BMW's

[R2T2]

But even so I blower Bentley looks more "special" than an MX5. Although this is probably down to the exclusivity factor.

But a BB will get more looks (even if just for the "WTF is that?" effect) than an MX5.

[Gad-Westy]

I'm a 2002 or E34 man myself. Wouldn't turn down an E21 either mind.

[RobinBanks]

Monty Python said:

Depends who you ask - most "non-petrolheads" wouldn't know what an R-34 Skyline in, nor would they know an E30 BMW from an E46. The Jaguar E-Type and the Aston Martin DB5 are iconic because they're instantly recognisable. There are very few cars that fall into this category.

Most iconic BMW? I don't think there is one.

I also don't think that an E30 BMW is especially iconic if you see what I wrote!
However I think that an E30 BMW is more recognisable as something that was at least once a nice car, rather than the Skyline which most people would think is an odd-looking, loud car and nothing more.

[daytona365]

Isn't the R32 2.6 the one to get if you're not especially rich ?

[R2T2]

Or the R33.

R32's start at 10k, R33's about 15.

R34 is mental money as it's banned in some states in America, and because of it's F&F links. And they sold a few here too.

[RobM77]

R2T2 said:

R34 is mental money as it's banned in some states in America

That's interesting - do you know why that is?

[rsv696]

The iconic BMW shapes all come from the 70's IMO :







(Yes I know this is a 1985 registered car)

Edited by rsv696 on Wednesday 24th June 16:34

[R2T2]

RobM77 said:

hat's interesting - do you know why that is?

AFAIK, it's because of a dodgy importer in California (I'm not 100% and I expect there's more to it than is let on)

[Leins]

rsv696 said:

The iconic BMW shapes all come from the 70's IMO :



(Yes I know this is a 1985 registered car)

Edited by rsv696 on Wednesday 24th June 16:34

The E28? It only predates the E30 by a year, and is very much an 80s BMW too as far as I'm concerned

[justanother5tar]

Im with the Skyline guys.

To me they're much more iconic cars than the Beemer.

[rsv696]

Leins said:

The E28? It only predates the E30 by a year, and is very much an 80s BMW too as far as I'm concerned

I was thinking more of the visually similar 1972-1981 E12 from which the E28 evolved:

Edited by rsv696 on Thursday 25th June 16:01

[BGarside]

The E30 is a neat shape but lacks the crispness of the earlier shark nose cars which for me (as a child of the '80s) defined the '80s BMW 'look'.

Looking at the latest BMW 3-series ad on TV the best looking of all the generations is the E21 single-headlamp car.

For driving, I'd take the E36. In fact, I have.

[g3org3y]

E30 values are on the up in the last couple of years.

Very entertaining cars with great fun handling. Proper N/A straight six, RWD with no driving aids. Sound great (esp earlier non cat models), mechanically sound, the only real issue is the bodywork/rust.

The 4 headlights (and classic kidney grill) are certainly iconic for those of an older generation, the styling cues shared through the range and certainly instantly recognisable as a BMW of the time.

[Ozzie Osmond]

g3org3y said:

Very entertaining cars with great fun handling. Proper N/A straight six, RWD with no driving aids.

Indeed. The back of my 325i was inclined to overtake without checking to see if the front of the car was coming along for the party!

[daytona365]

rsv696 said:

Leins said:

The E28? It only predates the E30 by a year, and is very much an 80s BMW too as far as I'm concerned

I was thinking more of the visually similar 1972-1981 E12 from which the E28 evolved:

Edited by rsv696 on Thursday 25th June 16:01

.........Hard to imagine a better looking car, (even exotics) than that. It's just perfect.

[TheAngryDog]

daytona365 said:

rsv696 said:

Leins said:

The E28? It only predates the E30 by a year, and is very much an 80s BMW too as far as I'm concerned

I was thinking more of the visually similar 1972-1981 E12 from which the E28 evolved:

Edited by rsv696 on Thursday 25th June 16:01

.........Hard to imagine a better looking car, (even exotics) than that. It's just perfect.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but that E12 is stunning.

BMW have made some iconic cars. The E30 M3 isnt the most iconic, not the greatest car ever produced. I am not sure how you would measure that tbh.

Skyline GTRs are not iconic imo, though I wouldn't say no to one.