The real BMWs - Page 2

MattC · 5 Apr 2005, 12:07 (Ref:1270777)

BMW 745i turbo, turbocharged I6 luxury automatic cruiser of the early to mid 80s. Lots of buttons to play with.

**John Turner** · 5 Apr 2005, 13:08 (Ref:1270838)

BMW is my second favourite marque (after Aston Martin, which I can only afford to think about!) and most of their cars have been great. However, appearance does make a difference to me and most of the Chris Bangle designs don't personally appeal. My favourites in age order:-

1970s - E9 3.0CSI & CSL (Simple beauty)
1979-81 - E12 M535i (The original 'Q' car?)
1985-89 - E24 M635CSI (the original M6!)
1980s - E30 3 series
1990 (early) - E31 8 series (much maligned but fabulous looking)
1990 (late) - E46 3 series
1998- 2003(?) - M Coupe (mad and marvellous)

I'm fortunate enough to own a couple of the above but I'm not saying which!

johnh875 · 6 Apr 2005, 10:25 (Ref:1271583)

In the past I've seriously looked at buying a 2002 and a 3.0 Si (as mentioned earlier by MattC), other classic ones would have to be E30 & E36 325i's, and E34 535i's (yes please) and I would really like to have an M Coupe. I do remember thinking when the E36 was released "they've gone fat and soft" - each successive generation has to a certain degree, but conversely they are not necessarily worse cars either.

MattC · 7 Apr 2005, 11:47 (Ref:1272407)

The 3.0 Si was a manual only car, only the carb 3.0s could have an automatic. The pre 1976 3.0 Si had the full 200 bhp D jetronic 6 cylinder, then they lost 5 hp in 1976 when the engine got L jetronic injection, I think they lowered the compression ratio too. There aren't many left around.
I think it has taken the arrival of the current e46 M3 to get the M3 back where it was when the e30 M3 was going, the in between versions were a bit soft.

1974 520 advert

e23 730

alfasud · 9 Apr 2005, 07:31 (Ref:1273818)

My current road car is an E34 535i 5-speed from 1989, but can't say I'm a great fan of the new cars, with the exception of the E46 M3 CSL.

Favourites would be the 3.0 CS/CSi/CSL, the E12 M535i, the M635CSi, the E28 M5 and E34 M5. Also quite like the E36 M3 (evo model) with 321bhp from 3.2L but my all time favourite would be the E30 M3 and its Evolution models.

These days BMW seem to be in some sort of insane competition with Mercedes to see how much electronic junk they can fit into the car. Mind you.... I don't think they have quite as many problems as Mercedes.....

http://www.mercedes-benz-usa.com

MattC · 9 Apr 2005, 14:29 (Ref:1274018)

I was just reading about some technology in Italy where they are using software, GPS and hydraulics to get rid of the steering wheel in cars. So they steer themselves for a set journey. Nice idea, but what happens when it doesn't work?
750iL, for captains of industry with deep pockets.

Hi Line trim!!

Look at all the toys!!

blue nose · 25 Apr 2005, 18:22 (Ref:1287186)

The X5 fully loaded with 20inch alloys full Schnitzer body kit and very safe.

**garcon** · 25 Apr 2005, 18:25 (Ref:1287192)

"safe" for drug dealers maybe...

blue nose · 25 Apr 2005, 18:29 (Ref:1287199)

I think they take them off them now....I mean for big crashes.

**garcon** · 25 Apr 2005, 20:35 (Ref:1287323)

Actually 4x4's are proven to be less safe in big crashes... because with such a high centre of gravity they're far more likely to roll. And that's before you consider what they do to the other car.

blue nose · 25 Apr 2005, 20:42 (Ref:1287329)

True I rolled mine at 40mph but at least i walked away without a scratch.

MattC · 27 Apr 2005, 07:09 (Ref:1288277)

Well, here are two BMWs that won't topple at 40 mph.

Batmobile

700 RS

429CJ · 27 Apr 2005, 18:37 (Ref:1288772)

Here's suitable Beemers for guys under 25...

Isetta

600

700

**bella** · 27 Apr 2005, 22:56 (Ref:1288989)

alpina.

say no more.

MattC · 29 Apr 2005, 08:31 (Ref:1289931)

Alpina had the right idea about the e31 8 series.

B12 5.0

B12 5.7

**John Turner** · 4 Mar 2006, 12:03 (Ref:1536076)

I hope no-one minds me resurrecting this old thread. It won't be a surprise to anyone to learn that I think my old M635CSI is a 'Real' BMW, so here's a bigger pic. of it (I'm sure you all know by now to click on thumbnail, but I'll say it anyway!):-

MattC · 7 Mar 2006, 10:38 (Ref:1539455)

The classic fast square rigged style of the BMW 3.0Si.

krt917 · 7 Mar 2006, 12:33 (Ref:1539517)

Very neat shape, except for the silly over-sized 'American' front bumper, which I think rather spoils it in that form.

MattC · 12 Mar 2006, 05:25 (Ref:1544108)

Quote:

Very neat shape, except for the silly over-sized 'American' front bumper, which I think rather spoils it in that form.

Yeah, remember the Volvo 240 bumpers? I think everyone hated those, and the image stuck on Volvo for many tears. Practical,..but so is polyester.

krt917 · 14 Mar 2006, 20:47 (Ref:1548929)

Yes, they were awful too, though you could say that Volvo were starting at a lower level on the aesthetically-pleasing spectrum!

MattC · 18 Mar 2006, 10:39 (Ref:1551738)

Speaking of aesthetically pleasing I have always thought that the Z3 shape was very nice, much better than the latest Z4. The Z3 may never have had the chassis/mechanicals to claim greatness, but the shape looked good, maybe that was the whole point of the car?

**John Turner** · 7 Jun 2006, 09:05 (Ref:1629098)

Mmm, not sure about that Matt, although I always loved the M coupe based on the Z3, not because it was aestheically pleasing but because it was such an unusual and manic looking car, as well as being quick. Now the new Z4 coupe looks like an instant collectors car. Classic front-engined, rear wheel drive GT, in my book!

DAVID PATERSON · 8 Jun 2006, 02:14 (Ref:1629649)

I like the M 635CSi.

The purists will probably cringe, but as a mad Super Touring fan, i really like the E36 320i.

johnh875 · 15 Jun 2006, 07:59 (Ref:1634843)

I like the Z4 (roadster and coupe) except for the nose, I think the headlights are just wrong and the grille seems oddly placed. The "flame surfacing" of the body side is a bit unusual but it is a proper sportscar feature like the profile of the Austin Healeys and AC Ace/Cobra. I agree regarding the Z3 M Coupe (desirable if not "pretty"), but the roadster doesn't do much for me, it is a bit too bland.

E36s are not quite classic, but what do you think of this and this? (Chev LS1 V8 powered E36s)

MattC · 16 Jun 2006, 09:33 (Ref:1635694)

Quote:

I always loved the M coupe based on the Z3, not because it was aestheically pleasing but because it was such an unusual and manic looking car, as well as being quick.

I think there is a big engineering distinction between the Z3 and the M versions of the Z3, big gulf between an early M44 4 cyl Z3 and the 321 bhp M version of the Z3 roadster. Certainly the M version is well worth having, but I wasn't a fan of the hunchback Munster styling of the coupe version of what, 1998 vintage?

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