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New Models
AUTOS: BMW Opens Up M Catalog
New 3- and 5-series cars can be enhanced with wheels, brakes, exhaust and appearance upgrades from M Performance Parts.
BMW M Performance Parts can be purchased for standard 3- and 5-series cars. (Photo: BMW)
New 3- and 5-series cars can be enhanced with wheels, brakes, exhaust and appearance upgrades from the M catalog.
BMW has opened up its M Performance Parts catalog to new 3- and 5-series cars, offering chassis, brakes, aero upgrades and exhaust improvements for the 2012 3-series and the 2011-12 5-series.
Starting on the outside, a 20-inch forged-alloy wheel set is offered for the 3-series. The wheels reduce unsprung weight by 2.4 pounds per wheel, which BMW says helps improve steering response and handling characteristics. A similar set is offered for the 5-series; both are two tone with high-gloss/low-gloss finishes and the BMW M logo.
Moving inside the wheels, BMW offers a Brembo big-brake kit with painted calipers. The upgrade consists of four-piston fronts and two-piston rear calipers with improved thermal resistance from cross-drilled, vented rotors. Colors include red, yellow and orange.
For the exterior, BMW has high-gloss black kidney grilles. The 3-series cars can be outfitted with M Performance sport stripes printed on PVC film in black or white. Carbon-fiber mirror caps are available for the 5 and the 3, while a carbon-fiber spoiler is available for the 5-series only.
The carbon motif extends to the inside of the M Performance equipment, including a shift knob and trim set. BMW also has an M Performance Alcantara steering wheel with a flat bottom and a red stripe at the 12 o'clock position.
In June, a stainless-steel exhaust system will be offered for the 335i and 535i sedans. It has two chrome-plated exhaust tips with the BMW M logo.
None of these upgrades improve the performance of the car to a great degree, and they don't even get it close to full M status. But the upgrades would make your 3- or 5-series a bit more intimidating at the stoplight. Whether you decide to go for it on green is your decision.
This story originally appeared at AutoWeek.com.
BMW has opened up its M Performance Parts catalog to new 3- and 5-series cars, offering chassis, brakes, aero upgrades and exhaust improvements for the 2012 3-series and the 2011-12 5-series.
Starting on the outside, a 20-inch forged-alloy wheel set is offered for the 3-series. The wheels reduce unsprung weight by 2.4 pounds per wheel, which BMW says helps improve steering response and handling characteristics. A similar set is offered for the 5-series; both are two tone with high-gloss/low-gloss finishes and the BMW M logo.
Moving inside the wheels, BMW offers a Brembo big-brake kit with painted calipers. The upgrade consists of four-piston fronts and two-piston rear calipers with improved thermal resistance from cross-drilled, vented rotors. Colors include red, yellow and orange.
For the exterior, BMW has high-gloss black kidney grilles. The 3-series cars can be outfitted with M Performance sport stripes printed on PVC film in black or white. Carbon-fiber mirror caps are available for the 5 and the 3, while a carbon-fiber spoiler is available for the 5-series only.
The carbon motif extends to the inside of the M Performance equipment, including a shift knob and trim set. BMW also has an M Performance Alcantara steering wheel with a flat bottom and a red stripe at the 12 o'clock position.
In June, a stainless-steel exhaust system will be offered for the 335i and 535i sedans. It has two chrome-plated exhaust tips with the BMW M logo.
None of these upgrades improve the performance of the car to a great degree, and they don't even get it close to full M status. But the upgrades would make your 3- or 5-series a bit more intimidating at the stoplight. Whether you decide to go for it on green is your decision.
This story originally appeared at AutoWeek.com.
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