My BMW Cars

Introduction

After starting my own Company in 1988 I decided to buy a BMW car which I had always wanted. BMW a German made car is an executive car with different variants (series 3, 5 and 7) with right hand steering. BMW’s sales quote in the 1980’s was “The Ultimate Driving Machine” which at that time was very relevant. There is no doubt that driving a BMW was a very satisfying and exhilarating experience, which I was fortunate to have had, in the various models I owned over the years. The following is a review of my BMW cars in the ownership order, that gave me so much driving pleasure.

BMW 518i E34

After starting my Company in England on the 8th August 1988 , I purchased a brand new BMW 518i E34 having right hand steering. It was a Silver colour (as image) executive car with leather seats and typical high quality trim. It had a 1800cc 4 cylinder petrol engine with a 5 speed manual transmission and rear wheel drive. It had all round Disc Brakes. My 518i had a top speed of 123 mph and could accelerate 0-60 mph in 12.3 seconds. The fuel consumption was around 27 miles per gallon. Only days after receiving my brand new BMW 518i, I went to Sweden via North Sea Ferries on business and it was snowing and freezing in Sweden but the car performed very well.

BMW 730iL E32

As the Company was expanding I decided to trade my BMW 518i for an almost new BMW 730iL E32 which had an extended long wheel base (L) as the image. My car was coloured dark Green which was a larger executive car. The BMW 730iL had a very high quality interior with leather seats, wood trim and right hand steering. The Petrol 2986cc 6 cylinder in line engine drove the 4 speed automatic gear box and rear wheel drive. The 730i was one of the first BMW’s to have traction control to the rear wheel drive. My BMW 730iL had a top speed of 138 mph and could accelerate 0-60 mph in 9.3seconds. The fuel consumption was around 17 to 34 miles per gallon on a long journey. Without doubt the more powerful engine and smooth automatic transmission made my BMW driving experience even more exhilarating.

BMW 750iL E32

After some time I was contacted by my Car Provider that a special opportunity arose as he had just taken delivery of a 2 year old low mileage BMW 750iL in excellent condition. He could give me a very good price and trade in value for my BMW 730iL if I wanted it. I had no hesitation in accepting his offer.

My BMW 750iL E32 V12 was the Flagship Luxury Sedan. The interior was luxurious with all leather seats, wood trim and many extras such as pull down tables in the rear of the front seats. The BMW 750iL power unit was a 4988cc petrol V12 cylinder engine connected to a 5 speed automatic gearbox driving the rear wheels via the traction control system producing 296 hp. My BMW 750iL had a top speed of 155 mph (250km/h) and could accelerate 0-60 mph in 7.4 seconds. The fuel consumption was around 14 to 32 miles per gallon. Although My BMW 750iL was 2 years old right hand drive it really was ‘The Ultimate Driving Machine’ that I reached 130 mph (210km/h) in, on the way to Basel in Switzerland, This was fastest I have ever driven and yet it was so smooth and quiet. However, at that speed it was very thirsty!! The image below is my actual BMW 750iL at Basal in Switzerland, (H4CTS) looking a little dirty after an11 hour journey from England. The number plate reflects “Hogg for Computerised Training Systems Ltd (CTS) my own company.

BMW 520i E34

I was now living and working in Singapore and Malaysia. This was my actual 12 year old BMW 520i E34 that I bought in Singapore which was originally dark green that I had changed to the colour you see. It had a 1991cc 6 cylinder petrol engine with 4 speed automatic gear box. It had a top speed of 134 mph (215km/h) and could accelerate 0-60 mph in 10.4 seconds. The fuel consumption was around 30 miles per gallon. Being 12 years old I did have problems with the automatic gearbox which I changed. However, the most difficult of all was that the rubber timing belt broke. This caused major damage to the engine. This resulted in a full engine overhaul due to two of the valves penetrated the pistons. For all its troubles the BMW 520i was still a comfortable and reasonably powerful car which I enjoyed driving in Singapore and Malaysia.

The Poor Mans BMW

There’s a saying in Malaysia that my present car a 2006 Honda Accord 2.4 is a ‘Poor Mans BMW’. Well as I have had several BMW’s as we have seen, I suggest that my ‘Poor mans BMW’ may in fact be better than a Series 3 or 5 BMW of the same 2006 year.

In 2006 I decided to buy a Executive Asian car in preference to a BMW or Mercedes which were better suited to the Malaysian climate. I bought the new 2006 Honda Accord 2.4 (image actual car) a high quality modern executive car with its smooth aerodynamic lines. Internally is has a beige colour trim and wood looking-veneer with leather electrically operated seats and windows. It has full Air Conditioning ideal for Asian weather. The Honda Accord 2.4 has a 2354cc iVTEC engine with a 5-speed automatic gearbox (with 2 overdrive gears) which provides extremely smooth gear changes, picking up speed is effortlessly. It has all round Disc Brakes. The road holding and ride is excellent. It has a top speed of 124 mph (200km/h) and can accelerate 0-60 mph in 7.4 seconds. The fuel consumption is around 33 miles per gallon. I have had this car from new in 2006 and 20 years later, keeping it well maintained with a complete paint respray it still looks as good as new. My “Poor Mans BMW” Honda Accord 2.4 although getting old has been the best all round car I have ever had and likely to be my last as I’m 85 but I still love having my Honda Accord 2.4 and driving it.

Conclusion

I have had many different cars in my life time as I have always loved driving ever since I passed by test in 1958 in England. All cars have a fascination for me including repairing them in the early days and maintaining them as best I could under different circumstances. I have been lucky to have been able to own and experience driving the different types of cars especially the BMW Series. However, my driving years are drawing to a close but as long as I can drive safely on the roads I will continue for as long as I can. I hope you found this article interesting.