Dear members,
As I am sitting here writing this, ready for the end of month newsletter, I have received an email advising us of the passing of the immediate past President of the BMW Motorcycle Club of Victoria, Bob Leggatt, over the weekend. It's such a shock to hear. Bob was a lovely man, and as President had helped us to bring the Car and Bike Clubs together at some of our events.
Our very next event, in fact, is a joint event with the Bike Club at Doncaster BMW. Bob stood down as President at their AGM last month, after three years in the roll. It's very sad news and Bob will be missed by all who knew him. I have passed on our sincerest condolences, both personally and from our Club.
It is a reminder again, to hug those you love a little tighter and cherish the moments you spend together with family and friends. You never know what the future will bring.
With July done we are not only a month into the second half of the year but also halfway through winter, so the days are becoming longer again and a little warmer, when the sun is out. It has been a cold and wet winter so far, but this has not stopped us and our members enjoying our cars.
We started the month on 6 July with Round 4 of our Traction Tyres/Yokohama Drivers Championship at Phillip Island. It was lots of fun and an unusually sunny day, for Phillip Island in winter! It was a great day out, as always and it was great to get out and check out the new surface after the track was shut for resurfacing works through May and June.
On 9 July BMW Group Australia invited Jo and I to the launch of the new M5 at their Mulgrave headquarters. It was a lovely evening and great to get up close and personal with the new M5 before it was released to the public. An amazing car, of course, 730hp, 1000nm of torque from its hybrid petrol/electric power plant through all four wheels, it’s just a pity we live in a nanny country where you can’t drive it like it should be driven. It will be great to see one on a track next year. Read more about it here.
On 14 July we attended Karting Madness at Braybrook with a large group, who enjoyed some fun inside and out of the cold with some great lap times and a lot of fun by all that came. Read Lawrence’s write up here.
On 20 July we had a weekend away with a great bunch of members for our Christmas in July at Winter Wonderlights at Sovereign Hill. If you have never been, this is something young and old can enjoy. It is really spectacular. The weather even played along - although it was rather chilly, the light rain stopped in time for the light show. After the show we had dinner at the Robin Hood Hotel in Ballarat. We ran a raffle with some nice prizes, raising $275 for Peter McCallum Cancer Centre. Sunday then saw us explore the area before meeting up for lunch at the Lake View Hotel for a delicious lunch before heading off in our various directions home.
On 30 July we had our regular Drop in Donuts. This is always a greatly attended casual event with members joining together to just catch up for a chat about all things cars and donuts of course!
August starts with a joint meeting at our newest BMW dealership partner, Doncaster BMW. On 6 August, BMW Drivers Club Melbourne and BMW Motorcycle Club Victoria will be doing a joint event at Doncaster BMW. This is a spectacular dealership which hosts BMW, Mini and Motorrad. Join us for a tour and to find out what great offers they will be sharing with all our members.
11 August is Round 5 of our Traction Tyres/Yokohama Drivers Championship at Sandown. This is a joint sprint and Kaos Custom Bikes Come and Try Day, plus we will also be doing the Racer Industries Parade Laps again as this went down so well in March. Come and join us, whether you want to just do some gentle parade laps or go flat out against the clock. We will also have some of our E30 racing members on hand to take people for rides or chat about the series that will be racing at Sandown two weeks later.
23- 25 August is E30 Racing Round 3 at Sandown. Come out and support our members that run in this fun series at the Vic State Racing Championships. It’s a great opportunity to see a real race meeting up close and be a part of the action in the pits.
25 August is also Round 6 of our Traction Tyres/Yokohama Drivers Championship at Broadford with AROCA. There will be a few members up there having a blast around the Broadford circuit too, so it will be a busy weekend.
31 August is our next family day out, this time a breakfast and drive to Walhalla, starting at the Pancake Parlour at Narre Warren. There are some awesome roads into Walhalla and then a narrow-gauge train ride and everything the old historic town has to offer. Always a great day out and it’s been a few years since last we visited.
Registrations for our next Tassie Trip – “the northern half” close on 7 September. If you want to come and have a blast around northern Tassie, get your registrations in ASAP. The last time we went to Tassie we had a ball and this one will be as much fun again. We already have quite a few booked in to come with us, so it will be another awesome week away.
Challenge Bathurst registrations opens to the public on 1 August, so if you want to attend, get your entry in now. There are a lot on the public Challenge Bathurst wait list, but we can get you in if you contact us today.
Officials are also needed too - you get free camping, 3 meals daily and a uniform. There are also hot laps on the Sunday after the event, weather permitted for first timers. It is a great event to attend as an official and a fantastic way to be a part of motorsport at this amazing circuit.
Our Bathurst 12 Hour private suite in February is nearly sold out. There is only one queen room left at the accommodation venue in town and only a few spots left in the suite. Again, this is an amazing event to be a part of and to do it in style in the corporate suite with all your food and drinks included is definitely the way to go.
Over the ANZAC Day long weekend in 2025 we are running the BMW Clubs Australia Nationals. This is a must do event, so get it in your calendar and join us for a long weekend of events with BMW Club members from all over Australia. We are nearly ready to launch the booking site for registrations to each event over the weekend.
We will be needing lots of volunteers to help run the Nationals as well as sponsors to come on board and help us make this a fantastic event to showcase our club and Melbourne to everyone coming to join us.
Thank you to Melbourne BMW, Shannon's Insurance, Southern BM, Sonax Australia, Bell Motorsport, Sirene Sea Pearls, and Grip Auto Watches for coming on board so far. Your help and support is very welcome and will help us to make the Nationals an event to remember.
Check out the calendar for our full list of events and to register for those listed above.
The welfare team is still working away in the background, supporting those of us that need a shoulder to lean on or an ear to listen. We are a family and are more than happy to lend a hand in any way we can, just reach out if you need anything.
Membership is still going strong. We welcome all the new members that have joined us this month and hope you enjoy your membership experience. The Club is yours, so join in and feel free to offer any suggestions you may have. We are always looking for ideas for events and helpers to run them, so drop us a line if you have an idea or want to put your hand up to help. We run a wide range of events, from casual catch ups to full on racing, so anything you want to do in the world of BMW you will find here. Please enjoy your time in the club.
Thank you for joining us and being a part of our BMW family, I look forward to seeing you at an event somewhere soon.
Graeme Bell | President
BMW Drivers Club Melbourne Inc.
PO Box 81, Tyabb VIC 3913 Incorporated in Victoria #A0102695G BMW Drivers Club Melbourne Inc is a member of: BMW Clubs Australia and the BMW Clubs International Council Motorsport Australia Affiliated Motorsport Club
The Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024, a storied event in the English county of West Sussex featuring a timed 1.86 km hill climb up the stately home’s drive, was ideal occasion for the world premiere of the new BMW M5 high-performance sedan in its seventh generation. It made its first public appearance as part of a spectacular line-up of vehicles that also includes the BMW M Hybrid V8 prototype endurance racer, the new BMW M4 CS and an array of classic machines from the motor sport history of BMW and BMW Motorrad.
In honour of designer Marcello Gandini, who passed away in spring this year, BMW Group Classic will also be presenting the BMW Garmisch. This coupé is a rebuild of a concept car that Gandini had designed for coachbuilder Bertone but that then vanished without trace following its premiere at the 1970 Geneva Motor Show.
Also produced in just a single example so far, the BMW Concept Skytop has an exclusive blend of aesthetic appeal and dynamic potency. This design study is making only its second ever public appearance, following on from its world premiere at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. An open-top two-seater, the BMW Concept Skytop symbolises the joy of luxury travel. With design details recalling classic models like the BMW Z8 and BMW 503 and a super-powerful V8 from BMW’s current engine line-up, it bridges the past and the present in hallmark Festival of Speed style.
Read the full article here
Moving up in size from last month's slot cars 21 of us had so much fun racing go karts at Karting Madness Braybrook.
It was great to see a wide range of ages, inluding one Junior who was able to join a Junior only session (so no "motivated" adults blasting past) in between the adult sessions.
The format was two qualifying sessions and then two race sessions. We were split fairly randomly into the two qaulifying groups. Based on overall times for our complete group we were split into the two race sessions - one for the faster drivers and the other for the not so fast.
With a grid start for each race and plenty of chances to overtake, and even more to get it wrong! there were some tense tussles and a lot of big grins.
I was surprised to find myself P4 in the quicker race and even more surprised to make a blinder off the grid into P2 at turn one and going into turn two. Stupidly I went too defensive and tried a touch too hard resulting in a spin, causing chaos behind me for which I can only aplogise, and placed last by quite a margin coming out of turn two.
Ah, the thrill of the chase! Overtaking is very satisfying and I was able to claw my way back to P4 at the end.
Everyone had a tale to tell, a lot to laugh about and had a great time.
Back in the ‘60s my friends and I spent a lot of time and money on slot cars, a relatively new product at that time.
We started with out-of-the-box Airfix and Scalextric cars before enhancing their performance by re-winding the motors for extra power.
We finished up with a chassis made from bonze tube built to a design published in magazines, “naked” motors wound by us by hand with the go-to wire size and supplier, the best-of-the-lot front axle assembly and one of two rear axle/gear set assemblies, topped off with a clear vacuum formed “blob” body which looked pretty close to the real car and painted on the inside for a nice shiny finish. A bit like a modern supercar build really.
We had a big Scalextric track at school on a large board on pullies, lowered to rest on top of the bench vices in the metalwork room at lunchtime and hoisted up out of the way for lessons.
We also had a home made track in a friend’s roof space using hardboard (masonite here) with slots cut by a router and aluminium tape for the conductors. This featured hills and dips and various bend radii and a tricky part situated rather too close to the narrow angle between rafters and roof tiles to enable speedy recovery if a car went off!
Another bright design idea which didn’t work was a wet race simulation. The combination of water and electricity blew the lighting circuit we were plugged into.
Things have moved on since then, in particular the robustness of the cars.
Outlaw Slot Cars offer a great track design and fast cars which are very durable.
The basics remain the same and one of the key features is having enough marshals to put the cars back on the track after the inevitable off.
We used their 8 slot track with a nifty system to ensure that all competitors race on all slots so as to even things up.
Each track is colour coded and you are allocated a start colour, a car and sheet of 8 coloured stickers. Simply put the correct sticker on your car and put it in the correct slot, find the control matching your colour and off you go.
Every 3 minutes the competitors, and their car, change slots (and car stickers) with a rotation system which sees some as marshals and some as competitors but all getting 8 sessions on the track.
In case you are wondering about the stickers, they are so the marshal knows which slot to put your car back into to!
The challenge is to cover as many laps as you can in your 8 sessions, which means going as fast as you dare without falling off too often – as in real racing really but the consequences of an off are far less!
The timing screens are a bit too small to easily see from the competitors position but they cleverly show not only how many laps you have already done but predict how many you will have completed after all 8 sessions. So, even as the number of sessions per competitor changes during the competition you have a target to chase.
It was a lot of light hearted fun as the relative positions jockeyed back and forwards and some people persistently went off at the same place every lap, usually at high speed.
In the end Alex (assisted by his 5 year old daughter despite her having some difficult seeing all of the track) covered the most laps (108, fastest 10.552), Andrew had the fastest lap (8.145 seconds but only 89 laps covered), and Megan had the best balance of those two (8.286 seconds and 100 laps). So not quite tortoise and hare.
With the June report we are halfway through the year already! Where does the time go?
With events on nearly every week there is always lots to do and keep engaged with other members.
This last month we had lots to keep everyone busy, stating with our Outlaw Slot Car Evening on 4 June. This was a car event of a different kind and by all accounts it was a great time had by all.
On 9 June we had Mornington Peninsula Drive Kings Birthday weekend. Our annual Kings Birthday Drive started with a very interesting visit to Peninsula Honey, where we had morning tea and learned all about bees and honey and I’m sure everyone stocked up on the delicious different varieties of honey on hand, I know we did! Then another of Peter’s wonderful drives all around the Peninsula, taking in the winter views to finish up at the Pig and Whistle Tavern at Main Ridge. Always great food and with so many of us on the drive we had the Theatre Room all to ourselves. Some of the kids on the drive put on an impromptu magic show too, which was a great bit of fun. It was a great day out and we couldn’t have asked for a better winter’s day for it.
15 June was Round 3 Traction Tyres/Yokohama Drivers Championship and Kaos Custom Bikes Come and Try Day at Calder Park with Racer Industries Parade laps. What a day. There was a bit of fog on the way to the track, but it turned into one of those glorious sunny Melbourne days we love. Perfect for our first Calder Sprint and with a Come and Try group and the Racer Industries Parade laps as well, it was a great day out for everyone. Those that wanted to go fast and be timed had a ball in the sprint groups and passengers could go for a ride in the Come and Try or parade laps, a great way to experience all the different ways to get into doing Club Track Days. The Race Industries Pace Car laps are proving very popular and will continue at every event we run. It was a perfect practice for April next year when we hold the BMW Clubs Nationals and run the Track portion of the weekend at Calder Park. Thanks to all the officials that came and helped us run the day, is was fantastic to see so many giving of their time to support us. Very much appreciated.
On 23 June we had a drive and visit to Trafalgar Holden Museum. An interesting drive again, thanks Peter, looping from Croydon to Trafalgar via some fun and twisty roads through the hills, perfect to start the day and have everyone arrive to a BBQ lunch supplied by the club and cooked up by yours truly with the assistance of Adrian White and the girls in the kitchen buttering rolls and bread for sausages. The Holden Museum has grown a lot since last we visited, and it is a fantastic display of our motoring and lifestyle heritage. We might be a BMW Club, but we are Australian and there is nothing more Australian that the history of Holden. So sad to see the company and name disappear, especially for me, as I worked for Holden as a test driver up until the day they announced they were closing down. But great that we can go there and see the displays of all the things Holden have done, from saddles to boats, guns to cars. If you missed the day, drop in and check it out.
On 27 June we held our regular Drop in Donuts evening for the Geelong area. Ever popular and a great way to spend an evening looking at cars, eating donuts and chatting to friends about anything.
28-30th June was E30 Racing Round 2 at Phillip Island. It was a cold winters weekend at Phillip Island for the second round of the E30 Racing Championship. Friday wasn’t too bad, a little damp, but a chance for drivers to get used to the new surface. Saturday was wet for Qualifying and with a big crash in the event before them in the latter part of the day their Saturday race was postponed till Sunday morning. Sunday was then a long day, being first event then two more races through the day and finishing last on the card, but with little rain on Sunday it actually dried up for the last race at least. Was a great weekend’s racing, but with a couple of off-track excursions in the wet, resulting in one of the long time drivers, and DCM member, Brian, shortening his E30 by a couple of feet, sadly. Other DCM members did very well, Martin and Zac, both new to racing E30s scored podiums in the races and for the round as well, even though Martin had a bit of an off during qualifying too, but we managed to fix him up and get him back out for the races. Young gun Royce was shining again, just amazing to watch him on track, a real star of the future. Other members Shannon, Andrew, Peter and Tristan had solid weekends in the trying conditions. Very well done to all of you. Also, great watching other DCM Members like Anton racing in other categories at the meeting too, always something to see and someone to cheer on. Great having all the E30 crew garaged together, the camaraderie and fun that goes on between races is awesome to see and a testament to the group and why we support E30 Racing as the next step up from doing Club Sprints. More than half the E30 members are also DCM members and come to our track days to help and instruct, so if you want to go the next step up from Club Sprints have a chat to any of them and they will be glad to help. Thank you also to the DCM members that give of their time to officiate at the State Race Meetings, it is awesome to see our members’ friendly faces helping to run the meetings. Also great having people drop in and see us in the pits, you are always welcome to come and have a chat and join us at these race meetings and see what goes on.
It was, again a busy month indeed.
Coming up in July we have lots to keep you busy:
Over the ANZAC Day long weekend in 2025 we are hosting the BMW Clubs Australia Nationals. Come and join us for one of the biggest BMW events in the country and see amazing cars and club members form all over come together for this bi-annual event that only comes to Victoria every 6-8 years. We need volunteers to help us run the event as well as People to come as attendees. See www.bmwclubnationals.com.au for all the information about this fantastic event and put it in your diary now!
There are sponsorship opportunities available for the Nationals too, so if you have a business or a company you would like to showcase in front of a National gathering get in touch with Jo via info@bmwclubnationals.com.au we would love your support for this event, so come on board!
We are supporting Peter MacCallum Cancer Research with the Nationals, as our preferred Charity. There is a link on the event website to donate if you’d like to too.
Membership continues to increase, even with the downturn in the economy, it is great to see so may still supporting the club or indeed joining us. Thank you for staying with us and welcome to those new members that have joined us this month. The club is yours, so make the most of what we offer and if there is something you think we should add get in touch and we will see what we can do. Always open to suggestions and offers of help to keep this the Best BMW Club in the World.
We have an extensive range of BMWDCM merchandise available, so go to our web store and see what is in stock. The long sleeve cotton tops are back in stock, we couldn’t believe how popular they are but we have new stock in now.
We are always looking for people to help with the running of the club, we have positions available if you have some time and skills. Someone to help with background web, internet, social media would be great. If you have some time get in touch please.
There have been some issues with the Club Permit Scheme and online renewals. This is the preferred method of renewing your permit but VicRoads have had some changes and issues. We are working through it with them and hopefully it is being resolved now. If you have any questions, refer to the Club Permit section of the web site or email us via cpsrenewals@bmwdcm.com.au.
The welfare team are working in background helping members, as usual. A very important part of our Club network and they are there for you anytime you need help. Whether it be an ear to listen to a problem or you need someone to have a coffee with, we are there for you to help. Just reach out if you need anything at all. We are a big family, and we are there to look after everyone when you need it.
I look forward to seeing you at an event somewhere soon.
Event date: 15 June 2024
The day started for me at 7 am in the light fog – was there going to be any racing?? BMW cars appeared and I was marshalling at the intersection between the Thunderdome and the pits. A pile of cars in various states entered left to the Thunderdome and the good-looking tidy cars (mostly BMW’s) turned right to the pits. An interesting selection of cars and really appreciative people made the job exciting and interesting. BMW cars were joined by a couple of beautiful Porsches, Mazda MX5 and even a Subaru. The steady flow continued to around 8 am.
Briefing for the Flag Marshalls took place outside the office – what a great professional group that look after all the racers.
The main briefing started at 8:15 with all the information given to all the officials. A drivers’ briefing followed that.
Jo had a great team helping with the registrations of competitors and officials.
If you stand back, you can see the hours of work that goes on behind the scenes by Jo and Graeme (and others) to ensure that everything is well prepared for a successful event that is extremely well organised and just flows! How lucky is the BMWDC to have these people!
My next job was to direct the cars down pit lane to the starting marshals waiting for them to organise them on to the Calder track. But before they even got to me a group of scrutineers has checked that every vehicle is safe for track use as is the driver!
The cars enter the track and another group looks after them – timers, flags, race control, safety car, recovery, medics – all amongst the people behind the scenes ensuring the event flows along without you realising it. What a great job these people do – thanks to them.
As the cars leave the track, I try to make sure that they can head back to the pits without being hindered.
This happens for each group of racers and each time they go on and off the track.
At lunch time there is a special chance for us mere mortals to have a parade lap which was actually laps to have a drive around the circuit. Graeme leads this after a briefing so we all know what to do = no passing and enjoy yourself. I enjoyed my drive and really appreciated being able to sample the track – thanks for organising this.
Back to the sprints – the cars came and went till around 4:30 pm.
The pack up was next. Graeme and Jo are still there as many leave, making sure that all the required items are completed, all the equipment packed up and taken home. Helpers are there as well and are excused to go home.
The day is over. It was cold at times but I appreciated the sun that appeared at times. The day was so interesting that you didn’t notice the weather.
My final thoughts – come and have a go at these days. The come and try driving is an excellent way to sample motor sport and the parade laps a great way to see what it is like to drive on a track. Being an official is interesting and flag marshalling is a great way to be up close the racing. BMWDC is a great club and the members make the day very enjoyable even if you turn up in a Mercedes. Thanks to the organisers for a great day – I will be back again!
Chris Houghton-Allen | Member #770 BMW Drivers Club Melbourne
Setting out its stall as a textbook purveyor of driving pleasure for the purist, the new BMW M2 (fuel consumption, combined: 9.8 – 9.6 l/ 100 km [28.8 – 29.4 mpg imp]; CO2 emissions, combined: 223 – 218 g/km in the WLTP cycle, CO2 class: G) raises the bar for compact high-performance sports cars in the premium segment. Indeed, it elevates the performance experience in this vehicle class to a whole new level. The new BMW M2 lines up with even more power, greater visual impact than ever and innovative equipment features. Front and centre of this fresh round of updates to the car is the 15 kW/20 hp added to its output: the high-revving six-cylinder in-line petrol engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology now tops out at 353 kW/480 hp. And then there are the new design accents for the exterior, an updated interior and the introduction of BMW Operating System 8.5 to underpin the latest generation of BMW iDrive.
The package of updates for the elite compact sports car makes the first step into the world of high-performance models at BMW M GmbH even more attractive. The new BMW M2 takes its drive concept of a straight-six engine, six-speed manual gearbox (optional) and classical rear-wheel drive – a unique proposition among its rivals – to a new stage of evolution. In combination with its compact dimensions, chassis technology tuned perfectly for both everyday road driving and track use, and a state-of-the-art operating concept allowing individualisation of the car setup, this makes the new M2 ideally equipped to write the next chapter in the BMW M brand’s history of success in this segment.
The new BMW M2 will be built alongside the new BMW 2 Series Coupé at BMW Group Plant San Luis Potosí in Mexico. It will be launched worldwide with a production phase-in from August 2024. More than 40 per cent of total sales will be recorded in Europe. The most important single market will be the USA, followed by Germany, China, Great Britain and Japan.
As well as the raw power itself, the inimitable way in which the six-cylinder in-line engine delivers that power also plays a key role in the performance experience offered by the new BMW M2. The upgraded version of the engine for the new edition of the high-performance sports car shines an even more vivid spotlight on the linear delivery of power, sustained into the higher reaches of the rev range, that is such a hallmark feature of M models. Its maximum torque is on tap across a wide rev band between 2,650 and 6,130 rpm. In examples of the new BMW M2 with the optional six-speed manual gearbox (fuel consumption, combined: 10.2 – 10.0 l/ 100 km [27.7 – 28.2 mpg imp]; CO2 emissions, combined: 231 – 226 g/km in the WLTP cycle, CO2 class: G), peak torque remains 550 Nm (405 lb-ft). And when power is channelled via the standard eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic, the figure rises to 600 Nm (442 lb-ft). The engine produces its increased maximum output of 353 kW/480 hp at 6,250 rpm, with revs topping out at 7,200 rpm.
So that drivers can explore the engine’s upgraded performance characteristics with an even greater degree of intensity, further advances have been made with the accelerator mapping and response in all the drive modes selectable via the M Setup menu. As a result, the new BMW M2 offers noticeably more rapid reactions to the driver’s requests for acceleration – both when specified with the eight-speed M Steptronic transmission and with the optional six-speed manual gearbox.
The ability of the new BMW M2 to offer further improved power delivery is rooted in an exceptionally strong technological base. Its 3.0-litre engine differs from the unit in the BMW M3/BMW M4 range in a few details only. The increased peak output figure of the new BMW M2 lends further weight to its leadership claims in the compact high-performance car segment. In addition, it now achieves parity with the manual variants of the new BMW M3 Sedan (fuel consumption, combined: 10.1 – 10.0 l/ 100 km [28.0 – 28.3 mpg imp]; CO2 emissions, combined: 230 – 227 g/km in the WLTP cycle, CO2 class: G) and new BMW M4 Coupé (fuel consumption, combined: 10.1 – 10.0 l/100 km [28.0 – 28.3 mpg imp]; CO2 emissions, combined: 230 – 226 g/km in the WLTP cycle, CO2 class: G).
As well as its pair of mono-scroll turbochargers, an indirect intercooler and an electronically controlled wastegate, the M TwinPower Turbo technology of the straight-six engine also includes High Precision Injection, VALVETRONIC variable valve timing and Double-VANOS fully variable camshaft timing. The engine also has an array of details borrowed directly from racing car design and whose impact is most clearly evident in its lightning-fast response, appetite for revs and high performance capability in track use. These details include an extremely rigid crankcase with a sleeve-free, closed-deck construction, a forged crankshaft with lightweight design, cylinder bores with a wire-arc sprayed iron coating and a 3D-printed core for the cylinder head.
The M-specific cooling system ensures the powertrain components maintain an optimal operating temperature even under heavy loads. The oil circuit is also designed to handle extremely dynamic driving situations. A map-controlled oil pump ensures reliable oil supply even under extreme longitudinal and lateral acceleration.
The engine sends its drive power through an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic as standard. The Drivelogic button integrated into the selector lever makes it possible to alter the transmission’s shift characteristics, with a choice of three clearly distinguishable settings. Both the selector lever in the latest M design and the gearshift paddles on the steering wheel enable sequential interventions in the gear selection process at any time.
Drivers keen to blend an intensely engaging performance experience with even more direct interaction with the powertrain can specify the six-speed manual gearbox as an option. This links up with the Gear Shift Assistant, which uses engagement speed control to ensure slip-free operation when downshifting under braking into corners.
Whichever form of power transfer the customer chooses for their BMW M2, the increased engine output shaves 0.1 seconds off its 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration time: the new BMW M2 records a figure of 4.0 seconds with the standard transmission or 4.2 seconds if specified with the optional six-speed manual gearbox. The increase in power also makes its presence felt over the 0 to 200 km/h (124 mph) sprint, delivering an improvement of 0.6 seconds in the case of the BMW M2 with eight-speed M Steptronic transmission (now 12.9 seconds) and also lowering the time posted by cars with the optional manual gearbox by 0.6 seconds (to 13.7 seconds). Top speed is 250 km/h (155 mph), but can be increased to 285 km/h (177 mph) with the optional M Driver’s Package. The dynamic power delivery is backed by an emotionally rich engine note conjured by the M-specific exhaust system with electrically controlled flaps.
Powerfully chiselled surfaces and athletic proportions mark out the pure-bred performance character of the new BMW M2, whose compact dimensions and wide tracks showcase it to visually dramatic effect.
M-specific design features geared to the functional requirements of cooling air routing and aerodynamic balance accentuate the eye-catching appearance of the two-door car. A large, horizontal BMW kidney grille and the three-section split lower air intake optimise cooling of the powertrain components and brakes.
The model-specific LED headlights are positioned towards the outer edges of the front end. In a tribute to the iconic BMW 02 models, they each have a single circular headlight that generates both low beam and high beam. U-shaped light guides at the lower edge of the headlights serve as both the daytime driving lights and turn indicators. Available as options are Adaptive LED Headlights with BMW Selective Beam non-dazzling High Beam Assistant and M lights Shadowline with dark inlays.
The high-performance model’s profile is shaped by the elegant lines which have become a signature feature of the brand’s coupés. In combination with prominent side sill extensions and muscular wheel arches, this creates a compact two-door form with a richly sporting character. The new BMW M2 can also be ordered as an option with an M Carbon roof that not only reduces the car’s weight by around six kilograms, but also increases agility by lowering its centre of gravity.
The rear apron of the new BMW M2 features a powerfully sculpted race-car-style diffuser. The exhaust system feeds into two pairs of exhaust tailpipes, which are positioned a significant distance from the edges of the rear end and also channel the racing genes of the M2 visually. The trims for the twin tailpipes are now finished in black as standard. The likewise black model lettering on the boot lid and radiator grille creates a particularly classy impression with its silver-coloured bordering.
Customers can order their new BMW M2 in a choice of three solid colours, five metallic shades and six BMW Individual paint finishes. The significantly expanded range includes the new Sao Paulo Yellow solid, Fire Red metallic, Portimao Blue metallic and Skyscraper Grey metallic variants. Plus, the selection of BMW Individual paint finishes for the new BMW M2 now also features Java Green, Voodoo Blue, Grigio Telesto and Twilight Purple.
The new BMW M2 is fitted as standard with M light-alloy wheels in double-spoke design and with a Jet Black finish. Dimensions are 19 inches at the front axle and 20 inches at the rear axle. A new addition to the options list are M light-alloy wheels in double-spoke design and with the same dimensions, but finished in the colour Silver. They can be combined with track tyres if the optional M Race Track package is specified.
The most important interface between the driver and car – the steering wheel – has been newly designed, bringing a fresh look to the interior of the compact high-performance model. The standard-fitted M leather steering wheel of the new BMW M2 now has a flat-bottomed rim and precisely modified spokes. A red centre marker in the 12 o’clock position, gearshift paddles and the two M buttons for selecting individually configured vehicle setups project an intense racing car feel. An M Alcantara steering wheel is now also available as an option in the same design. A heating function is offered as an option for both steering wheel variants.
The optional M Sport seats in Vernasca leather can now also be ordered in a red/black bi-colour variant. Added to which, the weight-minimized M Carbon bucket seats for the new BMW M2 are not only available in conjunction with the M Race Track package, but now also as an individual option. With surfaces in Merino leather, multi-way electric adjustment, removable head restraints and a facility for adding a multi-point harness, they optimise both the car’s comfort levels and its racing credentials.
The M-specific content in the BMW Curved Display and optional BMW Head-Up Display enhances the cockpit’s progressive sports car aura. The fully digital screen grouping, made up of a 12.3-inch information display and a 14.9-inch control display, now provides the stage for the latest evolution of the BMW iDrive control/operation system based on BMW Operating System 8.5. The functions of the climate control system are now also operated digitally. The temperature and ventilation settings as well as the seat heating and – if specified – steering wheel heating in the new BMW M2 can be controlled either by touch using a special menu option in the lower area of the control display or by voice command with the help of the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant.
This broad adoption of digitalisation leads to a further reduction in the number of buttons and controls in the cockpit and is accompanied by a redesign of the instrument panel. New adjustment controls for the air vent grilles in the centre of the instrument panel and on the driver’s and front passenger side of the cockpit allow the airflow direction to be adjusted using rotating and tilting movements.
The interior trim elements in the instrument panel and centre console of the new BMW M2 come as standard in Dark Graphite matt. Interior trim elements in Aluminium Rhombicle Anthracite, M Carbon Fibre or new Fine Brushed Aluminium are available as an option.
At the heart of the M-specific operating concept is the Setup button on the centre console. This provides direct access to the settings options for the engine, the standard adaptive M suspension, the M Servotronic steering, the integrated braking system working in conjunction with the M Compound brakes, and the M Traction Control function, which allows drivers to set individual intervention thresholds for wheel slip limitation. The Gear Shift Assistant of the optional manual gearbox is also activated and deactivated via the M Setup menu.
Standard equipment for the new BMW M2 also includes three-zone automatic climate control, ambient lighting, a HiFi speaker system, a wireless charging tray and the BMW Live Cockpit Plus with BMW Maps navigation system. The likewise standard smartphone integration enables use of Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™. Semi-automated driving and parking systems that come as standard include front collision warning, Cruise Control with brake function, Speed Limit Info function with no-overtaking indicator, Lane Departure Warning and Park Distance Control with sensors at the front and rear of the car. Among the optional items available are the Driving Assistant, Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function and the Parking Assistant with Reversing Assistant.
Also on the options list are Comfort Access, an electrically operated slide/tilt sunroof and the Harman Kardon Surround Sound System. As well as the BMW Head-Up Display, the optional BMW Live Cockpit Professional in the new BMW M2 now also includes Augmented View on the control display.
BMW PRESS
With a length of 4,036 mm, a width of 1,744 mm and a height of 1,464 mm, the body dimensions are almost identical to those of its predecessor and underline the basic idea behind every MINI: To create as much space as possible on a small footprint.
In the case of the MINI Cooper 5 Door, this means an interior that offers enough space for five passengers. Compared to the new MINI Cooper 3 Door, the wheelbase is 72 mm longer and the body 172 mm longer. All of which benefits the occupants in terms of comfort and space. Short overhangs, clear surfaces and expressive accents also give the new MINI Cooper 5 Door its unmistakable charisma. Inside, digital innovations and an immersive user experience take the MINI DNA to a new level.
The larger body version of the purist MINI Cooper also delivers the brand's hallmark driving fun and agile handling. There is a choice of two efficient petrol engines which, combined with the modern chassis and precise steering, deliver the hallmark MINI go-kart feeling.
The three-cylinder petrol engine of the MINI Cooper 5 Door C generates 115 kW/156 hp. The MINI Cooper 5 Door S is powered by a four-cylinder petrol engine with 150 kW/204 hp. Hallmark MINI steering and powerful brakes ensure a high level of driving fun, safety, and comfort. Compact dimensions, short overhangs, and a small turning circle of 11.4 metres make the MINI Cooper 5 Door a versatile model for the city.
The new MINI Cooper 5 Doorcombines charismatic MINI design with an extra portion of functionality. In the rear, the noticeably wider interior provides comfortable space for three passengers. The 60:40 folding rear seats increase the luggage compartment capacity from 275 litres to up to 925 litres.
The new MINI Cooper is characterised by "Charismatic Simplicity".
The design language of the current MINI family presents the traditional values of the brand with a striking clarity. The authentic design language of the new models combines advanced technology with elementary principles of vehicle design and brand origins.
Short overhangs, a small bonnet, a long wheelbase, and large wheels - the proportions of the MINI Cooper 5 Door reflect its urban character.
Thanks to its compact silhouette, the model is easy and comfortable to manoeuvre even in tight spaces - with plenty of room for all passengers. The new MINI Cooper 5 Door is an original MINI with a high recognition value. The visual tripartite division into a clearly designed body, a wraparound window area and a stepped roof makes it instantly recognisable.
The minimalist design of the front end with its focused expression contributes to this. The new generation also features the iconic MINI round headlights. Together with the octagonal front grille, they form the distinctive MINI face. Standard LED headlights with individually adjustable daytime running light elements enhance the striking appearance. The optional light signatures are available in three versions to emphasise the character of the vehicle. The MINI Cooper interacts with the driver using a specially orchestrated welcome and goodbye animation even before the journey begins.
The new MINI aesthetic continues at the rear with clear surfaces and flush-fitting taillights. The vertically aligned LED clusters are reminiscent of the classic MINI lights and, like the headlights, can be switched to different settings.
The flush-mounted design of the rear lights lends a modern and purist look to the car’s rear sculpture. It is subdivided by a striking black handle strip with distinctive model lettering. Its horizontal alignment emphasises the new MINI Cooper's broad stance.
The new MINI Cooper 5 Door is available in eleven expressive body colours. For the roof, there is a choice of three contrasting colours, the car colour and the characteristic multi-tone roof with a gradual colour gradient. The different colour tones highlight different features of the car and showcase the new MINI design language in a variety of ways.
The car can be personalised with four different exterior trims. The Essential Trim, which comes as standard, emphasises the minimalist overall appearance and highlights certain functional parts such as the logo in Vibrant Silver. Starting with the Classic Trim, the roof is available in black or white, as is the Multitone roof with its unique colour gradient. The contrast with the body colour gives the MINI Cooper a particularly expressive look.
In the Favoured Trim version, the front radiator grille frame and certain design elements are finished in Vibrant Silver, further enhancing the individuality of the MINI Cooper.
The JCW Trim emphasises the sporty side of the MINI Cooper 5 Door. Exclusive design features such as the striking front and rear diffusers, radiator grille surround and high-gloss black JCW logo allude to MINI's motorsport heritage. Chili Red is available exclusively for the contrasting roof.
The tyre diameter is larger than on the outgoing model, emphasising the wide stance of the new MINI Cooper 5 Door. Aerodynamic wheel designs in 16 and 18-inch sizes offer further exterior options.
The interior of the new MINI Cooper 5 Door also features the brand's typical combination of new elements, technical innovations, and references to the brand's history.
The design of the front end of the new MINI Cooper 5 Door is reduced to the essentials and is reminiscent of the purist design of the classic Mini. Legendary inventor Alec Issigonis designed an interior for the first model with a round instrument in the centre and the characteristic toggle switch strip below. These two elements also structure the cockpit in the MINI Cooper 5 Door.
The minimalist design of the interior makes do with fewer components, which are cleverly designed and manufactured to a high standard. Behind the steering wheel, the optional, slim, combined head-up display ensures that all relevant content appears in the driver's field of vision. As a result, the dashboard on the driver’s side does not require an additional instrument panel, so it opens the view to the front.
Innovative materials characterise the feel-good atmosphere in the interior of the MINI Cooper. A specially developed knitting process is used to create the versatile, easy-care structure of the textile in two-colour design made of recycled polyester. The textile surfaces extend across the curved dashboard and into the door panels. The air vents feature an especially flat design. The horizontal arrangement of the air vents ensures an even flow of air in the cockpit. The direction of the vents can be easily adjusted.
The generous space in the front seats and the clean lines give the cockpit a modern and airy look. Thanks to the panoramic glass roof, the interior is particularly bright. The seats are available in a standard version and in a JCW version. Their side panels are upholstered in high-quality fabric right down to the adjustment buttons. Three passengers can sit comfortably in the rear.
Like the round instrument of the outgoing model, the new central icon with its versatile functions is the visual focal point of the interior. The central OLED display in the redesigned cockpit has been moved closer to the driver, making it easier to reach. Its high resolution sets a new standard. Thanks to the MINI Operating System 9, all vehicle functions can be controlled intuitively by touch or voice. The slim touch display has a high-quality glass edge, has grown to 240 mm in diameter and its operating logic is reminiscent of the standards familiar from smartphones.
The graphical presentation of content focuses on the essentials. Vehicle-related information is displayed at the top. The lower part of the OLED display provides direct access to the navigation, media, phone and climate control menus. The home button returns the display to its default settings.
The seven MINI Experience Modes can be selected according to mood and personal preference and characterise the atmosphere in the interior.
Using the MINI Projector on the rear of the OLED display, they transform the dashboard into matching worlds of colour and pattern. The interplay of projection, ambient lighting and the MINI Interaction Unit creates a unique, immersive experience that extends into the door trim. This opens new possibilities for individualisation. In Personal Mode, for example, a personalised image can be selected as the display background via the MINI App. The dominant colours of the picture are then applied to the dashboard's textile surfaces using a digital colour picker. The ambient lighting under the dashboard and in the door mirror is also colour-coded to match these projections.
Each mode has its own customised backgrounds. In Go-kart mode, for example, the display and interior are dominated by the John Cooper Works signature charcoal grey and red.
Just like the iconic centre console, the rocker switch strip with its toggle switches is as legendary as the MINI itself - and yet it has been carefully updated time and again. In the latest version, the parking brake, gear selector, start/stop button, Experience Mode, and volume control are all at your fingertips. Practical benefit: The removal of the gear selector has freed up more space in the centre console, which now features a large open storage compartment in addition to the cup holders. Smartphones can be charged in the wireless charging area at the front of the console and are always ready to hand.
The new colour and material concept for the MINI Cooper 5 Door is deliberately minimalist. High-quality, environmentally friendly materials are used, such as the knitted recycled polyester surfaces on the dashboard and door trim.
Four newly designed trims underline the feel-good concept. The Essential Trim includes black sport seats with patterned multi-tone fabric and a matching fabric strip on the dashboard. A new accent colour, Vibrant Silver, is used to highlight certain interior and exterior functional elements.
Starting with the Classic Trim, the standard two-spoke steering wheel is replaced by a three-spoke version with a textile band at the six o'clock position. A 2D knitted fabric in grey and black on the dashboard and doors contrasts with the imitation leather seats.
A two-tone houndstooth pattern on the knitted dashboard is particularly expressive. The perforated Vescin sports seats are available in two colours with traditional accent stitching.
JCW Trim is a sporty interpretation of the new material concept. Combined with multi-coloured knitted fabric and black imitation leather with red stitching, the colour scheme echoes that of the dashboard and door trims.
In the new MINI Cooper, numerous functions can be controlled using the brand’s first fully-fledged voice assistant. The MINI Intelligent Personal Assistant can be activated with the greeting “Hey MINI” or else by using the push-to-talk steering wheel button. Voice-controlled interaction takes place on the circular OLED display in the form of an animation of graphic elements, typography, and an avatar. Users can choose between the visualisation of "MINI" - a stylised representation of a MINI - and the virtual travel partner "Spike". The driver can easily control navigation, telephone, entertainment, and numerous vehicle functions by voice.
The MINI Intelligent Personal Assistant continuously learns from repeated routes. Drawing on geo-based data, for example, the vehicle can learn to automatically open the window when entering a car park. This makes everyday life much more convenient.
The MINI user interface combines functional and emotional elements. The design is reduced, creating a very modern look based on new graphics. Static and dynamic elements blend naturally into the circular shape of the MINI Interaction Unit, following a clear structure. Micro animations reinforce the intuitive interaction between the driver and the central instrument, thereby underlining the digital character of the new MINI family.
The MINI Operating System 9 is an in-house development of the BMW Group. Operation is intuitive and follows standards that are familiar from the consumer electronics sector.
The home menu is located in the centre of the screen. The status bar with the menu items Navigation, Media, Telephone, All Apps and (depending on the situation) Home is located at the bottom of the screen. Favourite functions such as navigation destinations or radio stations can be stored in the tool belt for quick access. The upper part of the screen is reserved for driving-related content, such as speed and important vehicle status information. The optional head-up display presents the most important information in the driver’s line of sight.
In conjunction with the MINI Connected Package, the full MINI Navigation Package supports the driver during the journey with realistic 3D visualisation of turn situations, a display of the current traffic situation even when the route guidance system is not activated, information on parking facilities including digital payment options and much more.
The new Parking Assistant Plus makes the parking process even easier. Thanks to 12 ultrasonic sensors and four surround-view cameras, the vehicle can identify possible parking spaces more clearly and can even independently initiate space-restricted parking manoeuvres.
With MINI Digital Key Plus, the smartphone becomes the key and opens the car automatically. The welcome projection of the front and rear lights begins as soon as the driver is less than three metres away; the doors are unlocked when the driver is at less than one and a half metres away from the car. The digital key is transferable to different users, thereby facilitating car sharing in that it is no longer necessary to hand over a conventional vehicle key to the other person.
The new MINI Cooper 5 Door is available with a choice of two efficient petrol engines. Within the new model family, MINI refers to the performance levels with the designations C and S. The entry-level model is the MINI Cooper C with a 115 kW/156 hp three-cylinder engine (consumption combined: 6.6 – 6.0 l/100 km (62 miles); CO2 emissions combined: 149 - 136 g/km according to WLTP) with 230 Nm (170 lb/ft) of torque. This enables the vehicle to accelerate from a standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 8.0 seconds and reach a top speed of 225 km/h (134 mph).
The MINI Cooper S has a 150 kW/204 hp four-cylinder engine (consumption combined: 6.8 – 6.3 l/100 km (62 miles); CO2 emissions combined: 153 - 141 g/km according to WLTP with a maximum torque of 300 Nm (221 lb/ft). It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.8 seconds and has a top speed of 242 km/h (150 mph).
The track width and wheelbase are generous for this vehicle segment and provide the basis for the hallmark MINI dynamic performance. The MINI Cooper 5 Door features a suspension and damping system tuned for spirited handling. This ensures a high level of everyday driving comfort, combined with the precise steering feel typical of MINI and the powerful brakes.
Highly preloaded anti-roll bar mounts on the axles ensure balanced body handling during dynamic cornering. They also ensure steering precision and accuracy. The result is excellent body support combined with smooth rolling comfort.
Selective tuning of the steering and all stability control systems ensures an exceptional experience in all driving situations. An adaptive suspension with frequency-selective damping system is available for particularly sporty driving. The increased tyre diameter of 625 mm gives the MINI Cooper 5 Door a greater visual presence. At the same time, driving dynamics and ride comfort are improved. In addition, the tyre width of the optionally available 17-inch and 18-inch rims is increased to 215 mm in order to emphasise the typical MINI go-kart feeling. Available rim sizes range from 16 to 18-inches.
Event date: 9 June 2024
On Sunday 9 June, BMWDCM hosted a drive around the Mornington Peninsula, with stops to collect some honey (thankfully not directly from the hives!) and to enjoy a pub lunch together.
For me, it began with a rainy drive to Moorooduc. If I may side-track for a moment: if you don't drive far each year, please check the age of your tyres. BMW USA recommends replacing tyres every 8 years; I've had tyres about this old that had plenty of tread left and were fine in the dry, but terrible once the roads were wet. Back on topic, thankfully it stopped raining near Moorooduc and stayed mostly clear for the rest of the drive.
Our first destination was Pure Peninsula Honey, where we stocked up on honey and honey-related products, such as honey-infused vinegar and pickles. After a quick driver's briefing, we hit the road towards the coast and then the twisty roads. There were about 20 cars on the drive and I volunteered to be "tail-end Charlie" of the second group, which involves making radio calls to the group leader that the back of the group has made it through a particular turn. Or not, as the case may be! Due to a break in Convoy Procedure, Graham T and I didn't see the other cars make a turn, so we missed it. We headed towards Dromana to regroup. Due to our detour, I'd assumed that were now somewhere behind the rest of group two, so it was a surprise to everyone involved when the cars from group one started coming past us while we were pulled over! We then resumed our correct position in the group and enjoyed the squiggly road up to the Arthur's Seat lookout.
After a quick stretch of the legs at the lookout, it was onwards to the Pig & Whistle tavern for lunch. However, drive-leader Peter has a knack for finding great driving roads, so we took a very indirect and enjoyable route to get there. My favourite part was the series of tight corners around the valley. Danny and I also took a bit longer than most, since we were nerding-out in the carpark about the glorious E39 5-Series sedans and wagons (second in greatness to only the E30 3-Series model range!!). Inside the tavern, we were given our own private room, so it was great to have our own space to chat over lunch. I was at a table with Danny, Helen, Mark and Paul, who were all good company. My lunch selection was fish'n'chips, washed down nicely with a local mid-strength beer. It also turns out that our function room was a theatre, and the younger club members (Harper, Payton and Olivia) needed no invitation to jump up on stage and put on a funny Magic Show for us older folk to enjoy.
Thank you to Peter, Jo and our convoy leaders for running a really fun day out.
Simon de Lisle | Member #430 BMW Drivers Club Melbourne
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