In Honor of BMW's 100 Anniversary, Name Your Favorite BMW.

"maristgrad" (maristgrad) 03/06/2016 at 15:00 • Filed to: BMW, Bavarian motor works, Bayerische Motoren Werke

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Someone once told me every car enthusiast has owned or at least driven a BMW at some point in their lifetime and I would have to agree. I owned an e39 myself and I absolutely loved every minute in that vehicle. So in honor of their 100 year anniversary today, tell me, what does Bavarian Motor Works mean to you?

Whether you loved or hated BMWs they often leave a lasting impression. To me driving a BMW made me feel like an adult. My first BMW was the first car I bought all on my own without any help from my family so it holds a pretty special place in my heart. It felt like I was finally free, whatever that means for a recent college grad who forgot he has a mountain of student loan debt and decided to use the sign on bonus from his first real job to buy a 5-year-old BMW, a horrible financial decision I’ve never regretted. It was the only car I could afford that gave me a taste of luxury without the luxury price. I had never owned a car with heated leather seats, a heated steering wheel and wood surfaces everywhere. At the age of 22, the only luxury cars I’d ever been in or driven was my uncle’s Mercedes and Range Rover when I was younger. He owned an architecture firm so I felt like I was almost as cool as him ( I was not ). Buying that car made me feel like I was adulting with the finest of them ( Again, I was not. Should’ve bought a house like the rest of my friends when banks were handing out loans like you would candy the day after a rainy Halloween, no regrets! ).

While I did very few engine upgrades, I had fun with the interior and cosmetic aspects of the car. Yes, I was the guy with a 22" drop-down screen in the back seat and two 12" subs in the trunk playing music videos of 50 cents “You can find me in da club” back when he was still popular and no one’s life had been ruined by Kanye West yet. I even put 20" rims on mine, like an idiot, as they rubbed the wheel well whenever I went over a speed bump with someone in the back seat.

Yes I had “Dubs”

It was a fun car that contained many memories; road trips, hot days at the river, winter snow storms, bumpy farm roads, autobahn straights on highways and several speeding tickets. I explored every corner of the Pacific Northwest in this car and it never left me stranded. I’m always surprised when people tell me they had issues with their e39, I never once had to take it to the shop for repairs outside normal wear like oil changes and brake pad replacements. Because of this, in my mind e39s have an almost mythical reliability status because I drove that car pretty hard and it always ran as smooth as the day I bought it.

Right now I drive a Range Rover but I really want that joy of driving a BMW again. I’ve been researching as well as test driving a few, the 6 series grand coupe and the new 5 series look amazing, I can’t decide between the two. But let me know in the comments below, what’s your favorite BMW or share a story about one in honor of BMW’s 100 anniversary.

dogisbadob > maristgrad 03/06/2016 at 15:04

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My favorite BMW’s are the 318ti and Isetta.

The Isetta is cool, you can’t deny, and the 318ti was available with an awesome canvas sunroof. The Z3 shoe is awesome as fuck, and the E36 M3 is cool, too. Too bad we never got the 120d 4-door hatchback.

GE90man > maristgrad 03/06/2016 at 15:04

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the E39 is amazing. I think we can all agree the E30 is almost perfect

not for canada - australian in disguise > maristgrad 03/06/2016 at 15:05

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The only proper answer. Sure, it was a dog when it came to driving dynamics, but my god those doors kick ass.

Hoccy > maristgrad 03/06/2016 at 15:09

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This exact one.

MS3ws6 > maristgrad 03/06/2016 at 15:10

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E24 m6

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > maristgrad 03/06/2016 at 15:12

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AkursedX > maristgrad 03/06/2016 at 15:15

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I just realized that I have never actually driven a BMW! I have sat in a lot of them, but I have never actually driven one.

I guess I will test drive the M3 I was looking at simply for the sake of rectifying this problem.

Bluecold > MS3ws6 03/06/2016 at 15:17

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No proper e24 m6 has ever existed. The m635csi was faster than the us spec m6, but wasn’t called m6 in das vareland because the e28 m5 was faster with the same engine. Because the e24 was obscenely heavy.

maristgrad > AkursedX 03/06/2016 at 15:20

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Do it! Life is too short for this not to happen

Cé hé sin > maristgrad 03/06/2016 at 15:21

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I used to have a 320i just like this:

Some aspire to take their BMW engines to the air of course:

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > maristgrad 03/06/2016 at 15:21

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It might drive me nuts sometimes, but owning and fixing it from the ricey thing it was when I bought it to now has grown me so much not only as a mechanic, but as a car enthusiast.

Sometimes I wonder why I deal with the finicky issues it has, then I take it to country roads where the excellent chassis comes to life and I can hear the silky smooth straight 6 scream and it puts a huge, dumb smile on my face. The occasional issue isn’t so bad then.

It’s my first BMW and it most certainly won’t be my last. There’s just something magical about them that I can’t put my finger on.

WilliamsSW > maristgrad 03/06/2016 at 15:24

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My grandfather’s dream car was a BMW - I presume it was the 2002 originally that he longed for. In 1978 (or 77?), I remember going with him to the dealer when he picked up his brand new 320i. Brown with a beige interior and an automatic transmission. He absolutely loved that car, and I think he got a real kick out of scaring my grandmother driving it. Like most BMW’s, it wasn’t quick, but he loved the handling. Unfortunately, he sold it before I got my license, so I never drove it.

But the E46 is the one that I love most- bought mine new in 2000, and it’s still in my driveway. It’s not quick either (170 HP in a convertible, at least it's a 5 speed), but it still puts a smile on my face every time I drive it. It just feels right, in all the important ways - even if I wouldn't say no to a few more horses.

maristgrad > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 03/06/2016 at 15:25

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Nothing is better than the sound of that 6 on open country roads, I know the feeling!

gmctavish needs more space > maristgrad 03/06/2016 at 15:27

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I think my attainable favourite has to be the E24, they’re amazing to look at, and lovely to drive.

My absolute favourite, money no object, would be the E28 M5

Montalvo > maristgrad 03/06/2016 at 15:27

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My absolute all time favorite must be the E30 M3 but my runner up is definitely the E92.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > maristgrad 03/06/2016 at 15:28

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Oh man, what a tough question. I love BMW so this isn’t easy. My driver’s ed car was a 118d with a stick.

I gotta go with the pre facelift E46 Coupe as favorite BMW car. They’re sexy, sleek, affordable and so much more.

My favorite BMW motorcycle is the R25. My grandfather had one or two in the 50s and 60s

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > maristgrad 03/06/2016 at 15:33

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I briefly owned a E30 325e with 5 other people. One person kept on insisting he was “investing” in the project while thinking he could make a BMW motor run without a MAF. That ended up pissing me so much off I manipulated everyone to turn against him, raising allegations that he spent people’s money on Jack in the box. I ended up selling it. It now has a e46 m3 motor in it.

My favorite BMW is a M235i in Estoril Blue with a red interior in a stick. Moonroof delete.

maristgrad > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 03/06/2016 at 15:36

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Holy cow that sounds like a super interesting story you should make a blog post about it. Buying a BMW with a Kickstarter of 5 friends

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > maristgrad 03/06/2016 at 15:37

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It was 600 dollar

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > maristgrad 03/06/2016 at 15:40

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It cost 600 dollars, was an headache, and didn’t help me at all. And dealing with people who are barely mature enough to not make fart sounds every single minute was a serious pain. I ended up taking executive control right after some one person busted the oil pan into a curb. And thanks to that very person, we almost got ripped off by a bunch of rednecks. It was an interesting 2 months.

CALUSA > maristgrad 03/06/2016 at 15:42

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And the E64 as well.

El Rivinado > maristgrad 03/06/2016 at 15:43

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It was the First BMW that made me appreciate the company's efforts, instead of just dismissing them as Lease-machines driven by douchebags.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > maristgrad 03/06/2016 at 15:43

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My favorite BMW street car: E85 z4m Roadster. It just needs to be Alpine white ext/Imola red int.

The Z3 looked too bland. The E89 Z4 was more GT then basic sports car.

My favorite BMW race car: Kinda a BMW.

Jdrentarol > maristgrad 03/06/2016 at 15:48

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2002 CSL

Chasaboo > maristgrad 03/06/2016 at 15:51

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I’ll take a two wheeled /7 from the 70s thank you very much.

Matt Nichelson > maristgrad 03/06/2016 at 15:53

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I posted yesterday about the e39 I had that met an unfortunate ending. Owning that car, albeit briefly, is what got me into BMW’s in general. I love my e92 just as much, though.

misfitmascots > maristgrad 03/06/2016 at 16:11

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850 CSI first BMW I liked.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > maristgrad 03/06/2016 at 16:25

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My favorite is the first BMW I ever drove. My HS gf’s dad’s new 745i (02), one of the first sold in the US. Looked just like this, down to the big wheel package.

TheHondaBro > maristgrad 03/06/2016 at 16:33

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VEEEEEE TEEEEEEENNNN!!!!!!!!!

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > maristgrad 03/06/2016 at 16:58

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The ones that use this:

RazoE > maristgrad 03/06/2016 at 17:01

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My favorite Bimmer used to be my most hated Bimmer: The BMW Z8. LOOK AT IT! IT IS AWESOME!!

By Spurzem - Lothar Spurzem - Own work, CC BY-SA 2.0 de,

BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo > maristgrad 03/06/2016 at 17:08

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Although it isn’t anything special, I absolutely love the 2015 320i/328i. I’m currently in the market for one. There’s just something special about them that draws me to them. I prefer it to the 340i for some reason. It’s very well balanced and nice to drive. It isn’t THAT fast, but it’s plenty fast for me. They’re just an inexplicable charm to a base 3-Series that I’ve never found in more expensive and faster BMWs. I drove a 435i M Sport recently, but it just wasn’t my cup of tea. I drove a 2014 316i with the 6 speed manual down in Colombia, and I loved it. To each their own, I guess.

(An Alpine White 328i I drove in 2015)

touring the brook - now with ZHP! > maristgrad 03/06/2016 at 17:45

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I’ve driven 2 BMWs, and one of them is by far my favorite. 2016 328i.

Oh man, I want one so bad.

threelitreheater > maristgrad 03/06/2016 at 18:02

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Mine! One of only three individual order interiors for 1995 makes it an unique fist year M3. Got it from a guy that had owned it for 20 years and kept it in really nice condition.

Flynorcal: pilot, offshore sailor, car racer and panty thief > maristgrad 03/06/2016 at 19:10

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This, but larger, and in my driveway.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-1-18-…

Chargingstar - E92 M3 pilot > maristgrad 03/06/2016 at 19:14

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Even though I’m driving an E92 M3 now, the E46 will always be my favorite. Took me a long time to get into one, and this Carbonschwartz ZCP was pure driving bliss. It had a jekyl and hyde personality - it could be raw or contained on the street but on the track the balance was more than I could’ve hoped for.

wiffleballtony > maristgrad 03/06/2016 at 21:44

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pip bip - choose Corrour > maristgrad 03/07/2016 at 03:09

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BMW 700RS , only 2 made.

BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion > maristgrad 03/07/2016 at 13:20

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I’ve never owned one, really. They’re way too expensive here in Brazil, mid to high end luxury and all that shit. Still, my fave’s probably the old 2002 Turbo. It’s like the quintessential euro sport coupe.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > maristgrad 03/07/2016 at 13:25

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E36 M3. The perfect mix of raw, civil, dynamic, style, and power

Patrick Nichols > Hoccy 03/07/2016 at 13:27

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So many questions!

red014 > maristgrad 03/07/2016 at 13:31

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All time favorite would have to be the 507. I mean, look at it...

Tripper > maristgrad 03/07/2016 at 13:33

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“To me driving a BMW made me feel like an adult. My first BMW was the first car I bought all on my own without any help from my family so it holds a pretty special place in my heart. It felt like I was finally free, whatever that means for a recent college grad who forgot he has a mountain of student loan debt and decided to use the sign on bonus from his first real job to buy a 5-year-old BMW, a horrible financial decision I’ve never regretted. “

Exactly this. I was 22 and my car payment was double my rent! Still have the car.

Nibbles > maristgrad 03/07/2016 at 13:34

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I haven’t owned or driven a BMW. The only one I’ve ridden in was my old neighbor’s E38 740iL.

Hoccy > Patrick Nichols 03/07/2016 at 13:34

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This link might answer some of your questions.

BarryDanger > maristgrad 03/07/2016 at 13:37

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Here’s the only BMW I’ve owned haha. It’s a bit ugly but I’m hooked.

maristgrad > BarryDanger 03/07/2016 at 13:43

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That thing is gorgeous what are you talking about!!!

LuczOr > maristgrad 03/07/2016 at 13:49

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My favorite is my car! My ‘02 E39 M5. That being said, there are a few other models I am really interested in. I would love either of the V10 cars or an E85 Z4 M Coupe. Alas, the V10 cars seem like a maintenance nightmare and the M Coupe seems to be holding it’s value incredibly stubbornly.

Maybe I will get a promotion sometime soon?

maristgrad > LuczOr 03/07/2016 at 13:51

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Z4 was such an upgrade over the z3, I think the z4 is a future classic

FTreze > maristgrad 03/07/2016 at 13:58

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2008 E60 M5. Thank you.

KatzManDu > maristgrad 03/07/2016 at 13:59

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I’ve owned both E39s. By that I mean a 2000 M5 and a 2002 520d. The same platform, but one with the 400hp petrol engine, and one with 160hp diesel. Such dramatic differences in power can really highlight the platform.

Flynorcal: pilot, offshore sailor, car racer and panty thief > BarryDanger 03/07/2016 at 13:59

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This is like saying you’ve only slept with two women and neither of them were blonde. Just Angelina Jolie and Sofia Vergarra. That’s all.

Parth985 > maristgrad 03/07/2016 at 14:05

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Mine is also my 02 m5, it’s a pain in the butt to maintain but really fun to drive and they really don’t make them like this anymore...I got mine back after a few months in the shop but had them make me a custom exhaust it's sounds like a what a German v8 is supposed to

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > maristgrad 03/07/2016 at 14:08

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DutchieDC2R > maristgrad 03/07/2016 at 14:11

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I drove a friends E30 325i for a week, while he was on a holiday. The car had a bunch of mods, Eisenmann full exhaust + headers, coilovers etc....really, really fun ride. Above all tho, the sound that 6cyl makes is just........cream-in-pants inducing...its just...wauw....

Ive driven a bunch of other BMW’s, more modern and 1 E21, but that E30....itll never leave my memory....

B_dol > maristgrad 03/07/2016 at 14:11

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The BMW Z4M with a second vote to the clownshoe Z3M. The only BMWs I have lusted after and been able to afford, currently rocking the Z4 variant. Hoping a Z3 clownshoe can join the ranks someday

maristgrad > Parth985 03/07/2016 at 14:18

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Omg those photos just gave me a boner

Mattbob > maristgrad 03/07/2016 at 14:18

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My favorite one is the turd of a 325i I drive. It is rough in a lot of places, and is 25 years old, but it still puts a smile on my face, and is rewarding to work on. Sure, sometimes the electricals act up and the engine doesn’t want to run right sometimes, but that goes away.

RallyWrench > maristgrad 03/07/2016 at 14:28

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In the real world, the one in my garage:

Fantasy land, there are so many good ones but I’ve probably got to go with the 3.5CSL for the time being:

Sweet Trav > maristgrad 03/07/2016 at 14:54

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Kevin Byrd’s “LSM3"

This car is literal perfection.

Steve P > maristgrad 03/07/2016 at 15:09

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I have loved both of my BMW’s. My current DD, an E46 2001 330i Sedan, manual, of course. As well as my last car, an E30 1991 318i Sedan, 5 speed, I think it was a Sport package, never did find out for sure.

They’re just such great cars to drive.

dogisbadob > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 03/07/2016 at 15:11

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This.

Jonee > maristgrad 03/07/2016 at 15:15

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The 600 and the 700. Both are perfect cars. The 600 because it’s an Isetta with a back seat. And, the 700 because it’s a better Beetle. It’s too bad BMW left the people’s car market because they built some dandies.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > maristgrad 03/07/2016 at 15:28

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Calder CSL art car, hands down.

LongbowMkII > maristgrad 03/07/2016 at 15:29

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I’ve only driven a lease special E92 so bmw has a resounding meh from me, but the best looking BMW is the 507. Nom nom nom.

FTreze > TheHondaBro 03/07/2016 at 15:54

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And yet people pay two and a half times the price of a 2009 M5 to buy a yellow 2011 Camaro SS in my country... I can’t understand those people but I’m glad they do so.

BLCKSTRM > maristgrad 03/07/2016 at 17:26

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I think all you’re going to get is “mine” all day long.

All the updates, half the bolt-ons, and just starting to go through the longer-term consumables a second time. The super light APEX Arc-8s are fantastic, and the Style 68s will now be my winter wheels (which, living in Austin, means they’ll be put away for a while).

So reliable with regular maintenance. Shrugs off track duty and hauling kids with equal aplomb.

Just rolled 204k miles today. I will not be getting rid of it - I’m going for a million miles.

The Compromiser > maristgrad 03/07/2016 at 19:06

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She is old enough to be considered Mature... right?

#amidoingthisrite?

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > maristgrad 03/07/2016 at 22:59

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I remember being young and my uncle taking me out in his 740and hauling ass. (don’t know speed ,but the butt dyno was off the charts)