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Car fans once dreamed of top-of-the-range or super sports cars. Since the turn of the millennium, however, hypercars have been regarded as the ultimate in automotive transportation. But whether they offer real driving pleasure is doubtful. To prove this thesis, this article takes you through the development of the sports car up to the present day and shows many of the cars mentioned in pictures.
Frazer Nash was an up-and-coming automobile company that made quite an impression in the 1920s and 1930s - not least because almost no other brand brought so many different models onto the market and was able to impress customers with a wide variety of technical delicacies. Both on the road and on the racetrack, the lightweight sports cars could hardly be put in their place. This report looks back at the 35-year history of a small sports car company whose fame still resonates today, illustrated with many historical images and sales literature from the time.
The BMW 303, built in 1933 and 1934, was a pioneering achievement. For the first time, BMW produced a six-cylinder, and for the first time, the BMW "kidney grille", which has been present on (almost) all BMW automobiles ever since, adorned the front of the car. The ascent into the middle class was complete.
The BMW 328 is a memorable design and one of the most famous racing and sports cars of the pre-war era. This article tells the story of its development.
Today, the addition of replica has something disreputable about it, especially when it comes to classic cars. In 1932 it was quite different, promising entry into a world of motorsport as a more or less exact copy of a winner - like the Frazer Nash with chain drive. It was a quaint bird even then, but offered tangible advantages in races and long-distance driving.
It was only built for three years from 1936 to 1939, but it achieved 2000 race victories. The BMW 328 is considered the most successful racing sports car of the pre-war years. Its design was so advanced that the engine continued to be built until the 1960s, albeit under a different name. Today, these sports roadsters are sought after and are among the most valuable BMW classics of all. This driving report describes the impressions on board one of the 464 BMW 328s built and shows the car in many pictures.
With 55 hp from a displacement of two liters, the BMW 327 was a sports car designed for fast and comfortable travel. Equipped as a coupé and convertible with an elegant and sweeping body, it attracted admiring glances. This has not really changed to this day. This driving report is about a 1940 BMW 327 Cabriolet and shows it in many pictures, supplemented by historical illustrations and a sound sample.
In April 1951, BMW presented the new Type 501, a magnificent limousine for up to six people in a rounded shape. The car is known today as the 'Baroque Angel' because of its shape, but the shape certainly had aerodynamic advantages and the car offered plenty of space and comfort. The engine came from the pre-war predecessor BMW 326, but the rest of the technology was largely new. This vehicle report portrays an early BMW 501 that has just awoken from its slumber in all its details and tells the story of the great post-war BMW, supplemented by several sales brochures, historical illustrations and a handbook.
The BMW 507 is one of the most famous post-war sports cars in the luxury class. At the time of its creation, there was a little-known alternative design, built by Ernst Loof together with the Baur company. Although the car even won a beauty award, it was not supported by the US importer. Count Goertz drew an alternative, which was then also preferred and built in Munich. The BMW 528/502 sports car remained a prototype and has survived to this day. This report describes the development history of the little-known 507-ner alternative BMW 528/502.
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The road to the final BMW 503
As a consumer, you normally only see production-ready cars at exhibitions and presentations. In the case of the BMW 503, however, prototypes were shown that differed significantly from later production models, but of which every trace was later lost. Wolfgang Niefanger has set out in search of traces and reports on the 503 pre-production examples and their differences to the series.
In 1955, Hobby tested the BMW 507 together with motorcyclist Schorsch Meier, resulting in a really wittily written text and an adulation of the fast Bavarian sports car. But read for yourself in the edited original test report.
The BMW 502 was an exceptional phenomenon in the 1950s, an eight-cylinder saloon in post-war Germany. Instead of a dry test, the magazine "hobby" decided to put on a veritable spectacle, amusing to read and yet informative. This report brings back the original wording, shows the pictures from the magazine and the original factory photos that were its basis.
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BMW's youngest is called Isetta
As a driver, you shouldn't be given a very small vehicle to test. With this in mind, the hobby testers stood in front of the latest BMW child, which had been placed in front of the reception building in Munich-Oberwiesenfeld. But the small, four-wheeled vehicle looked so funny that all preconceptions were pushed aside. And the acquaintance with the young 'lady' with the Mediterranean name was pleasant and worthwhile. At least that was the opinion of the Hobby testers, as the report from 1955 shows.
The coachbuilder Baur in Stuttgart built 57 two-door BMW 502 convertibles for wealthy customers for whom a normal BMW V8 saloon was too ordinary or not open enough. Around two thirds of these convertibles probably still exist, so they are rarely seen. This report briefly describes the history of the Baur convertible and shows an example in many pictures, supplemented by historical illustrations and brochures from the period.
Initially viewed with suspicion and ridiculed as a curiosity, the BMW Isetta quickly established itself on the German market. It became one of the driving forces in the small car segment. BMW gradually cured the teething troubles and continued to develop the cabin scooter, and the BMW Isetta 300 from 1957 could already be considered a mature product. It was the subject of a meticulous test by Motor Rundschau magazine, which is reproduced here in its original wording.
As early as 1951, the Bavarian Motor Works (BMW) presented its first post-war automobile, the Type 501. It cleverly combined pre-war technology with new approaches. In 1954, the 502 was the first German V8 engine to be launched after the war. This engine was eventually also installed in the 501, which could also be sold more cheaply with slightly less equipment. Paul Schweder tested one of these 501s with V8 engines for the magazine krafthand in 1957. This article reproduces the original wording of the road test and shows the BMW 501 in many historical pictures.
With the BMW 503 and 507 sports car pair, BMW attracted all eyes at the IAA in 1955. The two-seater 507 was the center of interest, while the 503, which was visually closer to the BMW tradition, was somewhat overshadowed by the even sportier 507. Commercially, however, the 503 was more successful than the 507, albeit at a low level. This vehicle report describes the history of the BMW 503 and shows a coupé from 1957 in many pictures supplemented by extensive historical photo material.
Various automobile factories had already built sports cars in pre-war Germany, but none came close to the popularity of the BMW 328. After the Second World War, BMW continued the sports car tradition with the V8 two-seater 507. The convertible, which was exceptional in every respect, was the star of the International Motor Show in Frankfurt in 1955, but was only affordable for the well-heeled. BMW was only able to sell 252 vehicles before production was discontinued in March 1959. This report describes the history of the BMW 507 and shows it in many illustrations.
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BMW 600 - The double Isettchen
There was a huge gap in BMW's model range in the mid-fifties. Apart from clattering scooters and sinfully expensive luxury cars, the Munich-based company had nothing to offer. The BMW 600 was supposed to fill the gap with twice as many seats, twice as many doors and twice as much engine capacity as the Isetta. It was confusingly similar to its little sister - and failed miserably. A copy of a successful model does not guarantee a copy of success. We tell the story of the BMW 600 and show it in many pictures as well as in the original sales brochure.
It was in 1959 that the magazine "Das Moped und die Kleinmotorisierung" subjected the BMW Isetta to extensive endurance testing over 6000 km. And the enthusiasm was great, the Isetta was convincing in almost every respect. The Isetta scored top marks with hardly any technical breakdowns and only suffered disadvantages in very special road conditions. This article reproduces the carefully restored original text from back then and is illustrated with contemporary photographs.
In the summer of 1959, AR tested two versions of the BMW 507, namely the normal version with 150 hp and the modified version with 165 hp. The AR tester was very impressed by the car, praised its performance, but also criticized its controls and ergonomics. However, the BMW 507 proved that an above-average fast and safe car retains its superiority even in the age of convoys and congested roads. Moreover, it left a strong, lasting impression as an automobile of reliable character that truly belongs to the best performers among the two-seater fast utility cars for the highest demands.
The BMW 1500 had been hoped for, but the much more compact BMW 700 came along. With this four-seater coupé, BMW completed its already extensive product range in 1959 without blocking the space for a future mid-size sedan. The coupé was well received at the first sighting and people were convinced that the BMW 700 would make its mark. This article reproduces the original wording of the presentation in the magazine 'hobby' and illustrates the report with many contemporary photos.
Things were not going well for BMW in the mid-fifties; there was a huge gap between the ailing motorcycle trade and the luxury class BMW 502. Time was of the essence, a new product was needed. The solution was the Isetta. It actually came from Iso, a refrigerator manufacturer in Italy, but BMW put its own stamp on the cabin scooter. And made it a success, which saved the company from going under. This driving report describes the history of the Isetta and shows it in historical and current pictures. The article is supplemented by original brochures and a sound sample.
The Automobil Revue covered 2200 km with the BMW 600 small car, over hill and dale and also up Alpine passes. The result was a very detailed long-distance test report that clearly highlighted the many strengths and few weaknesses of the intelligently designed four-seater. This article reproduces the original wording of the test report at the time and shows the BMW 600 in many historical illustrations as well as the sales brochure of the time.
The BMW 700 finally became what the 600 should have been: a nimble, affordable small car that ensured the company's financial security. It impressed with its sporty talent and good driving performance, but was also quite loud and sensitive to crosswinds. This article reproduces a test report from "Automobil Illustrierte" from 1960 and shows the BMW 700 in historical photos.
In 1960, hobby car editor Heinz Kranz set out to meticulously compare the entry-level car class. Using a sophisticated scoring system and a great deal of meticulousness, he looked at driving performance, appearance, practicality and cost and ranked the small cars. From today's perspective, it is particularly interesting that the Fiat 500 and Citroën 2 CV ended up at the bottom of the table, but were the most successful exponents in this class, as they were built until 1975 or even 1990, when the comparison winners had not been on the production line for at least 10 years. This article reproduces the original article and shows the vehicles compared in historical photos and brochures.
In 1961, BMW built two racing sports cars based on the BMW 700 production car, but with a mid-engine design and a two-cylinder boxer engine refined with king shafts. Despite racing success, the project was shelved in 1964. However, the car is a milestone and technically extraordinarily impressive. This report goes into technical details and the history of the BMW 700 RS, supplemented by many rare photos.
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180 km/h with the new BMW 700 RS
In 1961, BMW surprised everyone with a small sports car with 100 hp per liter of displacement. Based on the successful BMW 700 Coupé, the 700 RS was uncompromisingly designed for performance and racing. The specialist magazine 'hobby' reported on this sports car in 1961. The restored and newly edited photo report is available here.
With the BMW 1500, the Bavarian car company introduced the "new class" in 1961 and hit the bull's eye. This can already be seen in the first press reports, such as this presentation in the trade magazine 'hobby'. The original report is reproduced here 1:1, supplemented by additional factory photos and an original brochure.
Cars that are worth significantly more than their original price 10, 20 or 50 years after purchase do not come onto the market that often. Especially not if the purchase prices at the time are adjusted for inflation. Nevertheless, there are some cars from the past 70 years that today change hands for up to 300 times their original purchase price, even taking inflation into account. We have compiled 20 of the best new car investments, evaluated them on the basis of Classic Data State 2 market prices and briefly commented on them. Of course, we had to make a selection, but we consider it to be representative.
The BMW 700 is regarded as the savior of the brand. Built between 1959 and 1965, the small rear-engined car stood between the Isetta and the upcoming New Class. With the 700 Sport with 40 hp, a real sporty coupé was offered from 1960, which was also the basis for many motorsport successes. The magazine 'hobby' tested the hot coupé in 1961. This article reproduces the original wording of the test report at the time and shows the car in many pictures and in the sales literature.
At the end of the 1950s and beginning of the 1960s, the future of Bayerische Motoren-Werke looked anything but rosy. The product range included small models such as the Isetta, the 600 and the 700, as well as the elegant "Baroque Angel" and the two sports cars 503 and 507. There was a yawning void between these two extremes, resulting in figures deep in the red. The launch of the "New Class" in between therefore decided the survival or decline of the brand. This vehicle report tells the story of the "Neue Klasse" and shows it in old and new images.
The BMW 700 combined compact dimensions with the two-cylinder boxer engine that also powered the large full-swing motorcycles from BMW. This combination certainly won over customers, but the manufacturer was not satisfied. The dimensions of the car were at odds with BMW's ambitions, so it had to gain volume. Thus, 1962 saw the birth of the LS, which differed from its base in many details. The car testers of the time described what it took to make the 700 a "real" car. This article reproduces the historical report including many illustrations from the time.
Can a single car do so much? Series winner in motor racing, transportation for the whole family, fuel economy champion, savior of an entire automobile company from bankruptcy? The BMW 700, which was presented in 1959, made us forget its indirect predecessor, the BMW 600, and became a sales success with its Italian-inspired exterior, high utility value, low fuel and maintenance costs and sporty performance, saving BMW from imminent bankruptcy. This report describes the exact circumstances, describes the different vehicle variants and gives driving impressions of the past and present. This article is illustrated by a large number of current and historical photos, several original sales brochures, the owner's manual, press releases and price lists.
At the end of 1962, the magazine 'hobby' carried out a major comparative test with eleven saloons from Germany, France, England and Italy. In a tough competition, hot-blooded family sports cars had to be compared with utility saloons designed for comfort. The fact that a German representative won was not a matter of course, as places 2 to 4 went to "foreign countries". This article reproduces the original wording of the report at the time and shows all eleven sedans compared in many archive photos.
With the 700 LS Luxus, BMW gave the 700 sedan a portion of, how could it be otherwise, luxury. With an extended wheelbase and lots of chrome, it was intended to satisfy 700 buyers who wanted a little more prestige for their car. The magazine 'hobby' tested the enlarged BMW 700 in 1962. This report reproduces the wording of the test at the time and illustrates it with historical images.
In 1962, BMW presented the 3200 CS, which had been developed jointly with Bertone. The elegant coupé succeeded the 503/507 models, but served a different clientele. The magazine 'hobby' had the new car shown to it by racing driver Hans Stuck, who certainly let it fly. This article reproduces the restored original text from 1962 and shows the car in many historical photographs.
In 1963, the magazine 'hobby' undertook a monumental long-distance test with two purchased mid-range saloons, the BMW 1500 and the Peugeot 404. On a long-distance drive over 4500 km, a mountain test on the passes of the Pyrenees and 100 laps on the Solitude-Ring, the two cars were given nothing in return and at the end they were partially dismantled to measure the signs of wear and tear. Both cars offered strengths and weaknesses, but in the end only one could win, as the carefully restored 15-page original report, which was supplemented with historical archive illustrations, impressively shows.
Anyone considering buying an upper mid-range saloon in 1963 had several cars to choose from. Ford 17 M and 12 M TS or even an Opel Rekord would have been an option. However, there was also the BMW 1500, which cost a good DM 1500 and offered typical BMW features such as good driving performance and a high level of driving safety, and of course enjoyed a certain degree of superiority due to its name. This article reproduces the wording of the test conducted by Automobil-Illustrierte magazine at the time and shows the car in historical photographs.
With the 1800, Munich returned to the 'fast' tradition: the friends of the white-blue brand were once again able to show the rear end to the motoring public! This hobby article from 1963 describes what the BMW 1800 was all about from a contemporary perspective, but also where it still had some shortcomings, illustrated with lots of historical images and sales literature from the time.
Although the BMW New Class 1500 sold so well that production capacity was insufficient, there was also a lot of more or less justified criticism. With the BMW 1800, the Munich-based company improved the four-door saloon to such an extent that it could almost be described as an economy TI. The car now offered the performance and handling of a sports car, but could still carry the whole family. However, the car still had a few weaknesses. This article reproduces the original test report from 1963 and shows the car in many historical photographs.
Although the increase in displacement and power was quite small, the new 1600 was a much more "grown-up" engine than the previous 1.5-liter. Smooth running and drive comfort in particular benefited from the small increase in size. The four-cylinder engine nevertheless retained typical BMW characteristics such as free-revving and pulling power. And so it continued to match the excellent chassis of the "new class", as this historical test report shows. What's more, the car was now also better finished.
The BMW 1800 TI almost seems to encourage speeding. The handy little saloon with the big engine was not only ideal for outpacing large luxury cars in the left-hand lane. It also automatically made it possible to cover familiar routes much faster. This historical test report from 1964 explains why this was the case and what else BMW's sporty mid-size class was good and not so good at.
With the BMW 3200 CS, the Munich-based company surprised visitors at the IAA in 1961, as a successor to the BMW 503 was not really expected. The new coupé was developed in collaboration with Bertone, where the body was then also built. The elegant Granturismo was only built for around four years, with just over 600 units produced. The successor was more suitable for the masses and more successful. Despite limited production numbers, Italian design and advanced technology, the "Bertone-BMW", as it was also known, remained a niche product that is still disdained by some enthusiasts today. This driving report is about a BMW 3200 CS from the second series and shows it in current pictures, supplemented by historical photos and a sound sample.
Two months after the LS saloon, BMW also launched an extended version of the 700 coupé. Although less sporty than before, the two-door model with the extra-long rear end still impressed with its lively engine and lively handling. If this historical test report is to be believed, nothing showed as clearly as the gearbox that it was nevertheless a compromise.
The magazine 'hobby' had given the BMW 2000 CS a lot of advance praise and was therefore eager to test the car properly at an early stage. And they were given the opportunity to do so and published their experiences before most other magazines - positive experiences, nota bene, and pointedly described. This article reproduces the newly edited original test report and supplements it with pictures of the pretty coupé from the time.
No car is so good that it cannot be improved. The "special version", limited to 200 units, was therefore the factory-optimized racing version of the BMW 1800 TI. This historical test report explains that even this outstanding workhorse still had room for "haircuts" and how they should ideally be achieved.
Only rarely does a one-off automobile succeed with the perfection that characterizes the BMW Hurrican. Built and designed by students, the compact sports coupé even meets the requirements one would expect of an everyday vehicle. The fact that the car has nevertheless only covered just under 4500 km in its almost fifty-year life is therefore due to other reasons. At one point, there was even a chance of series production. This report portrays the BMW Hurrican and tells the story of its creation and life.
In 1966, BMW presented a compact saloon that would shape the image of the Munich-based manufacturer for years to come, the 1600-2. With four cylinders and two doors, the basis was laid for an entire model family that would eventually include not only a convertible (in various versions), but also an estate saloon (touring) and even a turbo model with 170 hp. The most popular model, however, was the 2002, which offered the performance of a real sports car and still provided space for a small family. This report tells the story of the 1600-2 series up to 2002, highlights some of the vehicles and provides driving impressions behind the wheel of a 2002 touring, illustrated with many pictures from the period.
The above title is often wrongly awarded. However, the BMW 2000 TI not only left many two-seaters behind on the highway, but was also able to keep up with the best sports cars on winding roads - not even wearing a tracksuit, just a well-fitting sports jacket. This historic test sheds light on the many advantages and (very) few criticisms of the fastest BMW mid-range.
The BMW 2000 Coupé was presented at the IAA in 1965 and was eagerly awaited. It combined convenience and purpose, because it not only looked fast, it was also supposed to be fast. The Coupé was available in three versions; this historical test report takes a closer look at the automatic version 2000 CA.
The BMW Coupé 2000 CS was certainly one of the main attractions for visitors to the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt in September 1965, although there was no shortage of competition. To this day, however, the coupé has remained exceptional in its front-end design and for many years also in its concept. But how does this coupé, now over 50 years old, drive today? This driving report looks at the design orientation of the BMW 2000 CS, describes driving impressions and shows the elegant coupé in current and historical pictures, as well as in the sales brochure from back then. A sound sample is also included.
In 1967, the magazine 'hobby' compared the BMW 1600 GT, which had just emerged from the Glas 1700 GT, with the model-maintained Porsche 912 from Zuffenhausen. Although they appeared to be completely different, the comparison ended in a draw. This article reproduces the original wording of the meticulously conducted comparison test. The report is illustrated with original photos from the time.
The Mercedes-Benz 230 (W 110) and the BMW 2000 were the non-plus-ultra in the mid-size class in 1967. They combined comfort with sporty performance and plenty of space. However, both had different strengths. The magazine 'hobby' dedicated a "super test" to them, which went right across Europe and put the two rivals through their paces. The original three-part test report is summarized in this article in its original wording and supplemented with historical images.
In 1967, an extremely elegant coupé with a BMW kidney grille was on display at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt, but the car did not come from the Munich manufacturer. The four-seater, which was technically based on the Glas 3000 V8 Coupé, was built by Pietro Frua himself with the idea of securing orders from BMW. Although this was not successful, the car survived and a special design element, known as the "evil eye", has characterized BMW vehicles right up to the present day. This report describes the history of the BMW 3000 Coupé from Frua and shows it in historical and current images.
With the BMW 2500/2800, the Bavarian car manufacturer ventured back into the luxury car class. The series, known internally as the E3, was introduced in 1968 and remained in production until 1977. The car met with great interest, with a total of around 190,000 units being built. The magazine 'hobby' also took a look at the new Bavarian shortly after its presentation. This article reproduces the original wording of the vehicle presentation in 'hobby' and supplements it with rare historical illustrations, which also show drafts and pre-production vehicles.
At the end of the sixties, Peter Monteverdi presented a small sports car called the Monteverdi 2000 GTI, which was created on the mechanical basis of the BMW 2000 Ti and a body by Pietro Frua. The planned presentation fell through and since then rumors and conjectures have swirled around the Volks-Monti and its identical twin, the Frua BMW 2000 ti. This vehicle report attempts to trace the history of the small sports car and shows it in many historical and current illustrations.
Between 1965 and 1970, BMW built around 13,000 two-liter 2000 CS/C coupés based on the "New Class". The design was developed in-house and was so successful that it was largely retained for the successor 2800 CS (E9). However, not everything went as smoothly as BMW might have wished, but the elegant coupé was well received by customers. This report tells the story of the mid-range coupé and shows it in current and historical pictures.
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BMW 1800 - Just before five
The "New Class" from BMW was the five before the five. More than any other German mid-size sedan, it placed particular emphasis on sportiness even in the early sixties. Towards the end of the decade, it may have aged a little visually - but in terms of driving dynamics, hardly any other German brand had anything to offer.
From 1968 to 1975, BMW built the E9 series, which consisted of the 2800 CS, 3.0 CS, 3.0 CSI, 3.0 CSL and 2.5 CS coupés. 30,546 units were produced and not only attracted covetous glances in the showrooms, but also many touring car victories in racing as hot CSL variants. This report goes into the history of the E9 series and describes driving impressions with the BMW 2800 CS, illustrated with many current and historical pictures.
Regardless of their factory dynamics, even BMW vehicles still offer serious sports drivers plenty of potential for improvement. One of the many companies that have dedicated themselves to making the Bavarian motor cars faster is the engineering firm Schnitzer from Freilassing. This historic test of two Group 2 BMWs shows why their products are so successful on the racetrack.
Although the Mercedes 280 was the top dog in 1970, the BMW 2800 and Opel Diplomat were hot on its heels. The magazine 'hobby' therefore compared precisely these two competitors and came to the conclusion that not only the BMW 2800, but also the Diplomat E was a good car. This article reproduces the original wording from back then and is illustrated with extensive historical images and a luxury brochure on the big BMW.
This concept car by Bertone, designed by Marcello Gandini, was presented at the 1970 Geneva Motor Show, but disappeared without a trace afterwards. BMW has now presented a new edition of the BMW Garmisch at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2019. Our report shows the rarity from all angles and sheds light on the background.
At the beginning of the seventies, mid-range coupés experienced their heyday. Reason enough for Karmann to put numerous studies on wheels. The Italian top designer Giorgetto Giugiaro and his company ItalDesign were always involved. Three of the models that never made it into series production as VW, Audi and BMW are presented here and shown in many current and historical pictures.
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BMW 2000 - quite angular
From 1966 to 1972, BMW built the 2000, the largest-displacement version of the "New Class", which had begun in 1962 with the BMW 1500. Characteristic of the BMW 2000 was the new face with rectangular headlights, less obvious was the refined technology compared to the "smaller" models. This report describes the sedan trimmed for luxury and shows it in many current and historical illustrations.
The BMW 2002 Ti was half sports car, half family sedan, in any case it was fast and did not have many to fear on the highways of the time. The racing driver and journalist Paul Frère not only owned a copy himself, he also tested the car for the Austrian Auto Revue in 1971 and was generally enthusiastic, despite the criticisms he voiced. In this report, the original wording has been re-edited and illustrated with archive photos from the time.
One of the most breathtaking sports cars of the last century, the BMW Turbo, was created in just seven months. As the forerunner of the BMW M1, the gullwing sports car took on various roles: it was to test new safety concepts, demonstrate new drive technologies and at the same time be beautiful and forward-looking in terms of design. This article shows in detail how the BMW Turbo met these high demands and what it looked like.
In 1972, the BMW Turbo study was presented in Munich, with an interior that had been designed in just a few minutes. The man who supplied the drawings remembers this very special project. This report recounts episodes from the development history of the BMW Turbo and shows the interior in sketches and in the finished car.
Large front and rear spoilers were still very rarely fitted to production cars in Europe in the early 1970s, but in 1974 BMW fitted very eye-catching air deflectors straight out of the wind tunnel to the elegant BMW coupé of the E9 series. On the road, the wings provided more downforce, but in terms of value development, they provided a lot of lift, especially in recent years. This vehicle report tells the story of the Munich lightweight coupé and shows it in historical and current pictures.
The first Golf GTI is considered the founder and prime example of the hot hatch category, while the BMW 1802 touring was created in times of cost-cutting pressure and also sold poorly. The former still delights countless fans today, while most car connoisseurs hardly remember the latter. Despite the clear signs, anyone who thinks that this comparison is a pure show trial is mistaken...
In 1973, a turbocharger was still a rather exotic tool for increasing performance, which was primarily used in racing but hardly ever on the road. Forced ventilation elicited 170 hp from the BWM inline four-cylinder engine of the 2002 and enabled performance that differed only slightly from that of a Porsche 911. BMW wanted to build 5000 turbo saloons, but in times of the oil crisis and economic downturn, the car was only a limited success, so the 2002 turbo was only built for a short time and remained rare. This driving report portrays a model from 1974, shows the car in historical pictures, makes it sound like a sound sample and tells the story of this rare car.
Not only was a completely new body created for BMW's two-door range in 1975, but there were also changes to practically every detail compared to the 02 predecessor model. Overall, the new 3 Series model range with four models was proof of what can be achieved from a concept through precision work. This historical test report provides further information.
BMW could not complain about the choice of engines in the 5 Series in 1975. In addition to the 525, there was also the 528 as a six-cylinder engine, which was primarily distinguished by its larger displacement. So what did this BMW, which was not a sports car and yet very appealing to drive, have to offer? This test takes a closer look at its price-performance ratio compared with the other vehicles in the model range.
The BMW 3 Series got off to a good start despite higher prices and respectable competition. The overall shape of the BMW 3 Series met with approval; they were simply enthusiasts' cars with a good brand reputation. With a handy format and a magnificent engine, the BMW 320 was a gourmet car, more fun than a family car. This test report from back then describes its qualities.
After nine years, the BMW 02 model series had reached its final year, but lived on beyond 1976 in the 1502 economy version. The economy slogan normal fuel could be disappointing when compared with the 1602 (Super). What was to be thought of the cheapest, but not the cheapest smallest BMW? Find out in the test report from 1975!
2018 marks the 50th anniversary of the BMW E3 series. From today's perspective, the BMW 2500/2800 models appear to be the sensible progenitors of the modern seven-series, but back then the E3 series was a departure into a new world. And a return to the luxury class. Was the BMW 2500 really as good as everyone thought at the time? This driving report with a BMW 2500 from 1976 traces the history of the model and shows it in historical and current pictures.
The BMW 518 as the basic model of the 5 Series was well received from mid-1974. The 1976 facelift, which included the switch from premium to regular fuel, was intended to make it even more attractive. How did the new '76 model differ from the original 518 and could the facelift even raise it to Mercedes 200 level? The test from back then provided answers to these questions.
For use in the new Group 5, BMW built a new racing car based on the E21 series saloon in 1976/1977, which could be equipped with a naturally aspirated or turbocharged engine. The two-liter 300 hp naturally aspirated version became the base vehicle for the BMW Junior Team in the 1977 German Racing Championship. This report describes the vehicle used at the time and shows current and historical pictures of the car and the technical components used.
In 1977, the BMW Juniors were shaking up the small division of the German Racing Championship with their new BMW 320 Group 5. Established stars had to fight tooth and nail to keep the fast young drivers in check. In this article, Marc Surer tells us how things went back then, illustrated with pictures of a demonstration drive on the 320 Group 5 in 1977 and historical racing pictures from the time.
Volkswagen Jetta GLI, BMW 320/6 and the Alfa Romeo Giulietta were among the favorites of performance-hungry and sporty family dads around four decades ago. Even today, these practical and well-engined saloons can still impress if you can find them. This driving report compares the sports saloons of the time and shows them in many pictures.
It is easy to understand why Abba frontmen Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson opted for a BMW 633 CSi in 1977: after all, the car represented the pinnacle of what BMW could offer at the time. Test reports praised its comfort, performance and handling, and the BMW coupé performed very well compared to the competition at the time. This vehicle report describes the history of the E24 series coupé and shows it in many pictures.
The M1 was Motorsport GmbH's first competition car without a production model. And it was born with pincers, because first there were problems with production, then a suitable racing series had to be invented first. Nevertheless, the M1 was a success, at least from a marketing perspective. Today, M1 vehicles are highly sought after by collectors and brand enthusiasts. This report describes the development and racing history of the BMW M1 and shows it in prototype, production and racing versions in many historical and current pictures.
BMW never built a convertible version of the E21 (316 to 323i) in series production. Naturally, the body company Baur was happy to fill the gap and offered the open-top 3-series variant called TC1 for all engine versions. Almost 4600 units were built up to 1982, most of them equipped with a six-cylinder engine. This report is about a rare four-cylinder hardtop convertible and explores the question of whether it is possible to have less convertible fun in the TC1 with two cylinders.
Only four chassis numbers of this racing car are known, two of which raced, one of which has survived to this day. We met the racing car and owner at Goodwood and report on this motorsport rarity with almost 90 photos.
Competing against modern racing cars in a 30-year-old classic? No chance? Far from it. Peter Heinrich took a chance and rebuilt a BMW M1 for the VLN. On March 29, 2014, he competed in the first VLN race of the season and promptly won his class. This report tells the story of how the idea and the car came about and shows the result of the first race at the Nürburgring.
Does the transmission determine the character of a car or does the character determine the transmission? Some people don't like automatic transmissions because they find them unsportsmanlike and sluggish. Others swear by the convenience of the automatic gearbox and would never dream of going to the trouble of changing gear themselves. We dared to try it out for ourselves and asked two BMW 635 CSi models to take part in a "comparison test" - guaranteed to be free of scientific claims and precise measuring methods.
1984 marks the official start of the successful M5 series, which continues to this day across five model series. However, there were already M models based on the 5-series before that. This report looks back to the beginnings of the M 535i of the E12 series and describes all M5 variants, illustrated with many historical pictures.
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BMW 520 - The way to the top
With the BMW 520, the Munich-based car manufacturer presented a modern upper mid-range passenger car almost exactly 50 years ago. Initially equipped exclusively with four-cylinder engines, the famous six-cylinder units were soon added to the engine compartment, making the five-cylinder an extremely comfortable and fast touring sedan, which was also appreciated by Stephan Derrick and Harry Klein. This driving report tells the story of the first Five and shows it in historical and current images.
"The best road motorcycle BMW has ever built" was the title of the first ride report on the BMW R 80 G/S in Motorrad magazine in 1980. In the gnarled-looking model designation, G/S stands for off-road/road, R means two-cylinder boxer engine, the number 80 stands for 800 cc displacement. This report tells the exciting story of this legendary motorcycle.
The BMW M1 marked the Bavarian Motor Works' debut in the super sports car segment. The detailed test in AR 33/1980 showed that even a 100,000 franc car does not only have positive aspects. The testers' summary reads as follows: "Outstanding features of the BMW M1 are its superior driving performance with reasonable fuel consumption, the sporty functionality of the equipment and the good manufacturing; on the other hand, it requires a knowledgeable driver, especially if the available power reserves are to be exploited. What is certain is that the M1 has made it into the small group of elite sports cars. The class of "dream" cars has been enriched by a significant attraction."
The end of the Procar racing series was not the end of the racing career for some BMW M1s. Sauber built two M1s according to Group 5 regulations, which raced at Le Mans in 1981. Now the former drivers Marc Surer and Dieter Quester celebrated a reunion with their car and its builder Peter Sauber. This article tells the story of this racing car and shows it in many pictures.
When the new "Group C" racing series was announced in Europe, starting in 1982, BMW wanted to gain initial experience as early as possible. For this reason, a new car was designed in collaboration with March Engineering to meet the new requirements.
Between 1975 and 1982, BMW built the first three-series, known internally as the E21. Almost 1.4 million units produced speak for themselves. From 1977, the top model was the 323i, which, with 143 hp from 2.3 liters, could also be a threat to sports cars of the time. In this report, we travel thirty years into the past and let ourselves be enchanted by the turbine-like running of the BMW in-line six-cylinder engine in its most powerful form. Many old and current pictures as well as an extensive sales brochure complete the journey through time.
The new Ford Sierra XR4i raised an often-asked question again 40 years ago: Who builds the best family-friendly sports sedan? A comparison test with the still freshly christened Alfa Romeo GTV6 and BMW 323i was intended to answer this question. This article reproduces the original wording from back then, supplemented by historical images and sales literature of the three rivals.
BMW builds a DTM racing car and wins the championship at the first attempt. Not just once, not even twice, but four times in 30 years. Their names were BMW 635 CSI, BMW M3 E30 and M3 DTM and M4 DTM respectively. And they couldn't be more different. This report compares the early DTM racing cars from BMW with their modern successors and illustrates the differences with lots of pictures
In the mid-1980s, the BMW M 635 CSi and the Alpina B7 Turbo Coupé were the fastest ways to drive a BMW Granturismo. As similar as they were on the outside, they went completely different ways under the hood: four-valve versus turbo technology. Even back then, the automotive world was interested in which was better. This driving report compares the top coupés from BMW and Alpina and shows them in many photos.
The BMW-Alpina B9 3.5 was certainly not a wolf in sheep's clothing, because with spoilers at the front and rear, large wheels and eye-catching ornamentation, it was more reminiscent of a tiger than a sheep. And rightly so, after all there were only a few cars that could compete with it on the road. It remained rare as an exclusive automobile and is still a lot of fun to drive today. This report describes the fast four-door saloon and shows it in many pictures. There is also a sound sample.
In spring 1986, BMW presented the M3 as a basis for racing and probably also as an answer to the Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16. The company had consistently followed the path of the evolutionary model, which still offered sufficient suitability for everyday use without sacrificing racing potential. In the end, the M3 became the most successful racing touring car of modern times. The Automobil Revue tested the newcomer in the fall of 1986 and was impressed. This report reproduces the original wording of the test at the time, compares the test results with the Swiss version, which had to comply with the strict Swiss noise regulations, and shows the touring car in many historical photographs.
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BMW 635 CSi - beautiful views
No other model series was produced by BMW for longer than the E24, built as the 628 CSi, 630 CS, 633 CSi, 635 CSi and M 635 CSi. The coupé, designed by Paul Bracq, proved to be timeless in terms of form and could be continuously refined technically. The performance increased by half, while the price more than doubled. Today, the elegant coupé is considered a classic, but one that is still waiting to be discovered. This report portrays a late coupé with catalytic converter, traces the history of its development and shows all models in many historical photos.
Between 1986 and 1994, BMW built the second edition of the Siebner series as the E32. It is regarded as one of BMW's most successful products and served as a company car for many senior executives. However, hardly any BMW E32 experienced the kind of ordeal that a television crew inflicted on an early 735i. This resulted in some great pictures that you don't see very often. This report briefly characterizes the BMW E32 and shows the 735i rallye-like in the picture.
Inconspicuous would be different. The fastest BMW sedan of its time came with an eye-catching spoiler and widening. How convincing is it some 40 years later? This article tells the story of the M5's predecessor and shows it in current and historical images.
The BMW M3 E30 became the world's most successful racing touring car of its time. It claimed over 1500 individual victories and 60 national championships. But how does this successful car compare with the BMW M3 E92, which was 25 years younger and raced in the DTM in 2012? This report compares the two racing touring cars and describes driving impressions from the perspective of the two drivers Roberto Ravaglia and Bruno Spengler. The article is illustrated with pictures of both cars and a gallery of the drivers at the time as well as some race impressions.
In 1986, the first BMW M3, unmistakably a child of its decade with its wide cheeks and rear spoiler, rolled onto the road. The homologation model of the E30 series for the DTM laid the foundation for the legendary sports car dynasty. From this first generation to the more discreet M3 E36 and its successor from the E46 series, the Munich car was constantly refined and underwent major changes. This article tells the story of the three classic M3s and shows the powerful Bavarians in many pictures.
You realize how old you are when you celebrate a reunion with cars that you once drove when they were new. The BMW 320i Convertible portrayed for this article is already 32 years old, a veritable classic car. But age and maturity don't have to be a negative thing, as you can see with this car. This driving report is about a BMW 320i Cabriolet from 1988 and shows it in current and historical pictures, as well as in the sales literature.
In 1984, Ferrari presented the Testarossa super sports car, followed five years later by the small luxury car manufacturer Alpina with the B10 Biturbo, which could easily compete with the Ferrari in terms of performance. As a modified five-seater of the E34 series, however, the Alpina had lost none of its suitability for everyday use for transporting up to five people and luggage. So was the B10 Biturbo the better alternative and what does it look like today, 25 years later? This report compares the two different vehicles and shows them in historical images, supplemented by photos of the predecessors and successors.
Engineers and designers are rarely able to design on a greenfield site, and it is even rarer for the results of such work to be sold to customers at moderate prices. The BMW Z1 is one such exception; in the meantime, the last examples built have already matured into youngtimers, and in seven years' time Z1s will be on the road at classic car meetings. And they stand out among their peers with their timeless design and still impressive features today. Hardly any other classic car manages the balancing act between suitability for everyday use and individuality better than the Z1. This report takes a look at the development of the Z1 and describes driving impressions from today, supplemented by many current and historical photos and original documents.
From 1986 to 1990, BMW built the M3 E30 as the base model for Group A racing. The M3 was a winner both on the road and in racing and has long since become a classic. Well-preserved examples are expensive and anyone who sits behind the wheel immediately understands the enthusiasm for the four-cylinder M3. This report portrays a rare special model "Cecotto" of the M3 and tells the story of the M3 of the E30 series. There is also a sound sample.
From 1985 to 1993, BMW built the convertible on the basis of the E30 three-series. Without a roll bar and equipped with a clever roof mechanism, the open-top 325i became one of the most popular convertibles of the 1980s and was so successful that most of its competitors had to follow suit. This driving report describes the 325i variant with the largest displacement and goes into its history, supplemented by many current and historical photos, as well as the sales brochure and engine sound.
Dreams are usually big - especially for classic car enthusiasts. But does it always have to be the fully equipped car, the horsepower car or the big-size convertible? These are questions that passionate classic car enthusiasts may ask themselves when the online search they do every evening throws up dream cars by the dozen. So it's a question that never ceases to excite us: would a glass of seltzer do instead of sparkling champagne? The BMW 730i vs. 750i comparison gets to the bottom of this question, with astonishing results.
The BMW five-door of the E34 series is already over 30 years old, but when driving it feels almost as modern as today's cars. In fact, the new four-door models built from 1988 onwards represented a major step forward for BMW, putting it on a par with its competitor from Sindelfingen. The 535i was particularly sporty and luxurious with its 211 hp straight-six engine, which is the subject of this driving report illustrated with many current and historical pictures.
A convertible version of the BMW M3 was not originally planned. The fact that it was built anyway is thanks to a Swiss man. This report reveals the whole story and how the open-top M3 drives, with plenty of current and historical images.
From 1989 to 1999, BMW produced the 850i, a luxury-class coupé with almost all the technical ingredients that were feasible at the time and a silky-smooth twelve-cylinder engine at the front. Later, an eight-cylinder engine was also added. Around 30,000 of these elegant coupés were built and sold and they still look modern today, 25 years later. This report describes a driving impression and briefly describes the development history of the car, supplemented by historical and current photographs.
Anyone driving through the mountains in summer wants to see the white-blue sky. That's no problem with a BMW convertible from the E36 series - all it takes is the push of a button. The second open-top generation of three managed the balancing act and functioned as a chic car as well as an everyday car for the average consumer. Compared to its predecessor, the E30, the E36 had made huge gains in all respects. This article explains the recipe for success of the open-top BMW E36 and shows many pictures of the convertible version.
From 1992 to 1999, BMW built over 70,000 M3s of the E36 series. Within this large production volume, however, a few rarities stand out, one of which is the M3 GT, of which only 356 were built. This driving report explains how this rarity came about and how it feels.
Anyone standing in front of a BMW Z3 Coupé and looking at it from the side will immediately understand why the car was also known as the "sneaker". No other car at the time looked like this BMW and its successor did not continue the shooting brake design. Nevertheless, the compact Granturismo coupé found many friends and they remain loyal to it to this day. This driving report portrays one of the only 7671 2.8-liter two-seaters built and tells the story of this unusual youngtimer coupé.
With the Touring of the E46 series, BMW wanted to do everything better than its predecessor, the E36. And it succeeded. The 330i Touring was a convincing lifestyle estate, especially when equipped with a manual gearbox. This article looks back at the history of the E46 series, describes driving impressions and shows the fast estate car in pictures and advertising.
For years it was considered a classic of the future, but now the BMW Z8 has matured into a youngtimer. And its prices have remained at a high level for years. Anyone who sits in the elegant "roadster" will understand why this BMW is held in such high esteem. Because it is a super sports car and gentleman's grand tourer in one. This driving report describes the history of the BMW Z8 and shows it in current and historical pictures. There is also a sound sample.
There are only a few two-seater roadsters/convertibles in the history of the BMW company and none were built more frequently than the Z3, which offered a wide range of engines and a lot of air above the head. The six-cylinder models in particular also stood for sporty stature and performance, so it is no wonder that they are still popular today. This driving report is about a BMW Z3 3.0, but tells the whole evolutionary story and shows the Z3 in historical and current pictures.
It may not be the most beautiful BMW of the early 2000s, but the 325 ti of the E46 series is not lacking in talent and expressiveness. And as a youngtimer and soon-to-be classic car, the short three-seater is particularly impressive. This driving report shows the 325i in current and historical images and tells its story.
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BMW Z4 3.0 - quite edgy
For many fans of the BMW brand, the Z4 was a shock, it was so different from its predecessor, the Z3. But people got used to the unusual look and bought the crisp sports car anyway. In the meantime, the first Z4 is already a sprightly youngtimer. This driving report tells the story of the Z4 and shows it in current and historical pictures.
The fifth edition of the BMW three-series (E90) was a great success with over three million units built. An evolutionary model called the 320si, limited to 2600 vehicles, was created for racing, which then also formed the basis for two championship titles in the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC). This article explains how the little-known E90 Evo drives with current and historical images.
Current market prices for BMW
4-Door Sedan, 65 PS, 1971 cm3
4-Door Sedan, 72 PS, 1971 cm3
4-Door Sedan, 72 PS, 1971 cm3
4-Door Sedan, 72 PS, 2077 cm3
null, 72 PS, 1997 cm3
4-Door Sedan, 100 PS, 2580 cm3
4-Door Sedan, 119 PS, 3168 cm3
4-Door Sedan, 140 PS, 3168 cm3
4-Door Sedan, 95 PS, 2580 cm3
4-Door Sedan, 100 PS, 2580 cm3
4-Door Sedan, 100 PS, 2580 cm3
4-Door Sedan, 110 PS, 2580 cm3
4-Door Sedan, 119 PS, 3168 cm3
4-Door Sedan, 140 PS, 3168 cm3
4-Door Sedan, 160 PS, 3168 cm3
Coupe, 140 PS, 3168 cm3
Convertible, 140 PS, 3168 cm3
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Auctioned vehicles of BMW
| Brand | Model | Year | Status | Auction name | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW M3 Sport Evolution 1990 Sold Bonhams Amelia Island (March 2, 2023) |
M3 Sport Evolution | 1990 | Sold | Bonhams Amelia Island (March 2, 2023) | |
| BMW 320i (E30) 1987 Sold CCA Classic Car Sale (March 19, 2016) |
320i (E30) | 1987 | Sold | CCA Classic Car Sale (March 19, 2016) | |
| BMW R75 Alfrican Corps 1943 Sold Coys Ascot Sale (October 11, 2014) |
R75 Alfrican Corps | 1943 | Sold | Coys Ascot Sale (October 11, 2014) | |
| BMW Z3 1996 Sold Bonhams Greenwich Concours d'Elegance Auction (May 31, 2015) |
Z3 | 1996 | Sold | Bonhams Greenwich Concours d'Elegance Auction (May 31, 2015) | |
| BMW 3.0 CSi 1975 Sold ACA Kings Lynn Auction (April 5, 2014) |
3.0 CSi | 1975 | Sold | ACA Kings Lynn Auction (April 5, 2014) | |
| BMW Isetta 300 1957 Sold Historics at Brooklands Mercedes Benz World 26th November 2016 Cars (November 26, 2016) |
Isetta 300 | 1957 | Sold | Historics at Brooklands Mercedes Benz World 26th November 2016 Cars (November 26, 2016) | |
| BMW 3.0 CSL 'Batmobile' Group 2 Evocation 1973 Sold Silverstone Auctions Mai Online Only (May 23, 2020) |
3.0 CSL 'Batmobile' Group 2 Evocation | 1973 | Sold | Silverstone Auctions Mai Online Only (May 23, 2020) | |
| BMW Z4 Roadster 2.2i 2004 Sold Artcurial Automobiles Sur les Champs (October 27, 2024) |
Z4 Roadster 2.2i | 2004 | Sold | Artcurial Automobiles Sur les Champs (October 27, 2024) | |
| BMW M635 CSi Coupé 1986 Not Sold Bonhams Padua (October 27, 2018) |
M635 CSi Coupé | 1986 | Not Sold | Bonhams Padua (October 27, 2018) | |
| BMW 3.0 CSL 'Batmobile' 1975 Not Sold RM/Sotheby's Monaco (May 12, 2018) |
3.0 CSL 'Batmobile' | 1975 | Not Sold | RM/Sotheby's Monaco (May 12, 2018) |
Query all auctioned vehicles of BMW
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