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DerBogen · 04-15-2010, 01:20 AM

Actually, my bimmer only recently passed its 20th anniversary - it's a 1990 325iS which I've had for, oh, more than half its life.

I got it when I started getting tired of my previous auto obsession - Datsun 510s. Yes, from the 70's. Great cars, "the poor man's BMW", just getting a little long in the tooth and hard to keep going. Not to mention I kept trading them and making mine more and more extreme, originally for autocross but I eventually got "out of class" in the search for more driveability and useful power, and couldn't run anywhere but Modified, and I just wasn't going to go THAT far. And it started to become an issue in my marriage - the beginning of the end for all such hobbies.

So I picked up a relatively affordable "lazy man's Datsun", eventually sold my final 'dime (i.e. 510, w/ 2L racing engine, adjustable suspension, roll cage, 7" rims, etc.), and frankly, I haven't looked back. Now it's just 5-6 years younger than my oldest 510 was when I dumped it, and it's still almost stock. The driving dynamics are almost exactly what I was trying to get in the 510s, maybe a little heavier and less tossable, but really responsive, impressively flexible and very predictable near the limits. And dependable climate control, cruise, electric systems, etc. No major reasons to change anything.

The great thing about the 510 was a very active, if rather intimate club scene, at least in California. It's gotten a little chi-chi retro and gone upscale now days, losing some of its great "what can we do with this amazing platform" practicality, but in the 80's and 90's it was very supportive and fun to be in.

So now the bimmer's getting into its 3rd decade and I'm thinking, I could use some community input on issues that my (otherwise extremely honest and dependable) mechanic doesn't like to delve into. Like non-stock wheels and tires, to start with but I'm sure there will many others. And maybe one day it would be nice to have (when I have an extra space in the garage) oh, a 3.0 CSL, or an Alpina of almost any type...

It's all about dreams, after all.

Ross Bogen

**Blackice** · 04-15-2010, 10:19 AM

Hey Ross, I too had a 2L 510, Sounds like your was a fair bit nicer then mine, but still they are great fun to drive. Do you have any photos ? Would love to see both of your cars

Dave

DerBogen · 04-20-2010, 10:48 PM

Thanks, Dave. Now that you mention photos, the funny thing is that the most recent ones I have of the 510 are from the guy who bought it, and thoroughly changed it! Painted it electric blue - an interesting before/after - I'll see if I can find a color shot of it before it left. Have to get them scanned, tho', was back in the last millennium.

Also see if I can find some of the bimmer - should be a few digital ones somewhere. Of course, looking for new wheels as I am now, it will be a "before" shot too.

Ross

04-15-2010, 01:20 AM	#1 (permalink)
DerBogen newbie Name: Ross Bogen Joined: Apr 2010 From: Berkeley Posts: 6 iTrader: 0 Thanks: 0 0 Times in 0 Posts	Oldie but...uh, I mean "classic" Actually, my bimmer only recently passed its 20th anniversary - it's a 1990 325iS which I've had for, oh, more than half its life. I got it when I started getting tired of my previous auto obsession - Datsun 510s. Yes, from the 70's. Great cars, "the poor man's BMW", just getting a little long in the tooth and hard to keep going. Not to mention I kept trading them and making mine more and more extreme, originally for autocross but I eventually got "out of class" in the search for more driveability and useful power, and couldn't run anywhere but Modified, and I just wasn't going to go THAT far. And it started to become an issue in my marriage - the beginning of the end for all such hobbies. So I picked up a relatively affordable "lazy man's Datsun", eventually sold my final 'dime (i.e. 510, w/ 2L racing engine, adjustable suspension, roll cage, 7" rims, etc.), and frankly, I haven't looked back. Now it's just 5-6 years younger than my oldest 510 was when I dumped it, and it's still almost stock. The driving dynamics are almost exactly what I was trying to get in the 510s, maybe a little heavier and less tossable, but really responsive, impressively flexible and very predictable near the limits. And dependable climate control, cruise, electric systems, etc. No major reasons to change anything. The great thing about the 510 was a very active, if rather intimate club scene, at least in California. It's gotten a little chi-chi retro and gone upscale now days, losing some of its great "what can we do with this amazing platform" practicality, but in the 80's and 90's it was very supportive and fun to be in. So now the bimmer's getting into its 3rd decade and I'm thinking, I could use some community input on issues that my (otherwise extremely honest and dependable) mechanic doesn't like to delve into. Like non-stock wheels and tires, to start with but I'm sure there will many others. And maybe one day it would be nice to have (when I have an extra space in the garage) oh, a 3.0 CSL, or an Alpina of almost any type... It's all about dreams, after all. Ross Bogen

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04-15-2010, 10:19 AM	#2 (permalink)
Blackice Moderator Name: Dave Joined: Oct 2007 From: North Vancouver Posts: 1,088 iTrader: 0 Thanks: 43 47 Times in 46 Posts Blackice's pictures '91 BMW 318i '91 BMW 318IS	Hey Ross, I too had a 2L 510, Sounds like your was a fair bit nicer then mine, but still they are great fun to drive. Do you have any photos ? Would love to see both of your cars Dave

04-20-2010, 10:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
DerBogen newbie Name: Ross Bogen Joined: Apr 2010 From: Berkeley Posts: 6 iTrader: 0 Thanks: 0 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks, Dave. Now that you mention photos, the funny thing is that the most recent ones I have of the 510 are from the guy who bought it, and thoroughly changed it! Painted it electric blue - an interesting before/after - I'll see if I can find a color shot of it before it left. Have to get them scanned, tho', was back in the last millennium. Also see if I can find some of the bimmer - should be a few digital ones somewhere. Of course, looking for new wheels as I am now, it will be a "before" shot too. Ross

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Oldie but...uh, I mean "classic"