BMW Memorial Day !

[bmwdirtracer]

Okay, I just invented this, for fun. No disrespect intended to the magnificent people who have died in action. But since we have a BMW forum, and a holiday weekend, how about we each name the best BMW we've ever owned, and why?

Me? The E34 M5. Handbuilt, magnificent engine, and a chassis that would pull your butt out of gross oversteer at 110 mph, in the second turn of VIR's uphill esses.....best damned car ever built!

[MauiM3Mania]

'Best' in regards to what? Since this is the General Mechanical sub-forum, would the best be the BMW that is easiest to service? Perhaps, the one the owner has had the least mechanical problems?

If it's the latter, I'd put up my E46 M3. 61K and mostly routine maintenance up to this point, besides the not so great interior bits.

You qualified your E34 M5 as your 'best' because it handled well. That's a different angle and might best be discussed in the Racing/Auto-X sub-forum? :-)

[dworthy]

+1

I like my E-46 M-3, just ran it down the autobahn at 150ish the other day, and with those new Michelin tires, FUN!

I loved the E-28 for it's simplicity, for I add in all the power window, sunroof, A/C, and heated seats. It was mostly plug and play for the connectors where just there, now on the E-36 and newer, forget about it.

And yes, I will be giving a toast to all my brothers and sisters in arms whom never made it back.

[bmwdirtracer]

To each their own, on what's "Best".

At some point, the fun factor and the repair needs balance out, don't they? Like a British car, how much fun can it actually be if it spends its life being repaired?

What's your FAVORITE one of those fine beasts in your garage, Scott? (Of your three, I'd pick that rip-snorting E36....because it's SO much fun when the ICBM hits you in the back, as you hit 4000 rpm)

[mhunter29928]

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I used to own this
Time changes

[bmwdirtracer]

OH MY GOD, Buddy! That is GORGEOUS !!! To me, that M6 and the M1 are the two most beautiful BMWs ever made.

And where the heck have you been ?? We've missed you !

[shadowpuck]

good thread, chris!

great shots of the m6 - always liked that body style!

we had an e34, but, unfortunately, it wasn't an m5. we still miss that car quite a bit!

i also currently have a 330 zhp and my track car ('95 325is, now with m3 drivetrain and other bits). the e36 is the one i've had the longest, and driven the most, so that's the one i'll pick. as i progressed from student to instructor the car moved along with me. this car has also been my "learning" vehicle for doing repairs, maintenance, etc.

i've always liked how neutral this car is, and how predictable it is on track. i always feel the e36 punches way "above its weight class" on track and students are always amazed at how nimble the car is and how "fast" it seems with "so little HP."

it's relatively easy on consumables, and i can still drive it to/from the track! on the chassis i'm now somewhere north of 200k and people still notice the car/ask me about it at gas stations, parking lots, etc.

[325bob]

My M Coupe is intoxicating in that it seems to love being thrashed like a rented mule, but my Euro 635 was special, too.

[328 Power 04]

Love love Z3s for their beauty, but an E36 and E46 will always be a better car.

My E36 has been extremely reliable, and still quite simple. But I would put up with an E46.

[marcva]

Ive only owned a couple, but would have to go back to my first E36 325. Simple, reliable, plenty fast and it was a great platform to evolve over 10 years and 230k miles. I drove the hell out of that car learning to autocross and going to DE events from GA to Canada, and it only had a couple minor failures over the years. I had to sell it and take over my wife's E36M3 when she had our first child. It's nice to have the extra power of the M, but it was fun to harass people on the track with a "mere" 325.

Marc

[thejlevie]

In my opinion an E30 325i/is is the second best car BMW ever produced, The best being the E30 M3. Moderate, but sufficient, electronics, excellent driver ergonometrics, good all around vision, a robust engine, and well tuned suspension.