E21 316 - 1982 polaris - woutervd [NL - polaris]

[woutervd]

I've been around on the dutch section of the BMW E21 forums for a few months now. I already spotted numerous examples of nice looking E21's from abroad here, so it's about time for me to properly introduce myself on the international E21 section.

I've always had a liking for german built quality. About ten years ago I, when I was still a teenager, I've owned several old zündapps from the seventies. A few years ago I got myself a BMW motorcycle, which you can see below. It's a really tough bike, considering it has over 185.000 on the clock.

Two wheels:



Since a car is much more practical and I don't really fancy a ten year old renault clio, I got myself this E21. For me a E21 has always been a headturner. I especially like this one for it's looks, having double headlights and a front spoiler. A couple of months ago I bought an original dutch BMW e21 316 from '82 [5 speed gearbox]. As you can see from the outside it's not that original, considering it's a 316. It has got a BBS front spoiler, Zender rear spoiler, RG alloys (BBS mahle design) and authentic pioneer audio system among others. Unfortunately it has some damage to the right front fender. I have got a spare one, which still has to be painted and mounted. I have just graduated and I'm looking for a job. For now I use my car on a daily basis, but when I find myself a permanent job I promise to treat it better and get a more modern daily drive!

Four wheels:



The pioneer audio system and seperate rev-counter on top of the dashboard. It also has an additional booster, mounted below the steering wheel and two bass-speakers on the rear shelf



My car in action during a meeting we had in the Netherlands a months ago

[Jeroen]

All nice, including the meeting and drive haha! Bike is a K75 right? Still on my wish list...

[woutervd]

Thanks. The bike is a K100rs. I guess a K100 is more common than a K75. The last one is a bit more agile I think. There are also various forums on BMW's k-series, among which one is www.bmwk.nl, which I found very usefull when I'm in need of information. Similar to this forum, but I like this forum more, since it focusses more on the several restauration projects and also includes non-BMW topics. Therefore I get to know the people behind my shared hobby better and a lot of members do their upmost best to help each other out.

The bike was really revolutionary for its time and is claimed by many to be one of BMW's best bikes ever built. It is very durable, that's why there are still many around. When you consider these bikes were used on a daily basis in comparison to most other bikes, that's pretty surpising. BMW certainly didn't cut costs by mounting cheaper equipment of a lesser quility. Choosing this bike was more of a sensible decision. I didn't want a modern race-bike, since I'm mortal. Furthermore I wanted a bike I could rely on. Choosing my E21 was not so much a sensible decision. Because of my bike I was already convinced of it's built quality, but I especially liked its looks and its RWD.

[Jeroen]

Thanks for explaining... I know my BMW bikes that well lol

I've been thinking about buying a BMW motorcycle for years already and I like them all, from the earliest boxer engines to the latest K series. One day I'll get me one!