Check out the Top 8 BMW M division cars from the last 40 years, courtesy of Motor Trend.
BMW 3.0 CSL – Not long after its establishment, the M division quickly began work on its first model, the iconic BMW 3.0 CSL. Based on BMW’s E9-chassis 3.0 CS, the CSL was lighter, and featured the brand’s first-ever four-valve-per-cylinder inline-six engine. By 1974, it also featured a prototype antilock braking system. The car went on to win the European Touring Car Championship six times between 1973 and 1979 and, in racing trim, produced as much as 800 hp with the help of twin turbochargers. The limited-production road-going version, on the other hand, sported a naturally aspirated 3.0-liter I-6, and had its doors, trunk lid, and hood constructed of aluminum like the race car.
BMW M1 – The M1 was the first car to wear the M badge, and also the first to not be based on an existing BMW model. Though its body was originally planned to be built by Lamborghini, delays forced the M division to consider other options. Two Modena-based companies supplied the space frame and fiberglass-reinforced plastic body shell, while ItalDesign assembled the cars and furnished the interiors. The bodies were then sent off to Germany where they received their M-developed drivetrains. The result was a potent sports car that produced 277 hp from its 3.5-liter, 24-valve I-6 engine. Just 456 road-going M1s were built between 1978 and 1981, mostly to satisfy production car racing requirements.
BMW E28 M5 – Though BMW Motorsport tinkered with the 5 Series as early as 1974, helping to create such hot-rodded models as the 530, 533i, and 535i, the first M5 didn’t arrive on the scene until 1984. The first-gen M5 packed the same 3.5-liter I-6 of the M1, but was tuned to 286 hp to help motivate the heavier sedan. The car was a genuine sleeper, looking nearly identical to a standard 5 Series but with a manufacturer-estimated top speed of 152 mph.
BMW E30 M3 – This car hardly needs any introduction, as its name is practically legendary among enthusiasts. The original M3 was a homologation special built to qualify the model for Group-A touring car competition. The production car was equipped with a 195-hp, 16-valve 2.3-liter I-4, and received an M-tuned suspension and unique bodywork. Today, the car is still a benchmark for sports car performance, often used to draw comparisons against more modern machines.
BMW M Coupe/Roadster – You could argue that the Z3-based M Coupe and Roadster were the Shelby Cobras of their day, as the M division stuffed the biggest engine they could into BMW’s smallest offering. In North America, early models received the E36 M3’s 240-hp 3.2-liter I-6 engine, while later models got the higher-spec 321-hp 3.2-liter unit from the E46 M3. While both body styles of the M-tuned Z3 deserve a page in the M division’s history book, the coupe earns extra cool points with enthusiasts for its quirky, shoe-like styling and fixed-roof driving experience.
BMW E36 M3 – As a follow-up to what BMW calls “the most successful touring car ever,” the second-generation M3 was still a solid performer, but arguably less of a purist’s sports car compared to the original. Heading in this direction, BMW Motorsport brought the M3 nameplate to a wider audience. The M3 could now be had in three body styles, including a coupe, convertible, and four-door sedan. A more comfortable interior and available automatic transmission appealed to a new customer base, while the car’s U.S.-spec 240-hp 3.0-liter (and later 3.2-liter) I-6 still checked all the boxes for the enthusiast customer.
BMW E39 M5 – Having shown what it can do with I-4s and I-6s, the M division moved to larger engines with the E39 M5 in 1998. The M5 debuted with a 4.9-liter V-8 producing 400 hp and around 369 lb-ft of torque. The car was only available with a six-speed manual transmission, while its large wheels, unique bodywork, and M-tuned suspension practically guaranteed it an enthusiast following.
BMW E90 M3 – The outgoing M3 might be one of the best M cars yet, with its high-revving 414-hp 4.0-liter V-8 engine and sharp-handling chassis. The car routinely sweeps comparison tests and, even five years after the car’s launch in 2007, still edges out other competent driver’s cars. With the next-gen M3 rumored to ditch the V-8 for a twin-turbo six-cylinder powerplant, it’s difficult to imagine the M division topping its last creation. But in its 40-year history, the tuner has rarely disappointed us.
What is your favorite M series model from the last 40 years?
