Driving the world's greatest BMW M cars: TRACK TEST

Steve Sutcliffe takes to the track in eleven of the best BMW M cars in history.

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BMW’s M division might well be 50 years old this month, but to begin with it made only racing cars – hence the M (for motorsport) in the name – its first-ever creation being the outrageous 3.0-litre CSL ‘Batmobile’ from 1972. At the start, the M Division employed a mere 35 people. In 1978, however, everything changed. In the same year that Britain birthed its first test-tube baby, BMW Motorsport GmbH – as it was known back then – also produced its first- ever road car, the M1. Since then, it has never looked back. Five decades on, the M Division has built more than half-a-million cars, at the same time underwriting BMW’s reputation as a creator of some of the world’s finest driver’s machines. It’s a reputation that many manufacturers have tried, and largely failed, to emulate.

So for a magical couple of days in May, nearly 50 years to the hour after M was born, we brought together a rare and varied collection of the best cars made by the now-mighty division during the past half century. Steve Sutcliffe took to the track in each, to review some of Bavaria's finest creations to date.

Chapters
00:00 The M division
1:02 M1
2:40 M635CSi
4:39 E30 M3
6:35 Z3 M Coupe
8:27 Progress?
9:01 E39 M5
10:56 E46 M3 CSL
13:04 E60 M5
15:18 1M Coupe
17:18 The ones that got away...
17:53 E92 M3 GTS
21:21 F10 M5 "30 Jahre"
24:15 G80 M3
28:20 The future of BMW M

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[maxfrederick]

As with others pretty gutted you omitted the M2 considering the 5 star auto express verdict at launch…. Had mine for 4.5 years and it’s still an absolute riot. Great review as always and fantastic driving too. Thanks Steve.

[augustortiz]

E92 GTS will always have my heart. So will the CSL.

[m.hfitness]

Throughly enjoying my E92 which I’ve owned since ‘13 and it’s turning out to be a legend as the years go on. Manual, high revving, incredible sound and timeless design. Thinking about adding an E39, but not sure if it’s worth up keeping two M cars. I used to think newer is better and as I get older I’m seeing that numbers don’t matter as much. Sound, feel and of course a manual are what driving is all about for me. Great video!

[mikeyhbev]

BMW M cars plus Steve Sutcliffe at Llandow! Can’t get any better than that ! 👍🏻

[Thedmcke]

I was in high school when the 1M came out and I remember being absolutely blown away by the idea of all that hardware crammed under a 1 series. I will have one one day.

[leonardsiragusa]

And thank you Steve! We salute you for taking us through the wondrous journey that is BMW M. So utterly intoxicating is the induction sound of the E46 M3 CSL, and the E92 M3 GTS is just an absolute riot! Of course the E30 M3 is the original legend and a dream to one day own. Slightly disappointed there was no F87 M2 CS or F90 M5 CS but a fantastic tribute all the same.

[alexmaddox]

Fantastic review. The e39 M5 has always been my favourite since a child, its the best looking 5 series and M5 in my opinion, and it's a quick as you need a car to be on the road.

[GeordieAmanda]

I think I am in love with the E30 M3, what a stunning car. Sad there wasn't a F80/82 as I previously owned the M4 version and in some ways I think it had more character than my current G80 (I consider myself very fortunate to have had both). OK it was a bit more a Jekyll and Hyde character, but as long as you assumed it was going to bite every time you buried your foot in the carpet, you were quite often -pleasantly - surprised when it did as you hoped :)

[amirhashm]

We salute you, Mr Sutcliffe. Your services to motor manufacturers and us enthusiasts deserve a medal. YOU are the guv'na!

Have owned or driven most of these cars and you are spot on with them all. I can't comment on the G80... And I've not driven a GTS but have been told its the best... CSL SMG cannot be put down as its an excellent box when hustling and needs some time to learn how to use then it is sublime.

[iangray]

I’d have preferred to see an M2 Comp and Z4MC instead of the M635 and F10 M5 as they’re more in keeping with the ethos of BMW M. I have a feeling the Z4M would be a pleasant surprise and like the GTS, would no doubt feel better and perform better than the road tests of the day suggested.

[BlitzkriegRap]

I always pay attention when this man has something to say about a car!

[julianadams]

Awesome Video.
Love Steve’s anecdotes about his memories of driving the older cars back in period and contrasting this with how they feel today.

[pereldh]

You forgot quite a few!
I’d still have the Z4M Coupe.
Fun, hard, rough, manual and totally analog. No turbo, no runflats, no nav, no el. steering, no drivemodes, no SMG. And Great Looking!

[cypriotpilot]

Epic review as always, Steve you are a legend mate. That M3 CSL and the E92 GTS are absolute heroes!!! Thank you for this lovely tribute, cheers from Cyprus

[tractioncontroldelete]

Snubbed the E36 M3 as well as the F80 M3 - I’m floored. I genuinely appreciate the content from Auto Express but you folks are way off base on this one. The E36 is the most tracked ///M car at the moment and just watch how favorable time will be to the F80. Plus no F90 M5 (not even CS)??? Come on guys LOL.

Love the channel though. Keep the great stuff coming 💪

[DavidReyes-ftbl]

Disappointed you didn’t mention my Z4M coupe it’s a blast to drive and can’t beat that S54 sound!!

[timmietz]

I am very blessed to own a number (10+) of BMW M cars. While this is a fabulous film, here is what, IMHO, you’ve missed:
M2CS - with an MT and CCBs it is just the best.
E86 Z4M Coupe - best S54 powered car ever. Much better car than the Z3M Coupe mostly due to rear suspension and steering feel. It has E46 M3 CSL steering rack - need I say more!?
M5CS - I just got this one and it is amazing!
E90 CRT is perhaps the best M sedan ever.
North American market E60 M5s had a 6MT option. They are so much better than the SMG cars.

[TheBmarshall]

As a owner of both the e46 m3 and e60 m5 you hit the nail on the head with both cars. The s54 and s85 are hands down the the best engines M gmbh has ever made.

[TAYYAB_]

Bmw m5 e60 will remain my top favourite of a bmw m car don’t care about no rod bearing issue it sounds amazing and looks good

[rootsmanuva]

I never thought I’d say this but the styling of the New M3 sedan is growing on me. The headlights are taught like they’re stretched over the body and the grill is still obnoxious but wears it boldly and unapologetically which I’ll reluctantly give it credit for.