recomended reading material - United Bimmer Community

**jybute** · 02-07-2006, 10:55 PM

check out "the complete book of bmw" by Tony Lewin.
Its a complete bmw encyclopedia, from 1950-present.

**komodo** · 02-07-2006, 10:56 PM

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/076...lance&n=283155

Link for the lazy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Editorial Review

BMW is the most remarkable phenomenon to hit the auto industry in a generation. Celebrated for its luxury sports cars, motorcycles and aero engines in the pre-war era, it squandered its glamorous heritage in the 1950s; on its knees and near-bankrupt, it was rejected as a lost cause when offered by desperate banks to Mercedes-Benz. But thanks to a wealthy German aristocrat, a brilliant engineer and a young and inspirational manager, Mercedes would soon regret not having scooped up the once-glorious firm: pioneering the concept of the compact, high-quality sports saloon, the visionary new team systematically built BMW into the spectacular success we know today. Through the most expressive medium of all – the cars themselves – The Complete Book of BMW tells the story of one of the most remarkable turnarounds of the century. From the iconic 2002tii of the 1960s through the mighty M3 of the 1990s to today’s born-again MINI and the crowning glory of the Rolls-Royce Ph! antom.

"The Complete Book of BMW is a master work. The word 'definitive' is a bold claim but this book should be viewed in this light. It is the most comprehensive survey of BMW Group models from the 501 right up to this year's 1 and 6 Series published in the English language. Data tables covering specifications, production volumes and prices will be invaluable to the BMW enthusiast and the layout and production volumes are second to none. Tony Lewin deserves high praise for this outstanding book." - Chris Willows, Corporate Communications Director, BMW Great Britain

witeshark · 02-07-2006, 10:57 PM

I had a look at that in a Barnes and Noble (I think)

**jms** · 02-08-2006, 11:38 AM

sounds cool, maybe I should wait for the movie.

DEATH2000 · 02-08-2006, 12:24 PM

i know that book, sadly its kinda expensive but its a huge book. lots of info about BMW

**komodo** · 02-08-2006, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DEATH2000

i know that book, sadly its kinda expensive but its a huge book. lots of info about BMW

Amazon has it used for like $25. That's not too bad.

DEATH2000 · 02-08-2006, 12:42 PM

^^ Its $80 CDN new at Chapters.

**bex325** · 02-08-2006, 07:20 PM

I got it for xmas last year. Its not a bad book, although there are a number of inaccuracies and ommisions in regards to models and engines. Not to mention that sometimes the editing leaves much to be desired.

**jybute** · 02-09-2006, 07:16 AM

i dont know about inaccuracies, but there are deffinetly some omissions. for example, i wish they would print how many cars were built with certain options, specifically the e34. ive heard people say that only 5% of the e34 535i were built with a five speed. but ive also heard that that is inaccurate by several bmw enthusiasts. some real proof would be nice.

**jms** · 02-09-2006, 07:56 AM

Do they explain why the do the M3 stuff on the last model year of a 3 series run?

**jybute** · 02-09-2006, 10:36 AM

? please ask again? me no understand

**jms** · 02-09-2006, 12:22 PM

mine is all stock and comes with m3 logos everywhere and m3 parts everywhere. A mechanic told me they do this for the last model run of a series. he could be wrong.

drz · 02-09-2006, 12:40 PM

It is not uncommon for BMW to offer M-sport packages on their cars. I have never seen any evidence that points to this happening only on the last year of the model. I have seen several last-yearers that do not have M stuff on them.

**jms** · 02-09-2006, 01:12 PM

so it was an option, not as I was told. Cool cause now it makes more sense. was it just the standard sports package?

**jybute** · 02-09-2006, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jms

mine is all stock and comes with m3 logos everywhere and m3 parts everywhere. A mechanic told me they do this for the last model run of a series. he could be wrong.

I will look, but the only thing is that there isnt an m3 chapter, it pretty much goes by body style.