Ten Best BMW Cars Ever

BMW is one of the greatest automakers to have ever existed; from the sports cars they have produced, the legendary high-performance M lineups, the cars they have been successful within the world of motorsports, the EVs they are currently rolling out, and the unmistakable mark they have left on the automotive world, BMW are rightfully one of the most renowned automakers of all time.

Though BMW has faced tough competition from other automakers since its inception in the early 20th Century, and especially from other luxury car brands in the latter half of the 20th Century and up to this day, BMW has always garnered a huge following and a fan base that stretches from the highest-paid celebrity to the humble everyday driver. The kidney-grille-toting road menace appeals to those of us who like a gentle drive, and to those of us who want to push ourselves and a car to its real limits.

This is why it is hard to choose the best BMW ever made. But, using a wide range of sources, we have narrowed it down to the 10 best BMW cars ever made. We have chosen all the following models from the Bavarian automaker based on their engineering prowess, what they represent for BMW, how they changed or are changing the automotive world, the ridiculous power and top speeds that are achievable from them, the design and performance specifications accolades achieved by each model, and their legendary status.

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10 1957 BMW 507

Top Speed: 122 MPH

The 1957 BMW 507 remains a defining piece of BMW’s history, revered as one of the most beautiful cars of its era. Conceived by Max Hoffman and primarily designed by Albrecht von Gertz, the 507 was designed to catch the eye of buyers here in the U.S.A., to fill a gap in the market between Triumph and MG sports cars, and to rival another standout beautiful European sports car of the 1950s; the Mercedes-Benz 300SL. Boasting a hand-crafted aluminum body contributes to its lightweight of 2,930 pounds, while its timeless athletic allure and classic aesthetic, with sweeping and elegant lines and the iconic kidney grille, has made it one of the most sought-after and valuable in BMW’s history.

There were only 252 models ever produced. With 5,000 models earmarked for production each year, higher-than-expected production costs nearly drove BMW to bankruptcy, and had to halt production of the 507 in 1959. Hence, we are left with only a handful of examples of this stunning GT roadster. Today, you can expect to pay on average $2.2 million for a BMW 507, with 0 currently for sale and only 3 being sold in the last 5 years.

Performance Specifications

Under the hood, the 507’s V-8 boasts an all-aluminum block, an aluminum alloy OVH with pushrod-operated valves, a compression ratio of 7.8:1, two Zenith 32NDIX two-barrel carburetors, polished combustion chambers, high-lift cams, a chain-driven oil pump. Inside and out, the 507 is designed to be smooth, luxurious, and sporty, as is exemplified by the uncommon-for-the-time engine features that BMW utilized. Alongside the impressive engine, the BMW 507 features an anti-roll bar, double wishbone with torsion springs front suspension, and a live rear axle, while later versions boast Pirelli 185VR16 Cinturato tires, perfect for use on the track.

Pros

• A stunning example of 1950s design.
• Very exclusive roadster to own.
• A changing point in BMW’s history that marked the start of what we know of them today.

Cons

• Insanely expensive to buy.
• Rare to find.
• Parts are expensive and hard to come by.

9 1996 BMW Z3

Top Speed: 127 MPH

The 1996 BMW Z3 is one of the best BMW cars ever made because it was the brand’s first mass-produced roadster, designed to blend performance and accessibility with classic, playful styling.

Initially released with a 1.9-liter inline-four producing modest power, the Z3 is legendary for its handling, not the raw power that can be pumped out from the powertrain. Featuring a tight chassis, wheelbase of 96.3 inches, a low curb weight of 2,690 pounds, and well-distributed weight (50:50 weight distribution), the Z3 has gained favor from those of us who enjoy roadsters for the fun you can have with them on twisty roads, while still being able to take in the views.

Performance Specifications

Boasting the distinctively aggressive BMW appearance, this pocket-rocket of a roadster is low-slung, relatively powerful, great for handling on winding roads, semi-luxurious for its class, and features design aspects that have taken inspiration from earlier BMW roadsters while influencing later models such as the Z4.

As a direct more luxurious, more powerful, and unforgettable roadster competitor to the Mazda MX5 Miata Mark I, the BMW Z3 has gone on to become a cult favorite, partly due to its driving credentials and partly due to a later version starring in the James Bond film, Goldeneye, and today is available for as little as $12,300 and is readily available for your next canyon cruise.

Pros

• Great handling.
• Luxurious-looking and sporty.
• Relatively cheap to buy.

Cons

• The water pump is made from plastic and is prone to overheating.
• Though luxurious-looking, some owners have complained about a low-quality build.
• Owners have complained about frequent oil leaks from the early model years.

8 1990 BMW 3 Series

Top Speed: 142 MPH

The 1990 BMW 3 Series, as part of the highly coveted E30 generation, is available in a variety of configurations to suit a broad range of driving preferences. Combining performance, luxury, and a varied choice of configurations, the 1990 3 Series stands out as a car that is renowned for its luxurious all-around ability.

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Available as a sedan, coupe, and convertible, the 1990 BMW 3 Series is an aggressive-looking, sporty, powerful, and convenient BMW, with a maximum cargo space of 14.3 cubic feet in the sedan and the coupe, and being able to reach speeds of nearly 150 MPH, while still looking as snarling as BMW should do.

Performance Specifications

Though the interior may look a little dated today, if you are a fan of the early-90s aesthetic and calm, yet functional luxury, then the 1990 3 Series will be right up your street. The interior design of the 1990 3 Series captures a driver-focused layout and simplicity that became an icon for BMW during the late 1980s and early 1990s. The center console is angled towards you, with controls placed for easy access, while the materials, which include optional leather seating, offer a premium feel that has aged well.

Sportier models like the 325is and the performance-orientated M3 feature bolstered sports seats, for comfort and durability, while all model variants boast clear analog gauges, perfect for tactile feedback when you are driving to your limit, classic-looking knobs and stylish, easy-to-find buttons. Today, the E30 is a legend among BMW collectors, and with a relatively low-for-a-legendary-classic-car average price of $40,185, it makes for a relatively affordable and potent ride.

Pros

• Good all-rounder.
• Lots of different configurations available.
• Convenient and sporty.

Cons

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7 2020 BMW Z4

Top Speed: 155 MPH

When the 2020 BMW Z4 was released, it helped to redefine the modern roadster by combining sharp handling, structural integrity, and a sophisticated suspension system to deliver a spirited and thrilling drive. The Z4 takes a lot of design cues from the BMW Z3 and the earlier BMW roadsters, like the 507 on our list, but with the 2020 model, the aggressive and athletic nature has been taken to a new level.

As part of the G29 Generation, the 2020 Z4 is built in collaboration with Toyota (the Supra shares a similar platform and costs only a little bit less), and its design is focused heavily on structural integrity, agility, and driver engagement whilst giving you a luxurious and intuitive cabin to sit in.

Performance Specifications

Available as the sDrive30i 2-door convertible and as the sDrive M40i 2-door convertible, the M40i represents the most sporty and raucous version of the Z4, featuring the 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six which can push you to 60 seconds in less than 4 seconds. But, both variants value performance and handling at their core.

Boasting a low center of gravity, a wide wheelbase of 97.2 inches, and a nearly 50:50 weight distribution lays a great foundation for a roadster that sticks to the road. Adaptive suspension allows the Z4 to adjust damping based on road conditions, while enhanced steering feedback gives you heightened control on trickier or twistier roads. A sport-tuned exhaust system creates a distinctive and throaty note, while selectable driving modes (Sport, Comfort, and Eco Pro) mean that you can adjust the Z4’s setup depending on how you want to drive.

The 2020 BMW Z4 has an average used price of $35,275, but for that price, you do get a roadster that has been designed with lessons learned from its predecessors and acts as a fine bridge between classic styling and modern performance credentials. If that is a little outside your budget, older Z4 models are one of the best used sports cars you can buy for less than $5,000.

Pros

• Very powerful engine options are available.
• Sporty and luxurious.
• Renowned for its handling capability.

Cons

• The Z4 has a relatively low rate of reliability, with Repair Pal giving it 3 out of 5 for reliability – ranking it 13th out of 17 for luxury compact cars.
• The yearly maintenance bill is higher than average for luxury compact cars at $895 per year.
• Severity probability is high – 16% probability of a problem being severe.

6 1999 BMW 8 Series

Top Speed: 155 MPH

The 1999 BMW 8 Series needs to be considered one of the best BMW cars ever because it represents BMW’s foray into luxury grand tourers, embodying an unmatched combination of raw power, innovation, and styling as the last of the 1st generation of the 8 Series.

One of the standout features of the 8 Series is its pop-up headlights and aerodynamic design. The BMW 8 Series’ wedge profile is not only a remarkably distinctive design cue but helps the snarly GT cut through the air up there with the best sports cars of the time. But, one of the most innovative features of the 8 Series is the first-for-any-road-car use of a drive-by-wire throttle and an optional V-12 powertrain mated to a six-speed manual transmission.

Performance Specifications

The 1999 BMW 8 Series is available in three configurations: the 840Ci, which boasts the 4.4-liter V-8, the 850Ci, which boasts the 5.4-liter V-12, and the insanely powerful 850CSi, which boasts the 375 horsepower V-12. The V-12 powered 850Ci, in particular, has been praised for its impressive torque and comfortable interior, making it ideal for long and fast highway cruising journeys, while the featured multi-link rear suspension and optional four-wheel drive make for a stable and safe ride.

BMW meant business when they released the 8 Series and the 1999 model is the accumulation of everything BMW worked on from its inception in 1989, and today it stands as a testament to the innovative interior, exterior, and performance design of BMW cars.

Pros

• Very powerful.
• Laid the foundations for the modern 8 Series grand tourers.
• Innovative features.

Cons

• Expensive to run with thirsty engine options.
• Parts are expensive to buy.
• Servotronic power steering makes the car feel light at speeds and can be unsettling.

5 2001 BMW 750 iL (E38)

Top Speed: 155 MPH

The 2001 BMW 750iL is celebrated as one of the most luxurious and advanced vehicles of its time, blending elegant design with cutting-edge technology. Known for its role as BMW’s flagship model, the 750iL defines 2000s luxury with an array of high-end features, a sophisticated chassis, and a focus on comfort and performance.

The 750iL is built on BMW’s extended-wheelbase platform, delivering exceptional stability and a refined ride quality. The longer wheelbase not only creates more interior space (41.9 inches of front legroom) but also enhances the sedan’s road-hugging composure. The 2001 750iL boasts a 120.9-inch wheelbase, is 73.3 inches wide, and 201.7 inches long, making it a very large luxury sedan. But despite this, the quality of the ride is smooth, with features such as a double-wishbone front suspension and a multi-link rear axle, helping to create a luxury feel on the road.

Performance Specifications

Inside, BMW set a new benchmark for luxury by utilizing high-quality materials throughout the cabin, including soft leather upholstery, rich wood trim, and high-end finishes. The extended rear offers you spacious, limousine-like comfort, especially appealing to those of us who like to feel like they are being chauffeur-driven.

Additionally, the 2001 BMW 750iL boasts numerous cutting-edge technologies that have since become standard in luxury sedans. Notably, it features a navigation system, which for 2001 was advanced, as well as voice control, parking sensors, and side airbags in the front and rear. The 2001 BMW 750iL set new standards for the large luxury sedan market, and thanks to the two powerful engine options that are available with it, also makes it appealing to those who want a bit of poke behind their posh car.

Pros

• Very luxurious.
• Two powerful engine options.
• Set new standards for the luxury car market.

Cons

• Owners have complained about the excessive road noise.
• The 7 Series has historic problems with electronics and its heating system.
• Owners have said that the V-8 can suffer from bore wear and needed running gear repairs.

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4 2003 BMW Z8

Top Speed: 180 MPH

The 2003 BMW Z8 is an icon among modern BMWs, coveted for its striking design, thrilling performance, and homage to BMW’s rich heritage. This rare roadster combines cutting-edge technology and advanced engineering with a timeless style that echoes the legendary BMW 507 and takes the Z4 and Z4 to new heights.

One of the first things you will notice is its stunning design. The Z8’s flowing lines, wide-set kidney grille, and muscular rear haunches evoke the essence of the original 507, bringing a 1950s influence into the 21st Century. The long hood, scalloped sides, and rounded headlights pay homage to BMW’s past but with a modern twist, resulting in an appearance that is both timeless and futuristic. Details like the side vents, metallic finish, and chrome accents all add to the Z8’s refined yet athletic stance, making it a true head-turner from every angle.

Performance Specifications

Aside from how good the 2003 BMW Z8 looks, it is also a potent little roadster with fantastic handling and performance credentials. Built on an aluminum space frame, the Z8 is designed to strike a balance between lightness and rigidity, providing an exceptionally responsive and agile drive. With a near-perfect 50:50 weight distribution, the Z8 is renowned for its handling in the corners and on twisty roads, while the advanced Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) helps you to maintain grip and control, even at high speeds.

Only about 5,700 units of the BMW Z8 were ever produced, and today they are a collector’s dream. It will cost you on average $241,450 to buy. There are currently none for sale and only 12 have been sold in the last 5 years, so this is a very exclusive and rare BMW to own. With an unmistakable blend of character, style, performance credentials, and old-school yet futuristic charm, the 2003 BMW Z8 is not only one of the best BMW cars ever made, but one of the best roadsters to ever be produced.

Pros

• Very exclusive car to own.
• Great performance potential.
• A real purist’s roadster.

Cons

• Very expensive to buy.
• Rare to find for sale.
• Low cargo space of only 5.1 cubic feet.

3 1981 BMW M1

Top Speed: 186 MPH

The 1981 BMW M1 is the last of the original BMW M1 lineup and is considered more than a car, but a milestone in automotive history. As BMW’s first supercar and the original ‘M’ model, the M1 set a new standard for performance and design, blending German engineering with Italian flair.

Designed by famed Italian stylist Giorgetto Giugiaro, who has designed countless beautiful cars, which include the Ferrari 250, the Aston Martin DB4 Bertone ‘Jet’, and the Iso Rivolta Grifo, the M1’s exterior is an icon of the late-1970s/early-1980s supercar style, with its wedge shape, sharp lines, and aggressive stance. Boasting eye-catching pop-up headlights and unique rear louvers contribute to its unforgettable silhouette, while wide air vents emphasize its racing heritage.

Built on a tubular steel frame, the M1’s mid-engine layout provides a 50:50 weight distribution, resulting in exceptional balance and handling. With fully independent suspension – complete with coil springs and anti-roll bars – the M1 is built to carve through corners, and its low center of gravity allows it to stay planted during intense driving.

Performance Specifications

Underneath the Ferrari Testarossa competing sleek, wedged exterior, the M1 houses a marvel of engineering: BMW’s legendary 3.5-liter M88 inline-six. This powertrain became the backbone for later M models and is renowned for its advanced internals. Featuring a twin-cam, 24-valve head, and dry-sump lubrication, the M88 is designed to handle high revs and maintain optimal performance under extreme conditions. Kugelfischer-Bosch mechanical fuel injection ensures precise fuel delivery, while the 6 individual throttle bodies contribute to the engine’s quick throttle response.

Only 453 of the M1 were ever produced between 1978 and 18981, with the 1981 model being the melding of all the lessons learned from the previous model years, so this is a very exclusive BMW to own. Today, prices are well over $500,000, and they are hard to come by, but this is a part of automotive history that not only changed the way BMW viewed their own models but also how other automakers viewed what they could do.

Pros

• A road-going, user-friendly supercar.
• Sleek and sporty.
• Very exclusive to own.

Cons

• Parts are expensive.
• Not the most practical car ever.
• It will cost you on average $524,491 to buy a 1981 BMW M1.

2 2023 BMW M5 CS

Top Speed: 190 MPH

The 2023 BMW M5 CS is a rocket ship that stands as one of the most powerful and refined versions of BMW’s legendary M5, combining modern technology, a track-focused design, and some serious performance credentials. This limited-edition model brings together lessons learned from BMW’s motorsport heritage and enhances them with modern engineering, setting a new, dizzyingly high benchmark for high-performance luxury sedans.

Inside, the M5 CS boasts a range of comfort and convenience technology features that prioritize your engagement and real-time feedback. They include:

• BMW iDrive 7.0 with a 12.3-inch touchscreen.
• A digital gauge cluster that provides real-time driving data.
• Adaptive cruise control.
• Track Mode. Disables driver aids for a raw driving experience.
• HUD. Helps you keep focused on the road while receiving all the information you need.

Performance Specifications

The BMW M5 CS is equipped with performance-orientated upgrades, such as a lightweight carbon fiber roof, hood, and front splitter, while the suspension has been tuned specifically for the CS with stiffer springs and dampers to enhance stability. Unique 20-inch wheels are wrapped in Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires, providing optimal grip, while the carbon-ceramic brakes are designed for high-speed performance and durability.

The 2023 M5 CS has evolved greatly, from the original M1 especially, but also from the last couple of years with each feature being refined to achieve an impressive blend of performance, luxury, and motorsport DNA. If you are looking to buy one, the 2024 BMW M5 will cost you around $118,000 – but, what a car it is.

Pros

• Unbelievably fast.
• Interior is as sporty as the exterior with carbon fiber bucket seats.
• Luxurious and athletic.

Cons

• Very expensive.
• Low combined MPG rating of 17 MPG.
• Some owners say that though the exhaust sounds good, it doesn’t sound as good as it should.

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1 2023 BMW M4 CSL

Top Speed: 191 MPH

Boasting the exterior appearance of a street-fighting, track-belting demon and a raucous inline-six under the hood, the 2023 BMW M4 CSL is a true performance machine that has the rich racing heritage of BMW to thank for its beastly credentials. Blending advanced technology, raw driving thrills, and a comfortable interior, this lightweight, track-focused M4 pushes the lineup to new levels.

At the core of the M4 CSL is an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic, offering razor-sharp shifts and three different driving modes that adjust shift speed firmness. It isn’t just fast, but it is also precise and designed to give you total control whether you are powering through a corner or lighting up the straights. Paired with rear-wheel drive, it’s classic BMW in spirit, putting you in command and making sure every ounce of power goes straight to the wheels for a pure, unfiltered driving experience.

Performance Specifications

Featuring the instantly recognizable BMW look, the M4 CSL’s exterior is aggressive and sporty with a carbon fiber hood, roof, and trunk lid to reduce weight and improve aerodynamics, while huge air intakes, a redesigned grille, low-to-the-ground stance, and lightweight forged wheels make it track-ready.

Under the hood, the twin-turbo inline-six boasts a lightweight and reinforced crankshaft and beefed-up cooling system, to help maintain optimum temperatures and performance at high RPMs, while the interior is driver-centric and showcases M-specific features, which include red accents on the Alcántara steering wheel and lightweight door pulls, and bolstered seats to make you feel like you are driving something as sporty and powerful as it.

The 2023 BMW M4 CSL isn’t just another M car; it is BMW pushing the envelope, taking the best of its racing DNA and adding tech and precision, making it a perfect balance of power and control.

Pros

• Explosive performance.
• Luxurious on the inside and aggressive-looking on the outside.
• A standout model in the M4 lineup for power, looks, and performance.

Cons

• Very expensive; it will cost you over $140,000 to buy.
• Some reviews say that the sporty seats and ride are too rigid for everyday driving.
• Only 1,000 units have been made, so they are difficult to get a hold of.