1980 BMW E26 M1

[RichardM5]

The car will be on display at the NEC Class Motor Show this coming weekend, one of 16 cars on the Meguiar's Club Showcase stand in Hall 1.

https://www.facebook.com/meguiarsuk/photos/a.13802...

[e30m3Mark]

Car of the show as far as I'm concerned.

[TheLordJohn]

RichardM5 said:

The car will be on display at the NEC Class Motor Show this coming weekend, one of 16 cars on the Meguiar's Club Showcase stand in Hall 1.

https://www.facebook.com/meguiarsuk/photos/a.13802...

I met you at Beamish (when you read my E38's fault codes, thank you!) and saw your M6 (I think).
Will be nice to see the M1 when I go on Sunday.

[RichardM5]

e30m3Mark said:

Car of the show as far as I'm concerned.

Not sure about that, there will be some lovely things there.

TheLordJohn said:

I met you at Beamish (when you read my E38's fault codes, thank you!) and saw your M6 (I think).
Will be nice to see the M1 when I go on Sunday.

Yes, M6 GC, that must be over 3 years ago now.

[TheLordJohn]

RichardM5 said:

Yes, M6 GC, that must be over 3 years ago now.

Doesn't time fly. I ended up selling that car for a small profit.
Will be travelling up to Birmingham in my E55 750i, so onwards and upwards!

[thiscocks]

Very nice. Much prefer your new black interior. Seats looks great.

[e30m3Mark]

RichardM5 said:

e30m3Mark said:

Car of the show as far as I'm concerned.

Not sure about that, there will be some lovely things there.

If I had a Euromillions win tomorrow the only other things on the list, other than an M1, are an F1 and an F40. I'd have a few cheaper things like RS2000 and E28 M5 as runabouts though.

[TheLordJohn]

XJ220 - top of the list

[RichardM5]

TheLordJohn said:

XJ220 - top of the list

When I bought the M1 I also considered an XJ220 as it is one of my other dream cars.

I wanted a car that I could use, would be an investment and that would not cost a fortune to run (and so negate the investment side). There were a couple of things that put me off the XJ220 at the time:-

- The tyres were not available, they are a unique size at the rear and Bridgestone stopped making them. Since earlier this year they are available again as Don Law has managed to get Bridgestone to make another batch using modern construction techniques.

- The XJ220 uses a bag fuel tank that needs replacing at regular intervals, this is not a trivial task and requires engine removal.

- At the time I was looking, there were very few M1's for sale and seemed to be loads of XJ220's, at least 10 in the UK. Made me wonder why. There are far fewer for sale now.

- The XJ220 is a massive car and a 2 seater, yet the standard boot would not carry an over night bag. Don Law Racing will do a mod that increases it considerably by removing the exhaust silencers.

Several things were in the XJ220's favour though so it was a close call :

- The acceleration and sound of the XJ220 is just something else, the outboard twin turbos and waste gates just behind your ear, I've never been in another car of any age that does what a tweaked XJ220 can do. I do wonder if I would have killed myself though as is so addictive.

- Don Law racing is only a 2 hour drive from me, so major service requirements would be much easier than the M1 (although more frequent).

- The inside is a much more luxurious place to be than the M1, except that steering wheel which is awful.

- The quality of the build and techniques used, that bodywork is just mind blowing, it's all formed from honeycomb aluminium. There is only about 10 years between them, but the XJ220 uses amazing construction techniques and could almost be from another century.

If I could buy one now (and still keep the M1 of course!) I would. Top of my list though, McLaren F1, no contest, but you need deep pockets to run one.

[RichardM5]

Arrived at the NEC, in a truck as the roads around here have been gritted for a couple of nights.



and parked on the Meguiar's stand



Parked next to a Vauxhall PA Vellox, just slightly different cars!

[TR4man]

Your car is one of my "must see" exhibits on Saturday.

[e30m3Mark]

Looks stunning.

If my car wasn't in for an engine rebuild I would head up to the NEC to see it. I just can't bring myself to drive so far in a Matiz though.

[Snubs]

Here are the two pictures i took on Sunday



Fantastic car Richard

[RichardM5]

Extensive 20 odd page article in the March copy of Octane on the M1 (not mine) if anyone is interested. Covers the road car, Art car, engine, Pro cars and a comparison between the M1, M1 homage and i8.

[e30m3Mark]

I don't suppose you could be persuaded to come to Goodwood on May 18/19th?

[RichardM5]

e30m3Mark said:

I don't suppose you could be persuaded to come to Goodwood on May 18/19th?

Why, what's on?

[e30m3Mark]

Retro Rides event. Organised a pre 1990 M power stand.

http://www.retroridesweekender.com

[RichardM5]

A definite maybe!

I was thinking of going to the Frstival of Speed this year, but it clashes with some family events, so this may be an alternative.

[e30m3Mark]

I have to say I think the Retro Rides events are excellent. A great mix of cars, real enthusiasts with no marque snobbery and a chance to see many in action. Some of the guest cars they invite along are pretty special too.

[Sillyhatday]

Was this car at the Silverstone classic last year? I swear I took some photos of it