Tag Archives: bmw

A good coffee table book can elevate the décor of your entire room. If you have frequent visitors, they are excellent conversation starters, especially if they are fans of the material. Keeping a neat and well-designed stack on a table in the living room, placed by a bed, or lovingly nestled on a prominent shelf tells your guests, “Yes, I am a car nerd.” Each book can serve as a beautiful centerpiece and elevate you beyond a casual fan to an elite gearhead, serving as a testament to your nerdery. Any of these would make a fantastic gift for the garage guru in your life, too. Especially now, we made sure to get all the motorsports enthusiasts in on this, not just the Formula 1 die-hards! Just some food for thought with the holidays fast approaching.

1) Owners’ Workshop Manuals

These Owners’ Workshop Manuals are such a nice touch to have out in your home. Instance cool points. This McLaren M23 book is currently on my coffee table. These are great because you can build your own set, as there are many out there from different decades and constructors. Each book is a comprehensive guide to the history of the car and its era within F1.

Outside of just being very well put together, each of these manuals has an encyclopedic look into builds and tales of both the liveries and the teams. There are quite of few floating around, so start your pile today. Buy the McLaren one above, or try out the Lotus, Ferrari, Red Bull, and/or Brabham editions! You’ll definitely get a complete view of where car tech was at each of the timeframes of the books, as well as where F1 was in motorsports history.

2) NASCAR 75 Years

This has certainly been a year of anniversaries for motorsports, and NASCAR hit its 75th birthday. I grew up a huge NASCAR fan (there are serval Polaroids of me in Dale Jarret gear). I was so excited when they announced this book. If you know anything about NASCAR, its origin is interesting, to say the least. If you’re a ’90s baby, there is no way you didn’t remember the rise of Jeff Gordon with the dominance of Dale Earnhardt. You didn’t have to watch to know who they were and their impact on American culture.

The alluring archived photos are meticulously placed amongst some of the most thrilling stories from the last 75 years. Given the growing interest in motorsports and IndyCar within the US, this is a lovely representation of an organization that I hope is on the upswing again.

3) Schumacher: The Official Inside Story of the Formula One Icon

Another entry plucked straight from my coffee table. No matter who you are a fan of, there is no doubt Schumacher is the greatest driver to step into a Formula One car. Given his current health, having a book of his history in his own words and memories is something to covet. Schumacher was the undisputed king of F1 and broke almost every record in his time in the sport. Seeing his life within motorsports through his eyes is special, especially for newer fans.

This book takes you right up to the tale end of his World Championship supremacy, for time reference. And if you are a Mick supporter, there are plenty of adorable snapshots of the blonde-haired babe growing up. A dynamic career marvelously preserved, the legacy Schumacher is leaving behind makes for the perfect book for any F1 fan’s coffee table.

4) Porsche at Le Mans: 70 Years

Le Mans hit its centennial race this year back in June, and Porsche is well a part of that story. With over 19 Le Man wins, Porsche’s prominence in France made perfect sense for an all-encompassing coffee table book. Earlier in the year, I was lucky enough to attend the screening of the documentary Racing With Giants: Porsche at Le Mans. I even interviewed Le Mans and Porsche veteran Patrick Long there.

Psst, give my interview a peep!

The history of this race and this team is rich and deep. Hundreds of photos were foraged from the very beginning in 1951 all the way to 2021. This coffee table book is a rich, sweeping history of Porsche’s victories and exploits at La Sarthe. Spyders, GTs, hybrids, oh my! Get first-hand stories from Le Mans legends like Jacky Ickx, Mario Andretti, and Helio Castroneves, to name a few. I highly recommend checking out the documentary and our article before getting cozy with this enticing book.

5) IMSA 1969 to 1989

And now for something completely different! If you’re newer to motorsports and want to look at the history of different racing series, IMSA is a great one. The International Motor Sports Association was founded in 1969 and is the North American sanctioning body for all things sports car racing. If the name sounds familiar, that would be because they are actually a division of NASCAR.

This coffee table book covers the first 20 years and was compiled by the founders’ son. The prestige in that first-hand perspective presents such a magical look at one of the most accessible forms of racing in the US. If you’ve ever wanted to see racing in the States, this is a gateway, for sure. Flipping through, you’ll get a compelling visual story of design, politics, and how the management of this GT series’ lessons are still in practice today in motor racing worldwide.

6) RACEWKND World Champions

While technically less of a book and more of a photo collage, you can still add it to any coffee table for heaps of extra personality! These look dope, and you don’t even need to be a fan. Just have working eyes! This large-scale issue is one of many from the publisher, and they are all fabulous. In the first series, the magazine focuses on legends of F1 (past and present). In collection two, they focus on our favorite constructors of Formula 1.

This issue centers around World Champions like Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton. Rainer Schlegelmilch opened up his archives to feature never-before-seen photos. Read about the evolution of the FIA from the ’50s to the present day. If you want one of these, I would suggest purchasing it as soon as possible, as these are not being reprinted.

7) Formula 1 Circuits: Maps and statistics from every Grand Prix track

If you’ve ever been curious about the statistics and records of each of the circuits in the history of F1, this is the coffee table book for you. Featuring all 77 circuits used in the many, many years of Formula One, discover hidden trivia and lesser-known tales from each. The book is laid out chronologically, starting with the first Grand Prix in Monza.

Keep an eye on 1978. That’s when my favorite track opens. The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal has quite the history and is one of the best races on the calendar. You also get bespoke digital maps of every course. A very nice touch, indeed.

8) BMW M: 50 Years of the Ultimate Driving Machines

I see BMW M gear all over when out and about. Like, literally everywhere I go. The M-Series stands for Motorsport, which first appeared in 1972 for the historic German manufacturer. This coffee table book celebrates the 50th anniversary and deep dives into the range of famous M models that have been designed over the decades. This is an excellent gift to surprise a Bimmer fan with.

Or just that one poser kid who really likes the M clothes to go with their 335i M Sport.

9) Le Mans 100: A Century at the World’s Greatest Endurance Race

As aforementioned, we celebrated 100 years of Le Mans this year. The world-renowned race of 24 Hours at Circuit de la Sarthe is a sight and experience to behold. The fact that we have preserved a century’s worth of races, personalities, triumphs, and heartbreaks is nothing short of mesmerizing. We know you’ll recognize the usual favorites like Porsche, Ferrari, Ford, Aston Martin, Mercedes, McLaren, to name a few. But learning about how lesser racing “brands “have contributed to not just the track’s history but the sport’s metamorphosis is just as rewarding. The innovation that comes from Le Mans is hands down my favorite element about this storied race.

What was always a bit confusing that this coffee table book does a good job of touching on is the different classes. All the classes that have run are explained, and favorites are spotlighted. So you’ll get a full breakdown of the Le Mans Prototype and GT categories. This alone is so helpful in understanding where the race standards currently are.

10) Formula Ferrari: The First Official Inside Story of the Most Successful Team in the History of Formula 1

Another fine specimen from my exhibit! This book is a superb telling of the story of the world-renowned and beloved prancing horse brand. It is a bit older than other books on the list but still full of juicy Prancing Horse tidbits. I’m a sucker for old motorsport photos, especially from the ’80s and ’90s when everything was a little grainy and the antithesis of 4K resolution. It gives a lot of oh-so-delightfully nostalgic charm to them.

This book sits atop my Schumacher one, and together, they make me look like a Ferrari superfan… which I’m really not, but even I still enjoy both of these. What sets this book apart from others about the brand is that it’s the first sanctioned telling of their story, completely blessed by the Ferrari family. And having one of the most respected Italian sports journalists compile this tale doesn’t hurt either.

BMW and their X series vehicles are nothing new. The original X5 debuted in 1999, not long after we had the X3 in 2003, then the X6, and so on with the various other X models. But the newest one is the latest generation of the BMW X2 lineup, based on the same architecture as the BMW X1 and the Mini Countryman. The first generation F39 BMW X2 was produced from 2018 to 2023, with an LCI (BMW for facelift) in 2021. It sold over 380,000 thousand worldwide. And it looks like that was enough for BMW to continue making a whole new version for 2024. It’s something we all hoped for, as the prior model was pretty good!

The second generation BMW X2 has dropped, and it’s immediately apparent that BMW wants the sports activity coupe to stand out from its competition. Didn’t matter how. The lines are more pronounced and acute. It produces an almost boxlike look that impresses BMW’s new design language onto whoever sees it, with the aggressive front end and large grilles that seem like if it wanted to, it could swallow up all the world’s oxygen without hesitation. While the previous generation X2 lacked the aggressive slanted rear hatch most of these crossover coupes have, the new model has no shame in showing off its coupe styling.

If this is the sort of look you like in your crossover, um, sorry, “sports activity vehicle,” then the 2024 BMW X2 might be the right buy for you. So come on through as we break down all the little specs and tidbits we know about BMW’s upcoming not-an-SUV.

BMW X2 price and trim levels

So far, the new X2 is available with two trim levels, the xDrive28i and the M35i. The xDrive28i starts at $42,000, and the M35i will base at $51,400. It is set to go on sale in March of 2024.

Standard equipment all models	Standard equipment xDrive28i ($42,000)	Standard equipment M35i ($51,400)
– 7 Speed StepTronic dual-clutch transmission – BMW Curved Display with iDrive 9 Active blind spot detection – Frontal collision warning with city collision mitigation – Lane departure warning – Active park distance control – BMW navigation – Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility – Sirius XM with 360l and 1-year platinum subscription – LED headlights – Dual-zone automatic climate control – Power Tailgate – Privacy glass – Automatic high beams	7 Speed StepTronic dual-clutch transmission BMW Curved Display with iDrive 9 Active blind spot detection Frontal collision warning with city collision mitigation Lane departure warning Active park distance control BMW navigation Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility Sirius XM with 360l and 1-year platinum subscription LED headlights Dual-zone automatic climate control Power Tailgate Privacy glass Automatic high beams	– 20-inch M V-spoke bi-color wheels style – 873M with all-season non-runflat tires – Aluminum hexcube trim with ambient lighting – Shadowline exterior trim Illuminated kidney grill

BMW X2 interior and technology

The X2 comes with all the tech BMW can offer the compact SAV. The dash gets the newest BMW treatment with their Curved Display, made up of two screens. One 10.5-inch screen functions as an information display for the driver, and another 10.7-inch screen handles controls, both behind a single piece of glass. The latest version of iDrive is available with in-car gaming, video streaming capabilities, and BMW’s cloud-based navigation system.

Most safety features like blind spot monitoring, collision warning, and lane departure are standard equipment across both models. Of course, there are plenty of options to add on, too. Various packages provide hands-free driving up to 40 mph and a live view inside the vehicle. You also won’t need a dash cam anymore, as the X2 can record collision events for you. The X2 also has its own version of Sentry Mode and will use the cameras for surround view to record when the alarm system detects movement around the vehicle, à la Tesla.

Standard interior colors	M Sport seat color
– Black – Mocha – Oyster – Red and black bi-color – Atlas grey and smoke white bi-color	– Black with blue contrast stitching

Technology Package	Premium Package	Driving Assistance Professional Package
– Convenience Package – Parking Assistant Plus – Head-Up Display – Live Cockpit Professional – Surround View w/3D View	– Technology Package – Universal garage door opener – Interior camera – Harman/Kardon Premium Sound System	– Extended Traffic Jam Assistant for limited access highways – Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go – Active Lane Keeping Assistant with side collision avoidance – Evasion Aid – Front Cross Traffic Alert

BMW X2 exterior dimensions and luggage capacity

Measurement	2024 BMW X2
Length:	179.3 inches
Width:	72.6 inches
Height:	62.6 inches
Wheelbase:	106.0 inches
Track width:	62.3 inches

BMW X2 engine, transmission, and performance

And while the 2024 X2 has grown slightly compared to the old model, it also gained some power. Both trims are equipped with BMW TwinPower Turbo engines. If it’s the xDrive28i you’re after, you’ll get a 2.0 four-cylinder Miller cycle engine making  241 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. And if you want to keep up with your buddy’s E36 M3, you should opt for the M35i, which has the highest output available from BMW’s four-cylinder engine family. It puts out 312 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque and even carries over the main caps from the six-cylinder variant. It’ll reach 60 in 5.2 seconds. However, we know this is utter crap as the Germans love to underrate their stats, so expect these hunchbacks to rocket themselves even quicker than advertised.

Stats	X2 xDrive28i	X2 M35i
Horsepower:	241 hp @ 4,500 – 6,500 rpm	312 hp @ 5,750 – 6,500 rpm
Torque:	295 lb-ft @ 1,500 – 4,000rpm	295 lb-ft @ 2,000 – 4,500 rpm
Weight:	3,803 lbs	3,840 lbs
zero-to-60:	approx. 6.2 seconds	approx. 5.2 seconds

Both are standard all-wheel drive, and the 8-speed automatic has been replaced with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The transmission has a built-in mechanical limited slip differential that gives the X2 the ability to send power where it’s needed. This works well with the all-wheel drive to make a vehicle of its size handle much better than one would expect, much like a fattened hot hatchback in a way.

The M35i is sold with adaptive suspension with adjustable frequency select dampers as standard, and so can the xDrive28i if equipped with the M Sport package. The M Sport will also add Sport Steering, with a quicker steering ratio and BMW’s Servotronic speed-sensitive steering.

The brakes are standard floating calipers on the xDrive28i, while the M35i has M Sport brakes with a fixed four-pot caliper in the front. If you want better brakes on the front of your funny little “sports activity coupe,” you can opt for the M Sport package. The X2 will get an upgrade to M Sport brakes for the lower-end model, and if you check the right box, the M35i will get the spicier M Compound Brakes. They’ll come equipped with a grey caliper instead of red and a massive 15.2-inch rotor.

M Sport Package (xDrive28i)	M Sport Professional Package
– 19-inch M double-spoke bi-color wheels style 871M with all-season non-runflat tires – Shift paddles – Adaptive M suspension – M Sport Brakes with blue calipers – Aluminum Hexacube trim with Ambient Light – M Steering wheel – Aerodynamic kit – Shadowline exterior trim	– Mirror caps in black (xDrive28i) – M Sport Brakes with red calipers – M Shadowline lights – Rear spoiler (xDrive28i) – Extended Shadowline trim – Optional M Compound Brakes with grey calipers (M35i)

Overall, I’d have to say that the 2024 BMW X2 is a solid, albeit odd-looking, offering. It has numerous options to transform into a somewhat unique entry in a rather bland segment. BMW didn’t specify every color available outside their faux car configurator, but you will have access to the frozen (matte) paint lineup and maybe even individual color options. So go nuts! Order one that isn’t white or dark grey! Perhaps a bright green, and you can pretend you’re driving a miniature Lamborghini Urus.

As for additional specs, dimensions, options pricing, and figuring out how it drives, we’ll have to wait for its Spring 2024 release date to draw nearer. Until then, let’s sit and gawk at the X2 and all its frumpiness.

No, I’m afraid we’re not joking. BMW has issued a stop-sale order for nearly its entire lineup of motorcycle models in North America, effective immediately. If you were hoping to get your hands on a new or pre-owned BMW motorcycle, you may have to wait a bit.

BMW of North America is dedicated to providing vehicles to our customers that meet their expectations. To ensure that our vehicles are of the highest industry standards, BMW performs ongoing testing and evaluation.

Following a recent quality analysis, BMW is pursuing measures to further evaluate the material used in a component of its motorcycle evaporative system, which may not have been produced to material specifications.

As a result, BMW of North America is issuing a temporary, voluntary stop sale for all new and pre-owned BMW motorcycle models in dealer inventory, except for the CE 04.

This temporary stop sale is not safety related and BMW owners may continue to ride their motorcycles as normal.

Official statement from BMW NA

We know from this statement that the stop-sale is not a matter of safety concerns. Current BMW motorcycle owners have nothing to worry about taking their wheels out for a spin.

As it stands, the stop-sale is voluntary. No regulatory agency is requiring BMW to cease the sale of its motorcycles, but BMW decided so on its own terms regarding an emissions-related problem. Hence, the fully electric CE 04 is being excused from the stop sale and is the only model permitted for sale for what we imagine is a blindingly obvious reason. Dealers have been asked to halt the selling of any combustion-powered BMW motorcycle model, new or pre-owned.

Such an occurrence likely came as a shock and disappointment to many, even if it is only a fluke that’s sure to pass. If you’re a two-wheel junkie and a purveyor of BMW Motorrad’s finest, you’ve witnessed the brand’s never-ending hot streak of high-performance, high-tech toys, from drop-dead gorgeous cruisers to fire-breathing rocket sleds. Nothing could rain on their parade. Oh, except for a near-total stop-sale of its entire motorcycle line. Yep, that’ll do it.

BMW has not yet clarified how long customers can expect the stop-sale to persist at the time of writing, but they insist the crisis is only temporary.