© BMW Press ClubThis week, BMW launched its concept XM - yes, this 740bhp plug-in hybrid is the first standalone M Car since the beautiful M1, and yes, it has astonishing performance figures,, many people with many Shekels will buy it.
Yet for all of the XM’s big money and massive power flex, its looks are the biggest talking point. Whilst they may not be to everyone’s taste, surely the genius behind good design is getting people talking, right?
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Regardless of your stance on BMW's new design philosophy, we can't deny our appreciation for the new 4 Series and M4 both in terms of aesthetics and driving experience. That being said, in this edition of This Week in Cars, we want to shine the spotlight on five classic BMWs that have earned their place as some of the company's most exceptional designs throughout its history.
1974 BMW 2002
The 2002 Turbo was a turbocharged version of BMW's 2002, which was introduced in 1968. Widely considered the first true sports sedan, the 2002 was light, modern and, most importantly, comfortable, with enough room for four. In short, it was the forerunner to the much-loved BMW 3 Series. The 2002 Turbo was powered by a four-cylinder engine, which produced 170bhp. When the 2002 launched in 1973, it was one of the fastest road-going production cars around, and was only bested by the Porsche 911.
- PRICE:
- EUR 119,950
- LINK TO CAR AND DEALER:
- Witmar and Odijk
1980 BMW M1
The BMW M1 is where BMW’s ‘M’ division started. Back in 1978, BMW decided that it needed a car specific for racing, and here it is - a purpose built, mid-engined homologation special designed for the track. The first ‘M’ Car. The M1 was originally destined to be a joint venture between BMW and Lamborghini. However, given that fallings out tend to happen when Germany and Italy get together, that’s exactly what happened and BMW ended up making the car themselves. The M1 was powered by a 3.5-litre inline six motor, and it also boasted a highly advanced tubular steel space-frame chassis. Just 453 M1s were produced over a three year period, which makes it one of the rarest, sought after BMWs of all time. Up until the i8, the M1 was the only mid-engined car to have been made by BMW.
- PRICE:
- P.O.R.
- LINK TO CAR AND DEALER:
- Boutsen Classic Cars
1998 BMW Z3 M Roadster
The BMW M Roadster was the hot version of the BMW Z3. Powered by the brawny 3.2L straight-six motor from the E36 M3, the M Roadster retained all of the Z3’s good looks, but The People From BMW ensured that the Z3 now had the power to match its great looks. It was also way more driver-focused than before thanks to the E36’s suspension, limited-slip diff, brakes and pretty much all the hardware it needed to cope with the extra power. Fun to drive all the time, and hilariously slippery in the wet, is the BMW M Roadster the most-overlooked M Car of all time?
- PRICE:
- USD 26,000
- LINK TO CAR AND DEALER:
- Gateway Classic Cars
BMW 750i V12
No list of classic BMWs would be complete without mentioning the E38 7 Series. From the beginning, the E38 aimed to rival the W140 Mercedes S-Class, which is widely regarded as one of the most technologically advanced cars ever produced. When it debuted in 1995, the E38 made significant strides in innovation. It was the first European car to feature satellite navigation and introduced curtain airbags to the automotive world. Additionally, it boasted a diesel engine option, in addition to the straight-six, V8, and V12 powerplants offered by BMW. The E38's superior driving dynamics set it apart from the Mercedes, delivering a sportier experience rather than a typical luxurious Eurobarge. Despite its production ending 20 years ago, the E38, designed by Boyke Boyer, is now considered one of the most visually appealing BMWs ever created. Its iconic status was further cemented by its memorable appearance as a Bond car in Tomorrow Never Dies. Available in various configurations such as short wheelbase (i), long wheelbase (L), and limousine versions, the E38 undeniably ranks among the finest BMWs ever manufactured.
- PRICE:
- EUR 17,950
- LINK TO CAR AND DEALER:
- Stuurman Classic Cars
2003 BMW M3
In the 30 plus years since the BMW M3 burst onto the automotive world, there hasn’t been a bad one. However, the E46 you see here is widely considered to be the greatest of them all. The E46 M3 was - and still is - praised for its naturally-aspirated, 3.2-litre straight-six engine, six-speed manual gearbox, and its engaging drive. In short, it’s widely seen as the last of the properly mechanical M3s. After all, the E46’s successor, the E90, moved away from the traditional naturally-aspirated inline-six to a 4.0-litre V8. The cars that followed, the F80 and G80, were a further departure from the E46 thanks to electronic steering, turbocharging, and optional four-wheel-drive. Right now, E46s - both M3 and standard cars - are reasonably affordable. However, their unfussy design, pure mechanicals, and thrilling driving experience, mean they will certainly rise in value in the not-too-distant future. Do it. You know you want to.
- PRICE:
- EUR 35,000
- LINK TO CAR AND DEALER:
- Cool Classic Club
2024 BMW XM - New Wild Luxury SUV in details
These cars were also listed in this week’s edition of the Dyler newsletter, which you can register for by clicking this link. We’d love to hear from you, so please tell us via email, Facebook, or Instagram what cars you’d like to see us feature in next week’s edition of This Week in Cars
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