All Entries in the "BMW" Category
eBay: Alpine White E36 Generation BMW M3 Convertible
by Gunnar Heinrich ::: img via eBay ::: 1998 BMW M3
BIASED though yours is in favoring the sublime E46 generation 3-Series (1998-2005), there are instances when the E36 generation (1990-2000) can really catch the most ardent E46 lover’s eye. This “Alpine White” on “Modena Natural” – a kind of delicious creme caramel color given to leather surfaces – is one of those shinning, angular exceptions from 90s Munich. Given how bloated and generally cab-forward most cars from that decade now seem, the E36 M3 stood apart from the rest thanks to a low and determined stance and crisp, linear feature lines. Add the appeal of a signature smooth straight six that in this car’s model year (’98) produced 317 horsepower, a deliciously communicative helm, fast handling characteristics…
[eBay]
Too Risque For Today: In 70s Sex Sold The BMW 3.0CSI
by Gunnar Heinrich ::: img BMW ::: BMW E9 3.0 CSi
CAST your mind back to the 70s. BMW was still an unknown quantity for most of us Yanks. The Roundel didn’t have near the cachet – or – “star appeal” if you like as Mercedes-Benz or Jaguar. Rather, BMW was likely seen more as the German equivalent of what Saab was in the 80s – a scrappy outlier, a third option that attracted a smart niche and mostly male clientele of driving enthusiasts on left and right coasts.
That fringe status is likely what permitted BMW to let marketing like the above shot slip through to the public. Sex sold as it sells today, but there’s something very un-P.C. about this picture of some nearly naked hot girl on top of an E9 generation 3.0CSi. So obvious in its suggestiveness. Can’t help but marvel at what must’ve been a freer time.
I mean, by modern contrast, you can’t get more sterile than this image:
BMW Should Still Produce This Car
by Gunnar Heinrich ::: YouTube
INTERESTINGLY, in this video Mr. Van Hooydonk notes that the original M1′s pop-up headlights are resolutely a design aspect of the past due to “safety reasons” (pedestrian crash measures). N’er shall they grace cars again. Alas. The 2008 M1 Hommage still rocked and BMW ought to build it à la Mercedes AMG SLS.
BMW 1 M Coupe Concrete Wall Video
by Gunnar Heinrich ::: YouTube ::: BMW 1 M Coupe Video
YOU may notice sick driving skillz on display, but just listen to the twin-turbo straight six’s maniacal wail at the limit. Not your standard smooth-as-jazz Bimmer six.
Yee-ha!
eBay: 1989 BMW 750iL
by Gunnar Heinrich ::: img via eBay ::: 1989 BMW 750iL for sale
CAVEAT EMPTOR.
In the long, post war history of German luxury cars, precious few autos can compare to the dashing E32 generation BMW 7-series. The 750iL with six liter V12 engine tops the E32 range and in the late 80s, the lang model brought automotive luxury and performance to tall, new heights.
Yet in one of life’s cruel ironies, what would prove one of history’s greatest executive sedans would also turn out to be one of the least reliable. There’s a site – my750.com – devoted to suffering E32 750 owners who needed a dedicated space on the Internet just to vent over serial maintenance issues that afflict their big 7s.
And while this particular one owner, 1989 signature gold BMW 750iL with 128K miles may not be the typical basket case, it’d be crucial to prove otherwise.
In prime form, the 750iL still ranks as a ‘bahn stormer par excellence.
Thanks, Adrian!
On Top of LA In A BMW 1M Coupe
by Gunnar Heinrich ::: YouTube ::: 1er M Coupe Stunt Video
ATOP the US Bank tower in downtown LA, you can on a clear day see for miles. Then the smog sets in. But even with air pollution you can still see straight to the bottom – 1,018 feet below. Which makes this stunt – if in fact this happened and isn’t some CG magic trick – death defying to say the least. And an underwriter’s worst nightmare. Needless to say, a helmet (as many YouTube commentators noted) won’t help the driver if he pilots the 1M Coupe off the helipad.
