Category: Racing Dynamics

Outstanding E32 Face Off: 1988 BMW 735i and 750iL

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Such was the depth of BMW’s great designs from the 1980s that often the E32 is overlooked. Unlike the E23 it replaced, the scaled-up Claus Luthe-inspired design really worked and the heavy-weight look of the 5-series in a fat suit was met with more aggression, yet still elegantly. As you’d expect from a car intended to challenge the W126, BMW threw the kitchen sink at the 7-series, upping not only the technology, luxury and interior materials utilized in the E32, but the engine offerings, as well – the M70 and later M73 V12s beat Mercedes-Benz to the market with silky smooth and powerful twelve cylinder motors that were the trump card with the Trump types.

Yet while popular and well built, finding good examples of especially early 7s has become quite difficult. Today we have two interesting examples to consider. Both are far from original, though each in their own way is compelling. For those who like subtle speed, there’s a M70-powered, low mileage 750iL Alpina B12 5.0 clone from Japan. If you’re a little more in-your-face and like to row your own, there’s a Racing Dynamics-inspired 735i 5-speed. Which would you choose?

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1988 BMW 750iL Alpina Clone on eBay

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1998 BMW M3 Sedan 3.6 Widebody 6-speed

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Here’s an interesting one that has had me scratching my head quite a bit. What originally caught my eye was the bright Estoril Blue Metallic sitting on some refinished E46 Style 67 wheels. It was worth a second eyeball, which resulted in me noticing it was a 4-door. CLICK – I’m interested in seeing more. Once in the posting, the title became even more interesting – Racing Dynamics RD Sport? Lesser known than Alpina or Hartge, but still producers of some pretty trick products. 3.6 liter motor? 6-speed? TELL ME MORE!!!

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1998 BMW M3 Sedan 3.6 Widebody 6-speed on eBay

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Tuner Tuesday: 1988 BMW 535is Turbo

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When did the BMW tuning crowd become the new Volkswagen tuning crowd? I must have missed the memo, but it appears that it certainly went out. In my search for modified cars, I come across quite a few; it seems that for every well modified car, though, there are a few examples that leave you wanting for more. More attention to detail, more refined taste, and in some cases more money spent. That money doesn’t have to be spent poorly – we’ve seen, for example, cars which aren’t the best examples but have great photographs somehow be more desirable than good examples with bad photos. Heck, in one Volkswagen post I even pointed out how the seller was at a car wash (and photographed the car there being washed – a new, and also completely pointless, Volkswagen tuning crowd trend) but then failed to vacuum the car out. Well, it would seem that some of the hallmarks of the Volkswagen crowd are spilling out into the all-too-popular 1980s BMW bandwagon. List out loud the details of this E28 and you’ll have the enthusiasts drooling; Zinnoberrot 535is with black leather, Brembo brakes, M-System II throwing stars, Bilstein and Racing Dynamics suspension, Alpina cam and cluster, and a custom 400 horsepower M30 under the hood. But in this case, I don’t think the result is greater than the sum of the parts:

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1988 BMW 535is Turbo on eBay

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1972 BMW 2002

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I don’t talk about it often, but my first car was nearly a BMW 2002 tii. It was a bit of a rookie mistake in many ways; I was 17 years old and had been going to the track with my father for many years and wanted my own track car. As my father was in to BMWs, it was a natural thought that I’d end up with one. The search led me to a green over black 2002 tii, and after not much looking at the car or knowing what I was looking for I put a deposit down. When I got home, I told my father who suggested we have a mutual friend who knew the 2002s better than me go look at it before I paid. The friend agreed, we arrived at the seller’s home and after what seemed like a shockingly short amount of time he came over to me and said “walk away”. The car had prohibitive amounts of rust, and it would have taken a miracle to return it to nice condition. Shortly after I ended up with my 4000CS Quattro, and the run of Audis began – but I often wonder what would have come if I purchased that 2002. I’d like to think it would have ended up something like this one:

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1972 BMW 2002 on eBay

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1997 BMW 540i 6-Speed Racing Dynamics R48 Prototype

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Want a M5? There aren’t many that don’t right now. And if the E39 wasn’t already appealing enough, pricing on them is quickly becoming more affordable for the everyday Joe. But for some folks, it’s still too much, and let’s be honest – while M5s are pretty special beasties there are plenty of them out there. So perhaps if today’s no reserve RS6 wasn’t enough to have you looking at the grass on the other side of the fence, then maybe this listing will be enough to peak your interest – the claimed development car for the Racing Dynamics R48, this early build 1997 540i is prime for the driving at a very easy to swallow pricetag and is certainly unique:

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1997 BMW 540i 6-speed Racing Dynamics R48 on eBay

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2000 BMW Racing Dynamics R50 Sedan

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This selection comes our way from an email sent by Nick. I apologize as I didn’t get to his email until tonight and the auction ends in just 20 hours. That said, it’s an intriguing listing considering where the bidding is currently ($14k +) and how close we are to e39 M5 territory.

This e39 started life as a more garden variety BMW 540i. However that really is selling the car short as the 540i, especially with the sport package and 6 speed gearbox, really do make for a powerful and fun sport sedan. But with a reported $60k in aftermarket upgrades parts, the performance of this car is elevated to very similar numbers as the M5 of the same generation.

Racing Dynamics has always been familiar to me from their ads in magazines like European Car and VW & Porsche before it. They have been making aftermarket parts for a few European marques for over two decades, but BMW in particular has always seemed to carry a deeper product line.

2000 BMW Racing Dynamics R50 For Sale on eBay

quote from the seller’s website:

This is a Racing Dynamics custom E39 BMW 540i with $60K invested. Modifications Include but are not limited to: -R50 engine rebuild, bored and stroked to 4.93 liter displacement, 11.3:1 compression, high performance cams, tubular headers with custom exhaust, Horse Power – 407, Max RPM – 6,200, Torque – 423, Max Torque RPM – 4,350, Axle Ratio – 3.46 limited slip differential, RDSport RD2 cast off-set front & rear wheels – 19″ x 9.0″ front, 19″ x 10.5″ rear Tires – Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires Tire size – fronts 245/35 rears 275/30 – RDSport (Brembo F40 OEM) 4-piston caliper, NEW 355mmx32mm slotted rotor front brakes -RDSport chassis kit & stabilizer bars -RDSport E39 Body Trim – The 2000 BMW 540i comes with factory options: leather interior, heated front seats, parking sensors, premium sound with DSP and six-speed manual transmission. Much more information is available to purchase inquiries, we have files full of mechanical records and more upgrade information here at DC Motors.

I really love those wheels! The appearance kit is also a nice upgrade without upsetting the understated lines of the e39. And I have no doubt the motor is a wonderful piece of work to put through the paces. My only criticisms would be the terribly out of date clear rear lenses, and the very stock looking interior. The pedal kit and shift knob/e-brake combo just don’t feel like they upgrade the interior enough to compliment the enhancements on the rest of the car. Especially since the M5 does…

Thanks for the forward Nick!

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