BMW 3.0 CSL: Lightweight Legend of Racing

The BMW 3.0 CSL is undoubtedly a legendary race car, but what exactly makes it so legendary? During a recent visit to the Pace Museum earlier this year, I came face to face with this iconic BMW. But more on the Pace Museum in another post – I’ll be revisiting soon, as they’ve refreshed their collection once again.

For many, this car is known as the Batmobile. The BMW 3.0 CSL earned this moniker thanks to its distinctive aerodynamic features, including large spoilers and air dams, designed to enhance high-speed stability. Its aggressive styling and imposing rear wing give it a futuristic, Batmobile-like appearance that’s hard to forget.

Originally developed as a homologation special to allow BMW to compete in the European Touring Car Championship (ETCC), the 3.0 CSL quickly proved its mettle on the track. One particular car, the car you see here on the photos, made history in 1973 when it won the Nürburgring 6 hours with drivers Chris Amon and Hans-Joachim Stuck behind the wheel according to Group 2 regulations.

The Birth of a Legend – BMW M3 EVO

Developed directly from the crucible of motorsport, the BMW M3 was a groundbreaking marvel. When it made its debut at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt in 1985, it didn’t just turn heads; it set the automotive world alight. This was more than just a car; it was the genesis of an icon in the BMW M lineup, a machine destined to dominate both the streets and the racetrack.

The vision behind the original BMW M3 was deceptively simple yet profoundly ambitious: to create a racing sedan that was equally at home on public roads. What nobody could predict was just how phenomenally successful the M3 would become. It was a game-changer, blending everyday usability with the ferocious spirit of a track-bred thoroughbred.

A Classic Dream: BMW E28 5 Series

The BMW E28 5 Series is a personal favorite of mine. I’ve been toying with the idea of buying one as a project car for years. Some enthusiasts, however, turn dreams into reality. Dries de Vries is one such enthusiast and he brought his car to Royal Fitment. His BMW 525 is a testament to dedication and passion. After some serious elbow grease to rid the car of rust, it now gleams beautifully.

Many owners opt for air ride suspension to lower their E28s. This allows for either tucking the top of the wheel into the wheel arch or letting the wheel arch sit right on the edge of the wheel. Personally, I prefer the latter look. Dries, however, chose a different route, lowering his car with a BC Racing Extreme Low coilover kit. This setup requires maintaining some space between the wheels and the arches, providing a cleaner look even when driving. It all boils down to personal preference.

Gallery: Royal Fitment Netherlands 2024

Royal Fitment has become a staple in the automotive scene in the eastern Netherlands. Traditionally held at Hotel Dinkeloord in Beuningen, this invitation-only event faced a last-minute venue change this year. Fortunately, a new location was swiftly secured just five minutes away at Hotel Ros van Twente in De Lutte.

Despite the change in venue, the event maintained its signature relaxed atmosphere and high-quality selection of cars. Originally a VAG-only event, Royal Fitment now attracts a broader range of impressive vehicles, including some stunning BMWs that caught my eye.

Check out the gallery via the link below to see the highlights.

I’ll have some spotlights later this week on some of the cars, click the link below so see the rest of the cars that were present at Royal Fitment Netherlands.

BMW 5 Series Touring E34 Wide Body

With the arrival of the new BMW M5 Touring, BMW is poised to break sales records once again. But did you know that BMW introduced an M5 Touring as early as 1992? Based on the E34 platform, BMW launched it with the tagline, “A superlative sports car, packed in sporty but never showy bodywork.” This was certainly true, as there was little on the exterior to indicate it was a true M car, aside from the logos.

While the car spotted at the Royal Fitment event wasn’t an M5, it certainly flaunted showy bodywork. Royal Fitment is all about stance, and for many stance builds, it’s more about style points than what’s under the hood. This BMW earned its style points in spades.

Based on a 518i, this showstopper was transformed by its owner, Niels Popma, in his own garage. The overfenders, supplied by Cliq Tuning, fit perfectly over the 18″ AC Schnitzer wheels (11j in the front and 12.25j in rear) thanks to a custom Mapet Tuning air ride system.

Gallery: Revworks Secret Garage Meeting Club

On Friday, I received a WhatsApp message with instructions: “First rule of Garage Meeting Club… don’t talk about Garage Meeting Club.” In a world where everything is shared on social media and there’s an event happening every weekend, I wasn’t sure what to expect. True to form, there was no mention of it anywhere, no announcement, no Facebook event, and nothing on Instagram. But because the message came from Revworks, I knew it was going to be good.

However, I couldn’t have imagined just how awesome the Revworks Garage Meeting Club would be. There was truly something for everyone, from a Spyker Double 12s owned by a Spyker Enthusiast to an Opel Kadett D and everything in between. The success of this event is largely thanks to the team at Revworks. Their network ensured that over 100 cars showed up, making it an incredible evening for everyone involved.

I can’t wait for the next Garage Meeting Club. Keep reading for more photos in the gallery.

Gallery: Classics & Coffee event by Octane

On Sunday I visited the Classics & Coffee event organised by Octane Magazine, they had such a good turn out with so many different cars. Really cool to see all these different cars together and the fact they all drove there was even better.

BMW E28 5 series on 17 inch Gotti j55a wheels

During my last round at the Heaven on Wheels event before going home, I decided to take a peek on the upper deck. Not a bad choice, if I say so myself. There, I stumbled upon this BMW E28 5 Series. A stunning specimen from 1981 in Malachite Green Metallic, a color from BMW’s individual program.

The Gotti j55a wheels are true classics and fit perfectly on this E28. The centers are 16 inches, but with the help of a step lip, they now measure 17 inches. The wheels are 8.5 inches wide up front and a beefy 9.5 inches wide at the rear.

What catches my eye are the Alpina stripes on the sides, which seem slightly thicker than the original striping of a genuine Alpina. But it adds a touch of class, and since the Alpina logo isn’t present, it’s not pretending to be a real Alpina. So kudos to the owner for not doing that.