15 years of BMWs
Discussion
1602Mark said:
Northamptom dealerships MD ran an identical car which, at the time, was supposedly the most expensive BMW imported into the UK. Who so he said anyway. I was at Donnington (as part of a team in the Opel Euroseries) and they had a hospitality suite which I was invited up to and he threw me the keys. An awesome machine.
I'm always a bit intrigued by 'the most expensive' BMW ever bought in the UK as the prices changed so much over the years. I suspect that given the premium Alpina charge and the complete lack of discounting by Sytner (the sole importer) in comparison to reasonably available BMW dealer discounts it would be one of the Alpina cars.For example in 1998 an E38 B12 5.7 swb was £100,000 which (using a historic inflation calculator) would be £178,999 today, whereas the same car bought for the same list price (which it was) in 1997 would be £184,548 today.
By 2000 the list pices of cars had actually reduced a little so an E38 B12 6.0 swb was then £84,950, (over £15,000 cheaper than the equivilant B12 5.7 just two years before) which would be 'just' £144,886 today.
One of the highest list prices I have seen by margin from the rest of the range is the E31 B12 5.7 Switch-Tronic Coupe which was £97,650 in 1994 and would be £195,579 today. In comparison the E32 B12 5.0 lwb saloon was £72,931 in 1994 and would be £146,070. For those that are interested a B10 Bi-Turbo was £57,854 in 1994, a paltry £115,873 today.
The thing about the B12 5.7 Coupe was that it came as standard with nearly every whistle and bell for that price so very little could be added, whereas a Seven Series could still have all kinds of goodies added to it.
So in 1997 someone in the UK ordered a B12 5.7 lwb saloon at a base price of £108,000 then on the top of that specified Individual paint, Individual leather, Rear luxury seat package, a whole host of other nice bits and pieces then went bonkers by ordered the bespoke rear entertainment package with with screen and VCR as well as rear air-conditioning; all that totalled up to about £140,000 which would be a scarcely believable £258,368 today...
I got told years ago that an identical car was ordered in 1998 which due to changes in inflation would be 'just' £250,599 today. I found that 1998 car last year and it is not identical; no individual leather and no rear AC so quite a bit cheaper in reality.
Mine is the 1997 car, and I reckon given that 1997 price of £140,000, a quite frankly bonkers £258,368 today, it could be in contention for the most (probably stupidly) expensive BMW ever bought in the UK...
McGee_22 said:
Mine is the 1997 car, and I reckon given that 1997 price of £140,000, a quite frankly bonkers £258,368 today, it could be in contention for the most (probably stupidly) expensive BMW ever bought in the UK...
That's a great post, and an amazing eye-watering collection of figures. Think it’s about 16 years for me. Although I had the pleasure of driving my father’s BMW before I got to own some of my own.
2004 E46 316i SE - Stop gap company car I got given while the one I ordered was being built. Woeful engine and fairly wobbly handling. Previous user had clearly ignored the company’s no smoking policy as well,
2004 E46 320d Touring - One of only 2 diesel cars I’ve owned. For the time it was more refined than the competition and compared to other cars I’d owned I was paying in company car tax about what I was previously paying in insurance to have a fully expensed car. Winner
2007 E90 325i - Lovelly engine that was smooth and loved to rev. Auto Gearbox spoiled it a bit but was living in central London at the time. Ended up doing over 100k in it.
1989 Z1 - Belonged to my Father but had been sat for a few years. I imported it into the UK in 2009 and still have it today. Sees less and less use following the arrival of our second child, but they love it and so hope to use it more as they grow up.
2008 Z4M Coupe - Impulse buy in 2010 when I spotted a bargain. Plan was to use it as my main car (commute was largely by train) and sell the 325i. Promptly smashed up my leg and so had to hang on to the 325i as I wasn’t able to drive a manual for 6 months. Like the Z1 currently sees too little use but I seem to be emotionally attached to it.
2011 530d 5 Series GT - Bought just before the arrival of our first child (traded the 325i for it) because we thought we needed a bigger car. My wife hated driving it because of the size and I hated the Diesel engine, handling, steering, well everything basically. Sold it to we buy any car after 10 months and only lost a couple of grand, amazingly.
2006 E91 335i - Bought as a stop gap car when I sold the 5GT but almost 5 years later we still have it. Had the Birds suspension bits and Quaife differential when I bought it and is reasonably fun to drive. Keep thinking of upgrading to a F31 340i, but not got around to it yet. Also the cost of adding the suspension and diff to the 340i is making me wonder if a F80 M3 isn’t a better option.
2006 E87 130i - Bought while my wife was on maternity leave with our second one. Bought of a fellows PHer and was heavily modified with Birds Suspension, Diff etc. Proved very practical and kept for about 18 months. Only reason I sold it because I wanted an E92 M3 and had I kept we would have had 5 cars - potentially a bit ridiculous as we both either work from home or commute via train. Sold back to the same guy purchased it from.
2010 E92 - Bought last year to see if it can replace the Z4M with the added benefit of 4 seats. At one point I was planning on selling the Z4M, but fate intervened in the form of a free local garage space to keep the Z4M over winter (and beyond). Plan is to spend a weekend driving them back to back at some point - probably when spring has firmly sprung.
ETA Pictures
2004 E46 316i SE - Stop gap company car I got given while the one I ordered was being built. Woeful engine and fairly wobbly handling. Previous user had clearly ignored the company’s no smoking policy as well,
2004 E46 320d Touring - One of only 2 diesel cars I’ve owned. For the time it was more refined than the competition and compared to other cars I’d owned I was paying in company car tax about what I was previously paying in insurance to have a fully expensed car. Winner
2007 E90 325i - Lovelly engine that was smooth and loved to rev. Auto Gearbox spoiled it a bit but was living in central London at the time. Ended up doing over 100k in it.
1989 Z1 - Belonged to my Father but had been sat for a few years. I imported it into the UK in 2009 and still have it today. Sees less and less use following the arrival of our second child, but they love it and so hope to use it more as they grow up.
2008 Z4M Coupe - Impulse buy in 2010 when I spotted a bargain. Plan was to use it as my main car (commute was largely by train) and sell the 325i. Promptly smashed up my leg and so had to hang on to the 325i as I wasn’t able to drive a manual for 6 months. Like the Z1 currently sees too little use but I seem to be emotionally attached to it.
2011 530d 5 Series GT - Bought just before the arrival of our first child (traded the 325i for it) because we thought we needed a bigger car. My wife hated driving it because of the size and I hated the Diesel engine, handling, steering, well everything basically. Sold it to we buy any car after 10 months and only lost a couple of grand, amazingly.
2006 E91 335i - Bought as a stop gap car when I sold the 5GT but almost 5 years later we still have it. Had the Birds suspension bits and Quaife differential when I bought it and is reasonably fun to drive. Keep thinking of upgrading to a F31 340i, but not got around to it yet. Also the cost of adding the suspension and diff to the 340i is making me wonder if a F80 M3 isn’t a better option.
2006 E87 130i - Bought while my wife was on maternity leave with our second one. Bought of a fellows PHer and was heavily modified with Birds Suspension, Diff etc. Proved very practical and kept for about 18 months. Only reason I sold it because I wanted an E92 M3 and had I kept we would have had 5 cars - potentially a bit ridiculous as we both either work from home or commute via train. Sold back to the same guy purchased it from.
2010 E92 - Bought last year to see if it can replace the Z4M with the added benefit of 4 seats. At one point I was planning on selling the Z4M, but fate intervened in the form of a free local garage space to keep the Z4M over winter (and beyond). Plan is to spend a weekend driving them back to back at some point - probably when spring has firmly sprung.
ETA Pictures
Edited by survivalist on Saturday 8th February 20:10
Edited by survivalist on Saturday 8th February 20:12
I’ve only been a beemer man for the last 10 years but have owned my fair share- see below for those interested. The year is the year I acquired (year of car).
2010 E90 318d m sport saloon (2008) - pool car underpowered
2010 E92 320d SE coupe (2010) - company car lovely drive
2012 Z4 3.0 Si Sport roadster auto (2007) - not the best build quality but great engine and surprisingly good MPG
2013 E93 320d m sport convertible (2008) - bit sluggish due to the weight but great cruiser
2014 E70 X5 30d m sport (2010) - had the 245bhp engine and was a great car if a bit of a bus
2015 E92 M3 Coupe Competition pack (2012) - what an engine brakes couldn’t keep up
2016 F31 335d M sport touring (2016) - family arrived so I needed space rapid but anodyne
2018 F83 M4 convertible (2015) - complete beast and a bit scary but firmware tweaks made it much nicer to drive
2019 F32 435d M sport coupe (2014) - increase in mileage meant the M4 had to go great engine and wonderful cruiser but a bit dull
2020 F83 M4 convertible (216) - mileage dropped so could get back in an M4, missed the previous one so much
2010 E90 318d m sport saloon (2008) - pool car underpowered
2010 E92 320d SE coupe (2010) - company car lovely drive
2012 Z4 3.0 Si Sport roadster auto (2007) - not the best build quality but great engine and surprisingly good MPG
2013 E93 320d m sport convertible (2008) - bit sluggish due to the weight but great cruiser
2014 E70 X5 30d m sport (2010) - had the 245bhp engine and was a great car if a bit of a bus
2015 E92 M3 Coupe Competition pack (2012) - what an engine brakes couldn’t keep up
2016 F31 335d M sport touring (2016) - family arrived so I needed space rapid but anodyne
2018 F83 M4 convertible (2015) - complete beast and a bit scary but firmware tweaks made it much nicer to drive
2019 F32 435d M sport coupe (2014) - increase in mileage meant the M4 had to go great engine and wonderful cruiser but a bit dull
2020 F83 M4 convertible (216) - mileage dropped so could get back in an M4, missed the previous one so much
Edited by 9k rpm on Saturday 8th February 21:37
37 years for me ,I’ll try and remember them all!
72 1602
74 2002tii lux
75 2002
73 2002
76 1502
79 e21 316
80 e21. 320
85 e30 320 auto
84 alpina b2.8
E34 525 and 535
E39 alpina b10 3.2 and b10 v8 and 530d sport
E30 m3 and e30 Hartge h28
Currently own e30 318 baur convertible
as been mentioned before the newer cars just don’t appeal anymore , my next car will probably be e46 m3 as I’ve always liked them
72 1602
74 2002tii lux
75 2002
73 2002
76 1502
79 e21 316
80 e21. 320
85 e30 320 auto
84 alpina b2.8
E34 525 and 535
E39 alpina b10 3.2 and b10 v8 and 530d sport
E30 m3 and e30 Hartge h28
Currently own e30 318 baur convertible
as been mentioned before the newer cars just don’t appeal anymore , my next car will probably be e46 m3 as I’ve always liked them
25yrs for me, next one may see me leaving the brand to Audi, as I want a fast estate for the pooch, not an SUV that bmw offer.
E36 320i
E30 m3 evo
E36 m3 evo
E46 m3 conv
E46 m3 Coupe
E46 m3 CSL
E90 330d
i3
F06 M6 gran coupe
F80 m3 CP
I3s
Some pics after the iPhone was invented
E36 320i
E30 m3 evo
E36 m3 evo
E46 m3 conv
E46 m3 Coupe
E46 m3 CSL
E90 330d
i3
F06 M6 gran coupe
F80 m3 CP
I3s
Some pics after the iPhone was invented
Edited by Mits on Saturday 8th February 22:29
14yrs of ownership for me.
Started with a e36 328i se saloon, bought for £800, my first straight six, loved how the engine felt, and the car just kept going.
Followed that with another pair of E36s, a 323i touring, then another saloon.
That led to an E46 330ci, had that nearly 4 years, i loved that car, just everday maintenance stuff needed and it never went wrong.
Another E46 330ci convertible followed, i hated it.
Now on an E90 330i and love it, i really can't think of anything i would replace it with, I'll probably try to run it until it dies of old age, unless i go first!
Started with a e36 328i se saloon, bought for £800, my first straight six, loved how the engine felt, and the car just kept going.
Followed that with another pair of E36s, a 323i touring, then another saloon.
That led to an E46 330ci, had that nearly 4 years, i loved that car, just everday maintenance stuff needed and it never went wrong.
Another E46 330ci convertible followed, i hated it.
Now on an E90 330i and love it, i really can't think of anything i would replace it with, I'll probably try to run it until it dies of old age, unless i go first!
I started off as many did in the eighties with a very secondhand E21 320i, the four cylinder M10 version. Went into E28's, E30's etc including some highlights - Tom Jones' Alpine white A plate 635CSi Auto was bought from BCA Blackbushe in 1994. It was absolutely mint, blue leather, new Avon Turdospeeds - I think I paid £2500 for it and made a deathly drink on it shortly after. Other highlights were an 840Ci Sport when they were still a newish car, an E30 M3 Sport Evolution that is now worth house money, 3.0 CSL Lightweight, Alpina B9 3.5 E28 and a 2.7 Alpina E30 that was an animal at the time.
That's probably the reason I can't get very excited by modern BMW's, as fast and as competent as they are.
That's probably the reason I can't get very excited by modern BMW's, as fast and as competent as they are.
Mits said:
25yrs for me, next one may see me leaving the brand to Audi, as I want a fast estate for the pooch, not an SUV that bmw offer.
I’ve never really understood why BMW don’t do a properly fast estate. I know they did the E61 M5 as a touring and sold about three. Audi and Mercedes do well with fast estates.Edited by Mits on Saturday 8th February 22:29
Touring442 said:
I started off as many did in the eighties with a very secondhand E21 320i, the four cylinder M10 version. Went into E28's, E30's etc including some highlights - Tom Jones' Alpine white A plate 635CSi Auto was bought from BCA Blackbushe in 1994. It was absolutely mint, blue leather, new Avon Turdospeeds - I think I paid £2500 for it and made a deathly drink on it shortly after. Other highlights were an 840Ci Sport when they were still a newish car, an E30 M3 Sport Evolution that is now worth house money, 3.0 CSL Lightweight, Alpina B9 3.5 E28 and a 2.7 Alpina E30 that was an animal at the time.
That's probably the reason I can't get very excited by modern BMW's, as fast and as competent as they are.
Wow an e21 320i 4 cylinder now that is a very rare car !That's probably the reason I can't get very excited by modern BMW's, as fast and as competent as they are.
1602Mark said:
There are some stunning cars in this thread.
I bought my first BMW in circa 1988. A mint green 1502 from a used car dealers PX's at the back of his lot for £250. I loved the thing but it was rusty as hell and made way for a pristine 2002 (HKL298L) and a LHD 1802 on twin 40's and chopped springs. (I was young and poor). I then went to an E21 323i, a 320, an E12 520/4 and in 1992 a gorgeous E12 M535I. I moved to Devon a month later and someone hit me head-on in the back lanes and it was written off as a result. I bought another but it was nowhere near as nice so I sold it and bought a 1968 1600-2 found in Cornwall. (WNP771G), that I regretfully px'd for a late 2002tii (GTA 11N). There were various other short lived 02's, 02 touring etc amongst those but they were cheap and supply outdid demand. Modern cars just have never been my thing, not that I could afford them anyway, so I've always liked classics or bangers as they were back then.
The past 15 years have seen a few E21 including a couple of 'resto-mod' examples. I've had an 02 one some description for most of my life and am currently building up the replacement for my much loved E30 M3 track car and occasional daily. I've been lucky enough to own 5 E30 M3 and an E46 M3 but the E30's are too expensive for my pockets and the E46 was just too new. It was also way too quick for me to enjoy it's performance on the road and the nearest track is 120 miles away at least. My red E30 M3 was perfect but I simply couldn't justify owning a car that equated almost 2 years salary. They're also expensive to maintain properly but I'm glad to have owned it and when I win the lottery it'll be my first purchase.
Today, I need a modern car for my job and have a remapped 116d sport. It's brisk, comfortable and manages 45+ mpg. It also makes taking the dogs out much easier being a hatch. My real car though, is a 1971 BMW 1602 that I imported from Greece. It's never been welded and is about as solid as a 50 year old car can be. It's also a time machine, as when I get in I am immediately taken back to the time I got into my 02 as a 22 year old. The feel, the smell and the view through all that glass. It's not a pristine example, but that isn't what I wanted. I want a car I can use and enjoy. It's for that reason that I'm making it a bit more personal and building it into a car inspired by the E30 M3 I loved so much. It now has a 5 speed box and a 16 valve four pot on throttle bodies, with standalone ECU and free flow system and exhaust manifold. Power will be close to 200bhp (once finished but it's about 180 as it is) and it still sits on 13'' crosspoke BBS. I've fitted 185/60's though and the brakes and ARB's are from the 2002tii. Seats are classic Cobra and I just need a second Britax harness for the passenger. The steering wheel is a gorgeous thing from Petri and cost more than my first 02 did! I've also fitted the early style clocks. It really is a beautiful thing and another world from the 2019 BMW 1 series I saw yesterday, with that awful front grill.
My passion for BMW all stems from that first green 1502 though.
A couple of links that show my old M3 and the Petrolicious video.
https://petrolicious.com/articles/track-modified-a...
The E21 had an M52/2.8 swap and 244bhp.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
That does look nice - thankfully you haven't followed that awful trend of removing the front bumper. Looks good with the early stainless grills also. I bought my first BMW in circa 1988. A mint green 1502 from a used car dealers PX's at the back of his lot for £250. I loved the thing but it was rusty as hell and made way for a pristine 2002 (HKL298L) and a LHD 1802 on twin 40's and chopped springs. (I was young and poor). I then went to an E21 323i, a 320, an E12 520/4 and in 1992 a gorgeous E12 M535I. I moved to Devon a month later and someone hit me head-on in the back lanes and it was written off as a result. I bought another but it was nowhere near as nice so I sold it and bought a 1968 1600-2 found in Cornwall. (WNP771G), that I regretfully px'd for a late 2002tii (GTA 11N). There were various other short lived 02's, 02 touring etc amongst those but they were cheap and supply outdid demand. Modern cars just have never been my thing, not that I could afford them anyway, so I've always liked classics or bangers as they were back then.
The past 15 years have seen a few E21 including a couple of 'resto-mod' examples. I've had an 02 one some description for most of my life and am currently building up the replacement for my much loved E30 M3 track car and occasional daily. I've been lucky enough to own 5 E30 M3 and an E46 M3 but the E30's are too expensive for my pockets and the E46 was just too new. It was also way too quick for me to enjoy it's performance on the road and the nearest track is 120 miles away at least. My red E30 M3 was perfect but I simply couldn't justify owning a car that equated almost 2 years salary. They're also expensive to maintain properly but I'm glad to have owned it and when I win the lottery it'll be my first purchase.
Today, I need a modern car for my job and have a remapped 116d sport. It's brisk, comfortable and manages 45+ mpg. It also makes taking the dogs out much easier being a hatch. My real car though, is a 1971 BMW 1602 that I imported from Greece. It's never been welded and is about as solid as a 50 year old car can be. It's also a time machine, as when I get in I am immediately taken back to the time I got into my 02 as a 22 year old. The feel, the smell and the view through all that glass. It's not a pristine example, but that isn't what I wanted. I want a car I can use and enjoy. It's for that reason that I'm making it a bit more personal and building it into a car inspired by the E30 M3 I loved so much. It now has a 5 speed box and a 16 valve four pot on throttle bodies, with standalone ECU and free flow system and exhaust manifold. Power will be close to 200bhp (once finished but it's about 180 as it is) and it still sits on 13'' crosspoke BBS. I've fitted 185/60's though and the brakes and ARB's are from the 2002tii. Seats are classic Cobra and I just need a second Britax harness for the passenger. The steering wheel is a gorgeous thing from Petri and cost more than my first 02 did! I've also fitted the early style clocks. It really is a beautiful thing and another world from the 2019 BMW 1 series I saw yesterday, with that awful front grill.
My passion for BMW all stems from that first green 1502 though.
A couple of links that show my old M3 and the Petrolicious video.
https://petrolicious.com/articles/track-modified-a...
The E21 had an M52/2.8 swap and 244bhp.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Edited by 1602Mark on Sunday 19th January 11:24
I'm glad I started this now - even if only to find I'm not the only one who has this BMW affliction! 
I've taken my Z4MC to RBM in Hampshire and we've got the spacers removed and the coil-overs wound a bit higher so it will now go over speed-bumps without grounding! It was just a bit too "stanced" for my liking (I'm old BTW)!
So it now sits like this.
Like others have said, I really wouldn't want any newer BMW than this and my E90 330i (N52 engine). I don't want turbos, flappy-paddles, fake pops and bangs, piped sound or tech - I find changing stations on the radio hard enough in my Z4 because it has Sat Nav.
:
Weekendrebuild said:
Only a youngster but 8 years of BMW’s for me
Current collection
E30 m3 in pieces at the mo
E60 m5
E63m6
E46m3
E46 compact m3
Well you're certainly making up for the short time with your current collection! I loved my 325ti Compact but always felt it could have been even better as a 330i - it must be amazing with an S54 in it. Current collection
E30 m3 in pieces at the mo
E60 m5
E63m6
E46m3
E46 compact m3
Edited by Weekendrebuild on Sunday 9th February 20:48
I've taken my Z4MC to RBM in Hampshire and we've got the spacers removed and the coil-overs wound a bit higher so it will now go over speed-bumps without grounding! It was just a bit too "stanced" for my liking (I'm old BTW)!
So it now sits like this.
Like others have said, I really wouldn't want any newer BMW than this and my E90 330i (N52 engine). I don't want turbos, flappy-paddles, fake pops and bangs, piped sound or tech - I find changing stations on the radio hard enough in my Z4 because it has Sat Nav.
: :
I've taken my Z4MC to RBM in Hampshire and we've got the spacers removed and the coil-overs wound a bit higher so it will now go over speed-bumps without grounding! It was just a bit too "stanced" for my liking (I'm old BTW)!
So it now sits like this.
Looks about spot on to me . Think the z4 is ageing lovely Was a lovely design I am partial to a Z3 wide body aswell . Next acquisition is 2002 I think if I can find one
I've taken my Z4MC to RBM in Hampshire and we've got the spacers removed and the coil-overs wound a bit higher so it will now go over speed-bumps without grounding! It was just a bit too "stanced" for my liking (I'm old BTW)!
So it now sits like this.
Looks about spot on to me . Think the z4 is ageing lovely Was a lovely design I am partial to a Z3 wide body aswell . Next acquisition is 2002 I think if I can find one
Edited by Weekendrebuild on Sunday 9th February 23:50
Touring442 said:
1602Mark said:
There are some stunning cars in this thread.
I bought my first BMW in circa 1988. A mint green 1502 from a used car dealers PX's at the back of his lot for £250. I loved the thing but it was rusty as hell and made way for a pristine 2002 (HKL298L) and a LHD 1802 on twin 40's and chopped springs. (I was young and poor). I then went to an E21 323i, a 320, an E12 520/4 and in 1992 a gorgeous E12 M535I. I moved to Devon a month later and someone hit me head-on in the back lanes and it was written off as a result. I bought another but it was nowhere near as nice so I sold it and bought a 1968 1600-2 found in Cornwall. (WNP771G), that I regretfully px'd for a late 2002tii (GTA 11N). There were various other short lived 02's, 02 touring etc amongst those but they were cheap and supply outdid demand. Modern cars just have never been my thing, not that I could afford them anyway, so I've always liked classics or bangers as they were back then.
The past 15 years have seen a few E21 including a couple of 'resto-mod' examples. I've had an 02 one some description for most of my life and am currently building up the replacement for my much loved E30 M3 track car and occasional daily. I've been lucky enough to own 5 E30 M3 and an E46 M3 but the E30's are too expensive for my pockets and the E46 was just too new. It was also way too quick for me to enjoy it's performance on the road and the nearest track is 120 miles away at least. My red E30 M3 was perfect but I simply couldn't justify owning a car that equated almost 2 years salary. They're also expensive to maintain properly but I'm glad to have owned it and when I win the lottery it'll be my first purchase.
Today, I need a modern car for my job and have a remapped 116d sport. It's brisk, comfortable and manages 45+ mpg. It also makes taking the dogs out much easier being a hatch. My real car though, is a 1971 BMW 1602 that I imported from Greece. It's never been welded and is about as solid as a 50 year old car can be. It's also a time machine, as when I get in I am immediately taken back to the time I got into my 02 as a 22 year old. The feel, the smell and the view through all that glass. It's not a pristine example, but that isn't what I wanted. I want a car I can use and enjoy. It's for that reason that I'm making it a bit more personal and building it into a car inspired by the E30 M3 I loved so much. It now has a 5 speed box and a 16 valve four pot on throttle bodies, with standalone ECU and free flow system and exhaust manifold. Power will be close to 200bhp (once finished but it's about 180 as it is) and it still sits on 13'' crosspoke BBS. I've fitted 185/60's though and the brakes and ARB's are from the 2002tii. Seats are classic Cobra and I just need a second Britax harness for the passenger. The steering wheel is a gorgeous thing from Petri and cost more than my first 02 did! I've also fitted the early style clocks. It really is a beautiful thing and another world from the 2019 BMW 1 series I saw yesterday, with that awful front grill.
My passion for BMW all stems from that first green 1502 though.
A couple of links that show my old M3 and the Petrolicious video.
https://petrolicious.com/articles/track-modified-a...
The E21 had an M52/2.8 swap and 244bhp.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
That does look nice - thankfully you haven't followed that awful trend of removing the front bumper. Looks good with the early stainless grills also. I bought my first BMW in circa 1988. A mint green 1502 from a used car dealers PX's at the back of his lot for £250. I loved the thing but it was rusty as hell and made way for a pristine 2002 (HKL298L) and a LHD 1802 on twin 40's and chopped springs. (I was young and poor). I then went to an E21 323i, a 320, an E12 520/4 and in 1992 a gorgeous E12 M535I. I moved to Devon a month later and someone hit me head-on in the back lanes and it was written off as a result. I bought another but it was nowhere near as nice so I sold it and bought a 1968 1600-2 found in Cornwall. (WNP771G), that I regretfully px'd for a late 2002tii (GTA 11N). There were various other short lived 02's, 02 touring etc amongst those but they were cheap and supply outdid demand. Modern cars just have never been my thing, not that I could afford them anyway, so I've always liked classics or bangers as they were back then.
The past 15 years have seen a few E21 including a couple of 'resto-mod' examples. I've had an 02 one some description for most of my life and am currently building up the replacement for my much loved E30 M3 track car and occasional daily. I've been lucky enough to own 5 E30 M3 and an E46 M3 but the E30's are too expensive for my pockets and the E46 was just too new. It was also way too quick for me to enjoy it's performance on the road and the nearest track is 120 miles away at least. My red E30 M3 was perfect but I simply couldn't justify owning a car that equated almost 2 years salary. They're also expensive to maintain properly but I'm glad to have owned it and when I win the lottery it'll be my first purchase.
Today, I need a modern car for my job and have a remapped 116d sport. It's brisk, comfortable and manages 45+ mpg. It also makes taking the dogs out much easier being a hatch. My real car though, is a 1971 BMW 1602 that I imported from Greece. It's never been welded and is about as solid as a 50 year old car can be. It's also a time machine, as when I get in I am immediately taken back to the time I got into my 02 as a 22 year old. The feel, the smell and the view through all that glass. It's not a pristine example, but that isn't what I wanted. I want a car I can use and enjoy. It's for that reason that I'm making it a bit more personal and building it into a car inspired by the E30 M3 I loved so much. It now has a 5 speed box and a 16 valve four pot on throttle bodies, with standalone ECU and free flow system and exhaust manifold. Power will be close to 200bhp (once finished but it's about 180 as it is) and it still sits on 13'' crosspoke BBS. I've fitted 185/60's though and the brakes and ARB's are from the 2002tii. Seats are classic Cobra and I just need a second Britax harness for the passenger. The steering wheel is a gorgeous thing from Petri and cost more than my first 02 did! I've also fitted the early style clocks. It really is a beautiful thing and another world from the 2019 BMW 1 series I saw yesterday, with that awful front grill.
My passion for BMW all stems from that first green 1502 though.
A couple of links that show my old M3 and the Petrolicious video.
https://petrolicious.com/articles/track-modified-a...
The E21 had an M52/2.8 swap and 244bhp.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Edited by 1602Mark on Sunday 19th January 11:24
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