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Simply fantastic product and fantastic people. I had been suffering from white exhaust smoke and burning oil. I came across lots of symptoms on forums and came across the dreaded swirl flap issue. Needless to say I was very concerned and got in touch with PMW. There help, advice and expertise was invaluble.
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The new BMW 5 Series is still six months ahead of us, with the first official photos coming out sometimes at the end of this year, but the spy photographers are already having a field day with the next generation BMW M5.
The top-dog M5 model was spotted at the famous Nordschleife, Nurburgring. Due to launch in 2011, the new M5 test mules surprise with the amount of design details shown. If a few days ago, for the first time, we had the opportunity to see the front-end tapped up with the now famous BMW black/white camouflage, but still carrying extra plastic body parts, today we have the first spy shots showing the super sporty sedan with just the camouflage tape on it.
Read more over at BMW blog online
The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing is technically the successor to the legendary 300SL introduced in 1954, which astonished at the time with its mix of stunning looks, superlative performance, and of course its gullwing doors. This bad boy looks like it’ll do exactly the same thing.
What’s all the fuss about?
The doors, mainly, but also the fact there’s an oddly timed supercar battle brewing, what with Ferrari unveiling the 458 Italia, McLaren unleashing the MP4-12C and now Mercedes doing this. All three of the cars mentioned will command a circa-£150,000 price tag and offer ballistic performance for the select few, while the rest of the world contemplates a diet of electric-powered shopping boxes, like the Peugeot i0n.
Full article continues over at Yahoo news with photos
A hybrid version of the iconic 911 and electric sports cars are all on the Porsche menu of the future under Volkswagen ownership. By TOBY HAGON in Frankfurt.
Newly appointed Porsche boss Michael Macht says the German sports car specialist is working on an electric sports car and will expand its suite of petrol-electric hybrid cars to include the iconic 911.
Porsche was quick to prove that the rules had changed under the leadership of new parent Volkswagen.
Porsche showed it is prepared to take bold steps into the relative unknown in an effort to prepare itself for a world of alternative fuels and electric cars.
Speaking at the 2009 Frankfurt motor show, Mr Macht confirmed the company was working on an electric car.
“I am also convinced that one day Porsche will have an electric sports car in its line-up,” he said. “Since this trend towards electric power is unstoppable, our engineers are already working hard on this challenge.”
Read more over The Sunday Morning Herald online
Maybe the title of this blog is a little misleading - the main thing about online uk car-pooling is that there really isn’t that much of it out there (though that’s not to say that there aren’t plenty of Google results for ‘uk car sharing’ just that most of them are not so useful) but let’s forget that minor detail and press on regardless…
Aside from the fairly underdeveloped advice sites, there are also a few quite reasonably-functioning options out there for anyone interested in organising some car sharing (and who isn’t? current stats from the DVLA show road congestion falling steadily in the past year in what is a rare recession bonus - so why not contribute to keeping this good thing going…)
First things first - whatever info you’re after regarding specific journeys etc, you will need to register to become a member of any of the sites listed (almost always for free). This is actually a very positive feature as it ensures that all your journey data is fully protected and only accessible by other members of the lift-sharing online group.
Probably the most well-developed site out there currently is nationalcarshare.co.uk The site is free to use (and register) and offers users a wealth of options for specifying exactly what kind of arrangement they’re after (participating as driver or passenger, a regular car-share or a one-off etc). In short: its pretty easy to narrow the search to find exactly what you’re after. There’s plenty of sensible advice on personal security as well so the site looks like its got a viable all round service on offer.
Liftshare.com and mylifts.com are two other decent options, though the latter is probably the more instantly accessible and intuitive to use. Aside from that there are a fair few other options, but not too many which can boast significant user numbers to make them attractive options.
In any case it seems likely that eventually a dominant site will emerge and centralise online car-sharing for the UK (why is there no govt site for this?). A social network dedicated specifically to car-sharing will inevitably improve dramatically in its usefullness the more users it attracts (the key component of any SN, of course). Car-sharing ones are not exempt from this principle - and indeed I personally hope that one of the current players reaches that magic tipping point soon, if only so that we can one day boast to have made totally extinct that ugly thing that is an M6 12-mile bank holiday traffic jam…
Dejan Levi
car-pooling, Car-sharing, Dejan Levi, Lift-share.com, lift-sharing, MyLifts.com, nationalcarshare.co.uk
BMW is to offer a special edition of its popular BMW X5 to mark the range’s 10-year production milestone.
The BMW xDrive35d 10-Year Edition comes as standard in Sophisto Grey metallic paint with unique 20-inch Y-spoke light alloy wheels, Matt Aluminium exterior trim, Matt Aluminium roof rails, Panoramic glass sunroof and Comfort Access. Inside, and Comfort seats, Anthracite headlining, Carrara Shades Nappa leather upholstery and BMW Individual Piano Black trim are just some of the product highlights. ‘10-Year’ plaques are fitted to the front doors, front door sill plates and on the dashboard to underscore the merit of the vehicle.
Article continues over at Carpages
Automotive fascination and high tech of the highest order: These are the traits embodied by the new Mercedes Benz SLS AMG, which is making its world premiere at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt on 15th September 2009. The super sports car boasts a purist design, the systematic incorporation of lightweight engineering and superior handling dynamics. At the same time, the Mercedes Benz SLS delivers the high everyday utility and exemplary safety that typifies Mercedes Benz, making the new gullwing the ideal synthesis of the strengths of Mercedes Benz and AMG.
The new super sports car from Mercedes Benz and AMG dazzles with its unparalleled technology package which includes: an aluminium space frame body with gullwing doors; an AMG 6.3-litre, front-mid V8 engine with a top power of 571 hp, 650 Nm of torque, and dry sump lubrication; seven-speed dual-clutch in a transaxle configuration; a sports chassis with aluminium double-wishbone suspension; and a kerb weight of 1,620 kilograms. It’s a combination that guarantees supreme handling dynamics. The car’s ideal weight distribution between the front and rear axles (47 to 53 per cent respectively) and its low centre of gravity emphasize the concept’s pronounced sports car nature. The gullwing accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 3.8 seconds and has a top speed of 197 mph (electronically limited). The fuel consumption of 21.4 mpg (combined) is best-in-class (all figures are provisional).
Full story plus photos over at Carpages
Few would argue with new Porsche CEO Micheal Macht’s assertion that 2009 will go into the annals as an extraordinary year for the company.
Speaking at a Frankfurt press conference, he was referring to Porsche’s recent absorption by the VW empire - but he could equally have been speaking about the array of new metal on the Porsche stand.
Leading the charge is the latest iteration of the iconic 911 Turbo, which has now been around for 35 years and sold almost 80,00 units according to Macht.
The Panamera also gets its first public outing, and we’ve got our first chance to drool over two versions of the latest 911 GT3 in ‘RS’ and ‘Cup’ guises, as well as the 911 Sport Classic - a limited edition of 250 cars featuring a new double-dome roof and a fixed ducktail spoiler reminiscent of the 1973 Carrera 2.7 RS.
Read more over at Pistonheads online
Just to say that I have fallen foul of the dreaded swirl flap problem - 53 plate 320d saloon 115K with FULL BMW service history! - And found your info very helpful; have just ordered blanking plates from you - 2 weeks too late!! Not sure if you are keeping info on these orders but dealer (Wollaston Northampton quoted 10K) Worse than useless and BMW GB Customer service worse than that - Why are they not advising owners even if it was a chargeable replacement/removal?? - Anyway, that’s off my chest - Thanks for the info.
Mark Stapleton.
Hi There,
I’m pleased to be returning the unused blanking plates (two sets supplied) to you with great thanks for your superb service and advice. I am so glad that the swirl flaps have been replaced and posted on the 5 series forum about how good you are!
Regards
Andy Spittel
