My first ride in a BMW was when I was taken to a business lunch by a subbie back in about 1984. He arrived in an E21 323i and although I doubt we got out of a 60 zone he managed to enthrall me with the car's performance and most of all, its engine note and incredible smoothness at high revs. A few years later I bought a similar vehicle but it was an auto and not really to be compared. I proceeded to an E30 323i manual and a then an E30 Alpina C2 2.7. I had enormous fun running both cars in club supersprints at Amaroo, Oran Park, Wakefield and E. Creek. I think the Alpina was only putting out about 140 kw at the flywheel but on the weighbridge at Eastern Creek it was just 1150 kg, so with its remarkable balance and handling it sure punched above its weight. Another surprise package proved to be a lovely E46 325ti - so nimble and torquey but my wife complained about the hard M-sport suspension so it went after 3 years of my own pleasure. Now my BMW looks a lot like the red car in the picture above except unfortunately it's just an E46 330ci. I love it, however, and it's probably the most enjoyable road car I have ever owned. In between the BM's there were some Japanese interludes, including a privately imported '96 Integra Type R, an R33 Skyline GTS-t and a Stagea RS4 S, all modified and enjoyed on the track. I doubt I will ever be without a BMW while ever I still enjoy driving.