Drive-My Blogs

First drive - Against all odds… While the MPV sector might be struggling, BMW is bucking the trend with its popular 2 Series Active and Gran Tourers models. Matt Robinson reports on the latest LCI variants. Photos: BMW UK.

I’s amazing what manufacturers or, perhaps more precisely, their overpaid marketing departments and advertising agencies, deem newsworthy these days. Hardly a day goes by without some spurious rubbish pinging its way into my inbox, and I must confess that most of the dross is sent to the virtual wastebasket with the most cursory of glances.

What began as a fun family-oriented project for Jeff De Lucia has morphed into a combination of track toy and promotional tool. Ladies and gentlemen, charge your glasses… Words: Daniel Bevis. Photos: Matt Petrie.

Orange Rush 322whp turbo 1602. With irresistible classic charm and turbo power, this gorgeous 1602 is practically perfect in every way. Words: Elizabeth de Latour Photos: Patrik Karlsson.

S54 E30 track beast Ferocious 3 Series. Tracking Device S54-swapped track E30. Dani Simmons’ E30 318iS has come a long way from the slightly frilly daily-driver he bought when he was 18. Years down the line, it’s now a track-focused superstar with E46 M3 power and pure race car DNA… Words: Daniel Bevis. Photos: Ade Brannan.

490HP V8 E30 Supercharged sleeper. Completely standard on the outside and with nothing to give the game away, this supercharged V8-powered E30 Touring just might be the ultimate sleeper. Words: Elizabeth de Latour Photos: Matt Richardson.

Boost Mode 680whp turbo BMW M3 E46. Making a mighty 680whp from its turbocharged S54, this full-on E46 M3 is one hell of a performance machine. Words: Elizabeth de Latour. Photos: Peter Wu.

When it comes to the business of lying low and looking good, this E38 is at the top of the corporate food chain. Words: Elizabeth de Latour. Photos: Matt Richardson.

Slick Air-Ride E24 635. This BMW 635CSi E24 has lived a full life, being properly used rather than hidden away. And today, with the help of Alexander Bachmann and LX-Felgen, the beautifully-weathered E24 is opening a new chapter in its varied experiences… Words: Daniel Bevis. Photos: Matt Dear.

Engine in focus We spotlight the M60/M62 V8s. BMW M60-62 V8 Technical expert Andrew Everett lifts the lid on the V8 engines BMW produced between 1992 and 2003, with varying degrees of success. The  V8 was used to power the E53 X5 4.6iS, and was an engine developed by Alpina.

BMW E38 7 Series Trouble-shooter: Practical pointers and tips for owners. It’s now 24 years since the first E38 7 Series arrived to replace the much-loved E32. With similar 3.0- and 4.0-litre M60 V8 engines, a bigger 5.4-litre V12 750i was also included in the range.

Superseded by the current F90 model, BMW’s previous-generation F10 M5 provides stunning performance with cutting-edge tech and, as Guy Baker explains, prices start at just £22,000.

Buying an E65/E66 7 Series. High-tech bargain or unreliable, expensive nightmare? We tell all. A step too far? If you enjoy your creature comforts as well as driving pleasure, and are feeling daring, then something from the E65 7 Series range could be just the ticket, as Chris Graham explains.

M Power of the Sun. The sun’s always shining in Arfan Talib’s world. Why? Because he’s driving the M5 he always dreamed of, as. Dan Bevis discovers. Photos: Chris Frosin.

495HP TURBO M3 Hardcore 2.5 S14-powered E30 Most people would have reservations about taking a genuine E30 M3 and radically altering it. But Joep Raijmakers isn’t most people… Words: Daniel Bevis. Photos: Ron Veth.

900hp 7.0-litre V8 carbon-Kevlar E92. Words: Daniel Bevis. Photos: Viktor Benyi. Super-strong, ultra-light and frighteningly powerful – HGK Racing’s Eurofighter E92 is the ultimate drift weapon. Fight or flight? Why not both?

Powerhaus Epic 978whp turbo S50 E30 M3. With a turbocharged S50 under the bonnet producing over 1100hp, this stunning, daily-driven E30 M3 is nothing short of a masterpiece. Words: Elizabeth de Latour. Photos: Vojislav Vujanic and Aleksandar Savin.

With a monster engine making over 1000whp, this is the planet’s most powerful F10 M5. Brace yourself… Words: Elizabeth de Latour. Photos: Viktor Benyi.

First Drive F80 M3 CS Glorious Swansong. This is the M3 CS, the last of the F80 generation M3s, and it’s an absolute belter. Words: Bob Harper. Photos: BMW.

800HP E34 540i Insane turbo Touring. Putting brawns over beauty, this 800hp turbo E34 540i Touring has been built to go sideways as fast as possible and that’s something it’s very good at. Words: Elizabeth de Latour. Photos: Patrik Karlsson.