Innehållsförteckning för July /Summer 2024 från TOTAL BMW

Hello and welcome to what is, very sadly, the last-ever issue of Total BMW, and I’m incredibly upset to be reporting that news because I’ve loved bringing you this magazine every month. Total BMW is the most recent – but hopefully not final – entry in what has been a wonderful journalism career, and I’ve got to enjoy a dream job I never thought I’d be able to attain. My career has spanned multiple magazines and editorships, and enjoying cars and getting to write about them has been an absolute joy. They say that if you find a job you love, you’ll never work a day in your life, and while I don’t think that’s completely true, this is about as close to that as it’s possible to get. I…

NEWS BMW News BMW has revealed full details of the awesome new M4 CS. With model-specific chassis tuning and minimised weight, it promises to be a thrilling machine, and production of this hardcore special model will start in July 2024 at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing, with order books opening in late May. The M4 CS is priced from £117,100, with the first deliveries in the UK arriving in Autumn 2024. With 550hp on tap and 479 lb ft of torque available from 2750-5950rpm, the M4 CS sprints from 0-62mph in just 3.4 seconds, with 0-124mph taking 11.1 seconds, and it recorded a 7-minute 21.989-second lap of the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife circuit. The top speed is electronically limited to 188 mph. The M4 CS comes fitted with the eight-speed M Steptronic gearbox, and…

Many will tell you that the CS versions of the M3 past were the best of the breed. Since the first, the E46-based M3 CS of 2005 ("Competition Package" outside of the UK), they didn't have the pressure of the CSLs to live up to, so were happy in their relatively subtle skins. There's nothing subtle about the skin of this new G80-generation CS. Admittedly, the test car is in retina-searing Signal green, but even without that, it gets a menacing visual makeover. especially at the front. The exposed carbon fibre weave of the roof and door mirror caps is echoed in the sculpting of the new bonnet, while the jutting aerodynamic splitter is extended to include extra winglets at its extremities. Again, all in lightweight carbon fibre. BMW has…

F32 435i It feels like the non-M members of the Fx 3 and 4 Series family haven’t proved that popular when it comes to modifying, but cars like Neel Patel’s (@vader_f32) absolutely jawdropping 435i build show just what’s possible, and he’s put together a stunning machine. What makes this F32 even more impressive is the fact that not only is it Neel’s first BMW, it’s actually his first car and his first-ever modified build, and there’salot of passion that’s been poured into this project. “I have been interested in BMWs for as long as I can remember. It started with Need for Speed Most Wanted, which I am sure gave birth to a huge BMW fan base,” grins Neel. “The E46 M3 GTR in the game was my favourite car.…

The benchmark for super-saloons since 1984, BMW’s M5 is set to metamorphose into a seventh generation, complete with hybrid power. But before the all-new M5 supersedes the current F90 model, there’s still plenty of time to savour the virtues of earlier generations, especially the E39, E60 and F10 models, which – incredibly – can all be bought for similar money. Yes, you read that right. Decent E39 M5s change hands for between £17,000 and £39,000, good E60s sell for £15,000 to £35,000, and a nice F10 M5 will set you back anywhere from £15,000 to £36,000 – so if you’re lucky enough to possess £25,000 to spend on your next BMW, you could choose any one of them. So, which one would you buy? E39 M5 Saloon (1998-2003) Classic V8…

Where do we start with this one? This is by far the most powerful M140i we’ve featured, and the story behind its build is one of vision, dedication and hard graft. But perhaps it’s better to begin by talking about what it isn’t… you see, it may still say ‘M140i’ on the sill plates, but this boisterous hatchback has transcended the hot hatch genre and evolved some way beyond what it emerged from the factory as. There’s been a strong line of M(x) cars over the decades, and that’s very much what this car identifies as. It’s a home-brew M1. Except that, no, it cannot be that because the M1 is already a rather different thing. “I always believed that BMW should have made the M140i into something more like…

F80 M3 BMW’s decision to make the saloon a staple of the M3 lineup was a very good one because it opened up the mid-size M machine to fans who needed the extra doors for added practicality, instantly boosting the model’s appeal. And we have to say that the transformation of the 3 Series from humble saloon to full-on M car is one that we are very big fans of. The combination of the narrower body and wide arches is just so good and gives the M3 Saloon a real sense of pumped-up muscle It’s precisely this that steered Lawrence Liu (@lawrence_s_liu, @ jqwerks) towards the F80 M3 when he was shopping for a new car, and this is a man who takes his BMWs very seriously because, despite only…

BMW’s back catalogue of iconic machinery is extensive, and while some have achieved cult status, others have remained in the background, seemingly not being quite as loved as the others. It’s a shame that what is generally the flagship model, the 7 Series, is far too often overlooked when it comes to the pantheon of BMW greats. In their day, each generation has been at the cutting edge, often featuring technology and options that would gradually filter down to the rest of the range. However, there is an upside to this for the discerning enthusiast, as these machines can represent startling value for money when compared to their supposedly more desirable brethren. Take the second-generation Seven, the E32, for example, and you’ll find that there are machines out there that…

Another relatively quiet month for the Harper fleet, I’m afraid – the cars have been boringly reliable, and I’ve been busy with boring middle-aged life stuff. Not a lot has gone wrong, but the fleet has been put to good use, with the X3 whisking us away to the Lake District for a family gathering and the 530i being pressed into more frequent use as my son has taken his MINI off to Devon where he’s been working. When he’s in London, he walks to work, so the MINI is usually sitting around not doing much, so I use that to punt around the London streets. It’s such fun to drive and is so much more economical than the Touring that it makes sense to use it rather than let…

SUPERCHARGED E46 M3 The exterior is a mix of CSL and GTR. The genuine CSL boot lid makes the rear of the car mated with one of our CSL rear diffusers – it’s an undeniably timeless look What we love about doing this for so long is that we sometimes revisit cars we've featured before. It doesn't happen often because of the nature of the modified scene and the fact that people move on to new projects. But some owners are committed to their cars, and once they've been featured, they continue modifying them, evolving them ever further, and this E46 M3 is one of those cars. It belongs to Pete Sidwell (@ psiddy81), a name you might well be familiar with because he is a pillar of the modified…

Following the arrival of the X1, BMW decided it needed a Sports Activity Coupé variant in the form of the X2, which duly arrived in its first format in 2017 as the F39. It was an odd car, though. BMW was keen to call it an SAC (cough) in all of its literature and even went to the trouble of including a conceit last seen on the glorious E9 Coupés built from 1968 to 1975 – namely, fitting a blue-and-white roundel onto the C-pillars of the X2 – but, it never really looked like a coupé. It had a more hatchback-like stance, which merely raised the question of why you’d pick a slightly less practical, slightly more expensive take on the second-generation F48 X1 if it didn’t, in fact, look…

We can probably stop saying that the E21 deserves a lot more love than it gets because it feels like we’ve featured some really stunning examples in recent months, and we reckon it’s now getting the attention it should be. However, among all the E21 feature cars we’ve had over the years, we’ve never seen anything quite like this, so what better way to go out on a bang in the last issue than running just about the wildest first-gen 3 Series you’ll find anywhere in the world? The man responsible for the wild creation you see here is Paul Foster (@bmwe21motorsport), and, delving into his car history, it’s no surprise that he’s ended up building an E21. “My first car was an E21 323i, and it has always been…

It’s wild to think that, a few years ago, the E36 was the most unloved 3 Series, with ropey examples selling for virtually pennies, yet now, it’s rapidly becoming an appreciated and appreciating modern classic BMW, and considering how far the E36 had fallen at one point makes builds like Florin’s (@ prodigalson_666) all the more impressive. But rest assured, no matter how good this E36 may look at first glance – and it does look very good indeed – nothing can prepare you for how special this car really is. Florin is the owner of Prodigal Son Customs Limited, where he spends his days restoring and customising cars, so it’s not too much of a surprise that he owns a restored and customised E36, and taking his talents into…

Even after featuring so many modified BMWs, there are still cars out there that make us stop in our tracks, that make our jaw drop, and make our heart beat that much faster, and Lincoln Stevens’ (@e30_blood_sweat_ nyears) absolutely epic V8 E30 is exactly that sort of car. Just look at it. Really look at it – don’t gloss over these photos, drink in every detail. The colour, the wheels, the engine bay and that interior – it’s art, there’s no other way to describe a build like this. Lincoln has poured so much love, work, and sheer passion into this build, and the stunning result that sits before us here today was worth all of that. “I’ve been interested in BMWs since I was in my early 20s,” smiles…

S54 E46 SALOON Putting an S54 into an E46, which never came with one, feels like the most natural thing to do. It’s such an iconic engine, so it seems criminal that BMW only saw fit to put it into two body styles, denying buyers even the option of an S54 saloon, which seems rather silly considering the E46 M3’s predecessor was offered in four-door form. Enter Aaron-Ross Jimenez (@ thasssdope), who decided that what he needed in his life was a four-door E46 M3, and proceeded to assemble the absolutely full-on build you see before you today. Considering Aaron’s very serious day job is being an endocrinologist, it’s perhaps not at all surprising that he has taken a very serious approach to this M3 build, and it’s an awesome…

The 1980s was the decade of big changes, both political and economic. The Cold War fizzled out, the Berlin Wall came down, and computers really started to take off, with the likes of Microsoft, Apple and Intel becoming household names. It was the decade of the redbraced city trader, personified by Gordon Gekko in Wall Street. Bigger was better, and greed was good. Fashions were dodgy, hairstyles were even worse and rock, disco, punk and funk were replaced by synthesised nonsense – it was an odd decade. These dodgy fashion choices were reflected in our cars too, with the svelte styling of the ’60s and ’70s morphing into more aggressive shapes, and when it came to the aftermarket, it was definitely a case of the brasher the better. There wereahost…

Designed to take the fight to Mercedes’ A45 AMG and Audi’s RS3, the F20 fivedoor M140i is the only one of the trio packing a potent six-cylinder powerplant. Combined with rear-wheel-drive, this makes for a uniquely engaging driving experience and all but assures its future classic status. Produced between 2016 and 2019, with a facelift in 2017, there are plenty of great examples around, and this has led to falling prices, making the M140i exceptionally good value right now. Decent examples sell for between £14,500 and £22,0000, and with all cars boasting a high spec and five-door practicality, the F20 appeals to the head, as well as the heart. Launched in 2016 and sold with a six-speed Getrag manual and a very popular optional ZF eight-speed auto, the F20 five-door…

It feels like the G8x M3 and M4 duo came out five minutes ago, but this mighty M pairing has been on sale for three years now, long enough for prices to have started dropping and long enough for them to start making more frequent appearances on the modified BMW scene. While neither car is what we’d consider to be affordable just yet, if you’re thinking about getting stuck into some modding, a little inspiration goes a long way. Daniel Song’s (@ drvn.daniel, @drvnmind) G82 M4 build is the perfect car to serve up all the inspiration you could possibly want and so much more, as well as showcasing just what is possible when you let your imagination run wild and unleash your creativity to the full. Daniel’s introduction to…

The debut of the E34 M5 was perhaps BMW’s equivalent of the famed ‘difficult second album’ in the music business. The E28 M5 that preceded the E34 might not have sold in huge numbers – a little over 2000 were made – but it received universal praise from everyone who drove it and offered a beguiling sense of fun that captivated the press and lucky owners in equal measure. It was a hard act to follow, and when the first press reports emerged, the E34 generation of M5 didn’t receive universal praise. Car reckoned it was “massively competent but not really fun to drive”, while Fast Lane summed it up as “a very expensive, impressive car… it’s faster and safer than its predecessor… I just wish I wanted to drive…

Out of all of BMW’s most revered models, for us, the one that stands head and shoulders above all the others is the E9 CSL. It’s achingly beautiful and is an absolute peach to drive, and backs this up with a peerless competition history, winning a hatful of European Touring Car Championships, as well as numerous 24-hour race wins. Its history and charms have been well documented, so this month we’re going to do it slightly differently and have a look at one man’s love affair with the E9 CSL that’s been going on for over 30 years. Meet Jon Furley, a professional photographer by trade and a big BMW fan when he’s not working for his advertising or corporate clients. Jon’s first BMW was a 2002tii, but it was…

TURBO 1502 When it comes to classics, there are two distinct schools of thought. Some are intent on restoring and preserving classics, keeping them as they were always meant to be, and enjoying them in their original form. And then there are people like Jake (@02j_r), who loves classics, but, as you can clearly see from his 1502 build, he’s certainly not averse to getting stuck in with some modifying. When the results are as good as this, no one’s complaining. Jake’s day job is somewhat of an aquatic one, managing social media and repairing bait boats for Boatman UK, but at least this hobby of his (he might do watery things we don’t know about) is a land-based one we can get behind, and Jake is very much one…

I mentioned in the last update that Ed from the 777 Garage spotted that the passenger-side boot hinge was slightly bent, which, in turn, was causing the security circlip to come loose when opening or closing the boot, resulting in the hydraulic ram failing and causing the potential for the boot to slam shut under its own weight. With that in mind, and me preferring not to have my head or hands chopped off, I ordered a replacement boot hinge, which, to my surprise, was still available from BMW and was not too expensive either. When the hinge arrived, I sent it over to my local bodyshop who, very nicely, tried their hardest to get me to paint it myself, and they would supply the materials since they said it…

(@abcarpix) Over the past decade, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed E36 life. They’re the cars that got me into BMWs and the model which I’ve kept coming back to. There’s something special about the simple, elegant styling, which, when left stock, is great, or very easily made to look hard as nails with nothing more than good wheels and a drop. The driving experience, to me, is the absolute sweet spot of motoring. All the simplicity of a pre-21st century car with no irritating driver aids, or overly complex electrics, but everything that you need from a modern car is right there, and it all works so well. I’m a serial car collector/hoarder/addict, but if I really had to have only one car, it probably would be an E36. This 323i was…