2010 BMW X3 Spotted

MUNICH, Germany — The first prototype for BMW's all-new 2010 X3 has broken cover, and spy photographers caught it in action yesterday on the streets of Munich.

Despite the heavy camouflage, the sleekness of the revamped X3's new shape is unmistakable. From this first look, it seems that a little more "sportwagen" has crept into the new X3's exterior design. The X3 continues to ride on a BMW 3 Series platform, but it has been stretched and widened for additional functionality.
From an earlier X3 test mule cloaked in 3 Series wagon sheet metal, we have already surmised that the future X3 will get a redesigned suspension setup compared to the current model.
Expect additional mechanical specifications to continue to leak into the media as the X3 nears its launch date.

What this means to you: Bigger would be better for BMW's baby SUV. — Kelly Toepke, News Editor



Source: Edmunds

Another VW owner wants to switch over to BMW...

And the second that specifically wants the E36 M3. Is a new trend beginning?

PIFF from Bimmerforums wants to trade his build PVW feature car for the most abundant M3, the E36...

He wrote:

2002.5 gti 1.8t
88k
timing belt & waterpump w/metal impeller at 65k
new clutch at 77k
new ngk bkr7e spark plugs every 6k
mobil 1 every 3k.
redline shock proof trans fluid 2k ago
new oem axles

awp 20v
t3/to4e 50trim 360 thrust bearing .63 a/r hotside
atp exuast manifold, inlet with custom DV flang, and 3" downpipe- 2.5" exuast with borla.
greddy 28r fmicunitronic 630cc software
semiens 630cc injectors
tial 38mm external wastegate
greddy oil catch can
3"vr6 maf housing
deleted secondary air, evap, useless vac lines clutter.

5speed o2j trans
peloquin LSD
sach vr clutch
autotech 10lbs flywheel
diesel geek short shifter

shaved hood and bumper notches
badgeless grill
black rubstrips
shaved plate holes and side markers
rear eurobumper
stubby antenna

oem 17x7.5 monte carlos with cooper 225/45s
b&g fully adjustable coilovers
18 way dampening
adj spring and shock bodies
nuespeed 28mm rearsway bar
suede wrapped rear strut bar

"peanut butta" suede headliner a,b and c pillars, door cards, armrest and rear strut bar.
oem dark wood trim.
column mount vdo perfect match boost guage and pod

the car is in awsome condition. runs awsome and rips hard. just looking to change it up a bit. otherwise im keeping it tossing some rods in the motor and shaving the engine bay.

im looking for a e36 m3 2 door. must be in equally as mint of condition. im located in LI,NY. shoot me some offers.

Mid-Engine Fiat 600: The Shoebox From Hell

What can we say? This 1958 Fiat has been altered with a mid-Engine Audi 2L 4-cylinder with matching transaxle and might get you an honorary membership in the Yuma Dusters Hot Rod Club. Check out the pics here on eBay out of Yuma, Arizona.


Definitely some bizarre choices here, but the front end of any Fiat Abarth looks fantastic in our book. We would add the proper side flares like we featured on this black Abarth clone back in August. This one runs late model disc brakes all around, but we bet some vintage looking wheels could be sourced to replace these 80’s-spec chrome stars.


We love the club plaque and the “My Other Car Is A Porsche” license frame…so many affiliations you have to like at least one. The engine choice is odd but impressive, and packing any real power into these cars can make them scream.

The dash has been modified with aftermarket gauges, but looks well thought out. Race seats and rollbar complete the package, but we have yet to see any engine cover.

We would definitely prefer a more period car, but this one has nearly the right look and could be vastly improved with the first $2500 after purchase. We’ll see what the general public is willing to spend, as this Fiat is selling here with no reserve.

Source: Bringatrailer

FS: Sweet MKIII VRT

The car that inspired me to shave my bumpers is being put up for trade on Bimmerforums.
He's looking to move onto a RWD platform... the E36 M3. Or if anyone wants to buy it, he's taking $16k offers. Paulito wrote:

I have owned this car for about 2.5 years and now i think its time for a change. i had lots of fun with it and am very pleased with its look, performace and the response that it has gotten from the vw community. the car has placed in many showins including several first places. it was featured in eurotuner as thier pick for best mkiii at waterfest. the car was then shot by pvw which is what i am most proud about.

What i am looking for:
i would like to trade for an e36 m3 coupe 5sp with the sports package and i perfer obd2. tasteful mods are fine. If neccesary i would put in cash as well or if need be i would like cash on the trade (depends on the situation).

the car:
ENGINE: Polished 2.9 manifold, atp exhaust manifold, atp 3 inch down pipe, turbonectics t4 60-1, perscision 350hp intercooler, c2 42# software, bosch inline fuel pump, gredy type s blow off valve, greddy manual boost controller, tial 38mm waste gate with a dump tube, deleted secondary air, hidden evap, still running a/c, 3 inch stainless steel exhaust with a borla and turn down tip, optima red top, vf engine and trans mount, pap parts skid plate, Corrado trans w/ peloquin lsd, diesil geek short throw

CHASIS:BBS RS 16x8.5 205 40 falken 512s front, 16x9.5 215 40 falken 452 rear, schmidt lips, jdm red caps, wietec fully adjustable coils, autotech rear strut bar, full poly bushing kit, 11.3 inch front, drilled and sloted all around


OUTSIDE: jetta front end, shaved hood washer nozzles, shaved front bumper w/ character line (fogs, dummies, turns, side markers and lower ducts), custom made 2 piece early jetta grill, pulled fenders to the lower body line (front and rear), shaved door handles recesses, custom stubby mkiii mirrors with hand cut glass, shaved antena, shaved rear emblem, rear wiper and hatch lock, shaved rear valence, deleted rear spoiler, oem skirts, vr6 front lip, jetta smoked e-codes with 6000k hids, 600rr turn signals behind the grill, smoked m3 style tails

INSIDE: wine red suade headliner and pillars, deleted front seatbelt on b pillar, schroth harnesses, deleted rear seat belts, deleted rear grab handles, autometer boost, a/f and oil presure guage located where the radio was, radio relocated with a custom delete panel below it, 3.5 airbag leather seats, raid steering wheel with black suade center, de shift boot and ebrake boot, tm tuning pedals, custom auto power roll bar wrinkle painted, momo shift knob, chrome heater controls and door pulls, wood floor in the trunk, checker board rear view mirror

maintance: the chains were done at 90k, the trans was just rebuilt and it still has the peloquin lsd, recently swapped to msd coil packs because of the power gains and to get rid of the crappy oem coil pack, all engine block seals replaced, new axles, wheel bearings, inner and outter tire rod ends, crask sensor, themostat housing and seals and sensors, fan control module.... many more, mostly preventative maintance.

Paint: all body work was done by me and my brother, its very custom and unique but still follows along with the euro scene. the arches are pulled and go to the lower body line (this car DOESNT RUB AT ALL), the paint is about 6 months old, the quater glass is all new, the mirrors are custom made by me and are pretty much the smallest stubby mirrors around, the grill is also custom made out of an fk badgles and an oem.

again there is many more mods in each catagory that i many have forgotten, i will go over the entire car with someone that is interested.

1975 BMW 2002 Project Car

This BMW 2002 Turbo is in rough shape but includes most of the rare original parts and a story about export from Iran before it was seized by the government. Find it here on eBay out of Gresham, Oregon for $15k.

We would want to verify the VIN as a factory original Turbo, but a quick inventory of the options looks promising…import story, red gauge cluster, sport seats, rear spoiler, steel wheels, turbo engine with tii intake and crossover tubes, etc. The primer rear end and front fender make us suspect rear impact damage, so we would check those shock towers and fenders.

The flares and steel wheels are a good combination for the completed car, and a new front fiberglass spoiler is included, as are front and rear Euro chrome bumpers. We would strip the car completely and dial it in with factory Chamonix white.

The engine is a real factory Turbo unit, with the proper exhaust manifold and Turbo location. It has clearly been neglected and will need a total rebuild…expect at least $12k for drivetrain.

This is a huge project, but these factory Turbo cars don’t come along every day. A great one will set you back $35k, so there is some room for a well connected restorer. We bet there will be no bidders at this price, so you might even be able to get it for a lower offer after the auction closes.
























Source: Bringatrailer

DIY: Wheel Polishing - Update 1

Here's the first update, always with the first wheel. Done with 400 grit and moved onto 1000 on a small area. I then applied some mother's polish and put a Crayola box to see the reflection. It's alright, but nothing crazy.


1000 grit done, all the way down to 2000. I then manually applied Mother's Aluminum polish. After a few minutes of scrubbing, this was the result. I still wasn't very impressed.


So I decided to make my own polishing bit. I wrapped some detailing cloth very tightly around a flat sanding drill bit. Revving at about 6-700RPM and again, Mother's polish, this is the resuly. I'm now satisfied with the shine. The only thing left to do is a little cleaning in some of the recesses.



Stay tuned for more...