Over the years, BMW has made a name for itself as a car brand that provides the client with driving satisfaction and sheer pleasure before anything else. Yes, BMW has focused on a larger market, namely the luxury sedans segment, but they’ve never ceased to amaze with their sports cars.
Which BMW sports cars are the best of the best? Let’s look at the top 10.
Some of these BMWs made the list due to greater reliability, others because of their affordability, and the ones in the top 3 are here just for the driving pleasure they bring. The top two vehicles on the list share the same engine but have some differences.
10. BMW 3.0 CSL E9
If you haven’t heard of the Batmobile, you probably are a brand-new BMW fan. This astonishing vehicle has won numerous racing competitions. It officially came out in 1973 with a 203-horsepower engine and a max speed of 138 miles per hour. It won the European Touring Car Championship four years in a row, making it one of the most memorable sports cars ever made.
- Nicknamed the BMW “Batmobile”
- Came out in 1973
- 203-horsepower engine
- Max speed of 138 miles per hour
- Won numerous racing competitions, including the European Touring Car Championship four years in a row
9. BMW M3 E30 1980
This race trim gets 300 horsepower under the hood and, unlike most BMW vehicles from this period in the 1980s, this car was much more than just a status symbol.
With a race-ready gearbox and a very aggressive suspension, the normally-aspirated 2.3-liter engine is begging to be red-lined to give you the sound you’ve purchased the vehicle to hear. With a max speed of 155 miles per hour, it reaches from 0 to 62 miles in 6.1 seconds (0 – 100 km/h).
- 300 horsepower
- A race-ready gearbox and a very aggressive suspension
- Normally-aspirated 2.3-liter engine
- Max speed of 155 miles per hour
- Reaches from 0 to 62 miles in 6.1 seconds (0 – 100 km/h).
8. BMW M5 30 Jahre
Hopping onto a vehicle from this century, the BMW M5 Jahre limited edition comes with 600 bhp under the hood and a torque of 700 Nm. It reaches from 0 to 62 miles per hour (0 to 100 km/h) in just 3.9 seconds. Despite this being a sports vehicle, it is full of comfort features and comfortable seating.
- Limited edition
- 600 bhp under the hood and a torque of 700 Nm
- Reaches from 0 to 62 miles per hour (0 to 100 km/h) in just 3.9 seconds.
- Very comfortable even though it’s a sports vehicle
7. BMW Z4 2019
The BMW Z4 comes in a 2.0 L B48 turbocharged or a 3.0 L B58 turbocharged engine with an 8-speed automatic or a 6-speed manual gearbox. With four engine options, and 4 available models, including the sDrive20i, sDrive30i, M40i and M40i, it can be equipped all the way from 194 horsepower to almost 400, depending on your choice of engine.
It’s a 2-door roadster that will most likely drag all eyes on you, regardless of whether you are driving through the city or the suburbs.
- A 2-door roadster
- 2.0 L B48 turbocharged or a 3.0 L B58 turbocharged engine
- 8-speed automatic or a 6-speed manual gearbox
- Four engine options, and 4 available models
- 194 to almost 400 horsepower, depending on the engine
6. BMW M4 GTS
The BMW M4 started production in 2014 and has taken the hearts of many BMW fans ever since. Coming in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive options, it can be a good all-around sports car. The F82 and F83 generation is equipped with a 7-speed gearbox and goes from 0 to 62 miles per hour in 4.3 seconds with its 425 horsepower.
- Comes in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive options
- A good all-around sports car.
- 7-speed gearbox
- 425 horsepower
- Goes from 0 to 62 miles per hour in 4.3 seconds
5. BMW M2 Competition 2018
The M2 Competition was first introduced in the 2018 Beijing Auto Show as a more powerful variant to the M2 Coupe. With an engine redesigned in terms of oil supply and modified cooling systems, the M2 Competition took the competition to the next level. This beauty brings in 405 horsepower and can reach a top speed of 280km/h (174 mph), which is electronically capped.
- A more powerful variant to the M2 Coupe
- Redesigned engine in terms of oil supply and modified cooling systems
- 405 horsepower
- Electronically capped top speed of 280km/h (174 mph)
4. BMW M1 1978
Have you heard of the Ferrari-looking BMW that was produced by Lamborghini from 1978 to 1981? If you haven’t, well, this is it. This rare beauty looks more like a Ferrari than an actual BMW, but it drives like one.
Its 3.5 L M88/1 l6 engine is equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission that gives you goosebumps every time you switch a gear. With a curb weight of only 1,300 kg (2,800 lbs), the 300 horsepower under the hood is more than enough to set you flying at a speed of more than 160 mph.
- The Ferrari-looking BMW that was produced by Lamborghini from 1978 to 1981
- Looks like a Ferrari, but drives like a BMW
- 3.5 L M88/1 l6 engine
- Curb weight of only 1,300 kg (2,800 lbs)
- 300 horsepower
- Top speed over 160 mph
3. BMW M4 CS 2017
In 2017, BMW announced the start of a limited production of only 3,000 units globally for the M4 CS. It’s a variation that sits right between the highest-end M4 Competition Package and the M4 GTS. This beauty generates 453 horsepower and a great torque of 443 lb-ft.
With a very beautiful and sleek design, this car is more than a sports car. It’s for collectors and BMW lovers.
- A limited production of only 3,000 units globally
- Sits right between the highest-end M4 Competition Package and the M4 GTS.
- 453 horsepower and a torque of 443 lb-ft
- Beautiful and sleek design that collectors love
2. BMW M5 Competition
There’s a special place on the list for the famous BMW M5 Competition. With an increased horsepower of 617 and a max torque at 6,000 rpm of 553 lb-ft, it makes the air rumble when you pass by.
With an astonishing speed from 0 – 62 mph in just 3.2 seconds, it is one of the fastest BMWs ever produced. Moreover, a lap time of 7:35.90 on the Nürburgring makes it relatively agile on the turns.
- One of the fastest BMWs ever produced
- An increased horsepower of 617
- Max torque at 6,000 rpm of 553 lb-ft
- Goes from 0 – 62 mph in just 3.2 seconds
- Lap time of 7:35.90 on the Nürburgring
1. BMW M8 Competition Coupe
Equipped with a 4.4 L twin-turbocharged S63B44T4 V8 engine, this 8-speed automatic beast is on the top of the food chain for BMW. With the whopping 617 horsepower and the same engine as the M5 Competition, it’s undoubtedly one of the fastest BMWs out there.
The reason why it tops the chart is that, contrary to popular belief, the BMW M8 has a much lighter curb weight than the BMW M5 Competition, making it even faster.
The M8 Competition also takes aerodynamics to the next level, allowing the car to swoosh past its competitors. With a very impressive time of 3.1 seconds from 0 to 62 miles per hour, this car is hands down the fastest BMW you can purchase today.
- A 4.4 L twin-turbocharged S63B44T4 V8 engine
- 617 horsepower
- Same engine as the M5 Competition
- Much lighter curb weight than the BMW M5 Competition
- Next-level aerodynamics
- 3.1 seconds from 0 to 62 miles per hour
- The fastest BMW you can purchase today.
Video: Top 10 BMW sports cars
Final Verdict
Regardless of which BMW car you pick for your collection or driving pleasure, you won’t be making a mistake. BMW is one of the few car brands that focus on making the driver feel perfectly in control of the vehicle behind the wheel, while experiencing the road at its fullest. If you want the fastest and best of the best, go for the BMW M8 Competition Coupe.