Calendar of Events - Tidewater BMW CCA

das Kummet
The Newsletter of the Tidewater Chapter of the BMW Car Club of America
January • February 2015
Welcome to Our New Editor
Calendar of Events
FEBRUARY
15th “Wine & Dine” Valentine’s Day Drive - Drive details will be communicated in a separate
communication. Contact: [email protected]
MARCH
15th Bi-Monthly Board & Activities Meeting
Pop’s Diner; 1432 Greenbrier Parkway; Chesapeake, VA 23320-2831; (757.502.8220)
http://popsdinerco.com 09:00 – 11:00 a.m. CONTACT – Darin Kwasniewski (757-304-1512) or
[email protected]
Calendar of events details on pg 1
Inside This Issue
OFFICERS & KEY PEOPLE
President
Jeff Triplett (757) 620-4171
[email protected]
Vice President
OPEN
[email protected]
Secretary
Darin Kwasniewski (757) 484-2656
[email protected]
3 President’s Perspective
4 Calendar of Events
4 New Members
8 OBX Drive
10 Go Karting
12
14
16
19
The Show Must Turn On
Recommended
Very Good Year
Yesteryear ads
Treasurer
Tiffiny Crossley (615) 967-7774
[email protected]
Activities Committee
OPEN
Marc Garcia (757) 803-5658
Chris Triplett (757) 620-6623
Jaeson Dandalides
[email protected]
Membership Chairperson
Chris Triplett (757) 620-6623
[email protected]
Member-At-Large
Bob Eveleigh (757) 491-0955
[email protected]
Webmeister
Judy Semo (757) 456-9923
[email protected]
Newsletter Editor
Mark Jumper (224) 213-0417
[email protected]
Driving School Events Chairman
Chief Instructor
Bob Brochu (757) 430-8124
[email protected]
Tech Session Chairman
OPEN
[email protected]
BMW Classics Chairman
Steve Waddell (757) 539-1305
[email protected]
Peninsula Rep
Jim Waldeck (757) 229-0836
[email protected]
Williamsburg Rep
Brad Purvis (757) 869-1459
[email protected]
Outer Banks N.C. Rep
Jack Robey (252) 480-3356
[email protected]
Foodbank Chairperson
Chris Triplett (757) 620-6623
[email protected]
Merchandise
OPEN
[email protected]
2
MEMBERSHIP
Tidewater Chapter: 762 as of January 2015
National: 69,854 as of December 2013
ADDRESS CHANGES
Address changes can be made on the BMWCCA National website (www.
bmwcca.org) by hitting ‘Login’ and following instructions on site. From
there, click on the ‘Manage Account’ link on the top of the page; then click on
the ‘Change Addresses’ link.
Or write to:
ROUNDEL BMW CCA
640 South Main Street - Suite 201
Greenville, SC 29601
All changes done through the National office will update both your National
and Tidewater Chapter address information. If you are a member of our Yahoo
Group, [email protected], please also remember to update your
profile.
NEWSLETTER and PHOTO CONTRIBUTIONS:
Your articles and photos are very welcomed by us. To be included in an issue
the materials must be received by the 10th of the month preceding the date
of next issue. To spice up the newsletter we always need photos of chapter
events. We may also use them on the chapter website. Send your contributions to [email protected]. Thanks!
Visit our Chapter web pages at:
www.tidewaterbmwcca.org
on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/
groups/140702964729/
To subscribe to our email lists: http://www.tidewaterbmwcca.org/lists/
FINE PRINT NOTICE: Das Kummet is published bimonthly and remains the property of the Tidewater Chapter BMW CCA, P.O. Box 62145, Virginia Beach, VA 23462-2145. All information is for members and advertisers only. Ideas, suggestions, writings, and opinions are those of the contributing
authors without authentication by or liability to the BMW CCA, the Editors, or Officers of the Tidewater BMW CCA chapter. No information in das Kummet bears the status of “Factory Approved”
unless so stated and implies no endorsement or guarantees expressed. The Tidewater Chapter of
the BMW CCA is completely independent of and in no way connected with BMW NA or BMW AG.
The contents of this publication remains the property of the chapter. All BMW CCA chapters, with
permission, may quote or copy from the publication provided full credit is given to the author and
the Tidewater Chapter unless noted as “Copyrighted” and is not used for commercial purposes.
www.tidewaterbmwcca.org
January • February 2015
- das Kummet
President’s Perspective
With Christmas behind us and 2014 is quickly coming to close, we
are ready to begin a new year. It’s an especially exciting time for the
club as we continue to rebuild our team of volunteers who work hard
to deliver a membership experience our club members have come
to expect. And in this newsletter edition we introduce a new and
important member to the team, but more on that in a moment.
Did you happen to make the OBX drive this year? If you didn’t you
missed a great time as Bob Parsons will tell you about in a separate
article. This drive has been a tradition now for more years than I can
recall but it has always been one of my personal favorites.
And now for some news, we are are pleased to announce the
addition of Mark Jumper who has agreed to serve as your Newsletter
Editor. Mark is a Retired Navy Chaplain and currently a Professor of
Divinity at Regent University, you can read more about him in a bio
that follows. I can tell you that he has a passion for cars, writing and
looks forward to taking our newsletter to new and exciting places.
Please welcome Mark to the club when you see him at the next
event.
And again, THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR MEMBERS WHO MAKE THIS
A GREAT CAR CLUB!!!
Whether it is the next board meeting or the Annual Banquet, I hope
to see you at the next event.
Until Next Time!
Jeff Triplett
Our Chosen Charities
For 2014:
Foodbank of
Southeastern Virginia
You can support this effort by bringing
canned goods or money to any chapter
event. However, money provides
more meals than canned goods. Chris
Triplett leads the committee. For more
information or to volunteer, please
contact Chris Triplett, foodbank@
tidewaterbmwcca.org
Physicians for Peace
Physicians for Peace is an international
non-profit headquartered in Norfolk,
VA dedicated to medical education in
developing nations. With the support
of international medical educators, and
global citizens like you, the work of
PFP is made possible. To find out more
please visit www.physiciansforpeace.org.
Featured Car
OLD FEATURE RETURNS!
Join Us On Facebook!
Join us on Facebook to stay up to date with all your club’s activities!
To become part of our Facebook group, you must have a Facebook account.
After you sign on to Facebook at www.facebook.com, enter “Tidewater BMW
CCA Activities Page” in the search block. You should be shown our activities
page along with a link labeled. “Join Group”. Click on join group, a box will
appear that will ask you if you want to join this group, click the “Join” button.
You are then taken to our club activities page, where you can see and post
activities and pictures.
das Kummet - January • February 2015
www.tidewaterbmwcca.org
It’s time to bring back an old friend.
Each issue will offer a spot light for a
featured car. If you are proud of your
BMW, if you LOVE your BABY then tell
our readers about it. E-mail the editor
a picture and stats on your prized
possession and then watch for it to
be featured on the back cover of this
publication.
Get your BMW it’s 15 minutes
of fame as our Featured Car.
Please send photos (300 dpi or better)
and a short description to editor@
tidewaterbmwcca.org
3
Calendar of Events
Calendar of Events continued from pg 1
MARCH
28th Quarterly New Member Meet & Greet & Eat
“NMMGE” – Southside
Drive Rendezvous: TBD 5:30 – 6:30p.m.
CONTACT – Marc Garcia, (757-803-5658) or
activitiescommittee@ tidewaterbmwcca.org.
Dinner: TBD 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. RSVP Required
NOT LATER THAN Thursday MAR 20th. CONTACT
– Chris Triplett, (757-620-6623) or
activitiescommittee@ tidewaterbmwcca.org.
APRIL
19th Welcome New
Members
We would like to give a warm Tidewater welcome to
our newest members. Remember our membership
is the lifeline of our Club and we invite you to join
us at our upcoming events and Club meetings. We
look forward to your ideas and participation. You
can reach our membership chair at membership@
tidewaterbmwcca.org. We invite you to attend
our board/activities meetings as well. Please see
our calendar for dates and location of events and
meetings.
Drive and Dine - Southside
Drive Rendezvous: TBD Lunch: TBA 11:00 a.m. –
3:00 p.m. RSVP Required NOT LATER THAN
Thursday APR 15th CONTACT - Jeff Triplett or
[email protected].
Jesse Dozier
James Johnson
Christopher Naughton
Daniel Roldan
Ashley Waddle
Chapter
Nametags
You may have noticed that some of the Chapter
officers and key members of committees have
pre-printed name tags. Well, you too can have
one! Yes, feel free to order one yourself … with the
“approved” chapter logo only!
The logo and text size have already been pre-set
in order to ensure uniformity among the chapter
membership. To get your name tag(s), contact the
following vendor and let them know you are with
the Tidewater BMW Club and are ordering a Club
name tag:
Kay Cee Engraving
Close to Your Heart Since 1970
Phone: 804-580-TAGS (8247)
P.O. Box 625
Heathsville, Virginia 22473-0625
Email: [email protected]; or [email protected]
IMPORT CAR PARTS
Major parts brands for BMW and other import cars.
11246 Jefferson Ave., Newport News 757.599.3360
1300 East Little Creek Road 757.440.0004
606 First Colonial Rd., Virginia Beach 757.425.7100
or on the web at www.BAP-GEON.COM
4
www.tidewaterbmwcca.org
January • February 2015
- das Kummet
Editor’s Desk
Greetings Tidewater Bimmerphiles! My name
is Mark Jumper and I’ve volunteered to be your
editor! I’m looking forward to getting to know you
and to telling not just of activities, but the heart of
our Bimmer lives, in Das Kummet.
My parents said I was a car nut from an early age
and it stayed with me. My dawning almost-adult
enthusiasm quickly focused on European cars . .
then to GERMAN cars . . . and highest, to BMWs.
My sole and current Bimmer is a 2002 540i 6-spd.
that I’ve had for ten years. It’s on the back cover.
It’s the most deeply satisfying car that I’ve ever
wanted or had.
I soon joined BMW CCA and hung out on the
fringes of club stuff in three chapters: Connecticut
Valley, Windy City (Chicago), and Lone Star (Dallas/
Fort Worth). I’ve enjoyed club dinners; getting
referred to a fellow member who “helped” me
install a set of Bilsteins (meaning I held things and
handed him tools), all for beer, pizza, and some
good story-telling; writing some articles for the
newsletters and a letter for Roundel; the Chicago
Auto Show on Press Day with plenty of scrumptious
hospitality spreads to partake; driving skills day
with my son (it changed his life!); and auto crossing
(managed to beat my hot-rod son by all of .01
second).
Personal? I’m Texas born and raised . . . married to
Ginger 23 years with seven children (!) ages 12-22
. . . an Evangelical Presbyterian minister . . . retired
Navy Chaplain serving twenty-four years including
nine with Marines and seven with the Coast Guard
(some concurrent) . . . voracious reader . . . music
lover and sometime chorister . . . Assistant Professor
of Theological and Ministerial Studies at the Regent
University School of Divinity (there’s a mouthful)—
just arrived in Hampton Roads last July . . . and a
Master Parachutist trying to stay current at Skydive
Suffolk after too many years off! Call me a strange
bird . . . it’s OK!
But when I’m doing Club stuff, I’m doing it for the
sheer love of it! I think that BMW is exceedingly
special; something to be treasured and shared; and
something that transcends mere transportation into
that mysterious union of car, driver, passengers,
road, and world that mere machines and their
owners will never know.
I hope to hear from you; serve you; reflect your
wants and hopes; and build up this company of
excellence, built on that excellent brand that we
find so worth our attention: BMW!
I hope to meet you at our activities. Here’s to
our club, our common interests, and good times
together!
I’ve devoured car mags for decades. I’m delighted
to have this chance to work with our journal, just
for the joy of Bimmerdom and the good of the
Bimmerhood.
Mark
NEIGHBORING BMW CCA CHAPTER SITES:
VA – Tidewater: http://www.tidewaterbmwcca.org/
VA – Tidewater Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
groups/140702964729/
VA – Blue Ridge Chapter: http://blueridgebmwcca.org
VA-MD – National Capital Chapter: http://www.nccbmwcca.org
NC – Tarheel Chapter: http://www.tarheelbmwcca.org
NATIONAL & SPECIAL INTEREST SITES:
BMW CCA: http://www.bmwcca.org
BMW ZSCCA: http://zscca.org
BMW Vintage: http://www.bmwvintage.org
BMW Vintage & Classic: http://www.bmwvccca.com
BMW First Fives – E12 Registry: http://www.firstfives.org
BMW E30 M3 Registry: http://www.bimmers.com/m3
BMW M Coupe Registry: http://www.Mcoupe.com
BMW M-Fest: http://www.mfest.com
TIRE RACK STREET SURVIVAL:
http://www.streetsurvival.org/
Registration: http://www.streetsurvival.org/school-schedule.
php
das Kummet - January • February 2015
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5
Activities Committee
Advertisements
We are glad that you are supporting our events - THANK YOU! It is still VERY
important to RSVP (as early as possible) of your participation to any upcoming
activities. These numbers are needed to allow our hosting restaurants to be
prepared for us. Inaccurate totals make for unhappy restaurant managers and
cause them to be reluctant to allow our group to book in the future.
Non-commercial classified ads are free
to chapter members. Ads will run in
three published issues and then may
only be continued in subsequent issues
only by contacting the Newsletter
Editor. Ads submitted are limited to
200 words per ad including name,
address, phone number and email
address if available. Items offered for
sale must be the personal property of
the submitting member or family and
not of a business.
We are always on the lookout for members that would like to be a part of the
Activities Committee. Currently, the Activities Chairman position is open. If
you are interested please contact Sam Wood for details. Meanwhile, read Das
Kummet and check our websites regularly. We, of course, welcome your ideas,
thoughts, and suggestions…as well as your ‘constructive’ criticisms! Please feel
free to contact any one of the following committee members
Chris Triplett – (757) 620-6623
[email protected]
Commercial ads are available to
members and non-members. Such ads
must be accompanied by payment in
full. Rates shown below are per year
(approximately 6 issues). All ads must
be submitted in a usable digital format
or as camera ready. “Das Kummet”
reserves the right to edit or reject any
ad submitted.
Jason Dandalides [email protected]
Marc Garcia - (757) 803-5658
[email protected]
[email protected]
…AND KEEP COMING TO THOSE EVENTS!!
FULL PAGE
…$135 per issue or $700 per yr.
HALF PAGE
…$65 per issue or $350 per yr.
Club TOOLBOX
The following tools are available for members use. A deposit may be required and
will be refunded upon return of the tool in working condition.
1/4 PAGE
…$50 per issue or $225 per yr.
• 17mm Trans. Drain Socket
• Service Light Resetting Tools
- VERY USEFUL
• Brake Bleed System - VERY USEFUL
• Tie Rod Separator - Pickle Forks
• Coil Spring Compressors
• Remote Starter Switch
• Peake-Code/Reset Tool - all
models - can be connected under
• Clutch Alignment Tool
hood or dash
• Pilot Bearing Puller
•NEW!! SRS Air Bag Scanner
• Fan Clutch Wrench & Bar
• Electric Impact Wrench
• Lockstrip Tool
Call Bob Parsons at 587-7423 for your needs.
BIZ CARD
…$20 per issue or $100 per yr.
Club MERCHANDISE
We have made arrangements through Lands End for club members to order a wide variety of chapter logo items. Access by going to:
http://ces.landsend.com/Tidewater_BMWCCA
Currently: The Merchandise Chair Position is open. Please contact Jeff Triplett at [email protected] for details.
NAME TAGS: We have also arranged with KayCee Engraving for members to order name tags with the chapter logo. Contact Info: Kay
Cee Engraving, PO Box 625, Heathsville, VA 22473-0625 or Call (804) 580-8247. Kayceetags.com & [email protected]
$
BMW CCA Map Grille Badges
20
Chapter Logo Decals/License Plate Frames: FREE at club events
Various BMW CCA Decals
CALL!
Contact [email protected]
6
www.tidewaterbmwcca.org
January • February 2015
- das Kummet
Casey BMW
12861 Jefferson Avenue
Newport News, VA
757-989-1300
www.caseybmw.com
The Peninsula’s ONLY location for factory BMW trained service!
NEW STATE OF THE ART FACILITY NOW OPEN!
The Largest Selection of New and
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the Peninsula
Scheduled Maintenance
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MUST PRESENT COUPON AT TIME OF SERVICE. VALID ONLY AT CASEY BMW.
Wash, Wax, and Buff
$79.95
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Brake Fluid & Coolant Flush
$169.95
bmwusa.com
1-800-334-4BMW
MUST PRESENT COUPON AT TIME OF SERVICE. VALID ONLY AT CASEY BMW.
das Kummet - January • February 2015
www.tidewaterbmwcca.org
The Ultimate
Driving Machine®
7
OBX
DRIVE
DECEMBER 6TH
We were not sure what the day was going to bring
weather wise but the faithful gathered regardless.
It was a cloudy day but not too cold with the sun
peeking out from behind some ominous clouds.
But amazingly we all kept together for the last 32
miles of the drive to Mile Post 8.5 and the OBBS. No
stop lights for us!
Mike Shimandle led a group out of Virginia Beach
through the backroads of Pungo south to Currituck
and the rest stop in Grandy.
The staff performed another fine job of seating the
30 club members and making sure that everyone
had plenty to eat and drink. Not an easy task with
an also busy lunch crowd.
Bob Parsons led a smaller group out of Deep Creek
south down Route 158 alongside the Dismal Swamp
Canal towards South Mills and Camden County.
Thanks again everyone for another successful year.
Let’s do it again next year but first don’t forget the
Annual Banquet on the 24th of January. See you then.
They gathered at what has become the traditional
stop for more than one kind of relief, a welcome
respite. We were headed back to the Outer Banks
Brewing Station, a favorite place for good eats and
good conversation years past. This year we had one
of our smaller caravans, only 17 cars.
Bob Parsons
8
www.tidewaterbmwcca.org
January • February 2015
- das Kummet
Your obsession – our passion
1322 Transylvania Ave.
Chesapeake VA 23324
8-5 Monday-Friday
757.545.9394
sportsandimports.net
Specializing in BMW
& Mercedes Benz
das Kummet - January • February 2015
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9
Go Karting with the Club
November 22 was race day in Portsmouth for our
car club. Eleven drivers converged uponG-Force
Go Karting, for a day of high speed karting at their
indoor facility and 1/4 miletrack. The karts sported
not much more than a lawn mower engine under
the hood (ormore accurately under the drivers right
arm), but they could really move at nearly 45 mph,
much faster than most of us dared to sprint.
Most drivers purchased the three race pack, at a
discounted per race rate. Our group received the
safety briefing and suited up to all race in the same
heats. Ten drivers, including several lady members,
took turns trying to lead the pack around the multiturn track for two races.
Some drivers saved their third race for a later date
- two was about as much excitement as their hearts
could manage for one day. Nine year old MaKenna
Kerr had the track all to herself between the adults
heats.
The best drivers received prizes from the club,
including donated t-shirts from Jeff Caplan of
Odometer Gears in Newport News. Myron Ware,
retired professional go-karter with race name
‘sunbum’,was the best overall with an average
lap time of 28.5 seconds. Jaeson Dandalides, who
organized this event,and Dave Crossley finished
2nd and 3rd respectively. The most improved driver
was Mary Kwasniewski, shaving off an average of 10
seconds per lap during the second race.
We all agreed that Karting should be put on our
calendar as a future event. So if you missed this
‘high speed’ event, look for it again on our 2015
calendar.
Darin Kwasniewski,
Secretary
Monitors at the track displayed the race results.
Complete race and kart statistics including best lap
time, average lap time, and position throughout the
race was printed and given to each driver.
10
www.tidewaterbmwcca.org
January • February 2015
- das Kummet
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das Kummet - January • February 2015
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11
“The Show Must Turn On”
A Visit to the
2015 Hampton Roads International Auto Show
(HRIAS)
By Mark Jumper
Auto shows are common year-round, around the
U.S. each year. Chicago’s show claims to be the
biggest. Detroit’s may be the most significant.
New York’s may be the most international. But
Hampton Roads . . . well, it’s not exactly the scene
of manufacturers’ leaders
(not just reps) or celebrity
spokesmen or snazzy
unveilings of new models
draped with models. The
Hampton Roads show is
regional. It’s not sponsored
by Mercedes-Benz, Motor
Trend, or even Edmunds.
Just the Hampton Roads
Automobile Dealers
Association (HRADA). But
hey, we who live here know
that being the center of the
naval world doesn’t make
us big stuff otherwise. We’re a medium metro area
in a pleasant place with good vacation locations.
We make do with what we have, car-wise, and if
what we have is HRIAS by HRADA, we’ll swallow the
letters and enjoy the show!
The Virginia Beach Convention
Center is an airy, pleasant place,
but the cars are crammed together
to fit them all. All the major makes
were present and accounted for
in the display hall, with Maserati
making a brave face of it exiled to
the entry hall, facing the Ultimate
Trucks contest entrants. (Most
of the Masers could have fit
underneath most of the Truhks.)
and drew a crowd. It’s awesome in person, looking
less weird than in photos, and every bit the Ultimate
Driving Machine for the e-age that’s already upon
us.
The i3 was stark, sharp, and Urban Chic in décor
and aspect. Comments of climbers (in, through,
and out) ranged from disdain
for the plain interior to
admiration of its simple
elegance. Looking like
maybe a larger squashed
VW Golf on the outside, and
a larger Honda Fit on the
inside, the i3 achieved the
look of normality.
Climbers at auto shows
probably don’t think much
about carbon fiber, drag
coefficients, or efficient
electron power. (Sad surveys
show that even many BMW owners don’t know if
their cars are driven at the front, back, or both.)
For this coupe to achieve the feel of normality is a
real coup for BMW. And if you think the styling is
strange, don’t forget that the 2002 was boxy, too.
And if you think that the range and power are subpar . . . how could you forget the
hallowed BMW Isetta that helped
the company survive till its new age
dawned? Maybe the i3 will lead the
way to a new age of autos?
We’ll talk Bimmers since this is a
Bimmer mag. The i8 was the silent
star, sitting sealed in all its glory.
The scissors doors stayed shut—
maybe the proles would have
leaned over the rope to drool on
the sport seats? This halo car definitely cast a glow
12
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The 6-series 4-door still looked
sexy, the 7-series posed as properly
prosperous, the 2-series had an
elemental glow, the 5-series looked
naked with its $3,600 flat bronze
paint job, the 4-series coupe looked
super sharp, and the 3-series
looked like a serious bargain,
especially if you compared prices
with the Dodge Charger nearby.
The X cars lurked in back, bulging
a bit with their growing mass—but
Continued on pg 19
January • February 2015
- das Kummet
das Kummet - January • February 2015
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13
Recommended
By Mark Jumper
Times are good for BMW not only in sales, but
awards. Roundel lists BMW’s various awards from
many fields with every issue. But here are some
late-breaking awards that tell the tale of excellence!
CONSUMERS DIGEST AUTOMOTIVE BEST
BUYS—Of 44 vehicles chosen in 15 categories,
BMW only scored one win: the X5 was one of the
“Top 3 Luxury SUVs”.
AUTOMOBILE
MAGAZINE ALLSTARS—Of the
10 winners, 2 are
BMWs. Automobile
says of the selection process, “From now on,
All-Stars will be the only star cars, they’re our
Automobiles of the Year. We’re also now picking
only from new cars, so no more repeat winners. But
we’ll continue to keep it simple. No complicated
criteria, no price caps, no categories.” The BMW
winners? The 2-Series (“Where fun lives.”) and the
i8 (“The future, here now.”).
CONSUMER REPORTS RECOMMENDED—
This coveted name covers value, reliability,
performance, ownership costs, and more. The 328i,
with the 2.0 liter turbo engine, was named as Best
Sports Sedan.
BMW’s excellence continues to shine and be
recognized by automotive journalists and consumer
testers . . . as well as by ever-enthusiastic buyers!
The message is a lasting, clear consensus from
those in the know: come to BMW for the best!
CAR AND DRIVER 10-BEST—The 3-Series fell off
the list after 25 years of consecutive wins, replaced
by the M235i (“A throwback that’s also a decidedly
positive step forward.”).
14
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15
“It Was a Very Good Year”
BMW Tops its Competitors in 2014 Sales:
Both in the USA – and in the World!
By Mark Jumper
RANK PREMIUM BRAND VEHICLE 2014
BMW is sitting on top of the world. It sold more
vehicles worldwide in 2014 than any year in its
history: 1.81 million, according to the Wall Street
Journal on January 9. Audi came in second in
premium brand sales with 1.74 million, while
Mercedes-Benz slipped to third with 1.65 million,
followed by Porsche with .19 million.
#1
BMW 3-Series & 4-Series 142,232 119,521 19.0%
#2
Lexus RX
107,490 103,920
#3
Mercedes-Benz C-Class 75,065 88,251 -14.9%
#4
Lexus ES 72,508 72,581 -0.1%
#5
Mercedes-Benz E-Class 66,400 69,803 -4.9%
#6
Acura MDX 65,603 53,040 23.7%
#7
Cadillac SRX 53,578 56,776 -5.6%
#8
BMW 5-Series 52,704 56,863 -7.3%
#9
Lexus IS 51,358 35,017 46.7%
#10
BMW X5 47,031 39,818 18.1%
#11
Mercedes-Benz M-Class 46,726 41,326 13.1%
#12
Acura RDX 44,865 44,750 0.3%
#13
Audi Q5 42,420 40,355 5.1%
#14
Audi A4
38,679 42,130 -8.2%
#15
Infiniti Q50 36,899 17,816 107%
Of those worldwide premium brand sales, the USA
accounted for .34 million, giving BMW the largest
luxury brand sales in our land as it beat Mercedes
with .33 million, Audi with .18 million, Cadillac with
.17 million, and Lincoln with .09 million.
BMW’s USA sales just in the month of December
were especially noteworthy: According to the auto
sales tracking site Good Car Bad Car on January
6, the 3-Series/4-Series line ALONE sold more
units than each of the following: ALL of Acura, ALL
of Audi, ALL of Cadillac, ALL of Infiniti, or ALL of
Lincoln. This hot Bimmer line also sold more than
ALL sales that month of Jaguar, Land Rover, and
Volvo COMBINED!
The Good Car Bad Car site provides the following
chart of the top 15 premium vehicles sold in the
USA. It shows the 3-Series/4-Series line at the top,
with sales 32% higher than the nearest competitor:
These two models ALONE--3-Series and 4-Series-bested several entire BRANDS in December!
16
2013 % CHNG
3.4%
Yes, it’s shocking to see home-turf Cadillac with
only one car on the list. Such has the world
become, even with Cadillac’s amazing deliverance
and Renaissance. As for us? We have all the more
new friends who are excited to have such exciting
vehicles, and only need to be told about the
excellent relations among our Club members.
And one more thing: for those of us who can’t, won’t,
or don’t buy new, we should in a few years see a
bumper crop of those superb 2014s, ready to snatch
up and enjoy even longer!
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January • February 2015
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John Kopp
[email protected]
2445 Castleton Commerce Way
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
das Kummet - January • February 2015
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Dan Tiedemann
[email protected]
17
3040 High St. (Corner of High & Airline), Portsmouth
23707
757-966-9528
 All Repairs & Service
 Latest Factory Diagnostic
Equipment
 BMW & Mercedes Benz
 Quick Turn-Around
 Genuine & OEM Parts
 A/C Service, Tires, Alignment
 Monday – Friday, 9AM to 6PM
 The Only BOSCH Service Center
Outside Norfolk & VA Beach.
Owner & Operator: Jon Mack
[email protected]
Newport News
Are You Going Up There
Norfolk
Portsmouth
Suffolk
VA Beach
Or Way Out Here
When You Could Come To Us?
18
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Website
Map
Chesapeake
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LOOK!
6 Month
No Interest
Financing
Available
January • February 2015
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a car fix, over the top it may be, but still over too
soon. Admit it: you’ll be back!
The Show Must Turn On continued from pg 12
that seems a universal trend these days.
Mini’s been growing too as it follows the classic
line, common back to the Creation, of smaller
cars growing to follow the growth of their owners’
wallets, families, and tushes. I’ve thought from
photos that Minis were growing too much to keep
their charm, but in person they still seem cheeky
and fun.
It’s hard to say what fun is an auto show. Crowds
crowd everything everywhere. Kids clog driver
seats and sit there, enchanted and imagining. Well,
we do need new enthusiasts, do we not? There they
are—let ‘em sit as long as they like—even if that
teen in a trance made me miss a sit in the Porsche
Panamera.
It’s still great to comprehend an entire car line
in one place; to compare car to car and brand to
brand; to get a personal feel for how a car looks,
feels, sits, and works. Yes, it’s sensory overload, and
it all turns to a blur in a while, as you stumble out
exhausted. And yet . . . where else can you get such
One word about displays and adjustments.
Everything is now electronic. You can’t even see
many of the dash displays and layouts without some
juice. Nor can you adjust seats. “In the good old
days,” says Gramps, “you could pull a handle and
move your seat. Now you need a manual to know
how to move it—IF it has power!” So most of the car
show cars sat blankly, dumbly, not showing off their
greatest electronic features. My 6’3” frame could
fit in so few driver seats that were set way forward
that I finally gave up and sat on passenger sides.
My thought? It’s time to turn these cars on! Run
some power to them to keep them charged. Use
programming to protect the more delicate features.
Let the people play with them and yes, break a few,
but more than that, get to know much more of what
you offer!
My view? This is a dandy local show and they did
a fine job. But please: if you want us to really get a
feel for a modern car with its many amazements . . .
the show must turn on!
Return with us now to the days of yesteryear,
when BMW was just establishing its brand substance and image in the USA
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19
BMW Car Club
of America
Tidewater Chapter
PRSRT STD
US POSTAGE PAID
NORFOLK, VA
PERMIT NO. 256
BEY EM VEY, Inc.
Tidewater Chapter BMW Car Club of America
P.O. Box 62145
Virginia Beach, VA 23462-2145
Inside this issue....
Calendar of Events • President’s Perspective • OBX Drive
Go Karting • New Members • The Show Must Turn On
Recommended • Very Good Year • Yesteryear Ads
Mark Jumper and his
2002 540i 6-spd.