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.

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.

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.