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Buying and Modding a first-generation BMW Mini Cooper R50
10 months ago
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BMW selected the 10th annual 2019 Luxury & Supercar weekend at Van Dusen Gardens in Vancouver to reveal not just a new vehicle but one that is exclusive to Canada. Only 20 will be produced, but it makes up for its small production figure by having one heck of a long name: BMW M8 Competition Coupé Individual Manufaktur Edition.
It’s earned the name, though, providing two exclusive exterior colour palettes and a special interior colour. Outside, just Frozen Black and Fire Red will be available; they’re both from BMW’s Individual collection, and the latter is here to recall the 600 hp, V12-powered and wide-bodied M8 concept from the early ‘90s. That car never made production, and it appears that BMW – in Canada, at least – is trying to make up for it.
Power remains the same at 617 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, enough for a 0-100 km/h sprint of a claimed 3.2 seconds; speaking of the ‘90s: remember when the McLaren F1 blew everyone away because it could do 0-100 in 3.6 seconds? And now here’s a four-seater BMW tourer doing it in 3.2. My, how times have changed. In practice, what it means for the Individual Manufaktur is that people won’t be quite so bent out of shape that it has no more power than a standard M8 Competition.
Plus, look at the great stuff it does add: carbon fibre mirror caps, side sills and kidney grille; special Sakhir Orange on black interior with “BMW Individual Manufaktur” inscriptions in the cupholders and on the wireless charger’s lid and one of the best – the absolute best – engine covers you’ve ever seen.
How can I get so hyped up on an engine cover, you ask? I mean after all: these things usually hide the best bits of an engine. Thing is, when the shroud is as attractive and well fashioned as this, well, let’s just say I’d be in no rush to tear it off. Finished in beautiful carbon fibre with “BMW M Power” and the famous “M” colours stamped all over it, it’s a masterpiece in design that does justice to such a specialized car.
Of course, along with the engine you get all that other great stuff modern Bimmers are known for: the latest iDrive infotainment, gesture control, xDrive AWD, and an in-cabin computer capable of displaying a host of apps. Not to mention BMW Assistant, who will do pretty much everything you – literally – ask it to do.
It’s going to cost you, though; $198,000, to be precise, representing a 52 grand increase over the standard M8 Competition when it goes on sale in October.
Such is the price of exclusivity, I suppose.
It’s earned the name, though, providing two exclusive exterior colour palettes and a special interior colour. Outside, just Frozen Black and Fire Red will be available; they’re both from BMW’s Individual collection, and the latter is here to recall the 600 hp, V12-powered and wide-bodied M8 concept from the early ‘90s. That car never made production, and it appears that BMW – in Canada, at least – is trying to make up for it.
Power remains the same at 617 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, enough for a 0-100 km/h sprint of a claimed 3.2 seconds; speaking of the ‘90s: remember when the McLaren F1 blew everyone away because it could do 0-100 in 3.6 seconds? And now here’s a four-seater BMW tourer doing it in 3.2. My, how times have changed. In practice, what it means for the Individual Manufaktur is that people won’t be quite so bent out of shape that it has no more power than a standard M8 Competition.
Plus, look at the great stuff it does add: carbon fibre mirror caps, side sills and kidney grille; special Sakhir Orange on black interior with “BMW Individual Manufaktur” inscriptions in the cupholders and on the wireless charger’s lid and one of the best – the absolute best – engine covers you’ve ever seen.
How can I get so hyped up on an engine cover, you ask? I mean after all: these things usually hide the best bits of an engine. Thing is, when the shroud is as attractive and well fashioned as this, well, let’s just say I’d be in no rush to tear it off. Finished in beautiful carbon fibre with “BMW M Power” and the famous “M” colours stamped all over it, it’s a masterpiece in design that does justice to such a specialized car.
Of course, along with the engine you get all that other great stuff modern Bimmers are known for: the latest iDrive infotainment, gesture control, xDrive AWD, and an in-cabin computer capable of displaying a host of apps. Not to mention BMW Assistant, who will do pretty much everything you – literally – ask it to do.
It’s going to cost you, though; $198,000, to be precise, representing a 52 grand increase over the standard M8 Competition when it goes on sale in October.
Such is the price of exclusivity, I suppose.
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