Last week I brought you my BimmerFest Europe 2024 coverageEurope’s most important BMW event, held at Raceway Venray in the Netherlands.
Following on from this, I decided to pick my top three cars to share with you. Of course, that’s easier said than done with so many great BMWs on display, but I picked one from the 80s, one from the 90s and a contemporary machine with some classic inspiration. Let’s get started…
Mark van den Burg’s E28 in Alpine White is a familiar sight at European car meets. At first glance, it looks like a fairly standard car, apart from the lowered stance and fresh paint. However, closer inspection reveals numerous details that only true E28 fans would recognise.
The most noticeable modification is the conversion to single headlights – something I’ve never seen before. Mark did this transformation himself, including the modification of the grille, which I believe required a 3D printer. Below the grille sits an M5 front spoiler and to create an even tighter look, the license plate recess has been removed.
Under the hood is an M54B30 engine – originally found in models like the 2000 BMW X5 – mated to a 5-speed E46 transmission. For me, the most striking feature is the meticulous attention to detail in the engine bay. Mark created an entirely new, longer wiring loom so that all the cables could be neatly routed away. The battery has been relocated to the trunk and replaced with a fuse box. Mark also used his 3D printer to create an air filter housing, which he then covered in carbon fiber for a clean look.
The wheels are Schmidt TH Lines measuring 18×8” up front and 18×9.5” in the rear. The rear wheels sit under newly welded E24 6-series arches. I’ve seen this done with E30 arches, but the E24 arches are slightly wider, allowing for wider rear wheels. Without knowing it, I may never have noticed these intricate details.
GAZ Gold coilovers lower the car considerably, but this wasn’t possible before special spindle risers were installed for improved geometry and handling.
Mark’s BMW E28 is a masterclass in subtlety and precision. Every modification, from the unique headlight conversion to the carefully concealed wiring, shows a level of craftsmanship that is truly remarkable.
GP Products from the Netherlands has delivered a masterpiece with the legendary BMW E36 M3 GT as inspiration. The E36 M3 GT has an almost mythical status among BMW enthusiasts. Introduced in 1994 as a homologation model for the FIA GT series, only 356 units were produced, all painted in British Racing Green. The BMW M3 GT had a 3.0-liter straight-six engine that produced 295 hp and 323 Nm of torque.
Meet the G87 series BMW M2, reimagined as the BMW M2 GT – a modern homage to the iconic E36 M3 GT. Painting the M2 in BRG was an obvious choice, but only after an order had been placed with Alpha-N, who supplied a carbon fibre hood, carbon Version 4 fenders and a spoiler. The grille has been swapped out for an Alpha-N version, while at the rear you’ll find a carbon fibre diffuser, also from Alpha-N.
The transformation goes beyond aesthetics. The turbochargers are from Ladermanufaktur and can produce up to 1,000 hp. To optimize the new turbochargers, Akrapovič downpipes were installed, which route exhaust gases through a complete titanium exhaust system from the same manufacturer. To improve engine breathing, a CSF An aluminum intake manifold was installed, combined with a full carbon Eventuri air intake kit.
Last but not least, the wheels are from HRE’s vintage series, a clear nod to the original BMW Motorsport wheels that came with the E36 M3 GT. The 528 FMR-Xs measure 20×10-inch at the front and 21×11-inch at the rear.
And then there’s the elephant in the room you’ve probably already noticed: the BMW M1000R. It’s made entirely in the style of the BMW E36 M3 GT and is a perfect match for the M2. The spec list for this bike is almost longer than that of the M2, mainly because every single plastic part has been replaced with the carbon fiber equivalent. While I’m not normally a huge fan of motorcycles, I’d happily make an exception for this machine.
The GP Products M2 GT and matching M1000R are a stunning tribute to the legendary E36 M3 GT, combining modern performance with classic BMW style in a way that will captivate enthusiasts for years to come.
At BimmerFest Europe 2024, Z Performance Wheels presented a Top 10 gallery and the car that really stood out for me was this red BMW E36 built by Unlimited Auto from Weiden, Germany.
Let’s start with what’s under the hood, where the standard engine has been swapped for a V12. This M70 engine was BMW’s first V12, originally found in the E31 850CSi.
The E36’s engine bay was spacious enough for the V12, and Unlimited Auto also managed to fit two BorgWarner S366 SX-E turbos. Thanks to these turbos, the engine achieved impressive figures on the test bench: 1,012 hp and 1,182 Nm of torque. What I like most about the installation is the symmetry that has been achieved. It just looks like it belongs there; nothing is out of place.
The exterior is dominated by a widebody kit from Unlimited Auto’s custom design. Normally I’m not a fan of body kits that stick out so abruptly, but here it works well with the sharper lines of the E36.
Inside the wheel arches you’ll find a set of Carline CM6 wheels, very popular in the BMW community. The wheels are 19×10 inch in the front and 19×12 inch in the rear, with the rear tires measuring a whopping 305mm wide. Still, the owner stated that they could leave black stripes in third gear. KW Suspensions supplied their V3 shocks with airbags, while H&R supplied the stabilizer bars.
This car is not only an eye-catcher, but also a testament to the incredible craftsmanship and innovation that Unlimited Auto has to offer.
Jeroen Willemsen
Instagram: jacojeroen