles.
The global recall is voluntary. The BMW Group said that it did not find any significant risks to customers in its recent examinations.
“Nonetheless the BMW Group decided to further reduce even this minor risk by expanding the country-specific technical campaigns. It is the goal of BMW Group to support the trust and confidence of our customers in our products,” the BMW Group said.
BMW said that it would contact customers with affected cars. Customers can also check for recalls that apply to their vehicle by entering the last seven numbers of their vehicle identification number (VIN) on the BMW website. Additionally, customers can contact BMW or their local dealer with questions and concerns.
BMW also recently recalled approximately 2,600 2016-17 BMW M3 sedans, 2016-17 M4 and M4 GTS coupes and 2017 M4 convertibles because of a potentially faulty connection between the flange and driveshaft. A failed connection could result in a loss of propulsion and increased crash risk. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft at no cost to the customer.
bmw dieselbmw newscar caredieselrecall
October 25, 2018 Scott Huntington
Most of us drive our cars so much that they become an extension of ourselves — and when they start making a weird noise, we notice almost immediately. The trick with these weird noises is that they can be difficult to locate, especially if you’re trying to figure out where they’re coming from while you’re behind the wheel.
It can also end up being really expensive to take your Bimmer to the shop to have the mechanics there troubleshoot it. Here are some tips and tricks to help you figure out where those weird noises are coming from and fix them without emptying your wallet in the process.
1. Locate the Sound
Between engine noise, road noise, etc., you’re going to hear a variety of sounds when your car is running. Since some engine noises are fairly unavoidable, you may not have a problem at all. If this becomes a nuisance, using heat-resistant barriers for engines is an option for soundproofing those persistent noises.
However, you can usually tell immediately when a sound is not just routine. When that happens, the first thing you need to do is figure out where the sound is coming from.
One tool that can be helpful for locating strange sounds under the hood is a mechanic’s stethoscope. It looks like a doctor’s tool of the same name, only instead of having a flat plate at the end for hearing heartbeats, it has a long thin piece of metal that can easily be threaded into tight spaces to help you identify sounds.
Once you determine what exactly the noise is, take a look online. You can find resources to help you locate and identify it.
Once you’ve located the sound, now it’s time to troubleshoot!
2. Figure out What the Problem Is
There are so many moving parts in your car that nearly any one of them could start making strange noises when it starts to fail. The trick is figuring out what is causing the sound before the part quits completely. Knowing where the sound is coming from helps you narrow down the possible causes. Let’s take a look at some of the most common sounds and their causes.
Clunking or Thumping When you Turn the Wheel – This could be a sign that your CV axle, which transfers the drive train power from the transmission to your wheels, is starting to fail. This is an expensive fix – new CVs are pricey – but is a fairly simple one. Simply jack up the car, pull out the old axle and install a new one.
Whining Under the Hood – This is usually a sign that a bearing is going bad. Use that mechanic’s stethoscope to locate the whine and replace the offending bearing.
Whirring That Changes with Engine RPM – This could be a number of different things. Start by checking your power steering fluid levels and making sure they’re correct. If you’ve got enough fluid, you may need to replace the power steering pump. It could, depending on where the sound is coming from, be a sign of a bad compressor which you will need to take to a mechanic if you don’t have the right tools.
Popping from Under the Hood – This is another sound that could indicate a number of problems. It could be as simple as a dirty air filter, or as complicated as an internal engine problem. Start by changing your air filter, and checking your car’s ignition system – plugs, wires, ignition module or distributor depending on how old your Bimmer is.
There are some noises you might hear under the hood that mean you should stop driving your car until it is repaired. Knocking or pinging sounds mean there are moving parts in your engine hitting each other that shouldn’t be, and continuing to drive the car could damage the inner workings of the engine.
3. Repair the Problem
This step is hard to outline without knowing exactly what sounds your car is making, but we do have one tip to offer. Purchase a Haynes manual for your vehicle. These repair manuals will walk you, step by step, through everything you need to do to complete most repairs on your own. They’re available for most cars, regardless of the age of the car, and they cost about $25.
There may be some things you can’t fix on your own, either because you don’t have the knowledge or the tools necessary to complete the job. For these problems, you should definitely take your car to your favorite mechanic. It might be more expensive, but you’ll be sure the job is done right.
You don’t have to run to the shop every time your Bimmer starts making strange noises, though. A couple of troubleshooting steps might point you to a very easy-to-fix problem you can handle in the comfort of your own garage.
car careeasy repairhow tomaintenance
An M8 Competition Is in the Works – Here’s What We Know
October 18, 2018 Scott Huntington
BMW hasn’t officially announced it yet, but it seems an M8 Competition— a sportier version of the M8 — is in the works.
According to BMWBLOG, BMW recently invited some VIP customers to preview several upcoming models at an event in Paris. Cell phone use wasn’t allowed at the event, so we don’t have any pictures, but a reader of BMWBLOG shared some details with the site about what he saw at the event.
The reader told the publication that BMW is planning an M8 competition. Although this isn’t really a surprise to anyone who’s been following BMW, it’s certainly still exciting news.
So what do we know about this upcoming model? While we don’t have any official information, here’s what the report from the Paris event and other rumors and speculations tell us.
According to the attendee of the Paris event, the M8 Competition will come standard with carbon ceramic brakes and yellow calipers. It will get a carbon fiber package that lowers the weight of the vehicle slightly and enhances its visuals.
BMW didn’t share what the power output of the M8 Competition will be, but it’s expected that BMW will increase it for the sports model. All of the models in the M family feature a 4.4 liter V8 TwinTurbo engine, so the M8 Competition will likely have it as well. The engine of the M5 Competition has a peak torque of 553 lb-ft, which is the same as that of the standard M5.
BMW may use the same formula for the M8 Competition, although it will likely modify the power band. The competition will likely have the same engine as the regular M8 but be able to deliver a bit more horsepower. According to BMWBLOG, we can expect around 620 horsepower, although it could potentially be more.
Currently, the best 8 series model can hit 60 mph in 3.6 seconds. With the M8 Competition, that time will likely drop by at least a few tenths of a second. The M8 Competition may be able to surpass 155 mph, according to speculations from topspeed.com. According to TopSpeed, it’s also reasonable to think the M8 Competition could reach speeds of 62 mph in less than three seconds due to its lighter weight and increased power.
While we don’t know exactly what to expect, we’ll likely see a number of other changes, perhaps including improvements to the transmission and all-wheel drive system. Based on the changes made to previous Competition models, we might also see new chassis and suspension components that will serve to improve the car’s handling.
A user also recently posted on the Bimmerpost forum what appears to be leaked documents showing the badges for several upcoming BMW models including the M8 Competition.
Anticipation Building for the M8 Competition
Excitement is building for the M8 Competition, and although we don’t have any official details, we have plenty of predictions about what the car will be like.
BMW fans are also excited about the other upcoming 8 Series models. The company has unveiled the M850i xDrive Coupe, teased an M8 Gran Coupe Concept and confirmed rumors of an upcoming M8 Coupe. The new BMW 8 Series, it seems, will soon be joined by a full-blown M8 and an M8 Competition, which is expected to launch in 2019 or 2020.
It’s going to be an exciting few years for BMW fans, especially those that like the sporty M models. The M8 Competition could turn out to the best most impressive M model from BMW yet.
2019bmw newsCompetitionM8
Scott Huntington - 6/20 - Bimmerforums.com
All posts by Scott Huntington
Scott Huntington writes all over the internet about cars. He was (probably accidentally) interviewed to be the host of the next Top Gear USA.
November 1, 2018 Scott Huntington
BMW recently announced that it is recalling 1.6 million diesel vehicles worldwide because of potential fluid leaks that could cause fires.
The automaker said that in some diesel vehicles, the coolant glycol could leak out of the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler, which is part of the emissions reduction system. When combined with typical deposits of soot at the high temperatures that occur in the EGR module, the leaks could result in smoldering particles that could cause the intake manifold to melt “in very rare cases,” the BMW Group said in a statement. This could cause a fire “in extremely rare cases,” the company said.
The company previously recalled 480,000 vehicles in Asia and Europe in mid-August after fires were reported in South Korea. In August, the South Korean government banned owners of affected vehicles from driving them until they could be inspected after videos of BMW vehicles on fire went viral in the country. The company also faced a class-action lawsuit from customers that alleged that BMW did not respond promptly to the fires, which led to an investigation by the government. Police raided the automaker’s office in Seoul. In response, BMW said it would pick up the cars banned from being driven, provide rental cars to customers and conduct the necessary inspections. No injuries were reported related to the incidents.
Following the driving ban in South Korea, the BMW Group conducted further examinations of vehicles with engines with similar setups. The company then announced the ban for Asia and Europe. On October 23, BMW said it would expand its recall to cover a total of 1.6 million vehicles worldwide, including around 54,700 vehicles in the U.S and Canada. The announcement includes some vehicles made between August 2010 and August 2017. As part of the technical campaign, the company said it would check the EGR modules and replace any faulty components in all potentially affected vehicles.
The global recall is voluntary. The BMW Group said that it did not find any significant risks to customers in its recent examinations.
“Nonetheless the BMW Group decided to further reduce even this minor risk by expanding the country-specific technical campaigns. It is the goal of BMW Group to support the trust and confidence of our customers in our products,” the BMW Group said.
BMW said that it would contact customers with affected cars. Customers can also check for recalls that apply to their vehicle by entering the last seven numbers of their vehicle identification number (VIN) on the BMW website. Additionally, customers can contact BMW or their local dealer with questions and concerns.
BMW also recently recalled approximately 2,600 2016-17 BMW M3 sedans, 2016-17 M4 and M4 GTS coupes and 2017 M4 convertibles because of a potentially faulty connection between the flange and driveshaft. A failed connection could result in a loss of propulsion and increased crash risk. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft at no cost to the customer.
bmw dieselbmw newscar caredieselrecall
October 25, 2018 Scott Huntington
Most of us drive our cars so much that they become an extension of ourselves — and when they start making a weird noise, we notice almost immediately. The trick with these weird noises is that they can be difficult to locate, especially if you’re trying to figure out where they’re coming from while you’re behind the wheel.
It can also end up being really expensive to take your Bimmer to the shop to have the mechanics there troubleshoot it. Here are some tips and tricks to help you figure out where those weird noises are coming from and fix them without emptying your wallet in the process.
1. Locate the Sound
Between engine noise, road noise, etc., you’re going to hear a variety of sounds when your car is running. Since some engine noises are fairly unavoidable, you may not have a problem at all. If this becomes a nuisance, using heat-resistant barriers for engines is an option for soundproofing those persistent noises.
However, you can usually tell immediately when a sound is not just routine. When that happens, the first thing you need to do is figure out where the sound is coming from.
One tool that can be helpful for locating strange sounds under the hood is a mechanic’s stethoscope. It looks like a doctor’s tool of the same name, only instead of having a flat plate at the end for hearing heartbeats, it has a long thin piece of metal that can easily be threaded into tight spaces to help you identify sounds.
Once you determine what exactly the noise is, take a look online. You can find resources to help you locate and identify it.
Once you’ve located the sound, now it’s time to troubleshoot!
2. Figure out What the Problem Is
There are so many moving parts in your car that nearly any one of them could start making strange noises when it starts to fail. The trick is figuring out what is causing the sound before the part quits completely. Knowing where the sound is coming from helps you narrow down the possible causes. Let’s take a look at some of the most common sounds and their causes.
Clunking or Thumping When you Turn the Wheel – This could be a sign that your CV axle, which transfers the drive train power from the transmission to your wheels, is starting to fail. This is an expensive fix – new CVs are pricey – but is a fairly simple one. Simply jack up the car, pull out 
the old axle and install a new one.
Whining Under the Hood – This is usually a sign that a bearing is going bad. Use that mechanic’s stethoscope to locate the whine and replace the offending bearing.
Whirring That Changes with Engine RPM – This could be a number of different things. Start by checking your power steering fluid levels and making sure they’re correct. If you’ve got enough fluid, you may need to replace the power steering pump. It could, depending on where the sound is coming from, be a sign of a bad compressor which you will need to take to a mechanic if you don’t have the right tools.
Popping from Under the Hood – This is another sound that could indicate a number of problems. It could be as simple as a dirty air filter, or as complicated as an internal engine problem. Start by changing your air filter, and checking your car’s ignition system – plugs, wires, ignition module or distributor depending on how old your Bimmer is.
There are some noises you might hear under the hood that mean you should stop driving your car until it is repaired. Knocking or pinging sounds mean there are moving parts in your engine hitting each other that shouldn’t be, and continuing to drive the car could damage the inner workings of the engine.
3. Repair the Problem
This step is hard to outline without knowing exactly what sounds your car is making, but we do have one tip to offer. Purchase a Haynes manual for your vehicle. These repair manuals will walk you, step by step, through everything you need to do to complete most repairs on your own. They’re available for most cars, regardless of the age of the car, and they cost about $25.
There may be some things you can’t fix on your own, either because you don’t have the knowledge or the tools necessary to complete the job. For these problems, you should definitely take your car to your favorite mechanic. It might be more expensive, but you’ll be sure the job is done right.
You don’t have to run to the shop every time your Bimmer starts making strange noises, though. A couple of troubleshooting steps might point you to a very easy-to-fix problem you can handle in the comfort of your own garage.
car careeasy repairhow tomaintenance
An M8 Competition Is in the Works – Here’s What We Know
October 18, 2018 Scott Huntington
BMW hasn’t officially announced it yet, but it seems an M8 Competition— a sportier version of the M8 — is in the works.
According to BMWBLOG, BMW recently invited some VIP customers to preview several upcoming models at an event in Paris. Cell phone use wasn’t allowed at the event, so we don’t have any pictures, but a reader of BMWBLOG shared some details with the site about what he saw at the event.
The reader told the publication that BMW is planning an M8 competition. Although this isn’t really a surprise to anyone who’s been following BMW, it’s certainly still exciting news.
So what do we know about this upcoming model? While we don’t have any official information, here’s what the report from the Paris event and other rumors and speculations tell us.
According to the attendee of the Paris event, the M8 Competition will come standard with carbon ceramic brakes and yellow calipers. It will get a carbon fiber package that lowers the weight of the vehicle slightly and enhances its visuals.
BMW didn’t share what the power output of the M8 Competition will be, but it’s expected that BMW will increase it for the sports model. All of the models in the M family feature a 4.4 liter V8 TwinTurbo engine, so the M8 Competition will likely have it as well. The engine of the M5 Competition has a peak torque of 553 lb-ft, which is the same as that of the standard M5.
BMW may use the same formula for the M8 Competition, although it will likely modify the power band. The competition will likely have the same engine as the regular M8 but be able to deliver a bit more horsepower. According to BMWBLOG, we can expect around 620 horsepower, although it could potentially be more.
Currently, the best 8 series model can hit 60 mph in 3.6 seconds. With the M8 Competition, that time will likely drop by at least a few tenths of a second. The M8 Competition may be able to surpass 155 mph, according to speculations from topspeed.com. According to TopSpeed, it’s also reasonable to think the M8 Competition could reach speeds of 62 mph in less than three seconds due to its lighter weight and increased power.
While we don’t know exactly what to expect, we’ll likely see a number of other changes, perhaps including improvements to the transmission and all-wheel drive system. Based on the changes made to previous Competition models, we might also see new chassis and suspension components that will serve to improve the car’s handling.
A user also recently posted on the Bimmerpost forum what appears to be leaked documents showing the badges for several upcoming BMW models including the M8 Competition.
Anticipation Building for the M8 Competition
Excitement is building for the M8 Competition, and although we don’t have any official details, we have plenty of predictions about what the car will be like.
BMW fans are also excited about the other upcoming 8 Series models. The company has unveiled the M850i xDrive Coupe, teased an M8 Gran Coupe Concept and confirmed rumors of an upcoming M8 Coupe. The new BMW 8 Series, it seems, will soon be joined by a full-blown M8 and an M8 Competition, which is expected to launch in 2019 or 2020.
It’s going to be an exciting few years for BMW fans, especially those that like the sporty M models. The M8 Competition could turn out to the best most impressive M model from BMW yet.
2019bmw newsCompetitionM8