Hooniverse Weekend Edition: Remember When BMWs Were Cool?


Remember when BMWs were cool and iconic, and were driven by enthusiasts instead of fashionistas? Well, here at Hooniverse Central, we received a couple of reminders of that mark, built a long, long time ago, on a continent far far away.

We received this image of a Hella equipped, green BMW 2002 from Cody (Thanks Man!). In his own words:

Is this a particularly important submission? No, it is not. But did I find a very nice 2002 complete with Hellas behind a hair salon in a Cleveland suburb? Yes, I did. Sure, the additional lights are probably just there to assist the lousy sealed beams, but I’d like to think they’re telling of a secret dirt road destiny.


These next images were found at a particularly interesting site, the Bulgogi Brothers. Their taste in cars runs very similar to ours here at Hooniverse, and when they posted these images from VTEC Minis, this is what they had to say about them:

How perfect is this venerable pair? We’d be happy to call either one our own and call it a day, let alone both. Of course, the first thing we’d do is immediately replace the admittedly out-of-place wheels on the 02, but that’s neither here nor there.


Before I get any e-mail about the Mini not being a true BMW, you’re right. They are now owned by BMW, so I’m sticking to my guns, and still calling it cool as sh*t.
Image Credits for the Black Mini and BMW: VTEC Minis Via Bulgogi Brothers.
Green 2002 Image thanks to Cody

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  1. dukeisduke Avatar

    Yes, a lot of us remember BMW before iDrive, SAVs, Efficient Dynamics, and the "Joy" advertising campaign. Yes, the diesels are kinda cool, but two-and-a-half ton hatchbacks (the X6)? Sacrilege!

    1. Jeff Glucker Avatar
      Jeff Glucker

      The diesels are not kind of cool…they are VERY cool.
      My wife has driven only a few of the review cars I get in the driveway…She spent a weekend with the 335d and LOVED it. She has NEVER loved a car before. I know this can be construed one way, but I think it is unique to find a vehicle we both have feelings about…since she doesnt give a shit about cars.

  2. M44Power Avatar

    With respect to the 2002: I also remember having to adjust carbs, the cooling system issues, and the fact it would only lose a rust-race to an Alfa. I still lust after these things.

  3. Robert Avatar
    Robert

    This is why I am refusing to trade in my E30 for an E36. Also, can someone tell me how I can log in? The new layout is confusing me.

    1. Tim Odell Avatar
      Tim Odell

      Log in to comment? The link should be right on the comment form.

  4. citroen67 Avatar

    Yes, the 2002(and a finite number of other models) stands to be the only example of non-prickish BMW ownership.

  5. Jeff Glucker Avatar
    Jeff Glucker

    pants… tightening
    brain… fuzzy

  6. citroen67 Avatar

    Nice! I agree totally…although I do have a soft spot for the E30.

  7. Maymar Avatar

    Although, the fashonistas driving the new Mini aren't replacing the enthusiasts, they're replacing the average Joes who drove the plebian Austin/Morris Minis. Also, they're supplementing the 60's fashonistas who drove them (Twiggy, looking in your general direction, if I could see you).
    That being said, I feel sort of screwed. I was born in '86, the era of the yuppie, they of the standard issue E30. I missed out on BMW as a full-on enthusiast brand.

  8. blueplate Avatar

    Am I still allowed to like the E28 (1981-1988 5-series)? As an impressionable youth, I dreamed about having one of those in the garage (alongside a 959 — don't knock it, it's my fantasy). Five years ago, I thought it would make a reasonable used car purchase. Now, I just shake my head at AutoCarsCraigsTraderList at how beat-up they all look.
    But, yes, the 2002 is still the über. Maybe in another couple of years the time will be right to buy one. Heck, the time is right now.

    1. Mechanically Inept Avatar

      Yes, you are still allowed to like the E28. I'm going to go ahead and say that all BMWs before 2002 were awesome. That was when the first Bangled 7-series came out, and after the E39 M5 and E46 M3 were out.

  9. Scott Avatar
    Scott

    The coolest BMW ever:
    http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c

  10. muthalovin Avatar

    Coooooooool.

  11. Tim Odell Avatar
    Tim Odell

    Please, please keep the comment pictures SFW, ok?
    This is pushing the limits.
    Also, throw width=500 in your image embeds so we can see the back end without scrolling.

  12. Tim Odell Avatar
    Tim Odell

    e9…I will have you.