Fancy a retro BMW but don’t fancy the cost of an M5 or 635CSi? We run through some of the alternative classics

Words Paul Wager   |   Pictures Total BMW

The world of classic BMWs is rather different from the average classic car scene: with their engineering heritage and focus on driving appeal, even the older BMW models are still able to keep up with modern traffic and stand up to the rigours of everyday use rather better than ’70s and ’80s products from the likes of Alfa Romeo and BL. They may rust like anything else made from mild steel, but you don’t find leaf springs, 1950s engine technology and lever arm dampers underneath the Bavarians.... and there’s not a Marina door handle in sight.

The problem is though, there’s a big difference between the M-badged range toppers and the prosaic entry level models, which as any retro BMW fancier will know, means that all the decent 323i’s and M535i’s have been hoovered up by owners building up retro performance weapons. Throw in the growing appeal of all things ’80s and it’s getting tricky to find decent examples of the more exciting models.

It pays not to get hung up on M badges and BBS cross-spokes though: just look a couple of rungs down the ladder and you’ll find plenty of options offering much more classic appeal than yet another old Jag or MG.

Here, then are our ideas for getting yourself some ’70s and ’80s classic BMW action without breaking the bank.

'80s Revival

So why the sudden rise in popularity of everything ’80s? Leaving aside the influence of popular culture in the shape of shows like Life On Mars, it’s got a lot to do with the state of the art in car design during the decade. The ’80s was the era which brought us what we know as the modern car: products like the MGB with its lever arm dampers and cart springs were no longer good enough in an era which pioneered electronic fuel injection and anti-lock brakes and BMW was at the forefront of the technology. Even the most basic E28 came with ABS as standard for example and most of the ’80s cars came with fuel injection, meaning no messing about with manual chokes on cold mornings.

Cars were better built during the ’80s too and things like partial bodyshell galvanising put an end to the spectre of cars needing new sills welding in for their first MoT. This alone means greater numbers have survived in decent condition than their ’70s counterparts, making it easier to find a solid M535i than a Dolomite Sprint, for example.

 To read more about this BMW see the November 2011 issue of Total BMW. Back Issues available here