BimmerFest is the most important car event in Europe, exclusively for BMW enthusiasts. It is now a fixed date on my calendar.
This year was no exception; last month I headed to Raceway Venray, the fastest half-mile oval circuit in Europe, here in the Netherlands, armed with an empty memory card and a fully charged camera.
The unique location requires good running shoes, as you will spend half your time standing on the ramp. As you can see, the steep ramp is no joke.
As always, certain paddocks were reserved for specific BMW themes. This year at BimmerFest Europe, there were special areas for Alpina, classics and a custom Top 10 selected by Z-Performance wheels.
Several BMW clubs also had their own spaces, the largest of which was MFlight. Most of the members of this club are from America, but are stationed at an American base just across the border in Germany.
The cars that caught my eye the most were the twin-turbo V12 E36 (stay tuned for a closer look in a follow-up spot) and the E23 7-Series on the H&R stand.
I have a soft spot for older models, but this M3 Touring G81 also caught my attention, despite the controversial kidney grille.
BimmerFest Europe proves every year why it is the ultimate meeting place for BMW enthusiasts. And that was no different in 2024 at Raceway Venray.
At Manhart, aesthetics come second. Unlike other German tuners, Manhart always starts under the hood, putting performance above all else. This philosophy is clearly visible in their latest creation, the MH5, a re-engineered M5 available in various power configurations. The model you see here is equipped with the ‘900’ package, which amounts to a staggering 928 hp and 1,240 Nm of torque. For comparison, the standard M5 already has an impressive 625 hp and 750 Nm.
From London to Las Vegas to Venray, the R44 Performance M3 Touring has seen more of the world in one year than I have.
In BMW circles, AC Schnitzer needs absolutely no introduction. This M2 demo car shows off all the components the German tuner has to offer for the model – from software programming that takes the car to 560 hp and 650 Nm, to a carbon spoiler and canards, custom wheels and lowering springs.
In my eyes, the E46 M3 is the best looking of the M3 generations. This particular M3 came to the event from England. In my book, having AP Racing calipers means you’ve built a serious machine, and here they’re just the start of the performance upgrades.
The first generation M2, the F87, makes the latest generation look like a giant. This particular car is equipped with Moton Suspension and Titan7 wheels, resulting in a distinctive and precisely tuned machine.
This Touring started out as a 316d and has been transformed by Full Car Tuning, using an M3 CS F80 as a donor. The result is a unique and expertly crafted fusion of two different models.
The Manhart MH8 5.0 V8 is a limited edition, of which only five were ever made. This is #1. The base for this build was a 1990 850i, with its original V12 engine swapped out for a 4.9L V8 S62B50 from a BMW E39 M5.
Only 259 examples of this Alpina E21 2.8-liter model were ever produced, making it a rare find. The engine comes from a 528i, which Alpina further tuned to produce 200 hp and 248 Nm of torque. These figures were quite impressive in 1988.
In the Alpina lineup I saw this E36 Touring, which in the Touring version appears to be a B8 4.6. This car is rare. When it was made, Alpina could not increase the displacement of the original E34 540i 4.0-liter V8 block due to the Alusil-coated cylinder walls, so BMW forged a new block specifically for this application, increasing the displacement to 4.6 liters.
This BMW E9 is probably one of the most beautiful BMWs ever made and shines in Diamant Schwarz. At the front, a CSL air deflector and bumper removal make for an even more attractive look, while the wheels, although slightly oversized, complement the aesthetics perfectly.
This Z1 is no stranger to Speedhunters; it was presented last year via IAMTHESPEEDHUNTER. It’s a stunning machine, from every angle.
While all of BMW’s popular models were represented, BimmerFest Europe 2024 saw a clear shift towards the M3 Touring and the new M2.
As the sun set over Raceway Venray, the roar of engines and the camaraderie of like-minded enthusiasts filled the paddock, leaving an indelible impression on yet another unforgettable BimmerFest Europe event.
I’m not done with my coverage yet. Stay tuned for a spotlight feature on some of my favorite BMWs from the event.
Jeroen Willemsen
Instagram: jacojeroen
