Fortunately, there is Remco from Wieringerwaard with his BMW. Because there is one question on our lips: “Why did you get rid of that Golf, Remco?” There is not such a complicated explanation for this, he says. “That thing cost me my driver’s license, so…” At every traffic light he was challenged by drivers with a car from a brand with four rings in front. “And I couldn’t resist teaching those guys a lesson. You also know that those Audi drivers are sore losers and that makes it even more fun. If you are challenged, then, well, they ask for it.” What no one asks for is a seagull against the windshield. “On the way here, I head a seagull back on the A4. I was shocked, feathers everywhere and a loud thud.” The result: a broken windshield. That too. 30,000 kilometers per year with the tuned Golf Bottom line, however, Remco is a sensible young man and he thought to himself, after many enjoyable kilometers: “I drove it 30,000 kilometers in one year, did not score a single fine during that period and it is been beautiful. I don’t have to go looking for problems either. I had put a fifth and sixth gear of a diesel gearbox in it for a higher top speed. I once clocked it at 312 km/h. Somewhere. Before I get a print retroactively.” An E39 BMW 520i instead of an E60 530i Remco went out with a Golf Five with 345 hp as a trade-in and came home with a BMW 530i. “But it wasn’t for me, an E60, it didn’t suit me. My partner already drove a BMW 520i and he convinced me to also choose an E39. No sooner said than done.” But Remco did not go for the first 520i. He went for the cheapest one, with a valid MOT. “I found it, but there was one thing with it: the stove was broken. I didn’t let that deter me and guess what? The heater was not broken, only a resistor of the heater motor was broken, so for € 43 I was the man.” Radiant owner: ‘best 5-series ever’ Remco as happy as a child. “It still drives great. This best 5-series ever. Oh yes, the traction control no longer works, but I don’t mind that at all, that’s actually fun in corners.” It still scores a decent consumption of 1:12, but also 1 liter of oil per 1000 km, but oh well. And it is a nice Touring. “Very practical, just put the rods in the back and go fishing.” Dynamometer manager Ghisbert van Ginhoven is always happy to see a BMW 5-series. But increasing this further is not an obvious step. “No, this six in line, unblown, you should leave it as it is, it still sounds healthy so let’s see what else it does.” That turned out great and we had a beaming Remco visiting the roller bench. “I didn’t expect this, it felt like some strength was missing, but it’s nice that I now know that it’s fine.” And it’s fine, with 211 Nm and 173.6 hp, the prestigious German still meets the factory specifications it should have. Cheers!
Source: www.autoweek.nl
