40 years of BMW M cars

When BMW unveiled its first road-going car from its Motorsport division at the 1978 Paris motor show, few could have predicted just what a draw the M badge would become.

At first M cars were few and far between, but with the brand now established it offers a reworked version of just about every BMW model.

Naturally some are (much) better than others but they all have something in common; they're fast, usually fun and in many cases will prove to be very collectible. This, then, is the Autocar guide to the BMW M story:

BMW 3.0 CSL (1973)

Developed for the track, as a homologation special BMW had to build some road-going examples of the 3.0 CSL. To cut weight the bonnet, boot lid and door skins were made of aluminium, the side windows were Plexiglass and the interior was stripped out. Just 1039 were made; good ones are now very sought after and valuable.

BMW M1 (1978)

The first road car to come from BMW's M division and so far the only mid-engined supercar. Conceived to do battle in Group 5 racing, the gestation period was so protracted that it ended up just competing in its own one-make race series. Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the M1 was the first car to use BMW's classic 3453cc straight-six; just 453 were made.

BMW M535i (1980)

This was the car that really set the M car template with its blend of excellent performance, Q-car looks and family-friendly practicality. Powered by the same 3.5-litre engine as the M1, there was 220bhp which gave 0-62mph in a quick-for-its-day 7.5 seconds – but only that deep front spoiler gave away the potential.

BMW M5 E28 (1984)

The first M5 was as anonymous as a diesel-powered family hack, yet it was the world's fastest four-door car when it burst onto the scene in 1984. While the 278bhp M5 gets all of the limelight there was also an M535i offered alongside, with the same 220bhp engine as the E12-based M535i.

BMW M635 CSi (1984)

Effectively an M5 coupé, the M635 CSi (M6 in the US) was designed to take on the Porsche 911. The M635 offered the same level of usability as a regular E24 6 Series coupé but with serious pace; the 282bhp straight-six could blast this coupé from a standing start to 62mph in just 6.4 seconds.

M3 E30 (1985)

With its blistered wheelarches the original M3 is more obvious than most of its siblings but that doesn't make it any less desirable. Available with left-hand drive only, the first M3 featured a 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine rated at 197bhp and it later came in cabriolet and Evo forms. Decent cars have become so collectible today that they rarely see the light of day.

M3 E30 pick-up (1986)

Is it an M car? Not really, although it was built by BMW M Division. This M is an E30 convertible that was turned into a pick-up for hauling bits around the M Division's site in Garching. Initially a 189bhp 320iS engine was fitted but later on an E30 M3 S14 2.3-litre unit was slotted into the engine bay with a full complement of 197 horses.

BMW M5 E34 (1988)

The E34 M5 was designed to take on the mighty Mercedes W124 which meant that this BMW had fabulous build quality, but with a 311bhp 3.6 straight-six in the nose it also had plenty of go. From 1991 a 3.8-litre engine was fitted, rated at 335bhp, though America didn't get it because of emission regulations.

BMW M5 E34 convertible (1989)

BMW has offered a drop-top version of each generation of M3 it's made – but it has never put an open-topped M5 into production. It almost did though because in 1989 a soft-top M5 was built and it was set to be revealed at that year's Geneva motor show. But the plug was pulled at the last minute because BMW didn't want to risk losing 3 Series convertible sales.

BMW M8 (1991)

It would be almost two decades before BMW acknowledged the existence of this car; a 550bhp V12-powered version of the E31 8 Series. That engine was effectively two 3.0-litre straight-sixes combined to create a 6.1-litre V12, which drove the rear wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox. With just two seats (racing bucket items), race-spec brakes and menacing bodywork the M8 would have made an enticing flagship for BMW, but sadly it wasn't to be.

BMW M5 E34 Touring (1992)

In a bid to expand its M range BMW introduced an M5 Touring in 1992. Made with left-hand drive only, just 891 were built. The M5 Touring wasn't deemed to be a success which is why BMW didn't offer a load-lugging E39 M5. But with Audi and Mercedes enjoying great success with their fast estates, the M5 Touring wasn't gone forever.

BMW M3 E36 (1992)

This was the point at which many enthusiasts wondered if the best days of the M car were in the past as the E36 was just not exciting enough, even if it was more usable on an everyday basis. Sure it was reasonably quick (0-62mph in six seconds) but it wasn't engaging enough and the SMG transmission was poor. But we needn't have worried as this was just a blip…

BMW 850 CSi (1993)

It may not have carried an M badge but it was still developed by BMW's Motorsport Division, so it was effectively an M8 even if it was never marketed as such. The interior and bodywork were toned down compared with the single M8 prototype built, but there was a 375bhp 5.6-litre V12 so performance was still on the entertaining side. It's by far the best 8 Series.

BMW M3 Compact (1996)

Here's one that didn't make it, but if it had done so it would have been epic with its light weight (just 1290kg or 2838 lb) and a storming 321bhp 3.2-litre engine. The idea was to produce a smaller, more affordable M car for younger buyers, but BMW got cold feet and the E36-based M3 Compact was shelved after just a single prototype had been made.

BMW M5 E39 (1998)

After the disappointment of the E36 came the magnificence of the E39 – the first M car with a V8 engine. As a result there was a big boost in performance; there was now 394bhp on tap which went to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. Global E39 M5 sales totalled 20,482; a big increase on the 12,254 of its predecessor.

BMW Z3M Roadster (1998)

The regular Z3 didn't provide the best basis for an M car so what started out as a dynamically disappointing model was heavily reworked to create something worthy of the M badge. As a result it was flawed but it was still a lot more entertaining than the car that sired it.

BMW Z3M Coupé (1998)

Now hugely collectible and made in tiny numbers, this Z3 shooting brake looks odd but is better to drive than its open-topped sibling thanks to the significantly stiffer structure. But mechanically it's the same which means up front is a 3.2-litre straight six with 317bhp on tap to give 0-62mph in just 5.4 seconds.

BMW M3 E46 (2000)

Responding to criticisms that the E36 had been too soft, the E46 was a much more rewarding driver's car that still featured six cylinders but there was now 338bhp available. As with its predecessors there were coupé or convertible variants to choose from.

BMW X5 LM (2000)

BMW was on the cusp of launching its first SUV, the X5, and in a bid to show that an SUV could be fun to drive it came up with a unique V12-powered car that packed a rather silly 700bhp. BMW then hired racing driver Hans-Joachim Stuck to hustle the X5 LM around the Nürburgring in an even more silly 8:05 – which was 15 seconds faster than the M5-powered BMW Z8.

BMW M3 CSL (2003)

Worthy of its own entry here, the M3 CSL was costly when new and came with a clunky SMG transmission that spoiled the driving experience, but the rest of the package made up for it. Beautifully balanced, fantastically made and with a gorgeous soundtrack, prices are going stratospheric as collectors scramble to buy one.

BMW M3 E46 Touring

It's another one that got away; a load-lugging compact hot rod with the same 343bhp six-pot as the E46 M3 coupé and cabriolet. One fully functional prototype was made and BMW reckoned it had overcome the various production hurdles, but the conclusion was that the numbers didn't stack up as the market for an M3 Touring just wasn't big enough.

BMW M5 E60 (2005)

Featuring more cylinders than any M car yet devised, the V10-powered M5 E60 had a massive 500bhp and the sort of poise that you might expect of a madly impractical sports car. Capable of transporting five in (very) high-speed comfort, this was one of the greatest cars in the world when it was current.

The V10 was a glorious thing to experience and listen to, but happiest at the upper end of the rev-range. Which in turn gave it tremendous thirst, not easily assuaged by a 70-litre (18.5 US gallon) fuel tank that was the same size as featured on the humdrum diesel 2-litre version.

BMW M5 E60 Touring (2007)

For the ultimate in high-speed practicality, in Europe BMW offered a Touring version alongside the saloon; the 500bhp V10 was carried over unchanged. Made with both left and right-hand drive, a handful made it to the UK.

BMW M6 E63 (2005)

It may not have looked very pretty but the M6 was a seriously quick machine even if it was too big and heavy to be considered nimble. Using the same mechanicals as the M5 E60, the M6 could sprint from 0-62mph in a scorching 4.4 seconds.

BMW Z4M Roadster (2006)

Pitched squarely against the Porsche Boxster S, the Z4M was effectively an M3 E46 roadster, complete with a 338bhp 3.2-litre straight-six. Our verdict after driving it was that "The first obligation of any car wearing the M badge is to possess the capacity to thrill its driver and, flaws and all, that’s a commodity the Z4M possesses in spades". Job done.

BMW Z4M Coupé (2006)

For those who value a stiffer structure over wind-in-the-hair thrills, BMW came up with a tin-topped Z4M that was even better to drive than its open-topped sibling. Heavier by 15kg (33 lb), the coupé featured retuned suspension and quicker steering but the same delicious 338bhp engine. Values are climbing fast; secure a minter before they're out of reach altogether.

BMW M3 E90 (2007)

For the first time in an M3 there was a V8 driving the rear wheels – a 414bhp V8 no less and it would be the last naturally aspirated powerplant to be fitted to an M3. Capable of being revved all the way to 8400rpm, the M3 E90 was a massively capable car but it was so refined that it didn't have the raw excitement of previous editions.

G Power Hurricane (2008)

From the too-much-is-not-enough school of thought, German tuning company G Power created a series of ludicrously fast E60 M5s starting with the Hurricane in 2008. Offering anywhere between 660bhp and 830bhp, the latter in Hurricane RRs form, G Power seized the record for the world's fastest saloon at a faintly ridiculous 232mph.

BMW X5M E53 (2008)

This is where things started to get a bit silly and we wondered if the M division had lost the plot. The X5 may drive well for an SUV but this is still a car that's the antithesis of what M should stand for. But the customer is always right and the 547bhp X5M went on to do rather well for BMW.

BMW X6M (2009)

While enthusiasts derided BMW for producing the X6, once again it was only produced because there was enough demand, and just like the more practical X5M, the X6M was another success for BMW.

BMW M3 GTS (2009)

BMW took a leaf out of Porsche's book with this limited-run M3 of which just 150 were made, all in coupé form. Each featured more power (now 444bhp) and less weight (136kg (299 lb) was cut from the kerb weight) to produce something very special.

BMW 1 Series M Coupé (2011)

Often overlooked because of the higher-profile M3 and M4, the 335bhp 1 Series M Coupé is a jewel with its compact dimensions and ample power – plus delicious balance of course. It's not the easiest M car to drive fast, but it's very rewarding on the right roads.

BMW M5 F12 (2011)

We'd reached peak cylinder count with the M5 E60 and for its successor BMW reduced the number of combustion chambers to eight. But a pair of turbochargers ensured there was more grunt than ever (now 553bhp) which was enough to give 0-62mph in just 4.5 seconds. BMW didn't offer an M5 Touring this time round – just a four-door saloon.

BMW M6 F13 (2012)

Once again the M6 was a less practical, more stylish M5 with the same running gear wrapped up in a two-door coupé bodyshell – or there was always the four-door M6 Gran Coupé for those who needed a dash of added usability. Fast and with an incredible soundtrack, the M6 is an epic machine and a rare one too thanks to a hefty price tag.

BMW M5 Competition Package (2014)

The fifth-generation M5 was pretty epic but that didn't stop BMW from honing it further with the Competition Package. Power was up from 553bhp to a stonking 571bhp while the suspension was comprehensively reworked too. For those who wanted even more, in 2016 BMW released 200 examples of the 591bhp Competition Edition.

BMW M4 (2014)

A fifth-generation M3 in all but name, by the time this edition of BMW's staple M car reached production the two-door models had been hived off as a separate model line. As a result the coupé and cabriolet editions were known as the M4 but they were mechanically identical to the M3 saloon that was sold alongside, with all three bodystyles featuring a twin-turbo 3.0-litre straight-six rated at 425bhp.

BMW M2 (2016)

BMW's M cars had got progressively more powerful and faster over the years but they'd also got a lot heavier, much more complex and in many cases less involving too. The M2 attempted to reverse some of this and it did a pretty good job of getting close to the spirit of the E30 M3. At first there was 365bhp on tap but in 2018 this was upped to a stonking 405bhp in the M2 Competition.

BMW M5 F90 (2017)

Unveiled at the 2017 Frankfurt motor show, the sixth take on the M5 was predictably the most powerful yet, with a 591bhp twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8. To help get such prodigious power down, for the first time ever in an M5 there was four-wheel drive.

BMW M5 drift record (2018)

In January 2018 race car driver Johan Schwartz drifted a BMW M5 for eight hours non-stop, covering 232.5 miles in that time. To set the Guinnness World Record that resulted, the car had to be refuelled during the attempt.

BMW M5 Competition Package (2018)

For those who reckoned that 591bhp wasn't enough, BMW introduced a Competition Package for the M5 a few months after its launch. Power was increased to 617bhp, the suspension was recalibrated and the exhaust was redesigned. The result of this jiggery pokery was a car that could get from 0-62mph in just 3.3 seconds – a full tenth of a second faster than the regular M5. And all for a mere £6500.