I always knew my car would be a bimmer at some point or another, but sometimes determining exactly when that decision was made is puzzling. Maybe because I was really young and I can’t recall my thoughts and aspirations from those early years or perhaps it’s more likely that this intention got built up over time and there isn’t a single point in time to refer to.
Regardless of how it all started, here I will try to illustrate some of the different aspects that have drawn me to this wonderful brand of cars.
If they were shown just a few signature lines and shapes, most people would recognize a bimmer. This is the classic look that has been part of every model since the early 1930s. Most notable of these is the kidney grille. This is something that was appealing to me from the beginning, this unmistakable distinction that runs across the whole line-up and has deep roots in history. Sold.
The predecessor to the 3 series. You would be surprised how many of these are still on the road. Then again BMW still makes all the parts for it.
1968-1975
The quintessential executive from the 80s, the 5 series. Your father would have had one of these back in the day, if he got what he really wanted.
1981-1988
One of the aspects in the design of many of the BMW models is that aggressive look. This is achieved with the front shape and angles as with E24, the bumpers, and more consistently the front lights arrangement. These characteristics really work for someone that is not looking for a tame car, it’s just slightly more masculine.
I’m not sure if it’s actually part of the bimmer lingo, but I refer to the E39 as having a frown and a bit of aggression is about to be unleashed and I like the personality.
The direct predecessor to the 7 series. It's luxurious and sporty but that styling is just menacing.
1968-1977
The original 6 series coupé has a predatory shark look. This model looks better with each year that passes.
1976-1989
If you’re like me you would have grown up watching James Bond movies even before you recognized they were all part of the same series. And if you’re my age, Pierce Brosnan would have been the coolest guy on tv. The 90s came about with a ‘modern era’ of Bond after the longest break between films and with that came a replacement for the famous Aston, a BMW. What?!
Some were irate! How can an British bloke drive a German car?! Well he did and it was cool on so many levels! Bond drove 3 different models in 3 films and each had their distinct stories and appeal. For me, it’s the E38 from Tomorrow Never Dies. The gadget-filled 7 series sedan being hopelessly chased in a Hamburg parking lot still stands as one of my favourite scenes in the franchise. There’s always a smile on my face no matter how many times I’ve seen it. This generation of models is by far my dearest, duh!
The security on the car's reveal was so tight in 1995, that the production only managed a couple of short scenes in GoldenEye.
1995-2002
It all came to a pinnacle in Tomorrow Never Dies. The gadget-filled 7 series sedan gave Bond fanatics exactly what they were looking for.
1995-2001
This super car that Bond uses in The World Is Not Enough, had lots of potential, but the movie baddies eventually sawed it in half, ouch!
1999-2003
Although I had been to Germany as a small kid, it has always been on my wishlist to make another (proper) visit after having learned a lot more about this unique and interesting place. In April 2011, I did just that. I jumped on a Lufthansa flight and flew over for 3 weeks and made stops in 5 different cities including Berlin, Hamburg, Hannover and Frankfurt.
The European giant has many appeals for visitors like me, the history, the delicious food, the established culture, the historic landmarks, the famous sports teams, and of course the car industry. Munich was my last stop on my trip, the grand finale. The main attractions were the Olympiapark and BMW Headquarters. After spending some time in Bavaria’s capital, I quickly realized that I was in a pretty cool place. Not only the museum, but the whole city seemed to appeal to me in some way or another, even if at least for the duration of my visit.
At this point, I already knew I would be getting a bimmer in the near future, but having been to the place where this formidable car comes from, only solidified my decision down the line.
Produced before and after WWII, this chassis endured a long production life in a critical phase of BMW.
1937-1955
The 3-wheel bubble shaped car was unique (and cute), nothing else in the BMW's history is quite like it.
1955-1956
