Cars Lab

Archive for April, 2009

Bmw Chooses Michelin Pilot Sport For New M3

For OE fitment to its new M3 Coupe BMW has chosen Michelins Pilot Sport tire. The new M3 has a 414bhp V8 engine and is promoted by BMW M GmbH as a racecar tire for daily use. It can be deduced that Michelin selects its ultimate sports tire developed in consonance with engineers from BMW M as a rational option.

Michelin stated BMW M GmbH has selected a racing tire made for the street to ensure that its new coupe tightly grips the road and feels like a Formula 1 race car. The tire manufacturer equipped the cars which won both the Driver and the Constructors championships two years in a row. Since the release of the first generation model Michelin tires have equipped the BMW M3. The manufacturer also fitted other cars produced by BMW M including the M5 and M6.

Whats the fourth generation M3?

The E92 model is a car that first arrived in 1986. It had a fourcylinder engine with around 200bhp back then. But now the new car doubles that with a V8 and 414bhp but the basic ingredients are retained: rearwheel drive a limited slip differential and a motorsportinspired engine that revs to a gigantic 8400rpm.

The M3 will cost 50625 when it starts its sales early September in the UK. A BMW reset tool may come with it.

At first it will be available only as a twodoor coupe. Expected to follow next year is a convertible and fourdoor saloon. The broaden range is hoped to help break the 100000unit barrier for the first time. However the last M3 2000s sixcylinder E46 is a tough act to follow.

The M3 gets two more cylinders. And some auto journalists view the move as a brave one and something that transformed the M3 from a motorsport product to the international icon it is today.

The last cars 3.2litre sixcylinder wouldnt meet forthcoming emissions regulations and rivals upped the game with V8s leaving Munich with no other option but to match them. The American market has been a big consideration too. Fifty percent of all cars expected to go on the Stateside.

Therefore this is the first time the M3 has largely changed since 1992.

And just like in 1992 the E92 will leave the hardcore craving more. Now a nice woo fly warble under lighter throttle loads precedes a hardedged charge for the red line. The spinetingling zinginess of the E46 car is also gone. It is now replaced by a more mature but still exhilarating progression.

The quest for a highrevving engine has not surprisingly left a hole in the torque low down so you need to be able to stir that sixspeed manual which is the only option for now though SMG will follow to really get moving. The box is carried over from the E46 and obviously shares its characteristics: direct but a bit stiff.

About the writer:  Hailey Kerr is a Business Administration graduate. She is currently part of a business consulting firm in Massachusetts. Hailey loves to write and enjoys doing her favorite hobby during her free time cooking French cuisines.

Be Prepared On Your Next Road Trip

Almost everyone regardless of their age wants to go out and relish the freedom of the open road. Going on a road trip spells adventure for anyone with wanderlust. If you do decide to cross the country take some time to prepare . That said you also might need to rig your vehicle with comfy car seat covers.

When considering car seat covers comfort as well as safety should be in mind when deciding on a product. A road trip can last a few days or even weeks. Sheepskin seat covers are an especially good choice for roadtrip afficionados. Sheepskin seat covers apart from keeping your car seats protected from the long sitting hours you will have to experience also add extra comfort. Sheepskin seat covers help keep you and your passengers warm in the winter and keep you from burning your legs in the summer.

Another good option is to have your vehicles seats fitted with neoprene seat covers. Waterproof and very durable neoprene seat covers can easily protect your car seats from damage caused by beverage and food spills constant changing of positions and exposure to the elements.

Aside from seat covers there are other essentials a road tripper must consider before setting out. If you are going out with a group it is wise to have a point person to do some research and map your route. Research should include finding out the locations of gas stations motels camp sites shortcuts and the like. A point person is critical in navigating and in making decisions like where to stay or what road to take.

Before leaving checking the vehicles engine tires oil and brakes is pretty much a logical thing to do. You must also check if you have enough food and water to last until you reach your next stop. Driving with the latest maps is imperative as well as bringing some clothes pillows blankets and proper identification. While everyone wants a smooth and enjoyable road trip everyone must prepare for emergencies. Having an emergency kit handy or knowing the location of the nearest hospital can be a life saver.

Other essential accessories needed for a road trip:

Proof of Insurance handy in times of accidents
GPS Locator / Navigator can help motorists locate the nearest motel or gas stations as well as tell them where a highway leads to
Jumper cables very useful in case of dead batteries
Trash bags
Ice boxes keeps cool things cool and prevents the mess that melted ice makes
Mobile phones with spare batteries communication tool
Flashlights
Spare tires with tools
A portable music player

Another thing road trippers must agree among themselves is dividing the driving duties and the cost of the whole trip as the fuel costs could get expensive. For parents with teenagers who are planning to set out for a road trip it is quite necessary to instill in them necessary skills such as tire changing responsible driving and first aid.

While parents fears are quite understandable they must also understand that a road trip can be a positive experience to their teenagers and a memorable journey towards independence. For adults a road trip can be the break they need from the rigors of a busy life. With all that said it is very important that a road trip should be as safe as it is comfortable.

About the writer:nbsp;nbsp;About the Author:
Dan Bodrero has owned and operated his own store manufacturing and selling seatcovers and dashboard mats for nearly every make and model of car truck or SUV. Dan takes pride in the quality of his workmanship and stands by every product that leaves his store. Each custom made seat cover is hand crafted from quality materials and is guaranteed to protect your automobile and fit securely and snugly.

Austin Seat Cover

Austin seat covers protect the original Austin upholstery from damage wear and tear and likely chance of disfiguring from stains and other sources of damage that may hurt the factory installed upholstery. Austin seat covers are also designed to fit perfectly and stay perfectly fit all along. This is possible because Covers for Auto makes each cover based on the precise make and model measurements.

Cut and fabricated through intricate stateoftheart technology and aided by CAD/CAM process of manufacturing Austin seat covers are made from a wide array of pre tested materials varying in color quality and strength that may include velour as well as expensive imported sheepskin.

While others charge extra for supplying head rests arm rests console covers and map pockets Covers for Auto single delivery package contains all including detailed instructions for easy installation of the seat covers. The Quality Certified QS9000 and TS16949 company has also been specially permitted to use some branded logos on seat covers made by them. Please check if the Austin logo can be embroidered on seat covers sold to customers.

As most contemporary Austin marque of vehicles have multioperational front seats that can tilt slope or slant in any angle provisions are made in Austin seat covers for gaining access to these operations thus making them full functioning. Slits or flaps made into the Austin seat covers ensure free operation of safety air bags while integrated shoulder belts are freely accessed thanks to the ingenious design of the Austin seat covers.

For further details on Austin seat covers and also to find these wonderful products in a range of fabric and color options please visit www.covers4auto.com.

About the writer:nbsp;nbsp;Shane Watson

Content Writer

www.covers4auto.com