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"BMW Buyer's Guide"
by Fred Larimer
Softbound, $24.95
Published by MBI Publishing Company
(800) 826-6600; www.motorbooks.com

While not touted as such, Fred Larimer's "BMW Buyer's Guide" is essentially an update/enhancement of the "Illustrated BMW Buyer's Guide" first and second editions published by MBI and written by Ken Gross. All three books were and are the quintessential BMW reference guides for Bimmerheads everywhere, as well as certain BMW niche writers. They are quite useful for anyone wishing to learn more about BMW models throughout the years, although the brunt of the information deals with models from the mid-1960s on.

The book looks at each body type in a chapter-by-chapter format, beginning with the Type 114 and concluding with the X5, followed by a chapter on "Rare and Unusual BMWs 1950s-80s."

One omission glares large: Larimer fails to list differential gear ratios on the specifications pages. This nagged me to the point where I penciled in the gear ratios on each model's specification page. But then, one person's attention to detail is another's OCD.

While the Garage Watch pages provide useful information regarding the problem areas of each model, some of it is opinion, and the section could have been far more useful if more technical information had been supplied.

Other discrepancies, such as referring to the E34 525i as being equipped with a Getrag Type C gearbox, are most likely due to inaccuracies in BMW factory press information-go ahead, ask me how I know! For the record, the M20-powered 525i has a Getrag 260 five-speed overdrive, whereas the M50-powered 525i has a ZF S5d 250G five-speed with 1:1 fifth gear.

While we're picking nits, the book would have been far more valuable as a BMW owner's resource if BMW part numbers and certain money-saving tricks and problem-solving parts alternatives had been incorporated. Still, when he tells you to check something carefully or be wary of a certain system, the advice is spot-on.

This book represents a significant body of work, and Larimer's first effort. It is worth every penny of the price, and I fully expect the second printing or edition will address whatever discrepancies exist in the first. Overall, "The BMW Buyer's Guide" continues to be the single best reference resource for basic information on each modern BMW model. Larimer has augmented the basic information with more, and filled many gaps in Gross's work. I use mine all the time, and I keep the old editions in the passenger side door pockets of my Bimmers. This way my passenger can read about BMWs on road trips when she tires of listening to me talk-about BMWs.-Mike Miller

"Porsche 911 (964),
Enthusiast's Companion:
Carrera 2 Carrera 4 and Turbo 1989-1994"
by Adrian Streather
Softbound, $69.95
Published by Bentley Publishers
(800) 423-4595
www.bentleypublishers.com

At first glance, the sheer size of Adrian Streather's leviathan suggests the author has compiled the definitive account of the renowned Porsche 911 and all its renderings. Alas, "Porsche 911, Enthusiast's Companion"covers only one model, the 964, produced from 1989-1994. But cover it, it does.

Subtitled "Auftragsnummer 964" (Deutsche for "project number 964"), the book gives an excellent overview of the model, including a variety of lesser-known derivatives. It then moves on to the particulars, from potential purchase and care to performance enhancements and the racing of this distinctive 911.

Residing in Switzerland, Streather added a rarely discussed topic-proper winter storage. From removal of the battery to using an old blanket under the car as a moisture barrier, this section is invaluable to any Porsche owner living in a wet and chilly climate zone.

Following chapters give information about the 964's engine and engine management systems, normally aspirated versus Turbo, maintenance aspects and performance expectations. The author discusses the characteristics of the 964 Carrera 4's awd system. Through exploded drawings and photographs, Streather weathers the inner workings of the mystery Tiptronic transmission. Not an easy feat.

Beyond the chapters describing the car's components, there is a troubleshooting segment covering a variety of basic problems. These cars, however, are such complicated creatures; no book can be expected to hold the answer to every failure. Streather, at least, presents enough on potential troubles that a 964 owner can communicate his sorrows to his professional Porsche mechanic.

If the book shines in any particular place it is with the last chapters"Performance" and "On the Racetrack." Throughout these pages it is clear Streather is not simply regurgitating stats and data, but actually submitting trial and error information from club racers and 964 enthusiasts. Here we learn of high-speed tricks proven to be valuable and a number that fall short of expectations.

While one assumes a book of this size must be incredibly complete, this 600-plus page tome is not packed with as much detailed information as expected. Much of the material is taken from factory manuals. This isn't particularly bad as most workshop books could benefit from Streather's additional notes, warnings and highlights.

The book relies heavily on photos. Sadly, they are not very good photographs and the publisher decreed a vast majority of them had to be exactly the same size and reproduced in dreary gray-tones. Still, if all the publications with 911 in their title came as close to complete as Adrian Streather's "Porsche 911," I could certainly do without the innumerable volumes on the subject that fill my cubbyhole office.

If you are a 911 fanatic, this book is a good addition to your bookshelf. If you own, or plan to own a 964, then "Porsche 911" is a must-have. I can only hope Mr. Streather has gotten the 964 out of his system and is focusing his energies on another 911 model. If he has, I will be the first to clear another spot on my bookshelf.-Frank Macomber