BimmerFest Europe 2024: A Celebration of BMW Perfection at Raceway Venrij
Europe’s largest automotive gathering exclusively for BMW enthusiasts, BimmerFest Europe, consistently holds a revered spot on the calendars of automobile aficionados. The event held last month at Raceway Venrij, in the heart of the Netherlands, was no exception. Known for its challenging 1/2 mile oval circuit, attendees are advised to bring their best running shoes to navigate the steep inclines effectively.
An Enthusiast’s Playground
Fueling the passion of BMW enthusiasts, various paddocks at BimmerFest were meticulously reserved for specific BMW themes. This year’s highlight included an area dedicated to the top ten modifications chosen by Alpina, Classic, and Z-Performance wheels. Significant spaces were also allotted to BMW clubs, notably MFlight, with many of its members stationed at the US base just across the border in Germany.
Spotlight Cars and Unique Builds
As always, unique cars grabbed the spotlight. Among the exceptional finds was a show-stopping twin-turbo V12 E36, ready for a dedicated spotlight feature in subsequent articles. Another notable mention was the classic E23 7-Series from the H&R booth. For fans of vintage BMWs and controversial modern designs, the M3 Touring G81, with its polarizing kidney grille, stood out.
Ultimate Tuners and Limited Editions
The spotlight also fell on customized masterpieces, such as the latest creation from Manhart – the MH5. Prioritizing performance over aesthetics, the Manhart MH5 in its "900" configuration boasts an insane 928 horsepower and 1,240 Nm of torque, overshadowing the impressive capabilities of the standard M5.
Stellar Showcases: Model Galleries
Across the venue, the displays were diverse and breathtaking:
- E46 M3: Hailing from the UK, this model featured AP Racing brake calipers – a sure sign of a high-performance upgrade beast in the making.
- Original M2 (F87): Equipped with refined Moton suspension and sleek Titan7 wheels, distinguishing its elegance and performance potential.
- Manhart MH8 5.0 V8: With only five units built, this model is a rare gem. The engine swap from a V12 to a 4.9L V8 S62B50 marks its unique appeal.
Alpine Heritage and Rare Models
Among rare finds were the Alpina E21 2.8—with only 259 units ever produced—and Alpina’s BMW E9, cloaked in Diamant Schwarz, which stood out majestically with its CSL air dam and bumper delete enhancing its allure. Another attention-grabber was an ingenious blend of models: a Touring originally a 316d, modified by Full Car Tuning incorporating elements from an M3 CS F80.
Final Impressions
As the sun dipped over Raceway Fenrij, the crescendo of engines and the camaraderie among like-minded enthusiasts etched another chapter into BimmerFest Europe’s legacy. With a myriad of models on display, the event has proved yet again why it remains the ultimate destination for BMW aficionados.
Stay tuned for continued coverage, where we’ll deep dive into some of the most captivating builds showcased this year.
Jeroen Willemsen
Instagram: jaccojeroen
Explore more BMW-related articles on Speedhunters.
9 Comments
Wow, this BimmerFest sounds like a dream come tru for BMW fans!! Wish I could’ve been there.
Yea, me too! The twin-turbo V12 E36 must’ve been amazing.
Totally, would love to see all those modified cars in real life.
Seriously? A whole article on BMWs… So boring. Who even cares about those cars??
Dude, some ppl just love cars. If u don’t like it, don’t read it.
Wow, those cars must be soooo expensive. What’s the big deal about some old cars and fancy engines?
Haha, people running around with running shoes at a car event! That’s hilarious. But sounds fun tho!
Why only BMW? Where the Mercedes and Audi exclusives at? Seems biased!
It’s called BimmerFest for a reason… Maybe MercedesFest is next week lol.