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The Rare/Unusual BMW Thread
I thought this would be of interest to a few people, idea started by @[JohnH] and his recent thread on the 518g. Post up any unusual, rare, low production, coach built, prototype etc BMW whether it be official BMW or by recognised tuners, manufacturers such as Alpina, Hartge.
I will start the ball rolling.
BMW E12 530 MLE:
The BMW 530 MLE had a special position at BMW South Africas model range. It was a spin-off product of the motorsport: In the year 1976 BMW SA modified a BMW 5 Series for racing in Germany with technical supervision of Mr. Peter Stark. The Schnitzer brothers from Freilassing built that car in order to the policies of the South African Modified Saloons. Two Solex 40/36 downdraft carburetors were fitted to the engine. The combustion chamber was hemispherical designed and a modified camshaft was mounted. Torsion bar stabilizers were added to optimize the R-curve behaviour in fast driven curves. A locked rear-axle differential (80 %) improved the handling characteristics substantially. Harder shock absorbers were also used. Four ventilated Lockheed brakes stoped the car. The brake discs came from the 3-Litre-Coupé. To get space for the large wheels the wheelhouses were made broader by plastic arches. At the right side, next to the drivers door, two big exhaust system pipes were mounted. The interior kept its homelike feeling. At the doors the panels were kept and at the rear the seat bench and the carped also. Only a racing cage reminds you, that this was a ricaing car. After the car was finished a Sabena-Cargo flew the car back to South Africa.
Paul Rosche, he developed engines for the Formula one, was for BMW SA engines modifications responsible. An another BMW 525 was copied then to a 530 MLE clone to have two "Production Racer" in South Africa. Terms and conditions for the local touring car champinships was, that at least onehundred of these cars must be sold in South Africa. A hard job, because of the countrywide speed limit (90 km/h) an the MLE costed the double price of a standard BMW 520. But BMWs selling expectations were beaten. Totalle 218 (110 + 108) of these cars were manufactured. 216 of them were sold. In publications you'll find numbers of 201, 202 or 208 manufactured cars. During my local investigations at BMW Plant Rosslyn in 2006 I found out the real number: 1392 BMW 525 M(anual) were delivered as CKD to South Africa. 1174 were assembled to a real BMW 525. 217 VINs were given to BMW 530 MLE.
The sedans, which were for sale, were painted in white (Ice white) or in the matallic colours Platinum or Sapphire blue. One car got a special paintwork and leather interior. The interior was fitteted with Scheel-Sportseats, that had a blue cloth upholstery. A 5 gear manual transmission was standard. The 6 cylinder engine was fited with a Zenith 38/40 INAT double carubretor. The rear aixle differential translation was 3.45 :1. The constructers focussed to reduce weight. So they drilled many holes at the body until it looked like a swiss cheese. Also the seats were made of light weight materials. The windows were made of thinner glass except the windscreen. Four brake discs, the two front ones were ventilated, were responsible for a short braking distance.
I was lucky enough to own one briefly, however it didn't make it to Ireland before it was sold.
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RE: The Rare/Unusual BMW Thread
Excellent idea for a thread! :cool:
We including prototypes?
BMW E1,
http://www.bmwpower.lv/files/member_...7690_17575.jpg
From Wikipedia:
The E1 was founded in 1991 on the IAA of BMW unveiled in Frankfurt.
The E1 is a 2 +2- seater, only 3.4 meters long but with 1.60 m width almost as wide as a former BMW of 3 series . Also, the design language of the former BMW models has been adopted as the double glazed front headlights.
The particularity of this model is that this is a purely electric vehicle. The motor, which is mounted directly over the rear axle, making 32 kW and delivers its power, as usual with BMW, to the rear wheels off. The top speed is 120 km / h, acceleration from 0-50 km / h in six seconds. The 200-kilogram sodium-sulfur battery with 120 volt and 19 kWh provides power for about 250 km prepared to the BMW E1 must for 6-8 hours into the AC outlet. The vehicle has a regenerative braking ( regenerative braking ) with the help of the traction battery has been charged by the braking energy partially. Outstanding for the period are integrated in the wheels drum brakes. [1]
The E1 was never manufactured by BMW in series and it also existed only a model of this type. One reason for this were shortcomings of the battery, but also the changes in the California CARB legislation, which had obliged the carmaker to develop zero-emission vehicles by July 2002. Direct competitors would be for the E1 of the now set A2 Audi or the Mercedes A-Class . According to a source, this prototype is to be burned, so the built E1 / 1. [2]
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The Rare/Unusual BMW Thread
Yes prototypes, special development vehicles, anything you think will be of interest.
Remember the E1, saw it in the museum. They did try an electric 2002 many years before that too. Keep em coming.
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RE: The Rare/Unusual BMW Thread
I don't think this needs much of an introduction. E34 M5 convertible.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnV...34-M5-0012.jpg
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RE: The Rare/Unusual BMW Thread
http://www.gtspirit.com/wp-content/u..._prototype.jpg
The ill fated BMW M8
The vehicle is powered by a V12 engine from the McLaren F1 based around two six-cylinder engines from the M3 at the time producing around 550bhp. In the end it proved to be instantly reliable in tests of the 8-series. Although the M8 and its V12 engine were fully developed, the production was signed off in test vehicles, the car was never signed off by BMW management, despite M’s insistence.
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The Rare/Unusual BMW Thread
Definitely 2 cars I would have in me fantasty garage especially that M8.
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RE: The Rare/Unusual BMW Thread
The E39 M5 Touring.
http://www.bmwblog.com/wp-content/up...-4-655x491.jpg
This one never made it out of the Garching prototype stage, apparantly there were some problems with the rear axle. By M standards, the dynamics of the car would have acted differently. It was also assumed that the market for such vehicle would be relatively small.
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RE: The Rare/Unusual BMW Thread
The E46 M3 Touring
http://www.bmwblog.com/wp-content/up...12-655x435.jpg
Another car that the M division toyed with but felt that it was not a viable production car.
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The Rare/Unusual BMW Thread
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Nazca....
http://www.diseno-art.com/encyclopedia/vehicles/road/cars/rare_classics/bmw_nazca_c2.html
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RE: The Rare/Unusual BMW Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul D
Nazca....
http://www.diseno-art.com/encyclopedia/vehicles/road/cars/rare_classics/bmw_nazca_c2.html
And one for sale
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C220375
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RE: The Rare/Unusual BMW Thread
More on the E30 333i:
The E30 333i was developed by BMW South Africa, BMW Motorsport & Alpina, and it was produced between 1985 & 1987. Vic Doolan and Bernd Pischetsrieder of BMW South Africa are credited for coming up with the original idea for the 333i. At that point in time, the E12 M535i.. (not the lightest of cars) ..was BMW’s most competitive car in South African motorsports. Even though BMW Germany was already developing the E30 M3, BMW SA chose the more traditional six cylinder route to produce its own potent 3-series. The 333i was originally conceived for competition in Group One, but the car was left without a formula when Group One racing was cancelled at the end of 1985.
E30 333i - 1985 to 1987 - 204 Units Produced
The selected engine for the 333i came from the 197hp E23 733i, which was chosen due to its free-revving characteristics. In many ways, the 333i is considered to be a smaller version of BMW SA’s 745i, which was powered by the engine from the BMW M1. The design specification was intended to be similar to the Alpina B6. In fact, to help offset production costs, the 333i used as many Alpina components as possible. The 7×16” Alpina 20 spoke alloy wheels were the most obvious. A few of the not so noticeable Alpina components were the car’s intake manifold, instrument panel, grille mounted auxiliary digital meters, three-spoke sport steering wheel, and gear shift knob.
Other upgrades from the standard E30 were the Recaro sport seats. A Bilstein-tuned suspension. A larger, more effective, braking system consisted of perforated rotors with eight-piston calipers on the front and six-piston calipers on the rear. To avoid cooling problems, the standard E30 radiator was replaced with a larger unit. Since there wasn’t enough room to accommodate both power steering and air conditioning, owners of the 333i were given the option of having either one or the other.
All 204 examples of the 333i were RHD and they were made between May of 1985 and October of 1987. Word has it that most of these cars had been entered into South African motorsport competition, but there’s no way of determining which cars and exactly how many. Of the 204 units that were produced, one vehicle was reportedly exported to BMW UK, while another 3 or 4 were imported into the UK privately. The 333i was available in 4 colors; Charcoal Black, Henna Red, Ice White and Aero Silver.
0-50 mph (80 km/h) 5.19 seconds
0-100 km/h 7.23 seconds
Top speed 231 km/h (144 mph)
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RE: The Rare/Unusual BMW Thread
And sticking with the South Africa theme, another special E30:
When it became clear that South Africa would not be getting the M3, the 325iS was created. Initially this was the same concept as the 325i Sport available in other markets; merely a 325i 2-door fitted with a body kit and a close-ratio gearbox (improving acceleration at the expense of top speed and economy). This model was available in 1989.
However, consumers quickly demanded more performance, and in 1990 the EVO I was released. This model was a radical redesign of the car, featuring aluminium body panels, brakes and suspension from the M3, and a larger 2.7l engine sourced from Alpina, capable of 197hp. A limited number were produced to allow for homologation into saloon car racing.
In 1991, a further update saw the release of the EVO II. While some of the body panels reverted back to steel, the engine saw even more performance with the addition of parts from the E28 535i, pushing power up to 210hp.
Unlike the 333i where the options were fog lights or Air Conditioning , all 325is's were fitted with both. All cars were fitted with BBS X Spoke wheels.
EVO I
First released in March 1990, the EVO I came fitted with front suspension and rear brakes from the E30 M3. The engine was the same M20B27 unit used in the Alpina C2 2.7, mated to a dog-leg close-ratio gearbox and LSD. Its bonnet, wings, boot lid and doors were all made from aluminium to reduce weight. The glass was a special tinted type made by Sundym.
For the interior, the standard sport package was used featuring black carpet, sports seats in Anthracite upholstery, and a sports steering wheel. All models came with OBC, Aircon, cruise control. Paint was available in the typical M3 colours.
EVO II
In March 1991 the first batch of EVO IIs was released. Fitted with all the same goodies as the EVO I, this model was beefed up to 155 kW (210 hp) by using the AFM and throttle body from a 535i. This allowed for a 0-62 mph time of just 7.5sec. Engines were still Alpina-derived units, but were built by BMW S.A who used selected heads from Alpina direct as well as using Alpina pistons. The EVO II also has a slightly longer duration cam shaft, which means at idle it was possible to hear the difference between and EVO I and EVO II. The model also benefitted from Alpina anti-roll bars, while the doors reverted back to steel construction.
Externally, the EVO II is distinguished from the EVO I by 3 features:
All EVO II's had a underbody splitter. This looks like a small black lip along the front spolier, but it was not cosmetic and ran from the front spoiler too the wheels, to help smooth the airflow under the body.
The second enhancement was a slighlty lower set of springs, even though all 325iS EVO I and II used Bilstein dampers. The EVO II was a full 10mm lower then an EVO I.
The third feature was the addition of rear headrests, while the very last models were also fitted with sunroofs.
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The Rare/Unusual BMW Thread
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The Rare/Unusual BMW Thread
Bmw 2002ti Diana http://classicandvintagebmw.tumblr.com/dianacandvbmwfb
Attachment 3082
Sent from my Telegraph machine using Morse Code
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Re: The Rare/Unusual BMW Thread
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/06/qajemyta.jpg
It's 1987, and Dr. Karlhienz Lange, Adolf Fischer and Hanns-Peter Weisbarth, the very germanic gentlemen who would also be responsible for the 8 series BMW, decide to make a production ready 16 cylinder version of the e32 7 series.
Lange instructed Fischer to explore the possibilities beyond the M70 engine. And it was from then that the Secret Seven project was born and BMW’s first V16 engine came into fruition.
Less than six months after Lange gave the go ahead on the project, Fischer had a complete (and production ready) 6.7 liter V16 engine on a dynamometer on Christmas Eve in 1987. Naturally the numbers on the V16 engine were nothing short of impressive boasting 408 bhp at 5200rpm and 461 ft lb of torque at 3900rpm, more than 100bhp and 100 ft lb torque than the 5.0 liter V12. The engine was run by two Bosch engine management systems, essentially treating it as two straight-eight cylinders.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/06/y4uqyzav.jpg
Within the walls of BMW, the Secret Seven project was also known as the “Goldfish”. Reason being, the 7 Series sedan that the V16 engine was fitted into was a golden color so the project was christened the Goldfish.
The V16 was 12 inches longer than the V12 in the engine bay. Naturally, this caused many problems, such as the fact there was no room for cooling. So, being pragmatic germans, the cooling was relegated to the rear of the car!
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/06/abypa7e8.jpg
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The Rare/Unusual BMW Thread
I would like a drive of that to see what a V16 is like. One of my favourite experimental cars.
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How many were made? More important how many still exist?
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The Rare/Unusual BMW Thread
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Where is it now? Bitch to get parts for id imagine! :D
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The Rare/Unusual BMW Thread
It's still in the BMW vault. Yeah would say parts would be an issue alright.
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RE: The Rare/Unusual BMW Thread
How about an early ariel atom/smart car......
Bmw Z21
http://oldconceptcars.com/1930-2004/bmw-z21-just-42-1995/
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The Rare/Unusual BMW Thread
I remember that in the early days of BMW Car magazine.
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Re: RE: The Rare/Unusual BMW Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul D
How about an early ariel atom/smart car......
Bmw Z21
http://oldconceptcars.com/1930-2004/bmw-z21-just-42-1995/
That z18 looks like it would rip up the sand dunes!!
Sent from my WT19i using Tapatalk 2
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Re: The Rare/Unusual BMW Thread
E36 M3 compact 1 of 1
http://www.bmwblog.com/2010/02/06/did-bmw-ever-build-an-one-off-e36-m3-3-2-compact/
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/06/re3asu6a.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/06/a7ygy5eb.jpg
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The acs3 3.2 compact http://www.ac-schnitzer.de/en/bmw-cars/products-models/concept-cars/1997-acs3-32-compact-10-yle/engineering/
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RE: The Rare/Unusual BMW Thread
http://www.carbuzz.com/m/Article.aspx?Id=14117
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The BMW 2800 Bertone Spicup
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RE: The Rare/Unusual BMW Thread
Freaky and cool at the same time.
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RE: The Rare/Unusual BMW Thread
The BMW X5 Le Mans. A prototype X5 with the S70 V12 from the Mclaren F1.
I doubt that this was ever a serious contender for production. It was probably the engineers in Garching fooling around with a chassis and an engine to see what it would be like.
If it wasn't for engineers like this, we would never have had the E28 M5, when they took the engine out of the M1 and put it into an ordinary 5 series. This was the birth of the M division when engineers started messing around with racing engines and normal production chassis's.
http://www.xoutpost.com/attachments/...17-655x438.jpg
http://www.xoutpost.com/attachments/...-lemans-31.jpg
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RE: The Rare/Unusual BMW Thread
Video of that x5 in action , glorious sound skip to 1.00 minute thats were it starts
Bmw X5 le mans V12 LMR engine 700 hp by Hans Joac…: http://youtu.be/NtuVxi6hMqI
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RE: The Rare/Unusual BMW Thread
Remember as a young fella getting a lift from a chap that was driving a red what to me is a 3 series bmw with a plate BSI 1 claimed it was a rare one all i remember the bloody doors were as heavy as feck he tried to skull a dog that he knew always chased the car when it came around the corner thankfully he missed the dog with the door when he opened it or it's head would have went through it's arse i checked it on mywheels all it comes up as is red 2.8L
anyone shed some light on the reg was there ever a bsi bmw????
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The Rare/Unusual BMW Thread
Was it a 2 door, possibly an E24 628i. CSI appeared on a few E24 reg plates in the day.
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It was a two door wasn't a six series though
Might have been an E21
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The Rare/Unusual BMW Thread
No 2.8 available in a 3 series back then, the only other 2 door was an E24 Six.
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The Rare/Unusual BMW Thread
If it was an E9 it would only have been imported in '82 and given the '82 reg.
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RE: The Rare/Unusual BMW Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by Andy
If it was an E9 it would only have been imported in '82 and given the '82 reg.
Its coming out on motor check as an '82 :wink: