BMW is one of the most iconic German car brands. Though the company has a very diversified portfolio, it is mostly known for its luxurious and durable vehicles. As a matter of fact, when people think "BMW," the first words that come to mind are "elegance" and "sportiness." Out of all the BMW cars ever made, one definitely stands out: the M3.
The M3 is one of the greatest BMW models of all time after all. First introduced during the 1980s, the M3 has gotten better as years went by. Though the car is now filled with electronics, it is still a pleasure to take an M3 for a spin, and when modified, M3s are simply mind-blowing.
10 Blue Magic
The E36 M3 is the second generation M-badged 3-Series. Unlike the previous generation, the E36 M3 is far bigger and equipped with a much more powerful inline-six-cylinder engine. Though the car looks exquisite as is, it can definitely be improved with some custom parts.
This is the kind of modified classic BMWs petrol hands cannot stop staring at. Especially with a color that is very typical of BMWs in general. Well, the color is not the only thing that was somewhat left untouched. The engine found under the hood the original and bone stock S52 inline-six originally found on E36 M3s.
9 Fat M3
The M3 E92 is quite interesting. It is the very first M3 to come stock with a V8. It was an era when both the M3 and the M5 were fitted with robust and powerful powerplants. A V8-powered German car is usually likely to be a huge hit.
Liberty Walk is one of the most popular Japanese wide-body kits manufacturers out there. The company already modified some of the most iconic cars, including a Lamborghini Miura. This E92 M3 is fitted with Strasse wheels and saw its engine modified to produce over 600 hp.
8 Laguna Seca
The BMW E46 is one of the most popular BMWs of the last twenty years. Thanks to its incredible physique and outstanding inline-six engine, the car became synonymous with style and speed. While the regular E46 3-Series was great, its M-badged version was once again setting the bar quite high.
Though stanced vehicles may get under some gearheads' skin, this E46 M3 is gorgeous. The white and gold rims fit perfectly the blue paint job that is very particular to BMW's sports cars.
7 European Restomod
The E30 M3 is the very first M3 ever made. Any German car fan knows that. A low mileage BMW E30 M3 sold for $250,000, which is quite a lot for a car from the 1980s. However, it is fair to say that the E30 M3 is by far the most iconic BMW car in the last 35 years.
The vast majority of restomodded vehicles tend to look like Hot Wheels. However, there are times when tuners really want to keep its original look. Redux decided to turn the somewhat sluggish E30 M3 into a beast. The original 2.3L four-cylinder engine was bored to 2.5L and equipped with a turbo. The entire concoction produces 390 hp.
6 Purple Rein
There are times when being fast and stylish just is not cutting it. Though it is true that the M3 is a highly exclusive car, it is also meant to be modified. It is a very modular car that has the potential to be turned into a true monster from hell. This M3 is the prime example.
Customized by Eurowerk, this daily driver produces 483 hp which is quite respectable for a car made to go from point A to point B. Dubbed "Purple Rein," this F80 M3 is by definition a mean machine ready to scare most sports sedans on the road. This Australia-based M3 will for sure give most gearheads goosebumps.
5 Classy
The latest M3s are simply street-legal race cars. Despite having undergone some engine reduction, they are still among the most respected German-made cars out there. As the car is widely popular among gearheads, tuners have worked on developing aftermarket parts to enhance the M3's already astonishing qualities.
This fully modified BMW M3 F80 LCI II is simply stunning. The car seems to have been modified in a very conservative manner at first sight. However, over $25,000 was invested into turning this M3 into a German bomber. It is unclear how much power this M3 actually produces, but its whistling turbos are a sign that it is not your average M3.
4 Swapped
When the E30 M3 was released, the car was one of the most amazing sports cars ever made by BMW. While the car still is truly iconic, some of its features did not age well. To the pleasure of most modified M3s, there are tons of aftermarket parts and specialists capable of turning a regular E30 M3 into a monster.
The E30 M3's engine was great during the 1980s. Things have greatly evolved, and the original four-cylinder engine is not cutting it. This M3 was fitted with a much more potent E36 M3 engine. With a power output of 321 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, this modified E30 truly means business.
3 Lightweight
When BMW retired the E46 M3 in 2006, it surprised the entire car scene with a much more potent 4.4L V8 powered M3. The inline-six-cylinder engine was now a thing of the past. A much more robust, powerful, and sporty engine was now found on the M3. Needless to say, it was an immediate success.
An M3 with a huge wing and a roll cage. Nothing special here, you may say. However, KBR Motorsports worked on helping the E92 M3 shed some weight. The entire interior was stripped of the fluff in order to fully utilize the 414 hp produced by the naturally aspirated 4.0L V8.
2 Wide
The E46 M3 is quite an amazing vehicle. It is in some ways the last M3 to have that truly old-school BMW look. Though the production of the E46 was stopped in 2006, its value and popularity have not faded away. The car still is perceived as a wonderful piece of engineering.
This M3 did not receive any mechanical modifications that would crank up its power to over 500 hp. The main purpose of this M3 is to showcase the crazy body kit developed by Pandem. This Rocket Bunny M3 may not please most purists out there, but it sure does look great.
1 Clubsport
The BMW E92 M3 is by far one of the coolest recent M3s. Though the latest ones are nice to look at and fast, they are nothing as attractive as the E92. They do not have a V8 nestled under their hood after all. The E92 is also known to be the perfect base for a project. This is the prime example.
This M3 is equipped with about everything you would expect on a 625 hp M3. From the V8 engine to the body's front flares, the M3 is made to intimidate anyone with a mid-range sports car. Sadly, its owner had to sell his baby due to personal reasons. This car is nonetheless a beautifully European-modded M3.