Let me introduce you to this striking blue 2006 BMW Z4 M Roadster. It belongs to Philip, a friendly fellow who is trying to convince me that the Z4 M Roadster is undervalued in the M-car hierarchy. I’ve got a morning with the car, so let’s see if I agree. My drive of the Z4… Continue reading Review: 2006 BMW Z4 M Roadster is the Right M on the Wrong Road
I’ve heard it whispered that the BMW X5 M is the way BMW should have built the brand new 2025 (G90) M5, and that the M5 would have been better skipping hybridization and just sticking with a twin-turbo V8. While we’ll never know how this imaginary M5 would have turned out, I do have the… Continue reading Comparison: 2025 BMW X5 M Competition and M5 are Sumo Wrestling
I’m trying hard to figure out who would buy the $51k ($64k as tested) 2025 BMW X3 xDrive30i M Sport. By its dimensions and capability, the X3 xDrive30i appears to be a practical hauler of young kids and their crud, but when fit with the M Sport options, the SUV transforms into a hard-riding performance… Continue reading Test Drive: 2025 BMW X3 xDrive30i Someone Skipped Cardio
I’ve settled into the BMW M5’s extremely comfortable front seat and found its start button only to be startled by theatrical “bbbuuuwhaaahh” power-up noise. The welcome noise gives me a flashback to the THX intro sounds from 2000’s movie theaters. (Yes, the driver is now listening.) The sounds are accompanied by a building glow in… Continue reading Test Drive: 2025 BMW M5 is the Splenda Super Sedan
Jumping in the M240i after driving the X7 and 540i reminds me of why I love BMW. The small 2 Series coupe is similar in size to the E46 and E92 M3s that made me a Bimmer fan. I'm sat low, close to the ground, with the fat steering wheel falling easily to hand and… Continue reading Test Drive: 2024 BMW M240i xDrive Two is the Loneliest One
BMW hit the reboot button on its 5 Series in 2023 when it brought out the latest version of its midsize luxury sedan. The reboot came with new styling, new technology, and new electric propulsion for the 5 Series EV, the I5. Internal combustion fans will be relieved that gas engines are still available. In… Continue reading Test Drive: 2024 BMW 540i is Neither Here Nor There
The cover of this book is just ridiculous. It has got the snout of an angry pig and squinty snake eyes. Its tail sports twin stacks of hexagonal tailpipes and a faux diffuser. The massive 22" wheels are black with red highlighting, and the pair of laser-etched roundels on the trunk glass are a galling… Continue reading Test Drive: 2024 BMW XM Label Has Me Seeing Red
I have an extraordinary opportunity staring at me, a chance to drive the best from BMW’s 2024 lineup in back-to-back test drives. And the pair of keys to which I have access couldn’t be more exciting; the Alpina B8 Gran Coupe and M8 Competition coupe are at my beck and call. This will be a… Continue reading Comparison: 2024 Alpina B8 and BMW M8 are the Best, Served Two Ways
I’m about to drive a trusting friend’s immaculate E30 Touring. It’s a drive that I hope will answer a few burning questions. First, I’m eager to know if 1990s BMWs fall in the sweet spot between classic thrills and modern(ish) capabilities. This question stems from my recent drive of a 1963 Porsche 356. It was… Continue reading Comparison: 1994 BMW E30 Touring vs 2014 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon are Beauty and the Beast
We are about to do something ridiculous: compare two cars with no reason to go head to head. Though the 1M and CTS-V were contemporaries, they were never competitors. One was a lithe Skunkworks sports car, while the other was a plus-sized ass hauler. It didn’t make any sense to pit the Bimmer against the… Continue reading Comparison: 2011 BMW 1M vs 2014 Cadillac CTS-V is Apples to Oranges
Mike's Steering Column 