Top 5 lesser known BMW prototypes

"Klaus Schmoll" (klausschmoll) 01/07/2017 at 13:27 • Filed to: None

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We all know and have seen pictures of that underground garage somewhere in Munich where BMW hides its stillborn cars. So far we have lusted after the M8 and the E34 convertible, the E36 M3 Compact, and their -aminos. So let’s take a look at a few lesser known creations. Since everything has to be a list with you guys now, they will be, SURPRISE!!!!, presented as a list.

5. E39 M5 Touring

Why on earth does it have to be a one-off? I could seriously see them selling these.

4. E32 with E34 M5 engine

Again, why not just sell a few these?

3. 8 series convertible

Merc SL fighter anyone?

2. V12 E37 Z3

1. V16 E32

This monstrosity is reportedly named “goldfish”.

Hmmm, that’s a well ventilated trunk! “Can somebody please think of the dead hookers?” or what?

Well, not exactly much space for dead hookers.

To shoehorn this thing under the hood, they had to put the radiators (plural) in the back!

(photo credit: Auto-Motor-und-Sport.de)

gmctavish needs more space > Klaus Schmoll 01/07/2017 at 13:30

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Being a BMW engineer in the late 80s/early 90s must’ve really been something

E90M3 > gmctavish needs more space 01/07/2017 at 13:34

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I’m sure they still get to have some fun:

V12 Z3 removed because I just realized he had posted it already

Klaus Schmoll > gmctavish needs more space 01/07/2017 at 13:36

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And it still is. Friend of mine is an engineer at BMW R&D in Munich. Winter testing M cars at the Arctic Circle, summer testing in the south of France, etc... They once managed to set an M2 prototype without a VIN on fire on a test track. They wanted to run and get a fire extinguisher but their boss was like “Nah, just let it burn down, it had to be crushed anyway.”

Boxer_4 > Klaus Schmoll 01/07/2017 at 13:42

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I actually saw an E39 M5 Touring over the summer in Pittsburgh. The guy took an E39 wagon and swapped in all of the E39 M5 running gear from a donor car.

It had a well put together, almost factory look to it.

Honeybunchesofgoats > Klaus Schmoll 01/07/2017 at 13:47

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I keep staring at the V12 Z3. I can’t look away and it has forever altered my understanding of reality.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Klaus Schmoll 01/07/2017 at 13:53

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How did they manage to fit a V12 in a Z3. Imagine maintenence on that.

CaptDale - is secretly British > Klaus Schmoll 01/07/2017 at 13:57

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I want a V12 Z3!

Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis > Klaus Schmoll 01/07/2017 at 13:57

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That X5 with the gold wheels in the 8 series picture had some crazy stuff done to it IIRC. They put something like a LeMans car engine into the thing.

Klaus Schmoll > Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis 01/07/2017 at 14:00

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Yep, V12 from a Le Mans race car. I just didn’t include it, as it is rather well documented already.

Tazio, Count Fouroff > Klaus Schmoll 01/07/2017 at 14:09

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V16 E32?

Ach, Du liebe Güte

Echo51 > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 01/07/2017 at 15:06

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step 1: Remove the car from the engine

MM54 > Boxer_4 01/07/2017 at 15:56

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I remember this one, it was spot-on except for the cluster, which had the MPG gauge instead of the oil temp that M5s got in that spot.

pip bip - choose Corrour > Klaus Schmoll 01/07/2017 at 19:22

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i want the V16 7-series!!

theloudmouth > Klaus Schmoll 01/08/2017 at 08:58

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I need to get out if safety and into a much more fun sector of automotive. Going to Munich to talk seat belts is just a tease.

e36Jeff now drives a ZHP > Honeybunchesofgoats 01/13/2017 at 18:03

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But now that I know it exists(ok, I already knew it existed) I want the V-16 Z3

RT > Klaus Schmoll 02/25/2017 at 05:33

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Hey, M8~!