Carbagerun 2016 & 2017

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Thegs
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Carbagerun 2016 & 2017

Post by Thegs »

Looking back at some reports and planning the new trip I noticed I never posted in the English section of the forum.

Last year we entered the Carbagerun, the name says it all. You have to buy a car for the maximum of 500 euro, build before 1998 and finish around 3000 kilometers in 5 days. Fellow forum member Manitoba already took the challenge in an E3 with an E34 M5 engine.
In 2016 we (and 500 other teams) drove from the Netherlands to Croatia. In the meantime at least France, Italy, Slovenia and Bosnia are visited. As we live to tell the tale we rest in Croatia for a couple of days and travel further through Italy, Monaco and the south of France to move back home eventually. Sounds like a great challenge involving old cars and having fun.

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Actually the challenge started early on, what car to buy fort his adventure. More than half the cars are Volvo’s as that is the safe choice. A lot of space, reliable and all the comfort to arrive in Croatia without problems. So not our choice, time to keep looking. We saw about every possible cheap car for sale in a wide variety of brands, sometimes you find some real bargains. In our search we looked at Jaguar XJ, Ford Granada estate, Audi A8 4.2 Quattro, Opel Senator 3.0i, Cadillic STS Northstar and so on. All crazy cars you want to own, but none of them had the good vibes :mrgreen:
And then is the moment you go on known waters and you start looking at BMW’s. Unable to find something for the right amount of money we received a top from fellow forum member Michiel. A 1987 E32 730i (which is tax free in the Netherlands), needed some work but a big winner to take us on the trip. The next Saturday we made an appointment, hopefully to acquire another car to the fleet.
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Is It going to be a winner, or do we need to look for another victim? In this topic I try make a full report and update for the 2017 edition. And what to think of a theme for the car, maybe Mad Max Fury Road?? Or maybe…

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Regards, Gerwin

1980 BMW E21 323i in Hennarot
1985 BMW E23 735i EXE in Zobelbraun
1988 BMW E34 535iA in Lachssilber
2008 BMW E91 320dA in Monacoblau
2009 BMW E60 523iA in Sapphireschwarz
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Thegs
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Re: Carbagerun 2016 & 2017

Post by Thegs »

The next Saturday we jumped in the E36 to check out the 730i. I already heard about the history of the car, but this was only in my advantage to lower the price. In the past the car caught fire in the engine bay and to get it back to life a complete 92 model was killed. It had some mileage on it (480.000 km), but with a refurbished cylinder head and automatic gearbox. The build is completed, including the complete interior and electronics.
Arriving at the seller we found a nice base car, which needed to be finished. It was last touched in 2012 and had not been out (but at is was more green than white I think he meant driving :mrgreen: ). After a small inspection we agreed on the price and finished the paper work. To get the adventure started I took the car home will driving it. It had a hard time waking up, but as the time advance it drove better and better. All the error messages cleared and the gearbox started shifted earlier and smoother.
Once at home we washed the car inside and out. The car was filled with spares (such as lights, mirrors, computers, trim and upholstery) and we received an extra set of wheels with the car. The more time I spend with the car, the more I think it is a solid base and we did a good deal. The 92 interior is black leather with heated seats and memory, the car has aircon, cruise control, a sliding roof and sunshades in the doors and back window.

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I must say the room at my house is getting less with a second 7-series BMW, but as I have the room I have to use it :bag

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Later that night I check all the paperwork with the car, it included not the paperwork of the car but also from the Belgian cart hat was killed to rebuild it. The most important are the invoices of the rebuild from the cylinder head and the gearbox of around 500 euros. Included we found also the correct mileage of the car just before it was rebuild and an appraisal from 2010 of 10.500 euros. Together with all MOT reports and most of the bills a great buy for 700 euros :mrgreen:

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Regards, Gerwin

1980 BMW E21 323i in Hennarot
1985 BMW E23 735i EXE in Zobelbraun
1988 BMW E34 535iA in Lachssilber
2008 BMW E91 320dA in Monacoblau
2009 BMW E60 523iA in Sapphireschwarz
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Re: Carbagerun 2016 & 2017

Post by Thegs »

Took me some time to get working on the car again, but I try to get in finished before the start of the Carbagerun.
The first thing was to get my number plate registered again as it had a fire and received a note. This note has to be deleted before we can start driving but it meant that an appointment had to be made at the Department of Transport.

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As they didn’t know what to do with a burned car they did an extensive MOT. As the car wasn’t ready for that they found some errors to fix:

- Anti lock brakes error, no burning light at startup
- Airbag error, light stays on
- To much play on the steering rack
- Right headlight adjusted to high
- Rear seatbelts not mounted properly

The mechanical problems are the least of my worries, but the electrical are my real concern. It had to be rechecked within 8 weeks and I failed that because of travelling a lot (work purpose). But after a lot of searching, tinkering and some technical support from some forum members I got all the electrics sorted (even the test lights before startup!):

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After that a new appointment was made and I went for a recheck. Even after the 8 weeks were past, they gave me a change to only check the previous point. It was probably busy and they needed the time. Again I failed on the headlight, but we agreed on fixing it with glue in the parking lot and after that they removed the note and my number plates were valid again.
Regards, Gerwin

1980 BMW E21 323i in Hennarot
1985 BMW E23 735i EXE in Zobelbraun
1988 BMW E34 535iA in Lachssilber
2008 BMW E91 320dA in Monacoblau
2009 BMW E60 523iA in Sapphireschwarz
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Re: Carbagerun 2016 & 2017

Post by Thegs »

Still needed to go for MOT, but as I finished an extensive test in the Department of Transport. While waiting for the papers I fixed the seats as they had a crooked seat rest. Then I took it for MOT and guess what, again 4 rejects!
A bit disappointed I returned home, with a corroded brake line, a steering rod not connected properly, no handbrake left, and again the headlight not aligned properly. Quite angry I went home to fix this because we had to leave the week after…
After fixing the four point I went back and took the car home with MOT!

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As we had days to spare it was time for the final hurdle, some maintenance to the car and the theme to make it pretty! I receive my start box from the organization and some wrap foil to start decoration.

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The Art Car was a good idea, but a bridge to far as we had less than a week to spare. As seen above we order all BMW Motorsport colors and with de E9 CSL as a base we started Photoshopping

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That’s the spirit, the holiday starts in one day, so we finish preparing and pack the car. The day before we leave we start off with Sensation (big music festival) and start travelling.
Regards, Gerwin

1980 BMW E21 323i in Hennarot
1985 BMW E23 735i EXE in Zobelbraun
1988 BMW E34 535iA in Lachssilber
2008 BMW E91 320dA in Monacoblau
2009 BMW E60 523iA in Sapphireschwarz
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Re: Carbagerun 2016 & 2017

Post by Thegs »

It was close, but we finished our list just in time. Two new rear tires, did a flush for the gearbox, some maintenance and of course electrical problems, audio install and the theme. Even simple things as valve timing was necessary, three of them were sealed completely.

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But after some long nights, less color as intended we completed the car. Went to party all night at Sensation started our holiday with a bang and with a slight headache packed the car. On Monday morning 5 am it is time to leave…

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Next up, the report of the first week!
Regards, Gerwin

1980 BMW E21 323i in Hennarot
1985 BMW E23 735i EXE in Zobelbraun
1988 BMW E34 535iA in Lachssilber
2008 BMW E91 320dA in Monacoblau
2009 BMW E60 523iA in Sapphireschwarz
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Re: Carbagerun 2016 & 2017

Post by Mihajlo »

Croatian member here!

It would be great if you make another trip to croatian coast.... :cheers
Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car. Oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car.
Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall. Torque is how far you take the wall with you.
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Re: Carbagerun 2016 & 2017

Post by uwbuurman »

Lovely story sofar, Gerwin!!
It's the man next door!

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Re: Carbagerun 2016 & 2017

Post by 323baur »

Still a very good story. Once I will do it also.
Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car and oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car. Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall. Torque is how far you take the wall with you.
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Re: Carbagerun 2016 & 2017

Post by Jeroen »

Nice! Looking forward to more on last year's!
Regards/groeten, Jeroen
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Re: Carbagerun 2016 & 2017

Post by Thegs »

Finally it is time for a report from my side as we returned from a 13 days adventure with the 730i. In summary: 5500+ kilometres, 11 countries, 7 mountain passes, 1 offroad adventure, a lot of electrical difficulties (especially with the automatic gearbox), 2 tiered shock absorbers and 2 worn out front tyres. But wat a fun it was!
It all started on Monday the 4th of July. We departed from Gorinchem (the Netherlands), so we left my home around half past 5 in the morning to be in time. It was light traffic around this hour, so it was no problem to arrive in time. We had to be a the start line between 7 and 8 and we entered the grid at 7 o’clock. Not the first to arrive, but in front of the line of 500 cars.

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Once in, the organization came by to check all our paperwork, our passports and if all the required safety gear was present (first aid kit, warning triangle and yellow vests). After a short technical inspection our car was approved and we got our “ok” sticker which meant access to the camp site as well. In the mean time we enjoyed all the crazy stuff that entered the parking lot and met the first participants around us.
At nine the opening ceremony was done and it was time to leave! After a shot instruction how to leave the property with 500 cars, a police escort and a lot of enthusiast viewers we drove off. Under the starting line we received the route for day 1 and the corresponding assignments for the day.

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Day 1 mainly involved making a lot of kilometers, as much trough France as possible which had to with the permits for this event. A short stop in Luxembourg to fill up and hit the road to Mullhouse. This was intended as the first stop, but as France was still in emergency we had to travel to Lahr Germany and head for a local airfield. The assignments we got this year (winner gets 1500 euro) are quite fun, but we choose to drive and have fun so we left this behind for the whole week.
As we arrived in Lahr the first Carbagerun campsite awaited. All cars next to each other with the tents behind the cars, ready for food and drinks. It was freaking hot as is was a concrete surface but that means a lot of beer, a good barbeque and meeting new friends. The night advanced a bit noise and the first sirens/horns hit off at 6 in the morning, time to leave for day 2!
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And what a day it was! First day fun of driving fun, at least two passes on route: the Flüelapass and the Ofenpass. This in combination with the distance to cover took us between 9 and 10 hours at least. Jumped in the car at 8 in the morning to see what this day brings us. For the diehard drivers a detour over the Stelviopass was a possibility, but this added 1.5 to 2 hours to the driving time. As I already know this route we decided to take it as it is really beautiful.

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As the hours passed and we drove excellent inland roads we arrived at the Flüelapass and we climbed it reasonably fast (as fast as possible with a E32 730i, 3 big guys and 2 weeks of luggage). On the top we enjoyed the view for a moment and we headed down again. I started the descent as I would in my 323i which give almost immediate problems. As the automatic gearbox had some electrical issues it didn’t brake on the engine. After being held up by a slower car for a while I felt the brakes getting overheated. On the lookout for an empty space we made an emergency stop and it was just in time! Smoke emerged front everywhere as I pulled off for the final time.
Full of adrenaline I was very happy that I was behind the steering wheel, if one of my friend was driving I don’t’ know if we lived to tale the tale. After letting it cool down for an hour we found room to start the descent again, you have to go down anyway. Eventually we found lockup in second gear and drove down without any other problems. After that we conquered the Ofenpass in the same manner.

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We did lose a lot of time and a bit of confidence in the car, meaning after a shot meeting in the car we decided to leave the Stelvio and go for the save route. I would just require a bit too much from the car and an nice beer and barbeque was also very appealing.
The second campsite was located in Gassl where we slept on a ski slope and the same ritual as the day before filled the evening. But before it came to an end heavy rain and thunder finished this and we headed to bed.

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At the start of day 3 we had breakfast at the local McDonald and visited to toilet as well. As the Carbagerun campsite is limited to 4 toilets and 8 showers for 1500 contestants, this is necessary to find elsewhere. After that is was time to go to Slovenia, totally unknown but surprisingly nice!

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To get there you have to go through Italy, but as I type this I forgot all the names and nice places. As I look at the pictures I see a lot of mountains and passes, so I has to be fun. Driving on the small Slovenian roads we entered the capital of Ljubljana where another campsite was set up at a horse track. But before we entered the campsite we found a place near the river to barbeque and drink some beers again as it was not allowed on the campsite due to extreme dryness. After we arrived in the campsite it was time for some tinkering and night quickly passed away.

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And then you realize time flies, day 4, past the halfway point of the first week. After driving for 2 hours we enter a small town and stop for coffee and breakfast. We found a terrace next to the main road and had a great time seeing how to local people react to the fleet of craziness going by. I notice that most of the people really enjoy seeing this as they wave or give the thumbs up. There a always the two old farts which find it loud and smelly, but in general only nice reactions.

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The route advances into Bosnia, even more unknown country as we drove before. A bit tens as we don’t know what to expect, you never know what to local roads throw at you. Had I only known, the road turned in to offroad and big dust clouds followed our car. It wasn’t as bad as our Belgian offroad debacle, but serious gravel road which a ditch on both sided lead us onwards.

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But this didn’t mean we enjoyed this complete, so cool to drive the 7 offroad. But it did hurt man and machine, because it was unbelievably hot and without aircon this meant driving with all the windows open. This resulted in lots and lots of dust in and out of the car, but the teams that drove with everything closed had a lot of dust too. But you forget all of this when you advance on the route and look back at what we drove before.

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The destination of the 4th day was just south of the capital of Bosnia, a place called Baja Luka. We were invited by the local football club FK Krupa. A beautiful place on the side of the river so it was time for barbeque and beer again! First a shower in the ice cold river and after that a great scene where a local was arrested for trying to steal from fellow drivers. Did remind me to lock our belongings better than we did before, as it was clear we took some attention.

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Day 5, almost a sad day as we headed for the finish line. This was located in Porec, near the coast in Croatia. Again we did some great inland roads but the last haul was on the highway. The main reason was to finish in time and to receive a nice picture and medal. Our 730i gave more and more problems, the electrical department of the gearbox seemed to be done. Didn’t kill our fun though, we arrive in the late afternoon in Porec. Together with some other runners we found a nice restaurant near the water and enjoyed a big hamburger and beer to finish this beautiful week. Adjacent we drove to the finish line and we queued for the picture. Enjoying a cold beer and one by one we made a picture and finished the trip. We made it!

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To cap of this crazy trip, a big party was thrown. The organization announced the winners of the assignments, the most original car and afterward we partied to all of that! The clock turned and when we were wasted of the week we headed to tent for some sleep. Early in the morning some teams packed to leave back to Holland and due to high temperatures we woke up around 7. Time to say goodbye to some new friends and took some other for a breakfast in Porec. Said goodbye to them to and rented an apartment in the same place. Time to take a rest of what happened in the week before and enjoy the magnificent weather in Croatia.

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Of course there is more to tell and show you about the trip back, but that is for next time…
Regards, Gerwin

1980 BMW E21 323i in Hennarot
1985 BMW E23 735i EXE in Zobelbraun
1988 BMW E34 535iA in Lachssilber
2008 BMW E91 320dA in Monacoblau
2009 BMW E60 523iA in Sapphireschwarz
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Thegs
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Re: Carbagerun 2016 & 2017

Post by Thegs »

Finally time for part 2, the road back to Holland. As we planned, we had another week of holiday to spend and that wasn’t going to be in Croatia alone. The amount of kilometers and the lack of sleep made us decide to stay in the apartment from Saturday till the next Tuesday. Some nice and relaxed days with some fun and sightseeing as well (and playing with jet skis!). That was a perfect combination with the cheap but excellent food and hanging around in the several beach bars. Feels like holiday.
But to be honest, you’re going to miss the driving, so on Monday we started thinking about the road back. On the list we added at least the Stelvio, a trip to Monaco and a visit to Europe Park. As the first week advance my confidence in the car came back and I had to take it the Stelvio. Seeing the first pictures of the old cars that went up, made me think we could make it as well.

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Well rested we left Croatia on Tuesday and entered the inland roads after a small trip on the highway. Our destination on the day was near the Stelvio, our first heading of the week. Looking around for a place to sleep we found a beautiful “Gasthof” in the city of Sarentino about an hour from the Stelvio. Whilst enjoying a homemade diner we talking with some Germans (on a motorbike) and they really liked our trip and plans for the nest week.
On Wednesday we left after breakfast, full of confidence the 730i fired right up and we headed for the Stelvio. From my memory of the latest Alps tour I remembered which side of the Stelvio was the steepest and we decided to do ascend from that side. The east side contains 48 hairpins above the tree line which was the best so far! Without a kick we ascend with around 30 of 40 km/h even with the car fully packed!

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Once on the top the mood dropped a little. Completely fogged and a slight drizzle made it an awful place to stay :mrgreen: . As we left wearing shorts we decided to descent as soon as possible. The trip down was great again, the car holds up and the view became better. In the mean time we plan the route ahead.
Time to go far the Beninapass and the Foscagnopass too! But not after we visited Livigno (tax free area) to full up the car for 0,93 cents the liter. About an hour from Monaco we enter Imperia and we call it a day. We book a cheap hotel and enjoy a proper pizza as we are in Italy.

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After a simple breakfast we hurry to Monaxo just to visit it once. Did 2 laps at the circuit, enjoyed all the hot cars and get out of there quickly. It isn’t that pretty and quiet as imagined…
Plan after that was to visit Cannes and Nice but somehow we turned to Grenoble. Glad we did as that night a lunatic drove into a mass of people looking at firework. We took the Col de la Bonnete and the Col de Vars and stopped In Guillestre for a good lunch. After that we just touched the Alpe d’Huez to arrive in Grenoble later that day. Good thing it is only for a sleep, what a terrible and grey city that is!

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As we leave the beautiful mountains behind us we hurry to Europe Park in Rust Germany. It didn’t take too long so on arrival we booked a nice hotel and got an hour free access to the park. To cap of we headed into a Spanish restaurant and went to sleep as soon as we were satisfied with food and drinks.
Saturday was a long day in an amusement which I’m not going to bother you with. I really enjoy going there with friend, but at a certain moment I’m done with it. That was around 7 in the evening and my suggestion was not to find another hotel and leave on Sunday. Instead I proposed to floor it back to Holland the last 600 kilometers. That meant I took the 730i all 600 kilometers back home in 4,5 hours, which was impossible to beat due to traffic and roadworks.

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Around 1 o’clock we arrived back home in Wezep (yes I know that is not 4,5 hours, but we finnaly left at 8 and had to stop for gas) and finished 2 great weeks of driving. Only some small errors occurred, but the E32 did really great! What an fabulous car to do this in, although it is time for some service now :mrgreen: . Main problems were the automatic gearbox errors and an oil leak from the cap giving a bad smell in the car. The broken shock absorbers in the back and the worn out tyres are serviceparts that should have been swopped anyway. The car lacks one thing in my opinion, that was working aircon, but maybe next year ;)

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Regards, Gerwin

1980 BMW E21 323i in Hennarot
1985 BMW E23 735i EXE in Zobelbraun
1988 BMW E34 535iA in Lachssilber
2008 BMW E91 320dA in Monacoblau
2009 BMW E60 523iA in Sapphireschwarz
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Thegs
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Re: Carbagerun 2016 & 2017

Post by Thegs »

That makes it time to do an 2017 update! We really loved doing all of this last year and it was a great adventure. Used the 730i for some cruising in the meantime as it is tax free. Then I found the registration of the 2017 edition, called the boys and soon we decided to register again.
But as you have to be selected to participate we had to wait some time to get new. And we got lucky again, we still own the car so in 2017 we plan to attack the following roads:

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Last edition gave some work, so I hurried into fixing the car. It looked like the wrong type of springs were mounted on the car, making the tire wear worse. Fellow forum member Michiel supplied the correct spring and the car looks better than ever. Tried a set of imitation Alpina’s to check how it would look, but returned to the original wheels with new tires.

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Next step is working on the gearbox, new shockabsorbers in the back, new front sets and a couple of new steering rods in front. Keep you update for more…
Regards, Gerwin

1980 BMW E21 323i in Hennarot
1985 BMW E23 735i EXE in Zobelbraun
1988 BMW E34 535iA in Lachssilber
2008 BMW E91 320dA in Monacoblau
2009 BMW E60 523iA in Sapphireschwarz
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