During WWI, one of the biggest suppliers of aircraft in Germany was a company called Otto Flugmaschinenfabrik, which was later renamed to Bayerische Flugzeugwerke. As the names imply, this little company was all about developing and manufacturing aircraft. However, towards the end of the 1910s, similarly to what a certain Swedish company did, they decided to expand their operation to cars and motorcycles. Their name became Bayerische Motoren Werke, which was then shortened to BMW, and the rest is history.
Today, BMW is a global automotive juggernaut. They sell more luxury cars than just about any other automaker, and they have some of the highest badge prestige and most desirable cars in the world right now. We're all familiar with the most notable BMWs of years gone by, but in between those, there were quite a few cool ones that time forgot about.
10 135i Coupe
The first generation 1 Series was a heavily compromised compact car. Due to its use of a RWD platform to keep it a "true" BMW, it was impractical and a little unsafe. The platform did give it one advantage over its rivals, however; it could use a longitudinally mounted I6 engine.
Before the lovely 1M, the fastest 1 Series model you could get was the 135i. Only the Coupe was offered in North America, but Europe (unbelievably) also got a hatchback version. With 306 hp, 295 lb/ft of torque, a manual transmission and RWD, all wrapped up in a very compact body, the 135i is a total hoot. Not to mention, they're pretty cheap.
9 2002 Hommage
Technically, this isn't an actual BMW model, as it was just a concept car. It was based on a production car, though, and it's just so good that it absolutely deserves a mention. Like the name implies, the 2002 Hommage Concept was a tribute to the original 2002, one of BMW's most well-known performance cars before the days of M.
The roofline and glass area are dead giveaways that this is based on the excellent M2, but it features overhauled styling to more closely resembles the very boxy 2002. It's complemented nicely by other unique touches, like the squared fenders, the circular headlights and those picture-perfect wheels.
8 7 Series (E32)
The E32 was the second generation of the iconic full-size luxury sedan. BMW didn't try anything crazy with the styling, as it just looks like an E34 5 Series that's grown a bit and smoothed out its rear decklid. This is a good thing, because it looks very stately and clean. Unlike the current one and the upcoming model.
The most major things the E32 brought to the table were found under its hood. As well as being the first BMW with a V8 engine, it was also the first to introduce a V12. A 5.0-liter unit, specifically, which was available on the top-of-the-line 750i and 750iL. In a roundabout way, that V12 formed the basis for the V12 found in the groundbreaking McLaren F1.
7 M6 (F06/F12/F13)
The excitement wasn't all that big when BMW announced that the second generation M6 would have a twin-turbo V8 instead of the howling V10. People were still cautiously optimistic, and thankfully, BMW absolutely knocked it out of the park with the F generation M6.
Offered as a coupe, convertible, or a four-door Gran Coupe, the M6's twin-turbo V8 made 552 hp and 501 lb-ft of torque, and it could do 190 mph with the M Driver's Package. It was also thrilling to drive, gorgeous, and luxurious. Considering what you get for the money, the M6 is a surprising bargain.
6 540i Touring (E39)
Similarly to how things are today, you could have a V8 engine in the 5 Series without springing for the M5. For the E39, widely considered to be the best generation 5 Series, and easily the best-looking, that was the 540i. The best part is that it was available as a station wagon. Yes, even in North America.
The 540i used a 4.4-liter V8 with 282 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, which later became 325 lb-ft. This was routed to the rear wheels through either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 5-speed automatic. Sadly, the Touring only came with the automatic, but it's still a fantastic combo; RWD, N/A V8, all in a practical wagon body.
5 Z4 M
Launched in 2002, the Z4 was the successor to BMW's second small roadster, the Z3. On the face of it, it seemed like a pretty good rival to the Porsche Boxster and the Mercedes SLK, but with the launch of the Z4 M, it turned into a real threat.
While the exterior did a pretty good job of hiding it, the Z4 M packed the 3.2-liter I6 from the E46 M3 under the hood, with the identical 338 hp output. All of that power in a smaller, lighter two-seater made for an excellent sports car. There was even a Coupe version, which is exceptionally rare. Either way, both are pretty expensive nowadays, but definitely worthwhile if you're looking for an underrated BMW sports car.
4 M550i (G30)
This might just be the best current BMW. The M5 is a very expensive car, and the M5 CS is just total insanity. If you want a V8-powered 5 Series, but you don't want to spend so much on an M5, or you just prefer something a lot more subtle, then the M550i is the one.
Outside of the M5, the M550i is the top-of-the-line version of the 5 Series. The first iteration made 456 hp, but the 2020 facelift bumped that up to a significant 523. That's more than the V10-powered E60 M5. Combined with AWD traction and a slick 8-speed automatic transmission, this not-an-M5 can do 0-60 in just 3.8 seconds.
3 3 Series Compact
The 3 Series Compact might just be everyone's favorite BMW... to make fun of. The criticism the 3er Compact received when it was launched was massive, with most struggling to understand what sort of market it appealed to.
However, fortunes are changing for the 3 Compact, as quite a few enthusiasts (outside of North America) have started to see the appeal. It's smaller than the 3 Series on which it's based, but it's still RWD, and it still theoretically fits a larger powertrain under the hood. BMW even trialed an M3 Compact prototype in the 90s, based on the E36. Plus, with such a short wheelbase, this would be a complete riot of a drift car.
2 M535i (E12)
Although the M5 as we know it today wouldn't become a thing until the E28 generation, the preceding E12 received some M treatment too. The M535i was the first ever 5 Series to wear an M badge, and it was a very special car.
Along with improved aerodynamics, and lovably garish M graphics on the exterior, the M535i had a 215 hp I6, a dogleg manual transmission and a limited slip differential. This is the car to thank for the M5 that we know and love today, and yet, no one seems to remember it.
1 Z3 M Coupe
As well as a Z3 M Roadster, BMW also made a Z3 M Coupe. What actually turned out was a vehicle that did not look like a coupe at all, more like a very low and squat hot hatchback. That made it even better.
While the early North American models were a bit down on power, the 2001 and 2002 model years finally got the power boost they deserved, with a slightly detuned version of the E46 M3's motor, making 315 hp. These days, Z3 M Coupes are very rare and expensive, but it definitely is one of the most curious and awesome pieces of BMW M history.