Why BMW's then?

I wasn't too interested about cars until 2001 (at ripe old age of 28) when I got this sudden and unexplainable urge to own a car. I was first thinking about buying Volvo 850 or Audi A4 but neither of them felt enough interesting to spend around 17 000 euros and the urge went away for a while. Then, one day I realised that after all, I maybe could afford a BMW and that re-ignited my interest.

Why BMW you might ask like so many others? Well, I have always fancied a BMW really, I guess it goes on family like so many other incurable diseases. My father has had three of them (E21, E30 and E34), older little brother has had two (E30 and E36) and younger brother has owned one (E30). One of my cousin's had E30 also. And I got my drivers licence driving my dad's E30. Isn't that reason enough?

By the way, the E21 my father sold around 1985 was bought back by him in summer 2003. It seems it will be fixed to it's former glory. Maybe I will write story about it later.

I still remember sitting on our livingroom floor reading glossy M3 brochures (sent to my father by local dealership) as a young boy in 80's. I also remember one sunny day when I was walking on streets of nearest town to us, Savonlinna (famous for the opera festivals), and suddenly seeing shark nosed 6 series car stopping on traffic lights, then speeding away with unearthly sound. That was 20 years ago but that kind of memories tend to stay with you forever!

BMW's design philosophy has certain appeal to me, must be partly the german built quality and certain sporty and youthful image. Also, being an annoying and pedantic engineer type I appreciate the proper solid "feel" of things like instant steering response, pedals, gears...

Of course, BMW is old marque with equally long and interesting history full of interesting factoids for anorak trainspotters like me.

Bit of history

BMW started out making aeroplane engines and the now famous blue and white roundel actually signifies a rotating propeller. BMW comes from words Bayerische Motoren Werke or Bavarian Engine Works. BMW has always emphasized M on it's name, building many of the best car engines ever.

During World War II BMW built large number of 14 cylinder 801D radial engines for Focke Wulf Fw 190A fighter series among other things. They also developed and built BMW 003 jet engine for various jet projects including Arado Ar 234 and Me 262.

After WW II produced number of models until BMW hit jackpot with 'Neue Klass' in 60's. A classic 2002 model combined unheard performance and built quality to a small car. Those cars sold well (in fact they saved BMW from bancrupcy) and it gave BMW possibility to expand their production range of cars. I think BMW is the only car manufacturer which has made profit every year after 60's! A small sporty sedan proved winning concept, a market segment other manufacturers have tried to enter but nobody has yet matched the BMW.

BMW's image

BMW has a strong image to say atleast. It was the definite yuppie mobile of 80's (alongside with Porsche 911) and the brand still carries that label. In Finland (which was just awakening to capitalism and true free market that time) BMW was car of choice for upwardly mobile people, Porsche's were just too expensive.

Reading biggest finnish car magazine Tekniikan Maailma gives you a clear idea how BMW was viewed then and to some extent even now. While high quality and responsive handling were praised, remarks about strong, and not always positive, image were said. Mostly they had something to do with neighbours and jelousy... Buy this car if you can take jelous comments etc.

I also personally have find out that BMW causes strong emotions, no matter how old it is. Most often heard questions is WHY!?!? I guess you can get the same room and performance for less money, to buy a BMW is then needless and pointlessly expensive and that must mean you are show off. I guess it's difficult to understand if you are not that interested about engineering and quality.

90's brit pop giants Blur and Oasis both used BMW on their lyrics:

It seems they hold BMW as a somekind of symbol of middle class. Wealthy enough not to drive Ford, not wealthy enough to drive Porsche.

BMW Motorsport

BMW has been always known for certain racing image that has appealed to so many. Legendary E30 bodied M3 is perhaps the most famous and succesful BMW mass production car that has been used on racetrack.

On 70's BMW produced engines for Germany's F2 class and Finland's first F1 champion Keke Rosberg used to drive one.

On 80's BMW won F1 manufacturer's championship with Brabham and Nelson Piquet with 1,5 liter turbocharged engine that could provide 1200 horsepower reliably or 1500 for qualifying. Perhaps the most notable fact is that engine was based on same block as was used on normal BMW roadcars, indeed at first they used blocks that had been used for 100 000 kilometers which had less internal tensions! As a fuel they used synthetic benzin distilled from coal, same method was used by Germany during fuel shortages during WW II. These BMW produced engines were, and still are, the most powerful engines ever used on F1 car. More info can be read at here.

Currently (on 2004) BMW is associated with team Williams in Formula 1 but I have heard rumours that BMW will form their own Formula 1 team.

Blue / Violet / Red stripes with white M is emblem for BMW Motorsport unit which has designed and produced many legendary products like M1, M3 and M5. Their knowledge on tuning chassis and normally aspirated engines is well recognized.

Unlike some other manufacturers BMW uses mostly production models to produce race cars.

My BMW´s

BMW's I own or have owned in chronological order.

1994 BMW 325i Coupe E36, bought 11/2002, sold 07/2003.

2002 BMW M3i Coupe E46, bought 06/2004.

Not bored yet? Onwards to next page then!