Techno Classica: BMW
40 years of M cars and some very tasty Alpinas make it worth the trip to Essen alone

Which means when your jaw drops at the breadth of the display on the BMW stand at the Techno Classica you're not just admiring the jewels from the firm's own collection - you're looking at privately owned cars too, with no demarcation between them.
Centre of the display is the 3 Series, no surprise given the recent launch of the new F30 generation and celebrated here with some immaculate older 3s, a mint base-spec E21 320 among them.
Flanking this is a display of both road and motorsport product celebrating 40 years of the M division. The ice white M1 still looks gorgeous, the 1971 3.0 S is a classic six-cylinder BMW saloon and the nifty little 1961 700 RS hillclimb racer - driven by Hans Stuck - a rarity you've probably never seen or heard of before. The undoubted highlight of this display is, however, the 1976 Gruppe 2 (sounds cooler using the German description!) 2002 touring car. Boasting 195hp, 845kg and fat side exhausts it's the one we'd most like to pocket and run away with!
Though on that score the Alpinas on the other side of the hall are equally tempting, especially the gorgeous E28 Alpina B7. One of the privately-owned club cars, it's based on the contemporary 535i, turbocharged to 300hp and, later, 320hp. Truly gorgeous, the shocking yellow V12, 8 Series-based B12 5.7 is another stand-out car from the BMW club.
What a car. Sibilant straight six hum gives way to a growl, the interior is superb, and the steering is alot better than my old E21 as is the grip, although the gear change of the Getrag 280/5 is notchy compared to the Getrag 245 of my old 323i.
This E24 has everything you need, not too much power, solid build, light weight compared to todays rubbish, ABS, great steering, pedals, gear change, amazing engine and great handling.
what more could you ask for?
What a car. Sibilant straight six hum gives way to a growl, the interior is superb, and the steering is alot better than my old E21 as is the grip, although the gear change of the Getrag 280/5 is notchy compared to the Getrag 245 of my old 323i.
This E24 has everything you need, not too much power, solid build, light weight compared to todays rubbish, ABS, great steering, pedals, gear change, amazing engine and great handling.
what more could you ask for?
loving the E34 M5 touring!!
What a car. Sibilant straight six hum gives way to a growl, the interior is superb, and the steering is alot better than my old E21 as is the grip, although the gear change of the Getrag 280/5 is notchy compared to the Getrag 245 of my old 323i.
This E24 has everything you need, not too much power, solid build, light weight compared to todays rubbish, ABS, great steering, pedals, gear change, amazing engine and great handling.
what more could you ask for?
Kerb weight tested as 1570kg
Weight distribution % F/R 53/47
Test weight 1747kg ( testers/test equipment )
0-60 6.0 seconds
0-100 15.1 seconds
ss 1/4 14.6 @ 99
What a car. Sibilant straight six hum gives way to a growl, the interior is superb, and the steering is alot better than my old E21 as is the grip, although the gear change of the Getrag 280/5 is notchy compared to the Getrag 245 of my old 323i.
This E24 has everything you need, not too much power, solid build, light weight compared to todays rubbish, ABS, great steering, pedals, gear change, amazing engine and great handling.
what more could you ask for?
Will park at his place then get the Ubahn to the show.
Have been advised to avoid the weekend, as it gets mobbed.
Really looking forward to seeing all those classic cars, especially the BM's and Alpina's.
Will park at his place then get the Ubahn to the show.
Have been advised to avoid the weekend, as it gets mobbed.
Really looking forward to seeing all those classic cars, especially the BM's and Alpina's.
Uwe
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E34 M5 Touring, M1 and 2002 please.
I thought I knew quite a bit about BMW, but... Wow