F Series OBDII Port ECU Flashing Is NOW Available from VF Engineering

BMW F Series Full OBD II ECU Flash Testing Completed by BPM

There is a recall campaign / service bulletin for the BMW N63 engine (V8 twin turbo).

On December 29th, 2014, BMW released Bulletin “B001314” or the “N63 Customer Care Package ” affecting any vehicle that saw use of the 4.4-liter V-8 (N63B44O0) within the 5 Series, 6 Series, 7 Series, X5, and X6 model lines manufactured between 2008 and 2013. Dealership instructions include checking the timing chain for stretching and replacing it if necessary, replacing the fuel injectors, mass air flow sensors, crankcase vent lines, battery, engine vacuum pump and low pressure fuel sensor.

The sweeping recall also extended to vehicles that had gone out of warranty, no matter how many miles were accumulated on the vehicle.

Additionally, the service interval would be shortened to nearly half, with a 12 month/10,000 mile (16,000 km) check-up instead of the long-life treatment the BMW had been maintaining up to that point, requiring a check every 2 years and 15,000 miles (25,000 km).

In June of 2013, dealerships had received a service bulletin regards to the N63 powerplant, which amended the oil capacity requirements of the engine, adding a full (1) US quart to the capacity of the motor, citing “increased oil consumption” in the twin turbo V8.

Models affected by the recall included:

F01 and F02 (7 Series Sedan)– produced from 3/2009 to 6/2012
F04 (Active Hybrid 7)– produced from 4/2010 to 6/2012
F07 (Gran Turismo)– produced from 9/2009 to 6/2012
F10 (5 Series Sedan)– produced from 3/2010 to 7/2013
F12 (6 Series Convertible)– produced from 3/2011 to 7/2012
F13 (6 Series Coupe)– produced from 7/2011 to 7/2012
E70 (X5)– produced from 3/2010 to 6/2013
E71 (X6)– produced from 7/2008 to 6/2014
E72 (ActiveHybrid X6)– produced from 9/2009 to 9/2011

The dealership bulletin was accompanied by region sales rep meetings with branch/service managers, informing of them of the forthcoming campaign, and issuing instructions to contact all owners serviced at their branches operating the N63 engine. The accompanying marketing campaign, which would be a major focus of 2015 for BMW world-wide, was intended to dampen the affect of such a wide spread recall on BMW’s waining brand loyalty and customer service issues. The tactics of which could be seen in the extended efforts surrounding the recall.

BMW dealerships were instructed to offer extra incentives for owners affected by this campaign, offering trade-in cash bonuses for their N63 equipped vehicles with the purchase of a new BMW (details in a separate sales bulletin – “N63 Customer Loyalty Offer”). Sales teams were also provided with discretionary authorization to provide customers with a gift of $50 value, including anything from a gas card, gift bag containing BMW Lifestyle products, or vehicle detailing.

A look at the X4, 5GT and 3GT side by side. Too close in design or enough differences to warrant separate models?

BBMW of North America will introduce a new campaign, BMW Innovations, which will highlight how the range of BMW vehicles share several key technology features with the visionary BMW i8, a plug-in hybrid high-performance vehicle. The BMW i8, with the “i” standing for innovation, exhibits futuristic design and groundbreaking technology built upon BMW’s storied history.

“Innovation is at the core of everything we do. Following in the lead of the BMW i8, which epitomizes innovation, we are elevating the technology across our entire range of BMW models, as highlighted in this national campaign,” said Trudy Hardy, Vice President, Marketing, BMW of North America.

Beginning September 1, 2014, BMW will debut three new national television spots to further detail how the groundbreaking technological innovations within the BMW i8 transfer to the greater BMW family. All three spots feature the BMW i8, now on sale:

“Looking Forward” uses cinematography to illustrate that the BMW i8’s Full-Color Head-Up Display is also available in the BMW 3 Series. Full-Color Head-Up Display projects important driving information, including speed limit, and assistance systems displays, including current speed, navigation and collision warnings, into the driver’s field of view;
“Change” focuses on the impressive LED headlight technology as the BMW i8 dramatically transforms into the BMW 5 Series. It draws attention to Adaptive LED Headlights to provide brighter lighting and can turn in the direction the vehicle is traveling to provide optimal road illumination in every condition; and
“Eyes Everywhere” takes viewers on a cross-dimensional journey through the BMW i8’s iDrive screen to reveal Surround Camera System in the BMW X3. Surround View Camera System provides a 360° panorama view around the vehicle, which assists drivers while parking, maneuvering in tight situations or when navigating in areas with limited visibility.

In dealerships nationwide, customers will be encouraged to engage in a ‘tech drive,’ which allows them to experience the cutting-edge innovations in BMW vehicles first-hand. This integrated campaign also includes digital media and social media programs, designed to increase awareness of the technologies present in the BMW i8 and throughout the BMW family of vehicles.

BMW is recalling a 156,137 vehicles, both luxury cars and SUVs, to make sure bolts holding a component in their six-cylinder engines can break loose and cause stalling or engine damage.

BMW says it has told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that in rare cases, bolts holding the variable camshaft timing unit may come loose or break, causing the engine to go into a “safe mode.” If the problem continues, it can lead to stalling, engine damage – and it may not start.

Drivers will know of a telltale sign of trouble when the “check engine” or “service engine soon” light illuminates. BMW says they need to contact a dealer for service immediately. If the car stalls, they should get over to the side of the road and call for a tow.

The problem is confined to 2010 to 2012 vehicles with the popular inline six-cylinder engine. Those vehicles being recalled include:

2010-12 1 Series
2010-12 3 Series
2010-2012 5 Series
2010-12 5 Series Gran Turismo
2012 6 Series
2010-2012 X3 crossover
2010-12 X5 crossover
2010-12 X6 crossover
2010-12 Z4 sports car

New videos featuring the new 2014 BMW 5 Series LCI facelift model – sedan, touring and GT models (exterior, interior and driving footage).

Here is the official 2014 BMW 5 Series price and order guide. This covers the F10 sedan, F07 GT and the F10 Activehybrid sedan.

The much maligned 5 Series GT will never look svelte, but can it look sporty? This 5 Series GT certainly makes a strong attempt, with the following modifications.

– DINAN Stage 2
– H&R Lowering Springs
– Muffler Delete w/ Quad Tips by ACM
– Yellow Fogs
– Black Eyebrows
– Custom Red/Black CF Roundels
– Full Chrome Delete (door handles, side marker, rear strip)
– Matte Black Reflectors (front and rear)
– Red Painted Calipers (BMW logo coming soon)
– Smoked Sidemarkers
– 20% Viper Tint

BMW TwinPowerTurbo technology again takes two of Ward’s 2013 10 Best Engines Awards. The 2.0-liter TwinPower Turbo 4-cylinder (N20) and 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo inline-6 (N55) are both repeat winners.

“Nearly every BMW now sold in the US features TwinPower Turbo technology,” said Ludwig Willisch – President and CEO of BMW of North America, LLC. “In such a competitive market, to take two spots highlights the benefits of the BMW EfficientDynamics philosophy. It also shows that while we look for improvements in efficiency, we are still committed to fulfilling the promise of The Ultimate Driving Machine.”

Currently five models feature the 2.0-liter TwinPower Turbo 4-cylinder – Z4 sDrive28i, 528i Sedan, 328i Sedan, X3 xDrive28i and more recently, the X1 sDrive28i/xDrive28i. They will be joined next spring by the 328i Sports Wagon.

“The BMW N20’s calling card is fuel efficiency. We drove the 328i hard and still achieved close to 30 mpg. There are other good new 2.0L turbos in the market, but the N20, paired with an 8-speed transmission, topped them by several miles per gallon in our testing,” said Tom Murphy, Executive Editor at Ward’s Auto World. “The N20 makes 120 hp per liter, delivers gratifying low-end torque and is the type of engine many 2.0L turbos hope to be some day.”

The 2013 740i and 740Li, as well as the X1 xDrive35i Sports Activity Vehicle, are the newest models to receive the TwinPower Turbo inline-6. In addition, the new BMW ActiveHybrid 3, 5 and 7 models all feature the N55 TwinPower Turbo inline 6.

“The 300-hp 3.0L turbocharged inline-6 is a fantastic engine in everything from the X1 to the 7 Series, so we figured putting it in the small-ish 135is, with an extra 20 hp and more torque, would be scintillating. We were right. It loves to rev, sounds like a 1960s muscle car and makes the tachometer needle dance like a Rockette,” noted Murphy. “The N55 does more work by 2,500 rpm than most engines do at wide-open throttle.”

The 2013 740i, 740Li and ActiveHybrid 7 use the higher output version of the N55, first seen in the 640i Coupe and Convertible. It takes output and torque from 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque to 315 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. They will go from 0 – 60 mph in about five-and-a-half seconds and deliver 19 mpg city/28 mpg highway/22 mpg combined for the 740i and 740Li. The ActiveHybrid 7 delivers even more impressive mileage at 23 mpg city/30 mpg highway/25 mpg combined.