BMW released a range of original accessories for the 2008 model year. The 2008 original BMW accessories range includes: a diesel particulates filter for retrofitting in cars classified so far as Euro 4 or Euro 3, the BMW Junior Seat II-III child seat and the universal Apple iPod interface together with a USB port.
BMW Press release:
Innovative Options for Even More Driving Pleasure, Motoring Comfort and Environmental Compatibility: Original BMW Accessories in the 2008 Model Year.
Munich. Innovative, well-conceived, and
sophisticated: The wide range of Original BMW Accessories is being expanded in the 2008 model year by a number of new and highly attractive options for even greater driving pleasure on short and long routes, for extra safety and motoring comfort, and for lasting value of the car as well as a higher standard of environmental compatibility.
The new highlights in BMW's wide range of accessories include the Original BMW diesel particulates filter for retrofitting in cars classified so far as Euro 4 or Euro 3, the BMW Junior Seat II-III
child seat and the universal Apple iPod interface together with a USB port.
Preserving the environment, saving tax: retrofittable BMW diesel particulates filter.
Starting this year, all BMW diesel models come as standard straight from the factory with an original BMW diesel particulates filter. Model-specific retrofittable filters are available for older models, again significantly reducing the emission of harmful substances and meeting the legal requirements for a tax reduction. Indeed, retrofittbale diesel particulates filters are
available for a wide range of models with six and four-cylinder engines classified as Euro 3 and Euro 4.
Starting immediately, the BMW 320d, BMW 120d and BMW 118d categorised as Euro 4 may be retrofitted with an original BMW diesel particulates filter - a so-called fully-controlled system corresponding to the particulates filter fitted at the plant. The result is a reduction of particles in the exhaust emissions by more than 90 per cent. The filter system requires no maintenance and works
without additives, while fuel consumption and engine output remain unchanged.
BMW models currently complying with the Euro 3 standard may also be upgraded by retrofitting an original BMW diesel particulates filter featuring a so-called "open" filter system. This technology is available for various models in the BMW 5 and the BMW 3 Series as well as the BMW X5 and the BMW X3 with six- and, respectively, four-cylinder diesel engines, reducing particle emissions by a minimum of 30 per cent.
This retrofittable filter system again complies with current legal requirements and is tailored perfectly to the respective model, without any effect on engine output and fuel consumption.
And again, it requires no maintenance and runs without any additives.
The filter is fitted by the driver's BMW Service Partner, who will also give the customer the documents required for registering the new filter technology in the car with his homologation authorities. From there all tax-relevant information goes straight to the responsible revenue office to ensure an appropriate tax relief.
When the "little ones" are little no more: BMW Junior Seat II-III.
BMW's new Junior Seat II-III is simply ideal for young children riding in the car. Offering a high standard of flexibility and a wide range of adjustment, BMW's new child seat is homologated for weight classes II and III, which means children weighing between 15 and 36 kilos/33 and 79 lb (approx 3.5 - 12 years of age).
BMW Junior Seat II-III is available in Grey/Blue and in BMW Sauber F1 design, with the BMW logo on the backrest.
Unusually variable and versatile in use, BMW's child seat comes with a height-adjustable backrest including a belt carrier and side support as well as a headrest for extra safety. The backrest and side support interact with one another, ensuring automatic adjustment of seat width as a function of seat height. Accordingly, Junior Seat II-III literally "grows" with the child sitting in the seat, the correct position being shown by a centimetre scale on the backrest indicating the body height currently set on the seat. And last but not least, height adjustment also ensures optimum geometry of the shoulder belt.
Junior Seat II-III also comes with a removable and washable cover as well as a folding mechanism for convenient, space-saving transport. Indeed, even a practical BMW bag for transporting the seat when folded up is available as an additional feature.
Fully integrating the world of music: BMW USB and iPod interface.
Many enthusiasts are convinced that driving pleasure and the enjoyment of music are linked inseparably. Particularly MP3 players such as the Apple iPod have gained immense popularity and may also be used in the car. The objective, therefore, is to offer a high standard of choice in music while travelling - and to use top-quality, highly convenient and technically sophisticated systems for connecting external audio sources. BMW therefore creates ideal conditions for such enjoyment at the wheel.
Particularly for the Apple iPod, but also for other MP3 players as well as a wide range of other external audio sources, BMW offers various retrofittable interfaces for all current models in the range. So depending on the car, connection of the mobile music player and the playback of music files is ensured via the car's loudspeakers or through complete integration of all player functions in the audio system.
In terms of sound quality and easy use, these retrofittable interfaces offer the same high standard provided by the systems and ports connected right from the start at the factory.
BMW has taken on a leading role particularly in the integration of the Apple iPod, offering an iPod interface integrated in the car since 2004. Now, entering the 2008 model year, BMW offers the integration of a BMW iPod and USB port in the area of the centre console as an optional extra available straight from the plant in all model series. As a retrofittable solution, in turn, this interface is available for BMW 3 Series and BMW 1 Series equipped from the factory with a BMW Audio or a BMW Business radio.
This allows simple connection of the iPod by "plug and play" as well as fully integrated operation of the entire unit - meaning that information saved in the iPod on lists, titles and artists is presented in the on-board monitor or radio display and the system battery is supplied with electric power via the car's on-board network.
Apart from various iPod models, the BMW USB and iPod port also serves to link up and use other suitable MP3 players. Indeed, the sophisticated interface integrated in the glove compartment also allows direct access to music files saved on a USB stick and then being played back on the car's audio system.
A retrofit option integrated in the glove compartment is also available for a wide range of other BMW models, serving in this case exclusively for use with an Apple iPod: Depending on the model and the year of production, the customer has the choice of two variants of the iPod-specific interface and is still able in this specific case to control the player and present data on music titles and artists via the car's audio system - depending on the model either via the appropriate buttons on the multi-function steering wheel or the control elements on the respective audio system. Even the supply of electric power by the on-board network is ensured in full.
The easiest way to use an external audio source in the car is through the AUX-In interface already standard in many current BMWs or retrofittable where required. This allows the user to connect MP3 players such as the Apple iPod and other audio systems by means of a 3.5-millimetre connection plug. The retrofittable AUX-In port is integrated in the glove compartment, with volume control via the car's audio system.
For lasting brilliance: original BMW paint protection covers.
Stone-throw, scratches, insects - the paint of a car may be damaged virtually anytime and anywhere. But now, using innovative paint protection covers from the wide range of Original BMW Accessories, drivers of a BMW 5 Series, BMW 3 Series, BMW 1 Series and BMW X5 have the option to protect particularly exposed parts of the body from damage.
Made of transparent and hard-wearing materials, these paint protection covers serve to maintain the value of the car and prevent both damage and the usual signs of use. They are available for the front lid and bumper, as well as for the doors, loading edges, and exterior mirror caps.
Original BMW paint protection covers may be fitted directly by the driver himself. They allow the customer to have the car washed the usual way in an automatic car wash and may be sealed with conventional auto-finish systems.
Given their long service life and resistance, these protection films maintain the full function and look of the paint for a long period - an important factor also in terms of lasting value.
Safe and easy to use: the new rear rack systems on the BMW 3 Series and the BMW 1 Series Coupé.
Entering the 2008 model year, the list of options specifically for the BMW 3 Series Coupé and the new BMW 1 Series Coupé is being enhanced by an innovative rear rack system ensuring safe transport of two bicycles, two snowboards or two pairs of skis on the back of the car. A further point is that the new aluminium rear rack is easy to use and fulfils all of the BMW Group's safety requirements.
The rack fits easily and conveniently into position without requiring any tools. Thanks to a patented rapid-fastening process, the rack rests firmly in the two mounting points in the rear bumper and is automatically set to the right position. The mounting points themselves may either be integrated in the bumper straight from the factory or also retrofitted.
Should the driver decide not to use the rear rack for a certain period - for example at his holiday destination - he can remove the rack easily within a few instants and stow it in the car's luggage compartment.
There is no need to remove the rear rack in order to load and unload the luggage compartment - instead, the rack simply folds off also when loaded, allowing the driver to open the rear lid with ease.
High-quality and functional: exclusive accessories for the BMW 3 Series Convertible.
To make motoring in the open air and grand touring even more attractive in the new BMW 3 Series Convertible, BMW offers further exclusive accessories as of the 2008 model year.
One example is the rear bags developed especially for the 3 Series Convertible, ensuring even better use of the unique storage capacity provided when the driver is travelling with just one passenger by tilting down the rear seat bench in full: Fitting precisely into the space behind the front seats, the rear bag takes up luggage safely and conveniently, without the risk of anything slipping around and with all items being protected from possible rainfall.
The bag is connected to the fastening lashes on the rear seat bench already featured as standard. It is made of polyester and folds up conveniently into the luggage compartment.
The elegant BMW baggage set also allows efficient use of the luggage compartment in the BMW 3 Series Convertible. Comprising two large suitcases and two business travel cases fitting precisely into the storage space at the rear after folding down the rear-seat backrest and connected directly to the car by the lashing points featured as standard so as not to slip around, the cases and bags are made of a combination of fabric and leather.
The cases come with several additional pockets, storage compartments, wheels and even retractable handles. Through their size and dimensions, one case and one bag fit perfectly into the luggage compartment also with the roof open.
The wind deflector available as an option provides a particularly comfortable experience in the open-air BMW 3 Series Convertible, enjoying the wind and sunshine with the roof down. The wind deflector keeps undesired air turbulence away from the interior and, through its striking design and position, contributes to the car's exceptional looks.
The wind deflector with a design print for the BMW 3 Series Convertible available as a particularly stylish feature offers a truly unique look, the imprint on the wind deflector rendering the silhouette of the Convertible optimised in the wind tunnel and standing for "Dynamics and Motion", core values of the BMW brand.
This particularly decorative design was incidentally created in a competition conducted throughout Germany at more than 100 colleges of design and art.
