BMW

The best of fifty years of the legendary M line

How can one lyric evoke so many emotions? Just say 'M' to car enthusiasts and the joyful stories and memories come, particularly about the BMW Motorsport models on this list. Because in fifty years Department M has barely made a false move.

1 – BMW M1 (1978)...BMW designed the M1 for the Group 5 racing class. To participate, the brand had to build 400 road cars. Initially, the sick Lamborghini would do this, but after seven prototypes BMW decided to move production to Germany. Meanwhile, Group 5 changed its regulations, so M1 no longer complied with them. In order to justify the development costs, BMW started its own Procar championship, driven by Formula 1 drivers.

2 – BMW M5 (1980)...This original M5 (model code: E28) is not BMW M's first production model. This is the E12-generation M535i, with 218 hp from a 3.5-liter straight six. The M5's 286 hp engine is the same size, but it was born much taller. It comes from the M1 and therefore has real racing genes. When launched in 1980, the M5 was the fastest sedan in the world. Furthermore, with a production number of just 2214, it is one of the rarest M models, after the M1 (456) and the M5 E34 Touring (891).

3 – BMW M3 (1986)...The 80's were paradise for special homologation enthusiasts. The Audi Quattro, Lancia Delta HF Integrale and BMW M3 E30 proved that “simple” family cars can simply stick to the bumper of exotic sports cars. BMW had to build 5,000 copies of the M3 to participate in the DTM; became nearly 18,000. Its four-cylinder engine comes from racing and only delivers its maximum power of 200 hp at 6750 rpm.

4 – BMW M Coupe (1996)...The 'clown shoe' was almost never there. It started as a hobby project by some engineers at BMW M, who tried to give the Z3 more rigidity and torsional precision by putting a roof on it. BMW management saw little of the outcome, but hesitantly gave the green light for series production. With its 321 hp M3 E36 engine, short wheelbase and rear-wheel drive, the M Coupé was an astute sports car. Many disappeared back into the bush.

5 – BMW M5 (1998)...The best M5 of all time? According to BMW enthusiasts, yes. The E39 – as the model code of this generation 5 series reads – is the ultimate analogue M5. That's why he is so loved. It combines a modest design with a 400hp naturally aspirated V8, a six-speed manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive. This technology can also be found in the retro-fantastic BMW Z8 (2000 – 2003). A modern classic that has become so sought after that it yields more than it costs new.

6 – BMW M3 CSL (2004)...Shall we spoil the fun with an old-fashioned robotic manual transmission? No, because even with its slow SMG transmission, the CSL is the perfect M3. It is 110 kilos lighter than the 'regular' M3 E46 and 18 hp stronger (361 hp). BMW supplied its 'Coupé Sport Leichtbau' with semi-slick tires as standard and warned buyers that they could expect poor grip in wet and cold weather. The loud tone of the M3 CSL is absolutely addictive: the sound of air being sucked into the engine at speed.

7 – BMW 1 Series M Coupe (2011)...Guess why this two-door sports car isn't called the M1. Okay, BMW didn't want to mess with the number one in this top ten. The 1M was the second turbocharged M model, after the 2009 X5 and X6 M. Its inline six-cylinder N54 engine delivers 340 hp and 450 Nm of torque (for a short time 500 Nm in overboost). The compact and lightweight 1M is seen as the true successor to the M3 E30, as later M3 models became larger and heavier.

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