Vintage Scotty Camper Hubcaps on 2040-parts.com

BMW looks to patent seven-speed lockout manual transmission

The intrepid Bimmerphiles over at www.e90post.com have uncovered a few drawings from BMW's latest patent request. The drawing shows a new transmission linkage and what looks to be a seven-speed manual transmission. Like the new Porsche 911, the BMW gear shifter has six gears in standard H pattern, with a seventh gear out to the right.

BMW M3 GTS – more videos

The new BMW M3 GTS - more video On Wednesday we reported on the reveal of the BMW M3 GTS, a track-focused, stripped-out and lightweight BMW M3. It will deliver at least 450bhp from its 4.4 litre V8, all of which will be driven through the rear wheels by a 7-speed M Dual Clutch Transmission (M-DCT). Apart from the obvious orange paint job, the M3 GTS gets a very seventies looking rear wing bolted to the boot.

All used up: Pre-owned sales rise as consumers seek new-car alternatives

Used-car sales took a leap upward in April, and the trend is expected to continue at least until midyear as pent-up demand for affordable pre-owned vehicles jacks up at least one segment of the car marketplace. Sales of new cars continued an unabated slide toward what analysts say is a 30-year low in the United States, but used-car sales showed strength as buyers unable to finance new cars shifted their sights to less expensive used models. As a result, retailers such as the large Penske Automotive Group reported that despite an overall decline in sales in the first three months of 2009, improving used-car sales kept them in the black.