The greatest BMW M cars go up for sale

Hero BMW M cars head to auction

The recent RM Sotheby’s Munich auction included the incredible ‘Best of M Collection’, featuring 22 of BMW M’s greatest hits from the past 50 years – all supplied by the same owner. We reveal all the cars from the collection, plus other special BMWs in the sale:

1975 BMW 2002 Turbo

Guide Price: £85,000 to £120,000

The Best of M Collection starts with the first turbocharged car made by BMW (and by a European marque, in fact). Revealed at the 1973 Frankfurt Motor Show, the BMW 2002 Turbo demonstrated the benefits of forced induction.

With its 170hp four-cylinder engine, this particular Chamonix White Turbo is fitted with the rarer five-speed manual gearbox.

Only 1,673 examples of the 2002 Turbo were produced, making this a true piece of BMW history. It makes the guide price seem relatively affordable.

1980 BMW M1

Guide Price: £435,000 to £500,000

The story of the BMW M1 is a complicated one, including a failed agreement with Lamborghini, and a missed opportunity in motorsport. But the resulting car became BMW’s first mid-engined supercar, with true on-track ability.

Only 399 examples were built for the road, powered by BMW’s 3.5-litre straight-six engine. The important numbers were 277hp and 243lb ft of torque.

Subject to a comprehensive restoration, this M1 has benefited from a respray in white with the famous BMW M tricolour motorsport livery. It also comes with an extensive history file that includes its BMW ‘birth certificate’.

1990 BMW Z1 Roadster

Guide Price: £80,000 to £105,000

One of the most innovative cars of the 1980s, the Z1 kicked off BMW’s Z-car lineage. Although not strictly part of the M family, the Z1 is clearly radical enough to be included in this owner’s collection.

With removable and interchangeable bodywork, the Z1’s party trick was doors that slid vertically downwards into the side sills. Power came from a 170hp 2.5-litre engine, combined with a five-speed manual gearbox.

This particular car has covered just 63km from new, leaving it as a perfectly preserved example of the 8,000 cars made.

1990 BMW E30 M3 Sport Evolution

Guide Price: £175,000 to £220,000

The ‘E30’ generation of the BMW M3 is still regarded as one of greatest road cars ever created. And the Sport Evolution sits at the very top of the pile.

Just 600 were made, helping BMW homologate its enhanced M3 for motorsport use. Along with an enlarged 238hp 2.5-litre engine, the M3 Sport Evolution came with an adjustable front splitter and larger rear spoiler.

Finished in Brilliant Red, this example features black leather sports seats, red seatbelts and a suede-clad steering wheel.

1992 BMW E30 M3 Cabriolet

Guide Price: £80,000 to £105,000

Open-top versions of the BMW M-car series have become a staple of the range, but the E30 M3 Cabriolet marked the beginning of the lineage.

With the M3 aimed primarily at motorsport homologation, the convertible model is much rarer, with just 786 made. Finished in Diamond Black with a Silver Nappa leather interior, this car retains its original 2.3-litre engine producing 215hp.

Backed by a plentiful history file, the M3 Cabriolet comes with its spare wheel, tool kit, owner’s guides and a BMW Classic Birth Certificate.

1995 BMW E36 M3 Cabriolet

Guide Price: £43,500 to £60,000

The Best of M Collection also includes the next chapter in the convertible BMW M3 story, with this bold example of the ‘E36’ version.

Featuring Dakar Yellow paintwork and a black Nappa leather interior, the M3 even comes with a colour-coded Dakar Yellow hard-top roof.

However, the star attraction will be the 286hp 3.0-litre straight-six engine, combined with a five-speed manual gearbox.

1995 BMW E36 M3 GT

Guide Price: £85,000 to £120,000

Although the E36 M3 didn’t start life as a homologation special, BMW soon created a version to meet FIA and IMSA competition rules.

Just 356 of the M3 GT were made for the European market, all with British Racing Green paintwork, Mexico Green leather upholstery, and bespoke front and rear spoilers.

BMW also enhanced the 3.0-litre engine to generate 295hp, combined with aluminium body panels to save weight. The result is a desirable piece of BMW motorsport history.

2000 BMW Z3 M Roadster

Guide Price: £50,000 to £70,000

Following the launch of the Z3 Roadster in 1995, BMW waited until 1997 to reveal the high-performance M version. Equipped with the E36-generation M3’s 3.2-litre straight-six engine producing 321hp, it turned the Z3 into a true hot rod.

Another member of the collection finished in striking Dakar Yellow, this Z3 M Roadster has an impressive black and grey leather interior.

Originally delivered to an owner in Japan, the Z3 comes with a colour-matched hard-top roof. Recently serviced, this M machine has covered a mere four kilometres in the last eight years.

2002 BMW Z3 M Coupe

Guide Price: £70,000 to £85,000

Should you prefer your BMW Z3 M in coupe form, the Best of M Collection does not disappoint, featuring this Phoenix Yellow example.

Being a later version means the infamous ‘clown shoe’ or ‘breadvan’ comes equipped with the more powerful S54 engine. A healthy 325hp is produced by its 3.2-litre straight-six.

BMW made only 1,112 examples of the Z3 M Coupe with the S54 engine, making this a relative rarity. Like many of the cars here, it has seen limited use, and comes backed by an extensive history file.

2002 BMW E46 M3 Cabriolet

Guide Price: £43,500 to £60,000

It seems hard to believe that the E46-generation BMW M3 is now 25 years old. However, it remains renowned as one of the greatest cars to wear the famous tricolour M badge.

Painted in Titan Silver, this E46 M3 Cabriolet combines BMW’s six-speed automated manual SMG-II transmission with its 3.2-litre straight-six engine. Producing 343hp, the E46 M3 could reach 155mph.

The first owner of this car was generous with the specification, choosing options that include satellite navigation, climate control, rear parking sensors and even a built-in TV.

2003 BMW E46 M3 CSL

Guide Price: £105,000 to £140,000

Arguably the single greatest BMW M3 model made, the E46 CSL saw the 3.2-litre straight-six engine enhanced to deliver 360hp. Controversially, the SMG-II automated transmission was the only gearbox fitted.

The use of lightweight body panels, including a carbon fibre roof, helped the CSL to shave 110kg from the standard M3’s kerb weight. This even included ditching the air conditioning, radio and rear seats.

BMW produced only 1,383 examples of the M3 CSL, with this car joining The Best of M Collection in October 2015.

2003 Alpina Roadster V8

Guide Price: £260,000 to £330,000

When the BMW Z8 roadster was launched in 1998, many lamented that it had been designed as a dedicated sports car, instead of a grand tourer. Alpina helped to remedy this by creating the calmer Roadster V8.

A smaller 4.8-litre V8, still with 381hp, was fitted, combined with a five-speed automatic transmission instead of the standard six-speed manual. Larger wheels and softer Nappa leather marked out the 555 cars made.

Painted in Titan Silver with a red interior, the Alpina comes with a hardtop roof, wind deflector and even a retro Motorola flip phone.

2007 BMW Z4 M Roadster

Guide Price: £43,500 to £60,000

Amongst numerous convertible models, BMW’s M Division has been responsible for just two actual roadsters. Following the Z3 M Roadster, the Z4 M version arrived in late 2006.

Sticking to a similar format, BMW added the S54 3.2-litre straight-six to the regular Z4, endowing it with 343hp. This made for a 0-62mph sprint time of just 4.8 seconds.

The Z4 M Roadster in the collection comes painted in Interlagos Blue, combined with a two-tone red and black interior. Serviced earlier this year, a healthy history file is also included.

2007 BMW Z4 M Coupe

Guide Price: £50,000 to £70,000

BMW actually revealed the Z4 M Coupe before the open-top Roadster, with a debut at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show. With styling less divisive than the previous Z3 M Coupe, almost 4,300 examples were sold by 2008.

As with the Roadster, the Z4 M Coupe packs a 343hp straight-six engine, which is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. The same limited-slip differential as found on the E46-generation M3 was added for good measure.

First delivered to an owner in Italy, this Z4 M Coupe uses a classic combination of Sapphire Black paintwork with an Imola Red Nappa leather-lined interior.

2010 BMW E92 M3 GTS

Guide Price: £200,000 to £245,000

The vendor of the Best of M Collection has hand-picked the greatest products to wear the famous BMW tricolour badge, but the E92 M3 GTS is a true standout model.

Designed to rival the Porsche 911 GT3 RS, BMW modified the V8 engine in the M3 GTS to displace 4.4 litres, generating 450hp. A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission was standard, as were weight-saving technologies that helped remove 135kg.

Painted in trademark Fire Orange, this car is one of the 135 examples of the M3 GTS made. It comes with Recaro bucket seats with racing harnesses, plus a roll cage in place of the rear seats.

2011 BMW E90 M3 CRT

Guide Price: £150,000 to £190,000

For those who like the idea of an M3 GTS, but prefer four doors, BMW had the answer with the 2011 M3 CRT. Adding the enhanced 4.4-litre V8 to the M3 Saloon, carbon fibre was used for the bonnet and lightweight front seats.

Compared to the M3 GTS, the CRT was even rarer, with just 67 being produced. All cars had a commemorative plaque on the dashboard.

Like all CRTs made, the car up for auction is finished in matte Frozen Polar Silver with a Melbourne Red interior. Just 168km have been recorded on its odometer from new.

2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe

Guide Price: £60,000 to £80,000

The BMW 1 Series M Coupe was made to demonstrate the potential of the marque’s smallest two-door car, with the result being an instant classic.

A turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-six engine sent its 340hp to the rear wheels, controlled by a six-speed manual gearbox. With the compact wheelbase of the 1 Series Coupe, there was plenty of opportunity for tail-out action.

BMW initially planned to build just 2,500 examples, but huge demand saw more than 6,300 eventually made. This car comes in the desirable launch colour of Valencia Orange.

2016 BMW M2 Coupe

Guide Price: £43,500 to £60,000

Buoyed by the success of the 1 Series M Coupe, BMW worked hard to ensure its follow-up would receive the same level of acclaim. Riding a wave of enthusiasm, the M2 Coupe delivered on all expectations.

Using a 370hp version of the 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six engine, the M2 continued the trend for drift action on demand.

This Sapphire Black example comes with the optional seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, along with heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and carbon fibre interior trim. Minimal use means only 299km shown on its odometer.

2016 BMW F82 M4 GTS

Guide Price: £105,000 to £140,000

Repeating the process seen with the earlier M3 GTS, BMW aimed to create another track-ready sports car with the M4 GTS of 2015.

Its 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged straight-six engine was boosted to deliver 500hp, aided by water injection. Lightweight composites were used for the body panels, with adjustable suspension and carbon-ceramic brakes also part of the standard specification.

Painted in Black Sapphire, this M4 GTS features distinctive Acid Orange accents. The latter can be found on the forged alloy wheels, along with the roll cage inside.

2017 BMW F80 M3 30 Jahre Edition

Guide Price: £60,000 to £80,000

BMW is no stranger to a celebratory special edition. In 2016, it opted to commemorate three decades of the M3 by making 500 examples of the 30 Jahre Edition.

The Competition Package was standard, seeing the 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged straight-six engine deliver 450hp. Unlike many later M cars, this 30 Jahre Edition comes with a six-speed manual gearbox.

A colour scheme of Macao Blue with a dual-tone black and blue leather interior was standard for the 30 Jahre Edition. This one has seen almost no use, having covered only 15km from new.

2023 BMW G82 M4 Edition 50 Jahre BMW M

Guide Price: £80,000 to £105,000

Another commemorative model up for auction, the M4 Edition 50 Jahre BMW M was launched in 2022. Celebrating 50 years of M division, 700 examples were commissioned in M4 coupe guise, along with 500 M3 saloons.

A 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged straight-six engine endows this special edition with 510hp, which is sent to the wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

Ordered in Imola Red II with matte Bronze Gold alloy wheels, this M4 was delivered new to the Best of M Collection in 2023.

2023 BMW G82 M4 CSL

Guide Price: £130,000 to £175,000

BMW uses the CSL badge incredibly sparingly, but opted to add it to a very special version of the M4 in 2022. Channeling the spirit of its predecessors, the M4 CSL became the fastest production BMW to lap the Nurburgring.

With 551hp, and more than 90kg of weight removed, the CSL also boasted a carbon fibre front splitter and rear spoiler. As before, BMW ditched the rear seats, and treated the interior to a makeover with carbon fibre.

Limited to 1,000 examples, this Frozen Brooklyn Grey car was also delivered new to the Best of M Collection, and has seen only minimal use since.

2023 BMW G82 M4 GT3

Guide Price: £380,000 to £425,000

The RM Sotheby’s Munich sale also includes a rare opportunity to own a genuine piece of BMW Motorsport history, offered directly from the factory.

Campaigned by Team WRT, this M4 GT3 was driven by motorsport legendary Valentino Rossi in rounds of the GT World Challenge Europe and World Endurance Championship. This included competing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2024.

A final competitive outing for the M4 GT3 came earlier this year at the Bathurst 12 Hours, where it claimed an impressive second-place finish behind its sister BMW. It has been preserved exactly as it crossed the finish line Down Under.

1957 BMW 507 Roadster

Guide Price: £1,300,000 – £1,500,000

We finish with one of the most expensive cars listed for sale at the RM Sotheby’s Munich auction. And one of the most beautiful, too.

Designed to appeal to American customers, the BMW 507 featured a 150hp 3.2-litre V8 engine and a four-speed manual gearbox. Only 252 examples were made, with famous owners including Elvis Presley and Fred Astaire.

Restored in the 2010s, this 507 combines Anthracite paintwork with an interior trimmed in red leather. Its V8 engine has been enhanced to make 225hp, and there is even a rare factory hardtop roof included.