15 Years in the Making – The Ultimate BMW E30

The BMW E30 is a chameleon of the automotive world. Whether you’re after a sleek stance build or a performance monster, it’s the ultimate blank canvas. Proof? Look no further than Joost van de Ven’s masterpiece—a 15-year passion project that epitomizes the E30’s versatility. Spotted at the Tuning Experience during the Essen Motor Show, this car is as much a reflection of Joost’s relentless pursuit of perfection as it is a nod to the enduring appeal of the E30.

Joost’s Instagram is a rolling chronicle of this car’s evolution, showcasing years of tweaks, upgrades, and refinements. While it may look like the culmination of his efforts, Joost himself would likely say this isn’t the end of the journey.

Essen Motor Show’s Gem – The Perfect BMW E9

The Essen Motor Show 2024 is in full swing, and as tradition dictates, last Friday was all about hitting the autobahn to Germany for the show’s much-anticipated Preview Day. Once an exclusive affair reserved for press, exhibitors, and VIPs, Preview Day now offers early access to anyone willing to pay €10 extra. Predictably, this change has transformed what was once a quieter experience into a bustling start to the weekend.

For me, Preview Day is a mix of networking, catching up with familiar faces, and getting behind the lens to capture the cars. But let’s be honest: while the people and conversations make the event memorable, the cars are the real stars of the show. And one car that I wanted to see in real life, stole the spotlight for me this year—a breathtaking BMW E9 2800CS that didn’t disappoint.

When it comes to quality and sheer aesthetic appeal, this E9 was in a league of it’s own. Everything about it exuded precision and passion, from its stance to the meticulously crafted interior. This wasn’t just a build; it was a vision brought to life. What impressed me most was how the car retained the timeless lines of the original E9, a design so inherently beautiful it hardly needs enhancement.

Gallery: A Tribute to BMW: The Best of Ultrace

While on assignment for another publication, I found myself looking at photos from BMW’s at this years Ultrace event, still the highlight of the year when it comes to top-tier car builds. The sheer number of BMWs on display was staggering, so much so that I decided to create a dedicated gallery for the Munich marque.

If you’re not a fan of BMW, this post might not be for you. But for everyone else, consider this a tribute to the Bavarian brand in all its glory.

Check the entire gallery below!

Taifun-Converted E30 M3: Love It or Hate It?

A BMW E30 M3 with a Taifun headlight conversion? That’s sure to raise a few eyebrows. This bold build comes courtesy of the folks at Lowmolewerkz in Germany, who opted for this unique conversion. Taifun originally produced the kit, though they are no longer in business, making authentic kits hard to come by. Nowadays, many replicas are available.

Despite extensive online research, there’s surprisingly little information about this particular car, even though it’s been part of the scene for years. What I do know is that under the hood lies a six-cylinder engine from a newer E36 generation. This leads me to believe it’s not an original M3 but a converted E30. It’s similar to the Mercedes-Benz I posted about yesterday, where a standard car is transformed into a top-tier model. Here too, the conversion is done so meticulously that it’s hard to tell the difference at first glance.

The car also features a set of BBS RS wheels, painted in a sort of pistachio color to match the car. The wheel faces have been polished to a shiny finish after painting—a small detail with a big impact. Then there’s the suspension; an Air Lift Performance controller in the interior indicates an air ride system.

Ultrace 2024: A First Timer’s Journey

Honestly, I had no idea what to expect since this was my first time at Ultrace. But one thing is certain: it far exceeded my expectations. Late Thursday night, I set off from the Netherlands, heading towards Wrocław, Poland, the home of Ultrace since its inception. After a nine-hour drive, I arrived on Friday, and, unable to check into my hotel just yet, I went straight to the event at the Tarczyński Arena Wrocław.

Finding a parking spot, I headed to the press registration center. Luckily, the good folks from Revworks were there to guide me in the right direction. With my press pass and camera in hand, I stepped onto the grounds, and what I saw blew me away. I was literally overwhelmed, spending the first hour just gaping at everything that was already in place.

Friday is the day when the last cars are positioned, and the organizers put the finishing touches on everything. The event officially opens at noon on Saturday, so Friday offered a perfect opportunity to acclimate, especially with temperatures soaring above 30 degrees Celsius.

Gallery: Bimmerfest BMW Enthusiast’s Paradise

Bimmerfest is perhaps the largest car event in Europe exclusively for BMWs. It’s a permanent fixture on my calendar every year. This year was no exception, as I headed to Raceway Venray, Europe’s fastest 1/2 mile oval circuit, armed with an empty memory card and a fully charged camera. The unique location, while thrilling, does demand a pair of good running shoes since you spend half the time standing on the banked track.

As always, certain paddocks were reserved for specific themes. This year featured areas dedicated to Alpina, classics, and a top 10 selected by Z-Performance wheels. Additionally, there’s always space for various BMW clubs, with MFlight likely being the largest. Most members of this club hail from America but are stationed at a US base just across the border in Germany.

A standout car for me was the Twin Turbo V12 E36, which I’ve already posted separately. Another highlight was the E23 7 Series at the H&R booth, complete with a humorous “Arg Teuer” sticker mimicking the Tag Heuer logo. As you can tell, I have a soft spot for the older models. Yet, the M3 Touring, one of BMW’s newer models, also caught my eye and, yes, even with those large kidney grilles.

BMW M2 GT and M1000R – A Legendary Tribute

I rarely feature motorcycles, but when I do, it has to be something that complements the BMW M2 GT built by GP Products. This M2 is crafted in the style of the legendary E36 M3 GT, and the BMW M1000R bike shares the same distinctive accents. That means plenty of carbon fiber and the iconic British Racing Green from the original E36 M3 GT. This duo was spotted at the recent Bimmerfest 2024 in Holland.

The E36 M3 GT holds a near-mythical status among BMW enthusiasts. Introduced in 1994 as a homologation model for the FIA GT Series, only 356 units were produced, all painted in British Racing Green. The BMW M3 GT featured a 3.0L inline-six engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 323 Nm of torque, propelling the car from 0-100 km/h in just 5.9 seconds. This performance was achieved through the use of different throttle bodies, special camshafts, and a higher compression ratio.

Now, this M2 “GT” G87 built by GP Products, a modern homage to the E36 M3 GT. The most striking feature is undoubtedly the instantly recognizable British Racing Green. Additionally, the wheels are styled like the original Motorsport wheels, though they have been painted in a striking copper/gold color.

BMW V12 LMR: The 24 hours of Le Mans Victory

Can BMW repeat their monumental win like they did in 1999? We will have to wait and see.

The #15 on their M Hybrid V8 in this years race was given this racing number as a tribute to the 1999 winner seen above.

When the BMW V12 LMR arrived at the Circuit de la Sarthe in June 1999, it faced fierce competition. BMW entered two V12 LMRs in the race, with one driven by the formidable trio of Yannick Dalmas, Pierluigi Martini, and Joachim Winkelhock. The second car, driven by Jörg Müller, Tom Kristensen, and JJ Lehto, was equally strong but would face challenges.

As the race unfolded, the V12 LMR demonstrated not just speed but remarkable reliability. The car driven by Dalmas, Martini, and Winkelhock maintained a relentless pace, handling the rigors of Le Mans with impressive consistency. Meanwhile, the second car encountered mechanical issues, highlighting the unpredictable nature of endurance racing.

After 24 hours of intense racing, the BMW V12 LMR piloted by Dalmas, Martini, and Winkelhock emerged victorious, completing 366 laps. This triumph marked BMW’s first overall victory at Le Mans, a monumental achievement that underscored the V12 LMR’s exceptional design and performance.