There are lots of things people don't know about BMW's sports cars, but it's certain that they're among the best in the world when it comes to producing some of the most amazing drivers' cars to ever take to the road.
A little over 20 years ago, sports cars were considered fast if they could exceed 150mph. Anything faster than this was the territory of supercars with their vastly complicated maintenance issues and associated costs. But things have changed, most, if not all of BMW's current product range can easily achieve that figure, and those wearing the company's M-Sport badge, once their limiter has been removed, are capable of over 200mph.
10 BMW M1 - Mid- Engined Supercar With Italian Connections
The M1 is one of the best cars BMW has ever produced, but it suffered its share of production problems. Early plans to have Lamborghini complete the assembly of the M1 fell through, forcing BMW to move final production back to their Munich headquarters.
Created by Italdesign the M1 was constructed of fiberglass bodywork over a steel tubular chassis fitted with a BMW 3.5-liter 6-cylinder engine, the engine was mid-mounted for better weight distribution. Originally planned to compete under Group 5 regulations required 400 road-going cars to be produced, however, BMW facing production delays would be forced to enter the lower Group 4 series instead.
9 BMW 507 - Overengineered, Over Budget
Classic cars frequently grab the headlines for their huge resale values, BMW's 507 is no exception, with just 252 cars built for the US market, auction prices regularly top $2 million for mint examples. However, the 507 is not a special edition car, BMW had originally hoped to sell 5,000 units in the first year had production costs not escalated.
Built using a shortened version of BMW's 503 chassis, each car handcrafted contributing to production delays and increased costs. By the time BMW unveiled the 507 in 1955, the intended list price had doubled, drastically affecting sales, BMW ultimately took a loss with every 507 built.
8 BMW i8 Roadster - A Sports Car That Is Eco-Friendly(ish)
At first, gearheads might be put off by the i8's tiny 1.5-liter engine, a 3-cylinder turbocharged unit that combined with its electric motors generates 369hp, which should reassure all but the most skeptical drivers. Despite its hybrid origin, the i8 is a decent sports car reaching 60mph in 4.1 seconds, with only its electronic limiter preventing keen drivers from going above 155mph.
Occupying a middle ground between EV and gas-guzzler means the i8 isn't going to be competing with supercar drivers anytime soon, however, performance is considerably better than most hybrids on the road.
7 BMW 3.0 CSL - Touring Car Star For The Road
As the saying goes "racing improves the breed" which is how gearheads in 1972 managed to find themselves behind the wheel of BMW's 3.0 CSL, a homologation special intended for track use. A further development of the standard coupe, the CSL sports lighter bodywork, which combined with the improved 3-liter engine proved to be an unbeatable combination, taking 6 Touring car titles between 1973-79.
The last of the production models received larger engines in 1973, an increase to 3.2-liters producing 203hp pushes the CSL's top speed up to 137mph.
6 BMW Z1 - The First Z Car From Munich
Only time will tell if BMW's Z cars will enjoy as much success as the M badged models, the Z1 started the Z sub-brand in 1989. Most gearheads will remember the Z1 for its unique drop-down door arrangement, a simple button press lowering the top half into the car's sills.
The Z1, though, is not just a one-trick car, BMW cleverly designed the roadster so that every panel can be easily removed without affecting the overall strength. Lurking under all that plastic bodywork is the engine and transmission from BMW's 325, with 170hp being more than adequate for the Z1 to get to 60mph in under 8 seconds.
5 BMW M3 CSL (E46) - Best Of The M3's
Among BMW fans, the E46 M3 CSL is the best of the breed. A mid-sized coupe that in the right hands can lap the Nürburgring in 7 minutes 50 seconds, faster than some seriously quick supercars. Like its predecessor, wearing thinner and lighter bodywork goes part of the way in explaining its stunning performance, the rest is down to its M-Sport engine.
Packing a 3.2-liter inline 6-cylinder engine under its hood tweaked to deliver 360hp without the use of turbochargers is impressive. E46 models like most German cars are limited to a maximum speed of 155mph.
4 BMW Z8 - Pressed Into Production
Displayed for the first time in 1997, BMW's Z07 concept car was only ever intended to be a modern stylization of the company's 507 sports car from the 1950s, positive press coverage changed all that and the Z8 entered production in 2000. Fabricated entirely from aluminum Z8's chassis and bodywork received minor changes over the concept model, most notably a steeper windshield.
Opening the Z8's hood reveals a modern 4.9-liter V8 engine sending 400hp to the rear wheels, in manual transmission specification capable of hitting 60mph in 4.4 seconds, once again limited to a maximum speed of 155mph.
3 BMW 850 CSi - Innovative Technology
In many ways, the 850CSi is a perfect example of a high-performance GT car that meets hi-tech engineering, the 8 series a clean sheet design adopting many of BMW's latest innovations. Launched in 1990, the range-topping 850CSi with a V12 engine mated for the first time in a production car with a 6-speed manual, likewise, electronic drive-by-wire throttle and multi-link rear suspension were all new technologies at the time.
Crammed with modern technology the 8 series were heavy cars weight having an impact on handling, even so with 300hp available the 850CSi was still a quick car and could reach 60mph in 5.4 seconds.
2 BMW M6 Coupe - 200mph+ Luxury GT
Few cars can match the M6 coupe for its ability to lazily cruise around town or cover huge distances at speed with comparative ease. Being a two-door coupe does impact a little on practicality, but for gearheads needing more doors, the M6 is also available as a sedan. Common across the range is the same M-sport 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine with 552hp on hand, only the competition pack delivers more.
Any gearhead who thinks this is just another German coupe is in for a shock, a trip to a local BMW dealer to have the limiter removed, resulting in a 207mph top speed with 60mph coming up in 4.2 seconds.
1 BMW Z3 - 3 Series In a Track Suit
Under normal circumstances, any car based on a shared platform has a fair chance of being a poor compromise, fortunately, the Z3 used the E36 platform, a great chassis to begin with. Entering production in 1995 as both coupe and roadster with a range of engines to suit all needs, the most desirable being the later 3-liter 6-cylinder units delivered 321hp.
Over its seven-year production lifespan BMW did little in the way of updates to the chassis, only opting for different engine combinations, even go so far as to build a V12 prototype.