SPECIAL TIMES AND SPECIAL BMWS IN SA
I enjoyed the feature on the BMW 530 MLE in the October edition. In the late 1970s and early ’80s, I was working for a large automotive components group, Turner & Newall, which owned such brands as Ferodo and Payen, among others. We had a significant operation in South Africa supplying the local automotive market, and I became responsible for establishing a new aluminium radiator plant in Durban, supplying Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
In those days, BMW was a young, vibrant company full of enthusiasts, and it had the flexibility to produce unique models. In 1983, Bernd Pischetsrieder arrived as technical/engineering director of BMW SA, and we were privileged to get to know him well. The 3 Series and 5 Series were being assembled in SA, and we developed a range of radiators for them. Bernd was a pleasure to deal with and far more interested in technical excellence than price. He was a dyed-in-the-wool petrolhead, and intimately involved in the motorsport programme and the special editions.
I was lucky enough to buy a 325iS and subsequently the Evo 2 with a 2.7-litre motor, a Schrick 288 cam and a larger throttle body. It went like stink, and ultimately I sold it to my brother, who kept it for many years. I was told that the S14 (M3) engine couldn’t be fitted to right-hand-drive cars because it interfered with the steering column.
While at the BMW plant, I spotted a black E28 M5 parked near the development area. I was told the plan was to build about 90 for the local market and this was an evaluation vehicle. I applied to buy the car, and with Bernd’s intervention this was approved. It had an M88 engine with somewhat more than the standard 286bhp, because it had been built for ‘executive evaluation’. This was one of the best cars I have ever owned, and I am very sorry I sold it. I think it ended up in New Zealand.
Bernd returned to Munich and I believe he was involved in the decision to develop the McLaren F1 engine. He became chairman of the BMW board in 1993 and at some stage was rumoured to have had an incident with an F1 on the autobahn. Bernd is currently chairman of the Daimler-Benz supervisory board.
Andre Becker
Cambridgeshire
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