Menu
Log in


BMW Drivers Club Melbourne

  • 3 Mar 2020 5:50 PM | Anonymous



    The BMW Group is opening a new chapter in its history with the unveiling of a pure-electric Gran Coupe. The BMW Concept i4 takes electric drive to the core of the BMW brand and heralds a new era in Sheer Driving Pleasure. The BMW Concept i4 represents a look ahead to the BMW i4, slated to enter production in 2021.

    The BMW Group is opening a new chapter in its history with the unveiling of a pure-electric Gran Coupe. The BMW Concept i4 takes electric drive to the core of the BMW brand and heralds a new era in Sheer Driving Pleasure. The BMW Concept i4 represents a look ahead to the BMW i4, slated to enter production in 2021. It provides a whole new take on the dynamic excellence for which BMW is renowned and blends a modern, elegantly sporty design with the spaciousness and functionality of a four-door Gran Coupe – all while generating zero local emissions.

    “The BMW Concept i4 brings electrification to the core of the BMW brand,” says Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design. “The design is dynamic, clean and elegant. In short: a perfect BMW that happens to be zero emission.” The drivetrain’s standout numbers include a range of up to 600 km (WLTP), output of up to 530 hp, 0 – 100 km/h (0 – 60 mph) acceleration of approximately 4.0 seconds and a top speed in excess of 200 km/h (124 mph). However, the driving qualities of the BMW Concept i4 cannot be expressed in figures alone. The virtually silent delivery of power creates an entirely new sensation of dynamism.

    “The design of the BMW Concept i4 shows fantastic proportions, a powerfully expressive character and, of course, a lot of attention to detail,” adds Domagoj Dukec, Head of BMW Design. “With the BMW Curved Display, we have redefined BMW’s signature driver focus in an extremely elegant way. At the same time, the BMW Concept i4 transports a feeling of sustainable driving pleasure.” As part of the package, the Concept i4 includes several exterior and interior design elements which will make an appearance in both the BMW i4 and other electrically-powered production vehicles. 

    The exterior – electrifying aesthetics.

    The modern, elegant exterior represents a deliberate counterpoint to the dynamic flair of the driving experience. The perfectly resolved Gran Coupe proportions create an authentic, modern and confident appearance. The long wheelbase, fastback roofline and short overhangs form a basic profile brimming with elegance and dynamism. With its four doors, the BMW Concept i4 offers not only a high level of everyday usability and practicality, but also a much larger interior than the car’s modern and dynamic proportions would immediately suggest.

    Clear surfaces and aerodynamic details.

    Crisp, smooth lines and taut volumes merge into a rich, smoothly contoured sculpture and create a clear surfacing language. The modern exterior paint shade Frozen Light Copper reprises a colour nuance displayed by the BMW Vision iNEXT and showcases the interplay of surfaces to visually stunning effect. Blue elements in the front end, flanks and rear end point to the car’s BMW i origins. They shine a spotlight on the signature BMW i icons and bring the technology below the surface to the fore – for example, the kidneys in their role as an intelligence panel, the mouldings in the side skirts concealing the battery technology, and the diffuser elements in the rear end, which fill the design space vacated by exhaust tailpipes and enhance aerodynamic efficiency.

    A host of other aerodynamic measures maximise the car’s electric range. The blanked off kidney grille and clear aero lips provide detail examples of sophisticated airflow engineering at work. Another distinctive area of the car are the wheel rims. These have been designed exclusively for the BMW Concept i4 and blend aerodynamic and lightweight design; smooth – and therefore aerodynamically optimised – surfaces contrast with ultra-low-weight, high-strength spokes. The rims extend the car’s palette of colours and materials, emphasising its luxurious overall character.

    The front end – the eye-catching face of a new era.

    The front-end treatment of the BMW Concept i4 presents the familiar BMW icons in a new look, lending a visually powerful face to the electric age at BMW. The prominent, closed-off kidney grille provides a tangible connection between the past and future of BMW. The BMW icon also gains new functionality: With no combustion engine to require cooling, the grille now serves primarily as an “intelligence panel” housing various sensors. The grille teases the technology behind the scenes with a special design for this model. The headlights likewise provide a bridge between the past and the future; the classical four-eyed front end is reprised here with a very modern and pared-back interpretation. Two intricate, freestanding LED elements on either side integrate all of the requisite light functions. Clean surfaces and a small number of crisp lines around the grille create a contemporary front-end graphic with considerable visual impact. A BMW i-style blue accent in the grille surround sets the seal on the front-end styling.


    Taking the first steps with the new BMW brand identity.

    In the course of the BMW Concept i4 presentation BMW is unveiling the brand’s new look for the first time. The new logo for communications also provides the basis for the badge on the BMW Concept i4. Its two-dimensional and transparent design ensures seamless integration and brings the special exterior colour shade Frozen Light Copper to even greater prominence. The concept car not only has the task of looking ahead to the future in terms of aesthetics, technology and innovation, it also explores the design potential within our BMW trademark.

    Striking rear end with aerodynamic features.

    The rear of the BMW Concept i4 sits low over the road and cuts a broad, horizontally emphasised figure. The surfaces progress across the rear in a smooth and luxuriant movement, and give it a very modern and calm appearance. The long, slim L-shaped rear lights continue the theme. Below the rear lights, the inward-angled surfaces form aerodynamics-enhancing lips and incorporate vertical air outlets. The verticality of the design here emphasises the car’s sporting stance. Further down, the rear apron has a forceful presence and enhances aerodynamic efficiency. Where exhaust tailpipes would once have been found, diffuser elements in BMW i Blue indicate the presence of a pure-electric drive system and reference the design of the BMW i Vision Dynamics.

    The interior – innovation meets minimalism.

    The interior of the BMW Concept i4 focuses on those times when the driver chooses to pilot the car themselves. To this end, every element in the front of the cabin is trained on the driver. The new BMW Curved Display teams up with the steering wheel to reveal a new take on driver orientation and offers a look ahead to the display in the production versions of the BMW iNEXT and BMW i4. Here, the presentation surfaces of the information display and Control Display merge into a single unit inclined towards the driver. This screen grouping optimises presentation of information and makes the display’s touch operation more intuitive. Advanced display tech with non-reflective glass also removes the need for a shroud to shade the displays and therefore contributes to an extremely uncluttered and airy cockpit.

    The BMW Curved Display encompasses a large proportion of the section in front of the driver and above the centre stack, and gives the front area a very modern appearance. Its slim, borderless form exudes quality and sophistication. Almost all operating functions are integrated into the display as part of an overall approach centred on reducing the number of haptic controls to the minimum. Even the climate control system now works by touch control.

    Focus on the essential.

    The front section of the interior around the BMW Curved Display also majors on pared-back design. The understated use of different materials and the fundamental arrangement of controls creates a modern yet also luxurious ambience. With this in mind, elements such as air outlets are integrated almost invisibly into the overall geometry and concealed behind strong patterns.

    Accent strips in warm Gold Bronze blending to chrome lend the interior a high-class touch. The central control panel replaces a traditional gear lever with a toggle-type shifter. Elements such as the iDrive Controller and seat memory buttons in the doors are finished in a classy crystal glass. The cloth/leather combination for the seats – composed of microfibre with line graphics and natural leather tanned using olive leaf – sets a high-quality and sustainable seal on the interior. The overall result is a clearly structured, bright and airy cabin which brings across the tranquillity and authority of electric drive systems. 

    Spacious rear compartment.

    Rear-seat passengers are greeted by a generously-sized compartment offering levels of headroom and legroom that exceed expectations of a coupe. Integral head restraints for the front and rear seats add further to the sporting feel. The cut-out in the head restraints is a classy detail that references sporty BMW models from the current line-up.

    The rear seats extend the horizontal graphic emerging from the doors to create a lounge feel in the rear. Meanwhile, the outer seats reprise the dynamic form of the front seats, heightening the sporting flavour. They also use very little stitching, which further emphasises the clean and modern feel.


    Further developed user interface design with Experience Modes.

    The screen grouping with new BMW Curved Display provides a digital gateway into the electric age at BMW. Look and feel are clearly influenced by the latest electronic devices and have been made deliberately less “automotive” in nature. In the display itself, flat layers provide considerable visual depth. Overall, the BMW Curved Display and new presentation approach combine to provide a first-class content-viewing experience.

    Three different Experience Modes enable users to explore the various facets of the electric drive system and provide a look ahead – in terms of visuals at least – to the next-generation operating system from 2021. The sometimes emphasised visual differentiation between the three Experience Modes (“Core”, “Sport” and “Efficient”) spans everything from how the user experiences the display and graphics to how the interior is presented. Ambient lighting in the dashboard, doors and (indirectly) below the display indicate the technical adjustments taking place.

    “Core” mode introduces the driver’s area to an updated interpretation of the four “widgets” familiar from the display concept of existing models. Here, the graphics reprise the pattern above the air vents and the Gold Bronze accent colour, consciously referencing the car’s interior design. In the area where the central display used to be positioned, a map and widgets now line up alongside one another. The user can navigate around the diagonal widgets using a swipe movement and arrange them intuitively by drag-and-drop. This allows them to adapt the display to their personal preferences.

    In “Sport” mode, the “widgets” come closer together and create a focussed view. Sideways movements behind the zones are used to show how tight the next corner is, facilitating anticipatory driving. This form of content presentation also allows effective peripheral viewing. The right-hand area of the display shows specific functions in a similar way to BMW M’s lap timer app.

    Efficient” mode debuts an “Assisted Driving View”, which shows the driver what the car’s sensors are detecting. This Experience Mode opens up deeper insights into the car’s technology, such as how it communicates with its surroundings. In the BMW Concept i4, the focus here is on anticipatory and efficient driving, and key information for efficient driving is incorporated. The right-hand area of the display shows additional vehicle information, such as the charge level and range.

    The sound of the BMW Concept i4.

    The BMW Concept i4 is not only characterised by its individual design, but also by its own visionary and unique sound. It was developed under the brand name of BMW IconicSounds Electric by world renowned composer Hans Zimmer together with BMW Sound Designer Renzo Vitale. BMW IconicSounds Electric aims to emotionalise BMW's electric vehicles and make them audible using individual sound worlds. The sound of the BMW Concept i4 achieves this to perfection – it combines BMW’s past and future. It gives the driver the feeling that there are no limits of expression. The sound is manifold, surprising and it provides a sense of lightness and transparency. The sound worlds of the BMW Concept i4 range from the driving sounds in "Core" mode to the more intense and pronounced sounds of "Sport" mode. Also included are the sounds of the door opening and the starting scenario.

    The technology as earmarked for the upcoming BMW i4.

    Fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology is a defining feature of the BMW i4 and therefore also of future electric mobility. The BMW iX3 due to go into production in 2020 will lead the way in the application of the new tech, which will be introduced in a number of electrically powered BMW vehicles – such as the BMW iNEXT and BMW i4. The electric motor, power electronics, charging unit and high-voltage battery using fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology are all-new developments enabling the BMW Group to take another significant step forward in the field of electrified drive systems. The electric motor developed for the BMW i4 generates maximum output of up to 390 kW/530 hp, which ranks it alongside a current BMW V8 combustion engine. Its instantaneous power delivery gives the BMW i4 standout performance attributes and exceptional efficiency.

    The fifth generation of BMW eDrive also brings a newly designed high-voltage battery with the very latest battery cell technology. The version of the battery developed for the BMW i4 impresses with its extremely slim construction and optimised energy density. It weighs roughly 550 kilograms, has an energy content of around 80 kWh and achieves an operating range of up to 600 km in the WLTP cycle.

    All in all, fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology sets new standards in terms of power density, efficiency and range in locally emission-free driving.

    Series production of the new BMW i4.

    Series production of the new BMW i4 will begin in 2021 at the BMW Group’s main plant in Munich. This means that, in the future, combustion-engined vehicles, plug-in hybrids and all-electric vehicles will be manufactured on the same assembly line in Munich.

    Integrating the BMW i4 into the existing production system represents a challenging task for Plant Munich. The body concept of the BMW i4 differs from the architectures of the vehicle models produced at the plant to date due to the need to accommodate its high-voltage battery. Approximately 90 per cent of the existing production equipment in the body shop can be incorporated into the process, i.e. adapted to manufacture of the i4. However, the remaining ten per cent – especially the machinery involved in building the rear structure – will need to be newly built.

    A separate new piece of equipment will be fitted in the assembly halls for installation of the high-voltage battery, as the battery needs to be fitted in the car from below. A particular challenge in the conversion/installation process are the crowded structures of the assembly halls. Working within these tight confines, old machinery will have to be removed and new equipment installed and brought on stream within a six-week period. This requires long-term planning and precise implementation.

    The company is investing a total of around 200 million euros in Plant Munich to bring series production of the BMW i4 to fruition.

    BMW PRESS

  • 3 Mar 2020 5:13 PM | Anonymous


    1 March 2020

    Sunday was a fantastic day out with a great bunch of people for the beginning of another very busy month for DCM.  It was an early start for the run around the bay to be at the start point at Lara for 8:30am.

    It was made very pleasant though, by the loan of a new X3 M40i from Mornington BMW to try out and show the members.  It's a beautiful car and quite amazing the tech and gadgets packed into the X3!

    It was great to meet some new members as well as some prospective new members coming on the drive and enjoying the day with us.  The best way to find out what a fantastic bunch of people we have in the club is to come to an event.  You don't have to be a member to attend most of our events. 

    After a quick coffee and breakfast we hit the road on another of Peter Williams’ amazing drives.  It never ceases to amaze how he comes up with these routes, no matter where we want to go Peter comes up with a very interesting way to get there! Thanks, as always Peter.

    Once we arrived at Queenscliff, we were treated to a delicious lunch at 360q.  It was very nice and relaxed lunch with a beautiful outlook and great bunch of people on a perfect day.  Like a lot of the places we go, the thanks should go to Jo.  She works tirelessly to find amazing places to go, things to see, places to eat, organises everyone and everything with the precision of a military operation!  You really are a treasure!

    Having a great drive and a delicious lunch would have been enough, but after lunch we drove to the old Fort for a private tour.

    When we arrived we all put our membership cards in the barrel and a couple of our lovely guests drew out cards.  A few lucky Members won some very nice gifts donated by Mornington BMW.

    Anyone that has been through Queenscliff would have seen the fort up on the hill, and like us, have probably driven by dozens of times and thought, we should go there one day.

    Well, Sunday was the one day, and boy was it worth the visit!

    We are blessed with so many interesting places to visit close to Melbourne, and a private tour of the Queenscliff Fort is one of those that should be on your list.  So much history right on our doorstep and who would have known it is still, not only an important navigational installation, but also an active defence base!

    This meant that we all had to sign in and be escorted around the fort by a guide.  Margaret, our guide, had a wealth of information on everything from the history of everything in the fort but also of the different roles the fort has played throughout the years in protecting us from threats from seaward as well as its other roles.  It was very informative indeed and as it is now the home for the defence archives, a very important ongoing role for defence and all of us.

    If you get the chance, stop in and do a tour!  It's very worth it, plus if you have ever had any family in the armed forces, they will have their records there.  From experience, it is very much worth finding information about your family as I found out when I looked up my own father’s war history, finding out things I never knew.  Like a lot of people that enlist, my dad never talked about his service.  I wish he had.  I'm so very proud of what I found.

    Anyway, that was just the first day of March and we have an awful busy month to follow.

    Tuesday evening we are being welcomed to new club sponsors, Melbourne BMW Southbank, for the members meeting.  Looks to be another very interesting night and looking forward to checking out the dealership and seeing what they have to show us.

    Make sure you bring your membership card with you, if you come, as we will have some lovely gifts from Melbourne BMW to give away on the night.

    Then next weekend we are off to Phillip Island for the Historics displays.

    Make sure you check out the calendar and come along to something soon. Lots of different events coming up!

    Graeme Bell | Member #1
    BMW Drivers Club Melbourne

  • 1 Mar 2020 11:00 AM | Anonymous


    MONTH IN REVIEW 

    February started with our annual trip to the Bathurst 12 Hour where some members camped and others opted to stay in hotels.  We were very lucky to be treated to a private tour of the BMW Walkenhorst pit garage, race control, podium tours, grid walks on race morning and helicopter tours.  It was also great to catch up with some of the other BMW Clubs for dinner on the Friday night.

    The following weekend, we had a fantastic turn out for the Torquay drive on the Saturday and then the Torquay Motor Show display on the Sunday.  We love these two day events - its a great opportunity for a weekend away to relax with fellow members, and certainly an easier start on the Sunday morning.


    Our first members meeting for 2020 was then held at Shannons showrooms with Jay Leno's Garage Advanced Vehicle Care attending, giving us a very detailed demonstration on cleaning and preparing our cars.  Two lucky members walked away with some cleaning products from our barrel draw.  

    The following weekend saw some members completing their OLT (Observed Licence Test) at Sandown to get their racing licence.  Then quite a few members raced in the first round of the E30 Racing Championship.  The weather was all over the place, very hot and humid on Friday turning to a downpour, then a wet Saturday and finally a sunny Sunday.  The change of weather certainly made for some very close racing!  


    Our first round of the 2020 Yokohama/Traction Tyres Drivers Championship at Sandown on 22 February turned out to be an absolutely beautiful day, with over 120 cars entered.  Thank you to all the BMWDCM members who attended and to those who helped with volunteering as officials, it would not run as smoothly if it wasn’t for you guys.  Many members posted personal best times, which was fantastic to see.   

    Circuit Training Cancellation 

    Due to a double booking of the track, the Circuit Training day on 18 April 2020 will no longer go ahead.  The next driver training day will be held on 14 June at Sandown, followed by another day at Broadford on 25 July. 

    MEMBERSHIP UPDATE: 438 MEMBERS

    Welcome to our new members, we look forward to seeing you at an upcoming event!

    --

    Don't forget to catch up with this month's update from our President, Graeme Bell here.

    THE MONTH AHEAD 

    Here's what we've got planned in March:

    • Sunday, 1 March
      Bellarine Drive to Fort Queenscliff 

      Join us for a drive to Fort Queenscliff.  We'll enjoy lunch at the wonderful 360Q followed by a 90 minute private tour of the fort and museum.
    • Tuesday, 3 March
      March Members Meeting | Melbourne BMW Southbank

      Our March members meeting will be with one of our 2020 partners, Melbourne BMW.
    • Saturday 7 - Sunday 8 March
      Phillip Island Festival of Speed Car Display

      We're off to the Island again for the Phillip Island Festival of Speed.  Attend one or both days - there will be discounted entry for the weekend for our members with reserved display parking opposite the pits.
    • Wednesday 11 - Sunday 15 March
      Australian F1 Grand Prix Car Display
      Unfortunately expressions of interest for the display have now closed, but be sure to pop by the display if you happen to attend!

    EVENTS AHEAD

    Keep an eye on our calendar for events coming up, we’re always adding something new.  

    Click on any of the following events for more information.
    • 7 April April Members Meeting | Eastern Tyre Centre
      Our April members meeting will be held at Eastern Tyre Centre.  There will be some fantastic prizes up for grabs, this is one not to miss!
    • 10 April Royal Childrens Hospital Appeal Good Friday Display
      More details to follow soon.
    • 12 April Flinders Motoring Heritage Day 2020
      An Easter display of unique veteran, vintage, classic and modern motor cars and motor cycles. Flinders Lions Club is fundraising for Peninsula Health, Flinders CFA and other local charities and causes.  
      BMWDCM took out car display of the day in 2019, let's see if we can do it again in 2020!
    • 19 April 2020 Yokohama/Traction Tyres Drivers Championship | Round 2
      Round 2 will be held at Winton.
    • 25-27 April Bushfire Relief Weekend to Bright
      We have all seen the devastation and turmoil caused by the recent fires around the country. Some small communities such as Brighthave been effected not only by the loss of buildings, but the loss of trade.
      Some of these small businesses were relying on tourists over the Christmas holidays but with the evacuation of most of these areas, the tourists were too scared to return. We would like to encourage as many of our members as possible to come along to do what we can by visiting.
    Winton Historics Car Display | 30-31 May
    Historic Winton is Australia's largest and most popular all-historic motor race meeting. Enjoy a weekend of non-stop racing featuring over 400 historic racing cars and motorbikes from the 1920s to the 1980s as well as a huge array of veteran, vintage, rare and unusual vehicles on display.

    For free admission, please ensure that you register before 21 March.

    MOTORSPORT VOLUNTEERS WANTED

    Have you ever wanted to be close to the action on track but not quite in the action? 

    We are looking for volunteers to assist at the following track days:

    • Sandown on 14 June 2020
    • Broadford on 25 July 2020
    • Winton on 4 July 2020 

    Please get in contact with Jo Mawson to discuss how you can get involved. 

    NEWS & BLOG 

    Our Blog page on the website is constantly being updated with not just club news, but everything BMW from all around the world!  We welcome you to submit any articles of your own! 

    idrive magazine

    Have an interesting story about you or how you came to own your BMW?  How about a story about a restoration or a build of your car?  It could be anything! 
    Email us because we'd love to read it and share it with our members.

    MEMBER SERVICES

    Members are welcome to submit their business to be shared on the Member Services page on our website.  We are all about supporting those who support us, so if you would like your business listed, email us with your details and we'll add you to the page!

    As always - thanks for reading, we look forward to seeing you at an event soon!


    President | Graeme Bell 0407 186 296
    Vice President | 
    Jo Mawson 0412 661 900
    Secretary | 
    Lawrence Glynn 0414 563 290 
    Treasurer |
     
    Shaaron Glynn

    Proudly supported by:

    All Residential/All Commercial
    Creative Custom Cars
    Melbourne BMW
    Shannons Insurance
    Southern BM
    Traction Tyres
    Waverley BMW
    Zagame Autobody

  • 29 Feb 2020 7:00 PM | Anonymous


     


    Dear Members,

    What a start to the Year, with a group of BMWDCM members making the annual pilgrimage to Bathurst for the 12 Hour to start a very busy month.

    Some of our members camped, while others took the option of booking into the more comfortable 12-hour package, with nice Motel Accommodation in town and all the trimmings in the Bathurst Club on top of the pits for the 4 days, which we chose to do.

    It was an amazing weekend with private tours of BMW Walkenhorst pit garage, race control, podium tours, grid walks on the race morning and helicopter rides around the track while the cars were out, well worth the money! 

    We love this event as we also get to meet up with our fellow club members from other states.  We had a lovely catch up dinner with them all on Friday night.  It was great to see people from all over the country coming together to enjoy a meal and chat about all things from the race, to club life in general.

    If you can, I really recommend coming to this event.  It is a fantastic race as well as being a great social meet up. Put it in your calendar for next year!

    The following weekend, we had a fantastic turn out for the Torquay drive on the Saturday and then the Torquay Motor Show display on the Sunday, with some amazing cars turning out.  We love these two day events as we can really relax and enjoy the company of our fellow members on Saturday night and makes it an easier start on Sunday morning.

    Our first members meeting for 2020 was then held at Shannons showrooms with Jay Leno Garage Advanced Vehicle Care attending, giving us a very detailed demonstration on cleaning and preparing our cars.  We have been very lucky to have them come on board as valued sponsors of the club for 2020.  Two of our lucky members walked away with some great cleaning products from our lucky barrel draw.  We were even luckier to have the guys from Jay Leno’s clean our car and I must say, she is still looking great after all the treatments to the wheels, tyres and trims.

    The third weekend for February saw a few members doing their OLT (Observed Licence Test) at Sandown to get their racing licence.  Then quite a few members raced in the first round of E30 Racing.  The weather was all over the place, very hot and humid on Friday turning to a downpour, then a wet Saturday and finally a sunny Sunday. The racing was good with lots of close racing and fun had by all.   Round 2 of the E30 Racing Championship is at Winton on 27-29 March if you are up that way and want to stop in for a look.

    Our first round of the 2020 Yokohama/Traction Tyres Drivers Championship at Sandown on 22 February turned out to be an absolutely beautiful day, with over 120 cars entered.  Thank you to all the BMWDCM members who came along and helped with volunteering as officials, it would not run as smoothly if it wasn’t for you guys.  Many members also posted personal best times and having lots of track time.   Round 2 of the Yokohama/Traction Tyres Drivers Championship will be at Winton on 19 April.  Keep an eye out for entries to come out and come up and have some fun with us up there.

    You never know what might turn up at club sprints - some interesting cars come along, like an exceptional historic ALFA Periscopio, which is going to be doing some laps of the AGP circuit in March having a shakedown, having just arrived from Italy.

    Jess has been very busy putting the second edition of idrive magazine together and we have been very fortunate to get some fantastic new sponsors this year. Thank you and welcome aboard! Thank you to all that are or have written stories for edition 2.  If you have promised something please get it to Jess as soon as possible, as the deadline is fast approaching.  We can’t wait to see edition 2, the first edition was such an amazing magazine, I still pick it up and read back through our first year and look at what a wonderful club we have all built.  I don’t know how we will fit the last 12 months into one magazine though.  It has again been an amazing year.  

    Jo has been working hard on getting some great events out there too, so be sure to keep checking on the events calendar so that you don’t miss out on something fun.  We have such a variety of events, everything from casual club nights, informal cars & coffee meets, drives, weekends away, car Shows and displays, sprints, racing, driver training, something to suit everyone and all with a fantastic group of friendly, welcoming people with a shared passion.

    March will be fun filled with our drive to Fort Queenscliff on Sunday 1 March.  Our Members Meeting at Melbourne BMW on 3 March will be very interesting, checking out some of the new models and welcoming Melbourne BMW as a new Club Sponsor for 2020.  Philip Island Festival of Speed is on 7 - 9 March is another fantastic event, there will be around 12 BMWs racing in the Group A and C categories, catch up with friends and relax on the hill.  There is also the Australian Grand Prix Display on 11-15 March.  It's a great way to be a part of the 25th anniversary of Melbourne Grand Prix.  We have some very special cars on display this year, so if you do get to the Grand Prix, make sure you came and say hello and check out what is on show.

    We would love to see you at all these events and any others that pop up. Of course, if you have an idea for an event, give Jo a call and she can either help you to organise it or it may give us an idea for something later in the year. We're always open to suggestions!

    A special note for a couple of events we have coming up - to help in the recovery from the devastating Bush Fires this year, we are planning a Bush Fire Recovery Run up to Bright in April over Anzac Day long weekend to try and inject some much needed funds into communities affected by the fires this year.  Please come along if you can, even for a day if you can’t make the whole weekend.  One of our favourites is also coming up, the Good Friday Appeal Display at Birrarung Marr.  All are welcome to both of these events.  These are very dear to our hearts and we would love to include all brands of cars not just BMW and the more money we can raise for these two special events the better.

    Don’t forget our Second Birthday Celebration night is on 2 May.  We would love you all to come and have some fun and celebrate with us, check the event on our website, there is accommodation at the venue too so you can have a great evening and then relax for the night too.

    As always, keep an eye on the emails and Facebook group and check the event calendar from time to time, as we do add events and get invited to different things all the time.  Sometimes we just post about them on the Facebook group.  The Facebook group  is also a great place to sell cars or items that are BMW or club related too.

    I hope you have enjoyed some of the events already and if not, I hope to see you at an event soon.  Take care and drive safe.

    Graeme Bell | President
    BMW Drivers Club Melbourne Inc.

    P.O. Box 81, TYABB, VICTORIA. 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

  • 26 Feb 2020 6:19 PM | Anonymous


    22 February 2020

    New year, new season.
    New Yellow Speed coilovers.
    New Whiteline 24mm sway bar.
    New Sachs M30 clutch.
    New custom exhaust.
    New EBC Orange Stuff pads.
    New slotted front rotors.
    Second hand LSD.
    New thermo fan and Davies Craig thermo fan switch.
    New Tech I rear spoiler.
    New magnetic numbers.
    Lug to stud conversion.
    Freshly serviced.

    Looking forward to seeing if I can get through a whole day with the car still running strong at the end at Sandown on Saturday.

    Session 1 down and blown power steering line. 

    Lucky for me, extremely helpful and nice folks at Enzed Dandenong getting me out of a tight spot, should be back on the track by lunchtime fingers crossed.

    Massive shout out to Frans for helping me with some power steering fluid and parts while I was out trying to get the high pressure power steering line remade at Enzed in Dandenong.

    Huge thanks to the guys at Enzed in Dandenong for getting me out trouble and back on the track, made the whole process so easy, can't recommend the service and quality of parts from these guys highly enough.

    Thanks Jo and Graeme for being great hosts and club reps.  Car made it home just fine, only issue to sort out is a front left indicator not working.

    Shane McKenzie | Member #118
    BMW Drivers Club Melbourne


  • 26 Feb 2020 6:14 PM | Anonymous



    the new XRide suit by BMW Motorrad ideally combines extensive rider protection and maximum comfort.

    With the XRide suit, BMW Motorrad demonstrates how maximum comfort can be combined with comprehensive protection and a stylish, sporty look. The close fit and striking design make for an exciting look. The XRide Pro men's jacket, which is limited to 1,500 pieces, is also a real eye-catcher.

    All elements of the XRide are characterised by great freedom of movement. This is achieved by body-hugging and effective protection as well as a strap technology specially designed for the XRide. Here the areas requiring protection have been wrapped with an elastic fabric tape to provide support. This ensures greater flexibility and at the same time improves the fit of the protectors without neglecting wearing comfort. The suit offers great freedom of movement, especially in zones such as the arms, shoulders and knees thanks to accordion stretch and ergonomic pleats in the form of specially positioned leather cut-outs, achieving the ideal balance between safety and dynamics. Smartly designed details provide the required functionality.

    The leather of the jacket is lined with elastic and abrasion-resistant polyamide at the shoulders and arms as part of the Ergonomic Concept. The shoulders are fitted with close-fitting NP3 protectors, the elbows, hips and knees are protected with NP2 protectors and the back is shielded by NP-Pro long protectors. Cowhide leather inserts, which offer further protection, are located in possible fall zones and on the inside of the trousers. Reflectors on the upper arms, the front of the jacket, the knees and the lower leg area ensure good visibility in traffic.

    With four front pockets, one of which is waterproof, one back pocket and two inside pockets, the jacket provides enough storage space for the odds and ends of motorcycling life. The AirVent system at the front with double zipper and the 3D spacer fabric at the back ensure perfect air conditioning in all weather conditions. An additional zipper at the leg bottoms provide further comfort. The trousers have a total of three pockets, one of which is an inside secret pocket.

    The outsert jacket with integrated storm hood in the collar and the outsert trousers with long side zippers make putting the rider equipment on an easy affair. Both feature a small pack size, close fit and excellent durability thanks to abrasion-resistant print in stressed areas.

    With its white cowhide inserts on the arms, the limited XRide Pro men's jacket is a very special highlight in the rider equipment range. The leather is lined with elastic textile material and thus ensures greater flexibility in these areas. The eye-catching shoulder protectors made of a plastic-steel combination with BMW Motorrad branding make for additional visual highlights.

    The XRide suit is available for men in sizes 46 to 66, 98 to 118 and 24 to 32, for women in sizes 34 to 48. The XRide Pro jacket is available for men in sizes 46 to 60.

    BMW PRESS

  • 21 Feb 2020 6:09 AM | Anonymous



    •Interactive elements and state-of-the-art technology will enable children to explore the city of the future and mobility of the future at the Junior Campus. •For the opening weekend, BMW Welt is inviting families to join in creative craft activities and listen to informative lectures. •On Sunday, KIKA presenter Can Masuroglu will also be present to lend the children a hand with their craft projects.

    How will we be moving around in a few years’ time? What will the city of tomorrow look like, and how will we live there? Answers to these questions usually include buzzwords such as “autonomous driving”, “e-mobility” and “smart city”. But these terms often leave even adults with a puzzled look on their faces. In the modernized Junior Campus at BMW Welt, young visitors can now learn, through play, exactly what lies behind these phrases. BMW Welt is offering the first opportunities to fully explore the newly designed rooms as part of the opening celebrations on Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8. On Sunday, there will be some familiar faces from the world of children’s entertainment and education on hand: Can Masuroglu, the presenter of his own educational series on KIKA, and author Benjamin Hadrigan will be looking at the future of learning in afternoon lectures and discussions. 

    The future has begun and everyone can help shape it.

    Smart cities and autonomous vehicles are still visions of the future, but today’s children will be living at a time when these hotly debated issues will have become part of their everyday lives. At the newly opened Junior Campus at BMW Welt, they can take their first look at the world of tomorrow. Innovative projection technology, a variety of interactive elements and modern multimedia content offer young visitors a multi-sensory experience. 

    The ultra-modern Junior Campus is divided into two sections. The first room presents exciting visions. This is where children can get creative themselves on the “Future Creator”, for example. On a monitor, they can design cars, aircraft or rail vehicles and project them with a click onto a screen where their newly created modes of transport move through the “Future City”. 

    The next room looks at the question of “what do I expect in the future?” There, for example, young visitors can discover futuristic materials, such as a state-of-the-art robotic skin, and they can find out about future careers.

    The basement is open almost all day, closed only twice each day for the “Creative Workshop”. This will look in greater depth at the topics presented in the Junior Campus. Bookings are taken for three different versions: children aged five and six, children between the ages of seven and 13, and entire families can delve into the world of tomorrow. The established programming workshops and a “Future Challenge” for adults are also offered. The rooms on the second floor have been modernized for this purpose.

    A varied program at the opening event.

    On March 7 and 8, the modernized Junior Campus will be ready for the first tour starting at 10 am. A varied program for the whole family is offered throughout the weekend. With 3D pens, young artists can create their own sculptures, and budding architects can help construct an entire “Future City” with Lego bricks.

    Exciting talks and discussions will take place on Sunday afternoon. Benjamin Hadrigan, author of a book on how to learn with Snapchat, Instagram and WhatsApp, will give a presentation at 1 pm. At 2 pm, he will discuss “learning in the future” together with KIKA presenter Can Masuroglu. Young visitors will then have the opportunity to get to know their educational heroes in person. From 3.30 pm, Can Masurogluwill help create future vehicles in the Junior Campus. 

    BMW PRESS

  • 20 Feb 2020 6:32 PM | Anonymous


    14 February 2020

    Yeah me again.. Seriously bitten by this motorsport bug and Jo Mawson has asked me to write about my Motorsport Australia (CAMS new name), OLT experience (Observed Licence Test).

    Creeping up on joining a racing series and this is a big step forward. Well, as usual, sleep was hard to come by due to my excitement and all the heel and toe and start practice (at the lights right?) to make sure the day was as good as it could be for me. A day off work to go to the track is just tops.

    Preparation is the key in most things that are important and for this day - it was no different.

    With my first race suit, fireproof under garments, balaclava, socks and HANS from Revolution Racegear organised with a check over of the car by Graeme Bell at Bell Motorsport and I was as ready as ever.  Quick revision of flags and I felt pretty good to go. I didn't realise that it was a Vic State Championship practice day as well, so I was a little shocked but excited to see so much fast metal on trailers as I got to Sandown.  Thought it was just us!

    I made my way to OLT scrutineering.  There were no issues there as Eric (the clear coat vanishing, platinum green series one E30 coupe) with his historic registration sails through.  I was told that due to no roll cage (coming) don't wear the HANS device as you can't duck your head in a roll over or impact on the roof.  Makes sense but I would have thought it was more likely to hit a wall at turn 1 or 4 or Dandenong Road so a Hans would be good then, right?

    Anyway, in for a brief of the day ahead and then out to the track.  Helmet on, gloves on, and I'm in my happy place.

    Out for a 15 minute session with others doing the same thing and in for another brief with the 6 or so observers telling you what they noticed you doing and how to improve.

    Another practice and debrief.

    Hopefully you've listened and then implemented the recommendations from the prior debrief. They like it when you do that.

    Last session was after lunch. A real start with lights from a grid! My first. Really happy with how mine went with a couple of fast cars (Formula Ford, XD Falcon V8 ex TC Masters) missing the start and Eric and I sailing by. Soon overtaken by them at the first corner but a nice feeling for 15 seconds or so!

    There was to be another session but the heavens opened and it would have been entertaining for all except those of us out there.

    A last minute chat with Chris Bell as I drove past the E30 guys and girls to the marshalling area (my heroes) was extremely well appreciated "take it really easy out there and stay off the curbs, it is really wet". I felt sorry for the Formula Ford driver as it would have felt like standing under Niagra falls in the marshalling area.

    Back in for a chat, flags quiz, an understanding of who's who at a race meet, complete the questionnaire and told we'd passed!

    Such a cool feeling to know I now have a licence to race but also importantly, a licence to learn.

    Now to get Eric up to scratch and cause havoc (joking) at the back of the E30 series grid with our trusty M10 4 pot. Eric, me and the M10 are becoming a great little team. Learning to drive a slow car fast is the best advice I reckon so when Eric eventually gets his M20B25 and G260, with a 3.91 diff, I'm not that guy with all the gear and no idea. Just a fair bit of the gear and a hint of an idea!

    Thanks to Graeme Bell and Jo Mawson for getting me sorted for this, and for the advice and encouragement. The journey is as much fun as the destination.

    An E30 series start, from the back! 

    Darryl O'Neill | Member #52
    BMW Drivers Club Melbourne

  • 20 Feb 2020 9:13 AM | Anonymous


    15-16 February 2020

    Doing the BMWDCM Sprint events the natural progression for me was to be competing in real races.

    I have enjoyed watching motor racing on TV but never seemed realistic for me to take up car racing.  However, I began to realise with the guidance of Bell Motorsport it might actually be possible to own and race my own car which was an extremely exciting prospect!

    Graeme Bell sourced a good E30 BMW and made it ready for Club Sprint days.  He also sourced and restored a lightweight, reasonably priced, trailer for me which is terrific.

    What I didn’t realise is that in order to race the car it must be scrutineered by both the E30 Racing Club and by Motorsport Australia.

    My roll cage is certified but Motorsport Australia now wants gussets welded onto the joints which were both difficult and time consuming to do.  The E30 Racing Club also wanted work done.

    The list of requirements was time consuming and Bell Motorsport (and my wallet) were under pressure to get the items (including racing apparel) resolved before Round 1 at Sandown.  

    I found this surprisingly stressful as I was now committed to getting on the track for Round 1 but I guess Graeme must be used to going through these dramas and it all worked out ok.

    Friday, the day before Round 1, was the Observed Licence Test (OLT) and a really good day plus I got a racing licence. 

    Saturday morning got to the track and realised had left the crucial vehicle Logbook at home. 

    No time to drive home and faced with righteous Officials, my first day racing was looking tenuous.  Race days are way more stringent than more user friendly sprint days! Thankfully, Jo Mawson again came to the rescue and helped sort out a solution so I could attend qualifying.

    Qualifying in the wet was good, the windscreen didn’t fog up and the car handled well. After qualifying I realised my fastest lap time was 16 seconds slower than the fastest lap set by the lead car!  16 seconds in one lap is an eternity!

    Race 1 - also in the wet, I decided I’d better push harder or my dream of racing would become less rosy.  A good driving experience, albeit with Rookie errors, I was still 15 secs slower than the fastest lap.  I know from yacht racing never give up no matter what so I stayed positive.

    Sunday Race 2 in the dry, and I was determined to have more faith in the car and drive the fast corners quicker.  More rookie errors and the humiliation of being lapped by the lead cars!  The silver lining was this time “only” 10 seconds slower than the fastest lap by the front runner.

    Race 3 and my goal was not to be lapped and not be last.  Probably because the race was shorter, thankfully I was not lapped, and I was third last, not last (one car broke down).  “Only” 9 seconds slower than the fastest lap this time but still disappointing and sobering to realise how much improvement I have to make before I am racing with the other cars.

    But, everyone, including me, had just safely completed a memorable Round 1 as part of the BMW Drivers Cup so a good outcome for all.

    More on the upside, the E30 Racing Club members are a really nice, high standard bunch and helpful.  It was enjoyable as there were kids and families around and several friendly BMWDCM members included.  Graeme, Jo and Chris were especially supportive and it underscored how much they like the motor racing scene and want to help new people like me be part of it and I look forward to future rounds.

    Rod Martin | Member #29
    BMW Drivers Club Melbourne

  • 19 Feb 2020 1:58 PM | Anonymous



    Consistent continuation of the electrification strategy – Three new plug-in hybrid models in the BMW 3 Series – New BMW M340d xDrive Sedan and new BMW M340d xDrive Touring with 48-volt mild hybrid technology.

    With a comprehensive expansion of its range of plug-in hybrid models, premium automobile manufacturer BMW continues to consistently pursue its electrification offensive. At the 2020 Geneva International Motor Show, BMW presents four new plug-in hybrid models for the premium mid-range. The additional model variants of the BMW 3 Series will offer highly efficient driving pleasure from summer 2020 onwards.

    Electrification of the drive portfolio is one of the future mobility fields defined by the BMW Group in its corporate strategy NUMBER ONE > NEXT. Innovations in the areas of D-ACES (Design, Autonomous, Connected, Electrified and Services/Shared) are to establish the conditions for sustainable growth in the global automotive markets. As a pioneer in the field of e-mobility, the BMW Group has already delivered half a million electrically powered vehicles worldwide. A total of 145 815 electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles of the BMW and MINI brands were sold in 2019. With a market share of more than 7 per cent worldwide and more than 14 per cent in Europe, the company leads the worldwide ranking of established premium providers of vehicles that are purely electrically powered or run on plug-in hybrid systems. In Germany, the BMW Group is the clear market leader in the segment of electrically powered automobiles with a share of 24 per cent (source: IHS Markit New Registrations 2019 Report 17.01.2020).

    By the end of 2021, the BMW Group aims to have more than one million vehicles with electrified drive systems on the road. A quarter of the vehicles sold by the BMW Group in Europe will be electrified by 2021: this share will increase to a third by 2025 and to half by 2030. The BMW Group plans to expand its range to include 25 electrified models by 2023, more than half of which will run on electric power alone. Production of the all-electric BMW iX3 will begin before the end of 2020, followed by the BMW i4 and BMW iNEXT the following year.

    “Power of Choice”: diverse drive portfolio to meet mobility needs around the world.

    With the market launch of the BMW iX3, the successful Sports Activity Vehicle becomes the first model of the brand to be available with efficient petrol and diesel engines as well as a plug-in hybrid system and purely electric drive. Its strategic “Power of Choice” approach enables the BMW Group to meet the individual mobility needs of its customers all over the world. A broad spectrum of drive technologies provides a selection of models tailored to a wide range of legal conditions and individual requirements.

    The diversity of the drive portfolio is growing in the BMW 3 Series, too. The new additions to the range of plug-in hybrid models presented for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show 2020 enable customers to align their desire for sustainable mobility even more precisely with their personal needs and preferences. In future, touring models with electric drive will be available for the first time. The Geneva Motor Show sees the debut of the new BMW 330e Touring (combined fuel consumption: from 1.7 l/100 km; combined power consumption: from 15.7 kWh/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: from 39 g/km, provisional figures*) and the new BMW 330e xDrive Touring (combined fuel consumption: from 2.0 l/100 km; combined power consumption: from 17.8 kWh/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: from 46 g/km, provisional figures*). The interplay of plug-in hybrid technology and intelligent all-wheel drive can also be experienced in the new BMW 330e xDrive Sedan (combined fuel consumption: from 1.8 l/100 km; combined power consumption: from 16.7 kWh/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: from 42 g/km, provisional figure) .

    The Geneva Motor Show 2020 will also be the venue for the world premiere of two further models in the BMW 3 Series. The new BMW M340d xDrive Sedan (combined fuel consumption: 5.7 – 5.3 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 149 – 139 g/km*) and the new BMW M340d xDrive Touring (combined fuel consumption: 5.8 – 5.4 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 153 – 143 g/km) feature an in-line 6-cylinder diesel engine with an output of 250 kW/340 hp and a mild hybrid system featuring a 48-volt starter generator. The sales launch of the two new BMW M automobiles and the three additional plug-in hybrid models means that the number of engine variants available in the BMW 3 Series will increase to four petrol engines, four diesel engines and one plug-in hybrid drive.


    Efficiency becomes more diverse: world premiere for three additional plug-in hybrid models in the BMW 3 Series.

    Following the successful market launch of the new BMW 330e Sedan (fuel consumption combined: 1.7 – 1.6 l/100 km; combined power consumption: 15.0 – 14.8 kWh/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 38 – 36 g/km), the diversity in the range of plug-in hybrid models in this series will be significantly expanded from summer 2020 onwards.. In the four future models with electrified drive, latest-generation eDrive technology increases not just efficiency but also hallmark brand driving pleasure. The electric range of the plug-in hybrid models in the BMW 3 Series reaches a maximum of between 55 and 68 kilometres.

    The intelligently controlled interaction of a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor integrated in the 8-speed Steptronic transmission produces a system output of 185 kW/252 hp in the BMW 330e Touring, BMW 330e xDrive Sedan and BMW 330e xDrive Touring. Under especially high loads, this can be increased by an additional 30 kW/40 hp to up to 215 kW/292 hp for up to 10 seconds by means of the standard XtraBoost. The maximum system torque is 420 Nm. The agility and sporty flair of the driving experience is highlighted by a specific drive sound tuning, a direct yet precise accelerator pedal curve and a specific shift programme as part of the 8-speed Steptronic transmission that includes brake downshifts.

    The sporty characteristics and high efficiency of the plug-in hybrid drive are combined with the superior versatility of intelligent all-wheel drive in the BMW 330e xDrive Sedan and BMW 330e xDrive Touring models. It distributes the power of both engine and electric motor between the front and rear wheels via an electronically controlled multi-disc clutch as required at all times. In this way, BMW xDrive ensures maximum traction and driving stability in all road and weather conditions. In addition, the fully variable power distribution promotes agility in sporty driving. The combination of BMW eDrive and BMW xDrive is geared in particular to the requirements of driving on snow, in mountainous regions and off-road.

    The launch of two Touring models with plug-in hybrid system takes into account the requirements of those customers who appreciate not only hallmark brand driving pleasure and ground-breaking efficiency but also extended functionality. In their versatile interior, the electrified Touring models offer exactly the same level of interior comfort on five seats as the conventionally powered model variants. Meanwhile the luggage compartment volume is only slightly limited due to the space-saving arrangement of the high-voltage battery under the rear seat. By folding down the backrest with a standard split of 40 : 20 : 40, storage space can be extended from 410 to up to 1 420 litres.

    BMW IconicSounds Electric

    In November 2019 BMW Group announced a partnership with Hans Zimmer for the development of visionary sounds under the brand name of BMW IconicSounds Electric. As composer and curator he contributes his expertise to various projects for sound creation for electrified BMW vehicles worldwide. As of July 2020 the Start/Stop sound co-created by Hans Zimmer and BMW Sound Designer Renzo Vitale will be rolled out to all BMW Plug-In Hybrids.


    World premiere of the BMW M340d xDrive Sedan and BMW M340d xDrive Touring: BMW M automobiles with mild hybrid.

    Inspiring driving dynamics and impressive efficiency characterise the two other new additions to the BMW 3 Series model range – also due to see their world premiere at the 2020 Geneva Motor Show. The unmistakable characteristics of the new BMW M340d xDrive Sedan and the new BMW M340d xDrive Touring derive primarily from a 3.0-litre in-line 6-cylinder diesel engine and mild hybrid technology with a 48-volt starter generator. The newly developed diesel drive with BMW TwinPower Turbo Technology delivers a peak output of 250 kW/340 hp and a maximum torque of 700 Nm. Its impressive pulling power is complemented with particularly spontaneous power delivery: this is taken care of by an electrical overboost that is generated by the 48-volt starter generator. The resulting additional output of 8 kW/11 hp supports power delivery in dynamic driving situations. In addition, the starter generator also supports the combustion engine during continuous driving. This allows the diesel engine to run as much as possible in an efficiency-optimised load range so as to reduce consumption peaks.

    The powerful drive of the new BMW M automobiles is combined with an 8-speed Steptronic Sport transmission, model-specific suspension technology and intelligent all-wheel drive. An M sports suspension including variable sports steering and an M sports brake system come as standard, as does the M sports differential. In addition, M specific exterior features with optimised aerodynamic properties contribute to the dynamic and superior driving characteristics. The BMW M340d xDrive Sedan takes 4.6 seconds to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h, while the new BMW M340d xDrive Touring completes the sprint from a standing start to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds. Spirited driving characteristics and a cockpit design geared towards intense driving pleasure guarantee a thrilling performance experience.

    BMW PRESS



© 2024 BMW Drivers Club Melbourne Inc. All Rights Reserved.