The BMW name has grown to become synonymous with comfort, power, and efficiency. Founded in 1916 as an aircraft engine manufacturer, Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW) has since manufactured some of the best luxury sedans. However, what sets BMW apart is its dedication to motorsport, through its BMW Motorsport division. Over the years, BMW has produced some of the best luxury sports cars known to the automotive industry.
Setting the bar for performance and design, not once, but repeatedly, sets BMW apart in the domain of sports cars. Whether it's bringing the latest technology to the market, creating stunning designs, or breaking all sorts of records, BMW has done it all over decades of dominance. BMW's M series has now become the benchmark for sports cars manufactured the world over. From racetracks, and tuners' garages, to an average person's driveway, you'll be hard-pressed to not come across an M car.
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10 2000 BMW E46 M3
The 2000 BMW E46 M3 was a revolution. Its most striking features, which were new at the time, were the stylish air dam and the M-specific quad exhausts. Still highly sought-after today, the 2000 E46 M3 provided the perfect start to the new millennium for BMW.
Powered by a 3.2-liter turbo inline-six engine, the 2000 M3 produces 333 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It accelerates from 0-60 mph in 5.1 seconds and maxes out at 170 mph (with the electronic limiter removed). The 2000 E46 M3 was famous for its incredibly well-tuned layout, the standouts being its suspension and balanced chassis.
9 1998 BMW E39 M5
One of the most popular M cars ever made, the astounding marriage of luxury, performance, and efficiency has helped the 1998 BMW M5 garner legendary status among enthusiasts. Sporting electronic dampers for suspension, traction control, and stability control made the 1998 E39 M5 one of the most technologically advanced cars of its time.
Powered by a beastly 4.9-liter V8 engine, the 1998 BMW E39 M5 generates 394 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. It accelerates from 0-60 mph in just 4.8 seconds and has a top speed of 186 mph (with the electronic limiter removed). Incredibly fun to drive, matched with impeccable comfort, the 1998 E39 M5 has grown to become a cult classic.
8 1978 BMW M1
The 1978 BMW M1 is the only mid-engine car BMW manufactured, ever. It is also one of the rarest BMWs produced, with only 456 being manufactured. Its rarity and engine layout, however, don't even begin to shed light on what makes this car so special. It was designed under a rare collaboration with Lamborghini and is attributed to massively popular supercars in the mainstream.
Powered by a 3.5-liter inline-six engine, the 1978 M1 generates 273 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque. It goes from 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds, and its speed maxes out at 162 mph. Though these figures seem very modest, let's not forget it was first manufactured in the late '70s! Designed to compete, it participated in the Procar Championship back in its time. Since then, it has been highly revered as BMW's first supercar.
7 2007 BMW E92 M3
The 2007 BMW E92 M3 is truly special: it was the first car in BMW's M3 series to ditch their staple inline-six engines for a high-revving V8. It introduced many technological advancements for the M3 lineup, including an electronically limited slip-differential, adjustable suspension dampers, and BMW's M Dynamic Mode (increases lateral dynamics and acceleration, or in layman's terms, it makes drifting very easy). Today, the 2007 M3 is considered to be among the most enjoyable cars to drive.
Powered by the amazing 4.0-liter high-revving V8 engine (revs up to 8,400 rpm), the 2007 M3 generates 414 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. It accelerates from 0-60 mph in just 4.6 seconds and has a top speed of 180 mph (without the limiter). A seismic shift in philosophy for its M series, the 2007 BMW E92 M3 represents the modernization of BMW's sports car heritage.
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6 1986 BMW E30 M3
The most legendary M car to have ever been manufactured, the 1986 BMW E30 M3 completely upended the definition of a sports car. Winning street, circuit, and rally races all over the world –- the Macau Guia Race, the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft (DTM), the European Touring Car Championship (ETCC), and the World Rally Championship (WRC), among many others – BMW revolutionized the automotive industry with the 1983 M3.
Powered by a 2.3-liter high-revving inline-four engine (the legendary S14 engine), the 1986 E30 M3 generates 192 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque. It accelerates from 0-60 mph in 6.7 seconds and has a top speed of 146 mph. What set the 1986 E30 M3 apart was its handling. This extremely agile car was specifically designed to be as nimble as possible. The S14 engine, featuring individual throttle bodies, a forged crankshaft, and a high-compression radio, made it cutting-edge for its time. The 1986 BMW M3 E30's prices have skyrocketed, and it's now probably the most sought-after M car to date.
5 2011 BMW 1M
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Although underwhelming on paper, the 2011 BMW 1M is nothing short of a cult classic. A rather rare iteration, BMW only manufactured 6,300 2011 1Ms. There were two main objectives behind the production and design of this car: one was to create the best driving experience possible, and the other was to pay homage to the previous entry, the legendary E30 M3.
Powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine, the 2011 BMW 1M generates 335 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. It goes from 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds and maxes out at a mind-boggling 190 mph (without the limiter). With a close-ration manual transmission, BMW wanted to highlight the timeless joy of driving a powerful machine. In the relatively short duration since its debut, the 2011 1M has already become one of the most sought-after BMWs.
4 1983 BMW E24 M6
One of the most beautiful sports cars designed by BMW, the 1983 E24 M6 is an unsung hero for BMW Motorsport. It shared many components with the M1, and BMW went on to build their M6 Group A racer on the 1983 E24 M6. Its iconic shark-nose design was so impactful, it is still seen replicated in cars being manufactured today.
Powered by a 3.5-liter inline-six engine, it generates 256 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque. It goes 0-60 mph in 6 seconds flat and has a top speed of 158 mph. The 1983 was manufactured during a transformative time for BMW, with the objective being to create a visually beautiful sports car. Today, the 1983 M6 is considered the perfect representation of BMW's ability to fuse luxury with performance and reliability.
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3 2001 BMW M3 GTR
Any fan of the Need for Speed game series can immediately recognize the 2001 BMW M3 GTR, the main antagonist's vehicle in NFS: Most Wanted. The car delivered a seriously powerful performance in real life as well, destroying the American Le Mans Series (or, ALMS) in 2001. BMW concentrated on making the 2001 M3 GTR as light as possible, reducing any fluff from its interiors, and using carbon fiber panels wherever possible.
Powered by a 4.0-liter high-revving V8 engine, the 2011 BMW M3 GTR generates 380 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. It accelerates from 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds and maxes out in speed at 186 mph. A modern marvel, as the years pass the 2011 M3 GTR is bound to become a legendary car in its own right.
2 1992 BMW E36 M3
The first of BMW's E36 generation, the 1992 BMW E36 M3 defined the '90s for sports cars. Winning various races the world over, like the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) and the German ADAC GT Cup, the 1992 M3 was one of the most easily available sports cars at the time. The decision to opt for inclusivity, as opposed to exclusivity, in the number of cars BMW manufactured, has helped the 1992 E36 M3 become a cult classic.
Powered by a 3.0-liter inline-six engine, the 1992 M3 generates 282 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. It goes from 0-60 mph in 6 seconds flat and has a top speed of 175 mph. The 1992 E36 M3 became a cult classic due to its availability, performance, and subtle and modern design. A successor to the legendary E30 M3, the 1992 E36 M3 does not disappoint.
1 2014 BMW M4
The newest car on this list, the 2014 BMW M4 was made to be the newest iteration of BMW's stupendously successful M3 Coupe. Featuring the latest technology, a modern sports car design, and powerful performance, the 2014 M4 has already established itself as a reliable, comfortable, and highly capable sports car.
Powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six engine, the 2014 M4 generates a massive 425 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. It goes 0-60 mph in 4.1 seconds and has a top speed of just under 190 mph. Featuring the latest technology from BMW's M performance division, such as adaptive M suspension, optional dual-clutch automatic transmission, and M compound brakes, the 2014 BMW M4 highlights everything BMW has to offer today.
