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Category: BMW

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1990 Alpina B10 BiTurbo

1990 Alpina B10 BiTurbo

Published August 27, 2022 by Carter

After looking at nearly every other generation of 5-Series over the past few weeks, let’s take a look at one of the best – the E34. And if we’re going there, why not look at one of the best E34s made?

Alpina took a normal 535i and made it’s own interpretation of what the M5 could be; instead of a high-revving twin cam S38, you got two turbochargers with enough torque to embarrass those boys from Affalterbach. Alpina achieved this through a full custom build; Mahle pistons, custom oil sprayers to cool the them, stronger connecting rods, sodium-filled valves and bespoke intake and exhaust systems – but then, Alpina’s never been shy about producing it’s own items. While all Alpinas are rare, the B10 BiTurbo was fairly popular; of the 1600-odd E34s Alpina built, a full 507 of them were B10s – impressive considering they were one of the most expensive sedans in the world at the time. Today? Well, they’re still one of the most expensive used BMWs you can buy:

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2018 BMW M5 First Edition

2018 BMW M5 First Edition

Published August 26, 2022 by Carter

When it rolled out, the F90 redefinied what it was to be an M5. The engine was not all that new – the S63 had been utilized by the F10, after all. Nor was the styling all that new – it was a refinement of the F10 and not the huge leap the E60 had been from the E39, for example. No, the big news was how the power was delivered; in this case, BMW’s xDrive system made its way in and was tuned by BMW M to maximize the M5’s fun factor. The result? Hard to argue, really, as the new M5 obliterates 0-60 runs in 3 seconds, and the system can be switched to rear-wheel-drive mode to still do the classic BMW tail-out cornering.

To celebrate its launch and inclusion in the Need for Speed Payback game, BMW launched a special edition of 400 M5s called the “First Edition”. The $18,300 package was run through BMW’s Individual department and got you Frozen Dark Red Metallic paintwork, piano black trim, Smokey White upholstery, extended Shadowline trim, 20″ Style 706 wheels finished in black, an M Sport exhaust system, a Bowers & Wilkins Diamond surround-sound system, the M Driver’s Package, and a few other special trim details. Today’s car is one of a claimed 98 brought to the US, and it was also ordered with the Driver Assistance Package and the Executive Package. When new, the car retailed for around $130,000. With just 280 miles from new, what’s the asking price today?

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1987 BMW 535iS

1987 BMW 535iS

Published August 24, 2022 by Carter

Back in April I took a look at the fan-favorite E28 535iS – a car that struck a great balance, with most of the performance and look of the M5 at a cut rate:

1988 BMW 535iS

Today I’m back with another in one of my favorite shades – Royal Blue Metallic – and inside is a treat as well, with Llama (209) leather upholstery. With higher mileage and some modifications, is this one a good deal?

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1997 BMW 725TDS

1997 BMW 725TDS

Published August 19, 2022 by Carter

Update 8.26.2022: eBay shows sold for $5,900.00

The story behind BMW’s foray into diesel power in the U.S. was pretty interesting. BMW had developed the M21 2.4 liter turbocharged inline-6 diesel in the 1970s with fuel prices rising; it finally launched in the early 1980s with the E28 524td. But you probably best know that motor for its appearance in mid-80s American iron; an attempt by Ford to improve the fuel economy of its large executive Lincoln Continental. The marriage didn’t work; although the M21 was a good motor (especially when compared to GM’s diesel!), gas prices were falling and the economy was recovering by the time it finally came to market. But since BMW went through the effort to get the M21 legal for U.S. shores, they brought the 524td over here, too. It was a slow seller in the E28 lineup; equipped only with an automatic, BMW dealers shifted 3,635 of the diesels.

No surprise, then, that when the E34 launched, the diesel didn’t come back with it. Though the U.S. market didn’t see the M21 in the lineup though it soldiered on. The M21 was replaced in 1991 by a new version, the M51. Now displacing 2.5 liters and with an intercooler in “s” version, the 525tds upped the power from the 114 seen in the 524td to 141 and it had 192 lb.ft of torque at only 2,200 rpms. This motor carried BMW’s diesels through the 1990s, and was available in everything from the 3-series to the 7-series – though it’s most unusual to see the latter. Yet here we have one – a 725tds with an equally unusual manual transmission, and it’s already imported!

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1981 BMW 320/6

1981 BMW 320/6

Published August 18, 2022 by Carter

It’s easy to lament the U.S. bound 320i. Powered by a fuel-injected M10, it managed to kick out only around 100 horsepower in the early 1980s and felt like a disappointing follow-up to the fantastic 2002tii, which was lighter and sported 130 horses. While the smart-looking Bracq-designed E21 ticked the right 3-boxes and scaled his vision down well, the U.S.-bound models got the unfortunate impact bumpers that made them look heavy and unappealing. It was like a cute kid wearing orthodontic headgear; you were pleased to meet them, but couldn’t help but feel bad for the way they ended up looking. Sure, there was a sport version of the 320i towards the end of the run, and it looked better because…well, it had BBS wheels and everything looks better with BBS wheels, but aside from that, the U.S. 320i was the relatively forgettable holdover until the E30 redeemed the small sporting sedan range here.

But in Europe?

Well, there you had better-looking bumpers…and a plethora of engine options, ranging from the anemic 315 to the 323i, with its fuel-injected M20 inline-6. In the middle was the 320/6; a carbureted version of the M20 that displaced just 1,991cc. The combination was good for about 120 horsepower, a nice bump over the US 320i:

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