Blog

Survival Guide. Find low-cost deals Ian Cushway searches out new and used parts prices  BMW Z4 E85 / E86. The talented German roadster still looks good, and if you shop around for parts it’s a viable alternative to less posh two-seaters.

Whilst killing some time at the office I was surfing the internet and found a German track day company called pistenclub.de which holds around 200 track days a year all over Europe from Austria to Zandvoort in Holland. Browsing through the list of track days I noticed a two-day special at Spa Francorchamps and the one that interested me – the Nürburgring.

What’s in your Garage? One man’s love affair with his fully restored Isetta. The car that saved the company? No, not really, but the BMW Isetta 300 remains a bucket load of fun nonetheless as witnessed by Colin Marcham’s fine example. Words and photography: Mike Taylor.

Buying Guide. The E60 might not have quite the following of the E39 but the six-pot petrol models are a great buy. BMW E60 5 Series straight-six petrol models. The E60 5 Series was a great car and provided you buy wisely we reckon one of the six-pot petrol-engined machines is a great used buy. Words: Bob Harper and Andy Everett. Photography: David Shepherd and BMW.

Touring, MPV or soft-roader: which is the best family wagon? New X1 takes on the 220d Gran Tourer and 320d Touring. Do you really need a junior SUV or a 4x4? Wouldn’t a 3 Series Touring do the job just as well? BMW makes several models that can fill the role of family transport but should you choose a traditional estate, an MPV or a soft-roader? Words: Bob Harper. Photography: Max Earey.