Which are the ten most iconic BMW M models in history?

This year, BMW M celebrates its 50th anniversary and so we are going to look back at the ten most iconic BMW M models in history. BMW Motorsport was born in 1972 and soon began bringing its technology to road cars. Over these 50 years, many BMW M models have reached the market, which is why it is so difficult to choose just ten legendary models.

BMW M1

The BMW M1 was born in 1978 under the supervision of Giorgetto Giugiaro and as a “homologation special”. The sports car could only compete if a minimum number of road-going units were built. Over three years, 456 units were produced. It featured the M88/1 inline six-cylinder engine with 3.5 litres of displacement, improved by BMW M, which delivered 277 CV at 6,500 rpm and 330 Nm at 5,000 rpm. Its Procar competition versions raised that output to 490 CV thanks to technology inherited from Formula 1, and the turbocharged Group 5 versions reached as much as 900 CV.

BMW M3 E30

Years later came the BMW M3 E30. The first M3 was also created as the basis for a competition car, specifically for Group A. It was fitted with a 2.3-litre, 16-valve four-cylinder engine, the first of its kind in a 3 Series, derived directly from racing, producing 200 CV in its first version and 238 CV with 2.5 litres in its final evolution. Its low weight, widened bodywork and improved chassis still make it a driving marvel today.

BMW Z3 M Coupé

The BMW Z3 M arrived in the late 1990s and its design continues to win over more enthusiasts. Its coupé bodywork made it much more rigid than its Roadster equivalent, which is why it is today a cult model among high-performance fans. Even back then it offered a 0 to 100 km/h time of 5.4 s, thanks partly to its 3.2-litre inline six-cylinder engine producing 321 CV that revved to 7,000 rpm and was equipped with a rear limited-slip differential.

BMW M5 E39

In 1998 the BMW M5 E39 arrived with a 4.9-litre naturally aspirated V8 that delivered 400 CV and accelerated from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds. In its day, it became the fastest production saloon.

BMW M3 E46 CSL

The BMW M3 CSL was an ode to the lightweight coupés of the 1940s and 1950s. It cut 110 kg from the standard M3’s weight, down to 1,382 kg, thanks to fibreglass elements reinforced with carbon fibre, the removal of some comfort features and a simplified interior. In addition, the 3.2-litre engine gained 17 CV, reaching 360 CV in total, through revised electronics and intake. The suspension was specific, the DSC electronics were tailored with racing heritage, and it was only paired with the BMW Sequential M gearbox with Drivelogic and M Track Mode to ensure the greatest possible precision and speed. Its BBS wheels and the duck-tail spoiler integrated into the boot lid make it instantly recognisable.

BMW M5 E60

This saloon featured an S85 V10 engine inherited from Formula 1, delivering 507 CV, and was linked to a seven-speed SMG gearbox. Among the brand’s fans, its most cherished version is undoubtedly the M5 E61 Touring, its estate body of which fewer than 1,000 units were built.

BMW M3 E92 GTS

The only generation of the M3 with a V8 under the bonnet was also the one that bid farewell to that designation for its large-scale coupé body, with this M3 GTS. It was practically a customer racing version registered for the road, of which only 150 units were made in Fire Orange. The V8 grew from 4.0 to 4.4 litres and output rose to 450 CV and 440 Nm, with a 0 to 100 km/h time of 4.4 s and a top speed of 305 km/h. It featured more powerful and larger brakes, manually adjustable suspension to suit any circuit, and its weight was reduced to 1,530 kg for a power-to-weight ratio of 3.4 kg/CV, in addition to an almost race-spec interior with a roll cage and bucket seats.

BMW 1M Coupé

In 2010 BMW offered its first compact M, a 1 Series equipped with a 3.0-litre twin-turbo six-cylinder engine producing 340 CV and 450 Nm, or 500 Nm with the Overboost function. Its power-to-weight ratio was just 4.4 kg/CV, giving it a magnificent balance for more spirited driving. Combined with the specific running gear, featuring components inherited from the M3, and DSC with M Dynamic Mode, it became the king of sports coupés of its time and remains an excellent pocket-sized sports car today, the best entry point into the M family.

BMW M2 CS

In 2019 we met the BMW M2 CS, whose 3.0-litre twin-turbo six-cylinder gained 40 CV to reach 450 CV, delivered at 6,250 rpm. It came as standard with a manual gearbox, with a 7-speed DCT as an option. It was also the first M2 that could be fitted with adaptive suspension and carbon-ceramic brakes as options. It also received chassis improvements, weight reduction through the use of carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP), and exclusive details such as the bonnet design and its wheels.

BMW M4 CSL

Almost 20 years later the CSL badge returns to offer the best of BMW M today, and it does so in an M4 CSL that has become the fastest production BMW around the Nürburgring, with a time of 7 min 15.677 s.

Following the CSL recipe, this M4 raises its output to 550 CV. It also reduces its weight by 100 kg thanks to CFRP bonnets, the removal of the rear seats, carbon-fibre bucket seats, lightweight wheels and carbon-ceramic brakes. The lowered suspension and the special traction control calibration ensure maximum control at the limit on track.