Revealing BMW's M Division: The 10 Most Extraordinary Cars Ever Crafted

Dec 27, 2023 03:14 AM EST

BMW PERFORMANCE ENGINE COVER — (Photo : PEXELS/Sebastian Pichard)

BMW embodies luxury, innovation, and great driving experience. This brand called Bayerische Motoren Werke AG was founded 1916. Thus, has become a famous symbol of German engineering. BMW consistently delivers vehicles that harmonize cutting-edge technology with sheer driving pleasure.

10 Most Extraordinary Cars Ever Crafted by BMW's M Division

It's BMW M Division follows the standard set by this distinguished brand when it comes to engineering, power, and reliability. MotorTrend shared its top 10 list of the coolest cars ever made by BMW M.

2001-2006 BMW E46 M3

As stated in MotorTrend, over the years, BMW has manufactured numerous sports cars, yet a select few have distinguished themselves. This makes them one of BMW's M Division's 10 Most Extraordinary Cars.

The best-selling M vehicle is the E46 BMW M3. Its stylish coupe style and powerful 333-horsepower 3.2-liter straight-six engine in North America made it successful at the time.

What made it particularly appealing was its ability to balance power and precise handling, offering a rare and compelling driving experience. In contrast to competitors like AMG and Audi, which introduced complexities like all-wheel drive and automatic transmissions, BMW maintained a purist approach with a six-speed manual transmission and a rear-wheel-drive setup, unless buyers chose the evolving SMG automated manual option.

1988-1995 BMW E34 M5

Next on the list is the 1988-1995 BMW E34 M5. This one made it to BMW's M Division's 10 Most Extraordinary Cars. The E34 M5 signaled the conclusion of a chapter in BMW's history regarding their handcrafted M cars. Notably, it represented the final instance where a vehicle bearing the M badge was manufactured separately from the regular production line. Additionally, it served as the farewell to BMW's iconic round-headlight and square-body design language.

2000-2006 BMW Z8

The car that once played a role in a James Bond film is equipped with an S62 V-8 engine, which was developed by BMW M and is shared with another vehicle mentioned in this collection. The Z8's 4.9-liter engine produced 394 horsepower, emulating the 1960s 507 convertible.

Only a six-speed manual transmission was available, and its 180 mph top speed made driving thrilling.

Furthermore, it introduced an aluminum monocoque platform known for its exceptional balance. A limited production run of just over 5,700 units occurred during its relatively brief existence.

1986-1991 BMW E30 M3

Fourth one on the list of 10 Most Extraordinary Cars Ever Crafted by BMW's M Division is the 1986-1991 BMW E30 M3. The first M3 was originally developed to satisfy sports car racing homologation requirements. Its design incorporated lightweight construction and a 197-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, specifically chosen to create a powerful and competitive racing package.

2000-2003 BMW E39 M5

A 2000-2003 BMW M Division vehicle is among the 10 most extraordinary cars ever made. E39 M5 changed sports sedan notions at the turn of the millennium.

This M5 outclassed its European rivals with nearly 400 horsepower and a chassis that seamlessly masked its weight. It also established the blueprint for high-performance four-door muscle cars for the following decade.

The other cars that made the list of 10 Most Extraordinary Cars Ever Crafted by BMW's M Division are:

2011-2012 BMW E87 1M
2005-2010 BMW E60 M5
2001-2002 BMW Z3 M Coupe
2019-2021 BMW M2 Competition
1985-1988 BMW E28 M5

More About BMW M Series

As stated in Auto Zonic, one primary distinction between BMW M and standard BMW models lies in their power. BMW M vehicles surpass their standard counterparts in terms of power. This is made possible through their larger engines and increased compression ratios.

Additionally, the M series has improved suspension and steering systems, improving agility and road handling. BMW M vehicles have bigger brakes for higher speeds and more aggressive braking.