- M5 E60 (2005-2010) features a 5.0L NA V10 producing 507 HP.
- S85 engine weighs 175 kg and had Williams F1 engineering input.
- 8,250 rpm redline; Engine of the Year awards; Clarkson criticized its design; used prices €20k-€80k.
- E82 1M Coupe (2011) uses N54 3.0L twin-turbo with 340 HP and 450 Nm.
For automotive enthusiasts, BMW M is not just a badge—it’s a promise of pure performance. For fifty years, the Bavarian manufacturer’s performance division has built cars that turn the concept of sportiness into a visceral driving experience. Each M model has a distinct personality, a unique character that has made it a legend.
BMW’s slogan, “the ultimate driving machine,” could be translated as “the supreme driving dynamics”—an advertising line, yes, but not far from the truth. All BMWs carry that je ne sais quoi that adds a touch of sportiness to any situation. When it comes to the M models, that sportiness becomes a beautiful, exhilarating frenzy you can’t help but appreciate if you’re a passionate driver.
5. BMW M5 E60 (2005) - Naturally aspirated V10 that rewrote the rules
The M5 E60 is legendary thanks to the superb S85 engine. It is a 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V10, produced from 2005 to 2010, with engineering input from Williams F1. This collaboration was more than ceremonial—the motorsport experience is felt in every rotation of the crankshaft.
Impressive technical specifications
The engine develops 507 HP at 7,750 rpm and a maximum torque of 520 Nm at 6,100 rpm. It is a naturally aspirated engine with roughly 100 HP per liter, a record for its time. Built from aluminum alloy, the engine weighed only 175 kilograms—a remarkable technical feat for a V10.
S85 won the Engine of the Year award in four distinct categories during those years and powered the M5 E60 and E61 (Touring) as well as the M6 of the E63/E64 generation (Cabriolet). The 8,250 rpm redline and its distinctive tone turned every acceleration into a mechanical symphony.
Controversial design, indisputable performance
The M5 E60’s design isneel inspired. The renowned auto journalist Jeremy Clarkson described in a Top Gear review the M5 E60 as a very ugly 5-series with large exhausts and numerous M5 badges stuck to the body, offering little refinement. Yet everything changes when you press the M button on the steering wheel: in M Mode this car is no longer dull; it is magnificent.
Today, used prices for the M5 E60 start at around €20,000 and can reach up to €80,000 if equipped with less than 100,000 kilometers. Maintenance costs can be substantial—the S85 requires regular valve adjustments, and a noticeable oil consumption is expected.
4. BMW E82 1M Coupe (2011) - Perfect dynamics in a compact package
This is the first 1 Series to receive an M version, and it remains one of the most appreciated models for its purist character. Although it wasneatured with an original M engine, it used the N54 3.0-liter inline-six turbocharged engine with two twin-scroll turbos from the Z4, which didnold it from becoming legendary.
Performance and exceptional dynamics
The engine delivers 340 HP and 450 Nm of maximum torque (with overboost), sent to the rear wheels via a 6-speed manual transmission, launching the car from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and reaching an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. With a simple remap, the N54 can easily exceed 400 HP, making it one of the most popular tuning engines in BMW’s lineup.
An authentic M in every sense
Contrary to initial critics, the 1M is a true M model. It uses the brakes, suspension, and limited-slip differential from the M3 E92. What earns it a place on our list is its exceptional driving dynamics. Because when you combine this power setup with the short 2,660 mm wheelbase and the light 1,495 kg weight, you get a masterpiece of balance and agility.
Additionally, it is quite rare. Only 6,309 units were produced worldwide in a single model year. A used 1M Coupe with low mileage can reach around €60,000, effectively doubling its original value.
3. BMW G82 M3 Competition (2021) - the last stand of pure sportiness
The latest M3 Competition is arguably one of the best M3s BMW has ever built. It is also controversial due to the front grille’s oversized proportions, inspired by classic BMW concepts, which sparked heated debate in the community.
Technology and top-level performance
Under the hood sits a superb 3.0-liter S58 inline-six, boosted by two turbines, delivering 510 HP and 650 Nm of torque. The car is heavier than earlier M3 generations, weighing 1,730 kg due to advanced technology and modern safety systems, but the chassis is highly competent and the driving dynamics are exemplary.
The 8-speed M Steptronic automatic transmission shifts in as little as 200 milliseconds, and the available xDrive system allows power distribution between the two axles for maximum traction in any condition.
A symbol of an era ending
Moreover, this M3 could be the last super-sport sedan available with a manual transmission and a superb turbocharged six. For example, the next Mercedes C63 AMG will drop the V8 in favor of a hybrid setup with a four-cylinder engine. This is the auto industry trend, driven by increasingly strict emission norms. Therefore, we should enjoy this M3 G82 and the pure sporting experience it offers while we still can.
2. BMW E46 M3 CSL (2004) - the art of weight reduction
This limited edition of the E46 M3 represents the pinnacle of BMW engineering in the early 2000s. CSL stands for “Coupe Sport Leichtbau” (Coupe Sport Lightweight), continuing the tradition of lightweight, performance-focused models.
The obsession with reduced weight
The car weighs only 1,385 kg, 110 kg less than the standard version. This reduction was achieved by removing the audio system, the air conditioning (optional at no cost), using carbon-fiber seats, thinner glass, a carbon-fiber hood, and even removing the carpeting from the trunk floor.
Substantial mechanical improvements
The engine is upgraded as well. Under the hood sits a 3.2-liter naturally aspirated S54 six-cylinder, delivering 360 HP at 7,900 rpm and 370 Nm at 4,900 rpm—about 17 HP more than the standard M3 thanks to software optimizations and intake-system improvements.
Moreover, the car featured a carbon-fiber air filter, and the exhaust system in titanium made the sound superb, being lighter by about 6 kg than standard. The suspension was recalibrated, and the adjustable dampers allowed perfect circuit setups.
The M3 E46 CSL is fairly rare. Only 1,400 units were produced, most for the European market, which helped retain value well over the years. Prices start at around €55,000 and continue to rise.
1. BMW E30 M3 (1986) - the legend that started it all
The base model, the E30 non-M, is perhaps the most beloved BMW of all time, seen at almost every car show both domestic and abroad. But the M version took things to an entirely different level.
Birth of a legend
The M3 E30 is the strongest E30 BMW built. The famous M badge first appeared in 1986 and is based on the two-door version of the E30 body. In 1987, Italian driver Roberto Ravaglia won the World Touring Car Championship behind the wheel of an M3 E30, giving BMW M a massive image boost. In total, the E30 M3 won more than 1,500 races across various championships.
Revolutionary engineering for its era
The M3 E30 came with an all-new engine. The 2.3-liter S14, an inline-four derived from the M10 block but with the M88 head (the engine from M1 and M635CSI), developed 195 HP at 6,750 rpm and 230 Nm at 4,750 rpm, propelling the car from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds. The S14 featured advanced characteristics for its era: 4 valves per cylinder, separate camshafts for intake and exhaust, and sophisticated electronic management. The 7,250 rpm redline was impressive for a street engine of the 1980s.
Special evolutions
Over the production run, even more special versions appeared: Sport Evolution with 238 HP, equipped with a more aggressive aero package and a 2.5-liter engine. Only 600 units were produced, and today they are valued at over €150,000 in pristine condition.
Prices for E30 models continue to rise, and a well-maintained M3 E30 with under 100,000 kilometers can reach €100,000 today. For a Sport Evolution in race-ready condition, prices can exceed €200,000.
Conclusion
These five BMW M models represent the absolute peaks of German performance engineering. From the legendary E30 M3 that laid the foundation for success in motorsport to the controversial yet incredibly capable G82 M3 Competition, each model left its mark on automotive history.
What unites them all is that pure M philosophy: exceptional engines, precise chassis, and a driving dynamic that transforms every road into a memorable experience. Whether you prefer the natural aspiration and mechanical purity of the E30 and E46 CSL, or the brutal power and advanced technology of modern generations, M models remain the benchmark by which all sports sedans are measured.
The article was written with input from auto market specialists, BCCH Auto Switzerland.
