McLaren F1

The McLaren F1 LM roadcar was a lighter, more powerful version of the famous McLaren F1 roadcar. Other than this XP1 (experimental prototype 1) LM car, only five other LM F1s were built and all were painted in Papaya Orange, a unique color in memory of Bruce McLaren. [According to an article by Motor Authority, the Sultan of Brunei owns a total of 9 McLaren F1s. This includes a GTR race car, a GT "longtail," 3 LMs, and 4 road cars, making him the only person in the world to own at least one of every variant of the F1 ever produced by McLaren - sourced from Wikipedia].

If you like to see a one fired up and driven on the street, check out Jay Leno garage at: http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/cars/mclaren_shell.shtml. He is one of the proud owner in US to have a street version of the McLaren in the garage, aside form his Carrera GT, Mercedes SLR, Lamborghini Miura and other super rare cars. Another one that I know of was recently burnt (partially) due to engine fire in southern California.

This 1995 Papaya Orange XP1 LM replica is made by UT Models (no longer in business). Since this is long out of production and has become extremely rare and sought-after, be ready to fork out at least 200 USD for a mint model with original box.

Specs:

- BMW 6.1L V12, 6-Speed Manual

- 680 horsepower, 520 lb-ft torque
- 0-60 mph in ~ 2.9 secs
- Top Speed: 225 mph

BMW 730i (E32)

Penned by Claus Luthe (successor to Paul Bracq), this technologically advanced big sedan was launched in 1986 (1987 in US due to stricter emission control standard) as replacement to the bullet proof E23 series. Aimed at the growing luxury automobile market, the E32 was designed to benchmark and exceed its main rival, the then popular Mercedes S-Class (W126 - W140 chassis). With a production span from 1986-1994, the E32 gained much popularity from the wide selection of engines, from entry level I-6 to the uber luxurious V12. For the first time, extra rear legroom was made available in the stretched “iL” version.

This 1986-91 730i replica is made by Minichamps, and this is the only E32 model made in 1/18 scale. This is a “must have” if you love the E32, but don’t like to deal with the maintenance. Finished in Sterlingsilber Metallic, the level of details is typical of Minichamps quality with carpeted interior/trunk, and intricate BMW forward folding hood mechanism.

Specs:
- 2,986 cc, M30 I-6, ZF 4-Speed Automatic

- 188 horsepower, 192 lb-ft torque
- 0-60 mph in ~ 9.3 secs
- Top Speed: 138 mph

BMW E34

This 3rd generation 5er has proven its vast popularity over the E28 it replaced, blending BMW traditional styling with improved aerodynamics and modern technology. Developed under the watch of Claus Luthe, the E34 was a huge market success, with a timeless design that remains popular among die-hard bimmernuts today. Just like the bigger E32 7er, the E34 was available in a wide selection of engines, ranging from the meager M43 I-4 to the mighty M60 V8 produced from 1993-1996. The super durable M20/M30 I-6 is the all time favorite due to Nikasil lining issues affecting certain M60B30 and M60B40 V8s (US and UK cars). Nonetheless, my best pick of the E34 is the rare 6-speed M-Sport version of the 540i; just picturing that in Alpinweiss dressed with Throwing Star light weight alloys is enough to make me drool….

Made by Minichamps, this replica is available in Oxfordgrün and Diamantschwarz Metallic (both discontinued). Maybe other colors will be released later. My planned mods for this one is a set of ACS Type 3 with Brembos, and replacing the stock motor with a V12 from a donor Revell 850csi, maintenance is not an issue here.

Specs:

- 3,430 cc, M30 I-6, ZF 4-Speed Automatic

- 211 horsepower, 225 lb-ft torque
- 0-60 mph in ~ 7.7 secs

- Top Speed: 140 mph

BMW 750Li (F02)

After 4 generations (E23, E32, E38, E65/E66) of the flagship sedans, BMW took an unusual naming convention for this ultimate cruiser, codename F01 for short wheel-base and F02 for long wheel-base platform. Gone are the all too familiar Bangle Butt, though I still like the face lifted E66 750Li very much, especially when dressed up as the supercharged Alpina B7.

Under the hood, the V8 twin-turbo direct injection power plant makes this heavyweight drives like a sport sedan, with remarkably improved handling/agility for the ultimate driving dynamics. Most agreed that this is the best 7 thus far, offering a perfect combination of efficiency and dynamics, luxury and innovation, rivaled only by…..well……BMW itself (sorry folks...I’m a die-hard Bimmerholic).

Kyosho has done a marvelous job in attention to details, including fit and finish of parts. Finished in Imperial Blue Metallic, the paintjob is superb, typical of painting performed in a dust-free booth with no overspray. This replica is a dealer promotional model, with BMW part number 80 43 0 445 172.

Specs:
- 4.4L, 32-valve, Twin-Turbo V-8, 6-Speed Automatic, 4WS Optional
- 400 horsepower, 450 lb-ft torque

- 0-60 mph in ~ 5.2 secs

- Top Speed: 150mph (electronically limited)

2006 Audi RS4

Built on the B7 platform, this RS4 was first introduced at the 2006 American International Auto Show. With the departure of “Bi-Turbo” powering the previous generation S4, the RS4 is now powered by a naturally aspirated V8. Aside from the flared wheel arches and pair of oval exhaust, the RS4 is also handsomely dressed in aggressive looking front/rear bumpers, side skirts, and trunk lid.

Traction is ensured with the legendary Quattro AWD and this poses serious threat to the E46 M3 (though the M3 is only powered by a 3.2L six). With the arrival of the E92 M3 in 2008, all media attentions shifted away as expected……..way to go BMW! Anyway, the B7 RS4 is still an excellent sport sedan with nicely executed designs.

Made by Minichamps, this is a replica of the 2006 Audi RS4 finished in Sprint Blue Metallic.

Specs:

- 4.2L, 32-valve FSI, V-8 AWD, 6-Speed Manual

- 415 horsepower, 317 lb-ft torque
- 0-60 mph in ~ 4.8 secs

- Top Speed: 155mph (electronically limited)