There are few locations in America the place a BMW feels extra at residence than Amelia Island. The setting helps — salt air, outdated oaks, a golf course that’s been internet hosting nice vehicles for many years. And yearly, the BMW neighborhood solutions that decision in pressure. The 2026 Amelia Island Concours d’Magnificence was no exception. From a world debut on the present discipline to a sprawling Automobiles and Espresso that reminded everybody why BMW possession is much less a passion and extra a lifestyle.
BMW ALPINA XB7 Restricted Version: 120 for America
The massive information this yr got here from ALPINA. The model used Amelia Island to debut the XB7 Restricted Version for the North American market — simply 120 models allotted for america. It’s individually numbered, hand-built within the ALPINA custom, and brings the total limited-edition therapy to what’s already one of many extra quietly spectacular machines cash should buy.
Automobiles and Espresso: The Automobiles
Fifty BMW homeowners obtained their vehicles onto the sphere for Sunday morning’s Automobiles and Espresso, and the unfold was an excellent one.The E30 M3 wants no introduction at this level. Each instance that exhibits up at a present like it is a survivor, and this one was no totally different — boxy, purposeful, precisely proper. The E36 M3s have been there too, nonetheless combating for the respect they deserve. The E46 M3s made a robust displaying, and for good motive: the S54, the chassis, the steering — all of it nonetheless holds up.
However the automobile that stopped many individuals of their tracks was an E46 M3 Touring with an SMG gearbox. A wagon. With M energy. It shouldn’t exist, and but there it was, in all probability essentially the most photographed automobile of the complete weekend. No complaints from anybody.
On the newer finish, a number of G80 M3s have been on show, together with the 50 Jahre Version in Interlagos Blue — considered one of 500 constructed for America. Standing subsequent to an E30 M3, the colour dialog virtually writes itself.
The 2002s, the Baur, and an Unique ALPINA 02
Any BMW gathering value attending has a strong 2002 contingent, and Amelia delivered. A number of examples have been on show, together with a clear one from the staff at Precision Sport Industries, who know their means round an early BMW. There was additionally a BMW 2002 Baur Cabriolet on the sphere — the Targa-roofed coachbuilt model from Stuttgart that BMW by no means formally provided as a convertible. They don’t come up usually, and this one was in correct order.
The early-car spotlight, although, was an authentic ALPINA 02. Twin carburetors, Buchloe provenance, a direct line to the place the entire ALPINA story started. Standing a couple of toes away from the brand new XB7 Restricted Version, the distinction — and the continuity — was onerous to overlook.
The Group
What Amelia Island delivers yearly, past the debuts and the garden and the trophies, is a reminder of why this neighborhood works. BMW folks have a tendency to speak to one another. They share what they know, assist with restorations, argue about the best period with real enthusiasm somewhat than snobbery. The individual with a well-used E36 will get the identical welcome because the individual with a concours-quality E9.
BMWBLOG has been coming to Amelia Island for years, and that half hasn’t modified. And subsequent March, the BMW neighborhood will probably be again as soon as once more on the grass at Amelia Island. It’s simply second residence now.
