As your resident BMW fanatic, this story made my heart skip a beat when considering the prospect of a new-in-the-wrapper E34 M5 being under one of those dusty sheets. Sadly, this collection of 11 forgotten BMW 5-Series sedans (and one wagon) are low-spec base models, but they are still new-in-the-wrapper fresh, purchased for a rental car business and then never used. Find the whole story here on Road & Track’s website.
Now, an in-person inspection is going to be difficult as these unused 5-Series are located somewhere in Bulgaria. They include the Europe-only 520i and the more powerful 525i sedans. No 535i’s or 540i’s in the mix, and certainly no M cars. No explanation is currently known as to why the rental car business never used these handsome highway cruisers, which seemingly were delivered and then parked.
Of course, it’s almost a guarantee that the rubber components have perished, even if the bodywork remains rust-free and the undersides look like they just rolled out of the factory. While I’m sure there will be a fair amount of interest in the cars when they go to auction, I can’t imagine the selling price being anything out of this world, as they’ll still need a fair amount of time in the workshop despite the zero’d out odometers.
Fortunately, most of the cars appear to be manual transmissions, which will make the most out of the smaller six-cylinder motors. The other good news for U.S. residents is that these cars feature the full assortment of European-market features, including the “smily” H4 headlights and likely other bits as well, such as fire extinguishers and first aid kits that were standard equipment in European models. If you’ve always wanted a new E34 5-Series, here’s your chance.
Bulgaria? Might as well be Mars. Realistically, will anyone who is a Barnfinds reader consider this offering? Even in the ollden days, this wouldn’t be BAT material (except for the guy whose family happened to own a vineyard there). “Oh, wait. Let me wire $20K to Boris. I’ll import them and make a killing.”
@Euromoto – We have featured stories about cool finds in other countries since the very beginning.
Yes Jesse, and who knows, maybe there’s a reader over in Bulgaria who just happens to be an expat and follower of BF … what better place to be for such an opportunity!!!
We do have collectors from all over the world who follow the site.
I’m a BF follower and in France. ;)
Man stop being such a buzzkill. Some find it cool, so perhaps your opinion isn’t gospel.
…The amount of whiners on here never ceases to amaze me. Go be miserable in a corner alone.
Well said Andre!!
Agreed.
I see lots of cars here that aren’t MY thing but I don’t feel even slightly compelled to make negative comments about them.
About two years ago I found an ad offering a collection of around 30 Trabants (and a Yugo?) in Poland. If I remember well a British museum or foundation from the UK bought the collection after being featured here on Barnfinds, I believe unseen. Not the same distance and neither a special car, but I’ve seen crazier deals been made.
Living in Europe and reading daily the barnfind offers….. And we are over here in Central Europe not “living on the Mars” …. same as the USA is not the centre of the universe 😉
Everyone knows that Toronto is the center of the universe, Thor.
Bob
Thor, as well know by our current president and his managerie that some actually think the U.S is. Hence the reputation of the ugly American.
Great find! I am looking for a fourth generation 540i, this just wets my whistle. Hopefully we will get the rest of the story. Life is such a mystery. Thanks for posting Jeff, most of the stuff I see here might as well be on Mars, for me anyway. I still like to see them. Thanks, Mike.
Rental cars…riiiiiiiiight. By the way, I’ve got this gorgeous oceanfront cottage in St. Louis that I’m looking to unload.
This cottage? (On the Meramec River, just south of St. Louis) Asking for a friend.
I love a cottage with natural air conditioning.
The fireplace is just too large, but it may be snug in the winter.
I wonder if it has an operational doorbell.
The guest room is great and so close to the river, pure enjoyment to the guest.
Guests come too often and they tend bring family and friends, and friends of friends like to show up as well.
The curb side wading pool is definitely a plus.
Were the previous owners cigarette smokers?
Is it allergen free?
Bob
The brochure says Times Beach has white sand.
Bulgeria, more than 20 years ago? Might have been the true reason behind this collection. I don’t see why you have your doubts, Bulgeria was flirting with the then upcoming United States of Europe and their society was changing to more capitalisme. Not getting further in this because of politics which is part of BF’s rules and that’s a great thing about Barnfinds.com, it’s about cars.
Cheers,
Olaf E
I have to agree… These cats watch every dollar and they’re going to have all these expensive cars just sitting in the barn rotting away? This sounds like something that would happen in California , New York or somewhere in the US Where people have a lot of money and a lot of space.
Actually, a few years ago I was out shopping for a small used pick-up, when I came across a 2 year old, on a dealer’s lot. It only had 30 miles on the clock!
It was genuine mileage and apparently was a rental vehicle bought and delivered, but never used or rented out.
I bought it and Ford themselves reinstated the new car guarantee, on the 2 year old used car.
Yes, that was one vehicle….people in Bulgaria. Don’t have the money we have here. That’s one of those places where everything gets used .
I’d gladly take the wagon.
I’m thinking that these BMWs may have arrived in Bulgaria as (to be polite) misappropriated vehicles or perhaps were legally sold elsewhere and brought in illegally to try to avoid import duties?
The truth of why those cars languished in a warehouse may be stranger than fiction, as the saying goes…
Well, knowing the region and Bulgeria I wouldn’t be surprises all the cars were stolen from western European countries. For the moment I think the possibility of a rental business would be more valid, especially in that period.
I remember seeing the episode of Top Gear [UK] where they drove thru the former eastern block countries, and noted that most of the upscale Mercedes, BMW, Jaguar, and other expensive cars were likely stolen elsewhere & run on forged illegal paperwork.
I thought it was primarily Albania that did this type of hi-jinx. I stand corrected.
what year are they?
A find is a find…it’s exciting. Even if in another country, it just shows that cars are hidden everywhere. I’d have loved to find these myself..what a rush of excitement.
This news is so much better than to read about than the state of our nation…much better news indeed. BMW fans must be drooling.
Since they were never registered when new, they cannot be registered now in the EU. Legally they are new cars which do not comply with the current emission laws.
We are talking Bulgeria not California or the Netherlands.
Bulgaria IS a member of the EU.
So what? Bulgeria is one of the East European countries that are as corrupt as hell. Lots of cars stolen in West Europe are registered in Bulgeria without any problems. Some links to update your knowledge:
https://sofiaglobe.com/2017/11/15/police-bust-bulgarian-linked-crime-network-smuggling-stolen-vehicles-from-spain/
https://www.politiadefrontiera.ro/en/main/i-hundreds-of-vehicles-stolen-from-abroad-detected-by-romanian-border-police-in-2011-7286.html
And talking about corruption in Bulgeria:
https://www.gfintegrity.org/is-bulgaria-losing-the-war-on-corruption/
With the correct connections and amount of money there won’t be any problem having these cars registered.
You don’t believe the fairytales about the EU too much, do you? The EU also promised us peace on earth when they wanted all the countries to join one Europe.
Olaf E, it will be good to check your spelling skills. You are right Bulgaria is not Netherlands, its much better place.
Carprof, you are exactly right, AND they cant be registered legally in the USA as their gray market, plus non conforming Federal Safety Standards. Look today at the used car market value of these models, and its low. They’ll probably end up in a third world country as taxi cabs.
Though being that they seem to be 25 years old or older, they would be importable under the 25 year law.
You can leagally import them to USA after 25 years and canada after 15 years old.
But, are these that old yet?
I’d love to have a set of Hella’s to put on my lil sporter.
I was thinking I’m the only guy really into wagons lol
The move would be get all these, start a track school, and start putting rubber to the road!
And rubber in the moldings around doors, etc.
Its funny to see these in euro-stripper spec with cloth seats and an analog clock where the trip computer would be on US models.
The Smiley headlamps are h1 not h4
If the original buyer transferred the titles, legally they’re just ‘used cars’, zero miles or not.
I guess my ‘94 530i ( V-8) is a keeper, huh? 🤩
Amazing these got parked new. Yea plastic and rubber are an issue.
I’m in the market for a 3 or 5 wagon after my wife made me sell our 2000 540 msport 6 speed when it got too many miles on it.
Spent months looking for my unicorn, a wagon not black or silver low mileage, garaged, maintained, finally gave up and settled on a 2011 328ix white tan leather coupe which I find difficult to enter and exit. Practicality says a newish 3 or 5 wagon but I loved the e39 styling, classic.
I worked in a GM dealer that bought the rolling stock of an “Exotic” car rental agency. The cars had been sitting for almost a year when we made the deal with the bankruptcy court. (This was about 2004). Almost all the cars ( about 40 if I remember correctly) had minimal miles. ( under 150) Because we sold GM vehicles, these cars could not be sold as used in our state by us, (Nevada) until they had accumulated 2,500 miles or more. It was such a “chore” to have to drive around in Maseratis, Porsches, Mercedes, Cooper S Minis, Corvettes and Vipers just to get miles on them. (Lol) There were only a few of us that were allowed to drive them so it took us quite a few weeks to accomplish the tasks. It was a great time to work in a dealership.
Great story Wayne. It’s an illustration that there are odd and unique circumstances out there. As another example, I have a friend who has a 2005 Mustang which he purchased a few years ago out of a warehouse. When he got it, it had 20 +/- miles. He never did get a straight story on how and why it landed there.
Over the last 40 years I’ve bought more than a few ultra low mileage cars, that for various reasons, just weren’t driven much. These cars included;
1950 Packard Custom Eight sedan with 110 miles, couldn’t hear the engine run at idle. Owner had a heart attack right after buying it, and was told he couldn’t drive anymore, but he kept it anyway.
1965 Imperial Ghia limousine with 570 miles, the driver spent more miles maintaining it than the owner did riding in it over a 25 year period.
1964 Studebaker Commander sedan with 8 miles showing, still had the expired paper temp license plates. Owner bought it for his wife, she didn’t like the color and refused to use it. So it remained in the garage for 22 years untouched. I got it running and drove it as regular transportation for a couple of years before selling it, back then it wasn’t worth a lot, even with 8 miles!
And a friend of mine in the Packard club found a 1948 Packard Custom Eight sedan with 23 miles showing. He said the owner retired and was given a watch and a lump sum financial payment as a retirement. He stopped on the way home & bought the car. Arriving home his wife was furious that he spent so much money, so he drove it into the garage, put blocks under the car to support it, covered it with blankets, put moth balls inside, and left it there until my friend bought it at the wife’s estate sale about 1978.
Then there was another friend’s 1937 Packard 12 rumble seat coupe with ultra low mileage, but while the story is a fascinating one, it’s too long to address tonight.
i was asked a couple of weeks ago to make a homologation for a brand new, never registered Lancia Stratos (customer would pay almost everything if possible), i asked “my” TÜV guy who is doing all homologation stuff for us, forget about it in Europe, and yes Bulgary is EU so you can forget it there as well, just because of the emissions
Wouldn’t bother me that there are no 535’s, at the time, the 525’s M-50 was a much more refined modern engine.
Barn Find .What great reading. I LOVE it.
Wolfram, are you the guy that worked at Porsche corporate in Deerfield IL?
Maybe the Germans would take them back.
Couple hundred VW deisels in trade ?
😁😂🤣
For the BMW enthusiast, this might make their toes curl, but not me. My son had 2, a 325i and a 325ix. They were money pits once they got by 50k miles. Everything electrical went south at one time or another. Only worse car we had was a Golf. The thing absolutely fell apart, and I got stuck on side of the road more times with that Golf than 35 years of driving AMC’s and Chevy’s. No Euro-trash ever again.
Just read an article updating this find:
Apparently in 1994 a Spanish dealer was at the edge of bankruptcy and a Bulgarian investor saw a change buying cheap BMW’s. The dealer had 186 BMW 5’s and that Bulgarian guy bought all 186 cars including several rare models. At time of offering these cars for sale the Bulgarian government introduced a new tax rate of 20 % which made the calculated profit disappear.
The cars didn’t sell fast and of the 186 BMW’s these 11 cars were just not sold and were left in the warehouse.
Source: https://www.ad.nl/auto/elf-gloednieuwe-bmw-s-uit-de-jaren-90-ontdekt-het-mysterie-ontrafeld~a6fd5b62/ . Milen Milanov, BMW Fans Bulgaria on Facebook