Matchbox 2000 BMW 3-series coupe, convertible, and 1991 8-series coupe

When BMW returned to Hot Wheels in 2011 there was a lot of hype and excitement about the return, and since then Hot Wheels has released several BMW castings with a few very popular among collectors.  Matchbox got a late start, but in 2013 released the sharp 1-series M coupe that is still popular with collectors.  Truth is Matchbox has a long history with BMW that started rather late (around the 1970's), yet produced some nicely done models with a few unique ones.  The BMW's shown here are the sleeker 1990's versions that starts with the sleek 8-series coupe and then to the 3-series line that includes sedan (not shown here), coupe, and convertible.

BMW 8-series

The largest coupe in the BMW line started with the famed 3.0 CSL coupe that proved that BMW can make a luxurious coupe very capable on the track.  After its demise it was replaced with a new 8-series coupe in 1989 that was designed with more power and a higher price to target higher-end coupes.  The styling is unique as the 8-series forgoes the traditional round headlights in the grille with hidden flip-up headlights to give the front a lower stance.  Out back the taillights are a large panel piece that does not follow the dog leg design of later BMW's in the 1990's.  The interior features seating for four and lots of creature comforts for the price.  Under the hood powertrains were the largest for BMW at the time with a 5.0L DOHC V-12 producing 296 horsepower with a six-speed manual, a first for a roadgoing car at the time.  Despite the impressive numbers the car was too high priced and was affected by the recession in the early 1990's, so the car was dropped after a decade on the market.  Now there is demand for the 8-series to return as BMW is preparing to release the new 8-series coupe by 2019.

I've owned a few Matchbox examples, and even a 1:18 scale version by Maisto, but I like the clean look of this version which obviously has been through some rough playtime with paint chips across the body.  This version is the first release in a sleek silver paint with blue interior and features opening doors and a metal base.  The front has the long nose hood that leads to the twin kidney grilles and license plate in the center, while on the sides are the signal lights and hidden headlights.  The side profile is clean with exterior mirrors on the doors and 8-dot wheels that look great on this casting.  The rear has the taillight bar detailed in red and a license plate in the center.  The metal base is painted to match the exterior and features detailed exhaust and drivetrain components.  The doors open to an interior with detailed seats, dashboard that has three-spoke steering wheel, and that familiar BMW shifter on the center console.  One problem with this casting is the wheels tend to rub into the fenders, which in turn does not allow the suspension to fully work.  After a few miserable Tyco-era models the 8-series finished off in the new millenium with a few nice and clean versions that still have opening doors and a metal base.

BMW 3-series coupe and cabriolet

The biggest surprise was at the turn of the millenium when Matchbox decided to replicate the whole line of BMW 3-series introuduced in 1998.  The first was the sedan that was offered in ROW markets first before finally appearing in the U.S. later.  The body was rather thick with a nicely detailed interior that has a rather thick dashboard.  Earlier models have a working suspensions that was later removed when the police version debuted as well.  In 2000 the 3-series coupe was introduced with a slimmer profile than the sedan, followd by a limited release of the cabriolet in 2002 with opening doors.  The E46 was a evolutionary design of the previous-generation that has more recessed-in headlights and the new dog leg taillight pattern.  The interior is cleaned up with familiar dashboard control layout; the last of it before the I-drive system would be standard in the next-generation.  The engine choices are vast and mostly center around the 3.0L DOHC I-6 that produces 228 horsepower through a 5-speed manual transmission.  As in the previous-generation the M3 line consisted of coupe and convertible, but forgoes the sedan.

Both cars have that familiar long coupe look with crisp side lines along the beltline.  The front of the coupe has painted headlights and signal lights, twin kidney grille, and lower bumper with larger grille ducts and small foglights in the upper portion.  The convertible in green goes for a more slimmer nose than the coupe with much finer detailing and additional detailing on the hood with the washer nozzles and cowl vents.  On the sides both cars offer nice details with exterior mirrors on the doors and the B-pillar-less design of the windows on the coupe.  The 5-spoke wheels look great on the coupe over the lace wheels on the convertible.  At the rear the coupe has detailed tallights from the factory that are accurate and comprehensive and are joined by front and rear "I 'love' my BMW" license plates, while the convertible has to make do with my own taillight detailing.

For the base underneath both cars share the same exhaust and drivetrain detailing, along with axles that do not have working suspensions.  The coupe, for a limited time, offered a metal base version as shown here.  The interiors of both are nicely done with a dashboard that is not as thick as in the sedan.  The 3-spoke steering wheel is visible, as is the shifter and the center stack controls angled toward the driver.  The four seats are nicely done and offer plenty of room.  While the coupe has a sunroof, the convertible goes all-out for an open top look with separate windshield and detailed tonneau cover lines at the back.  An extra bonus is the opening doors that offer play to this casting, but in reality it's not really needed as the body-colored doors look rather odd against the gray interior.  Not to mention durability issues with the strength of the body during assembly that can cause banana issues (I can see some of it here), and with that and the added moving parts put the end early to the convertible after only two runs: in dark green of the Stars of Germany and a dark blue in the BMW set.  Both versions are rare and highly sought-after so finding one at reasonable price is challenging.

Over the years Matchbox has made quite an impressive line of BMW models that are nicely done, unique, and worthy of the BMW brand.

Update 7/23/18: I have been amazed at the sleek and clean recolors of the Matchbox BMW 8-series, and one of them is this 1997 ROW version that is a bit hard-to-find yet looks good in dark blue with tan interior and still sports the 8-dot wheels: