Planning a trip to Europe? Why not drive a classic BMW?

Let’s face it, we’re all planning our next European holiday – be it actually, or just mentally. If Germany is on your visit list, then I’d suggest you add a couple of days in Munich to your itinerary.

The capital of Bavaria is a beautiful city in a stunning region of southern Germany. There’s plenty to see and do, but why take a bus tour or hire something dull, when you can visit the BMW Classic Center and slide behind the wheel of something far more interesting.

BMW Classic offer a car rental programme where you can take off in one of ten iconic BMWs (well, nine BMWs and one Mini). Cars are available for daily or weekend rates, and there is sure to be at least one (if not all ten) that will make your holiday one to remember.

Cars are split into four cost groups.

At the pricey end of town, at €495 per day (A$770) or €900 for a weekend (A$1400), is your choice of an E28 M535i, an E24 635 CSi or an E31 850i coupe. The latter finished in stunning Brokatrot metallic (a purplish-burgundy), firmly cementing it as a 1990’s grand tourer.

Down a rung (marginally) you’ll find the awesome 1991 Z1 roadster, an iconic 2002 tii, the classic E3 2500 saloon and my personal favourite, an E9 3.0 CS in Fjord Blue metallic.

A little less on the Mastercard will see the wind in your hair behind the wheel of a 1976 BMW 2002 Baur Cabriolet, and €385 per day (A$600) scores a lovely red 1971 BMW 2000 sedan or, ironically, a non-BMW Mini Classic Knightsbridge. The last of the production run of Rover-made cars.

With a finite (and small) number of cars, bookings are obviously essential, but the BMW Classic website offers contact and application forms as well as details on all of the brilliant machines on offer.

It isn’t cheap, especially considering that hiring a new BMW M4 will run you less than $600 per day (all current BMW models are available from rental provider Sixt at Munich airport), but if you’re planning that once-in-a-lifetime trip, including a once-in-a-lifetime drive seems only the right thing to do.