BMW has made a lot of great cars over the years, but some of them stand out more than the rest. These are the cars that helped shape what the brand stands for—cars that mixed performance, new ideas, and style in ways people still talk about today. Some were built for the track, some for the street, and a few were just bold experiments. But all of them left a lasting mark. If you want to understand why BMW has such a strong reputation, these ten cars show how it earned its place in car history.
1973 BMW 3.0 CSL
The 3.0 CSL wasn’t just a performance car—it was a rolling statement. Designed to meet racing homologation rules, this lightweight coupe featured aluminum panels, aggressive spoilers, and a stripped-down interior. It dominated the European Touring Car Championship and became known as the “Batmobile” for its wild aero.
1973 BMW 3.0 CSL
But it also helped launch BMW Motorsport GmbH—what we now know as BMW M. The 3.0 CSL proved that BMW could blend precision engineering with bold performance, laying the foundation for decades of M cars. It’s not just a classic—it’s the origin story of BMW’s performance legacy.
1986 BMW M3 (E30)
The original M3 turned a humble 3 Series into a motorsport legend. With its flared fenders, high-revving S14 engine, and razor-sharp handling, it won races and hearts alike. Built to compete in Group A touring car racing, it became one of the most successful race cars of all time. But it also worked on the street—practical enough to daily, yet thrilling enough for the track.
1986 BMW M3 (E30)
The E30 M3 wasn’t about straight-line speed; it was about connection. Decades later, it remains the gold standard for pure, driver-focused engineering—and arguably the most iconic BMW ever made. THe E30 has exploded in value over the past couple of years.
1972 BMW 5 Series (E12)
The E12 was the first official 5 Series—and it redefined the midsize luxury car. Combining sports car dynamics with sedan comfort, it set the tone for every 5 Series to follow. Designed by Paul Bracq, its clean lines and balanced proportions gave it instant road presence.
1972 BMW 5 Series (E12)
Underneath, it featured powerful inline-six engines, rear-wheel drive, and precision handling that became BMW’s trademark. The E12 was more than just a car—it was a blueprint. It proved that luxury didn’t have to be soft and that practicality could still be exciting. It launched a class of its own.
1999 BMW M5 (E39)
Often called the greatest sport sedan ever built, the E39 M5 blended V8 power with German precision. Its 4.9L engine made 400 horsepower and was paired with a six-speed manual only—no automatics, no compromises. It looked understated but could embarrass sports cars.
1999 BMW M5 (E39)
The chassis was tight, the interior was refined, and the balance was near-perfect. BMW had made M cars before, but the E39 M5 took things to another level. It showed that one car could be a luxury cruiser, daily driver, and track monster all in one. It wasn’t just great—it was everything at once.
2000 BMW Z8
Built as a tribute to the classic 507, the Z8 was a rare moment where BMW let style lead the way. Designed by Henrik Fisker, the Z8 featured a retro-modern shape, a center-mounted gauge cluster, and a V8 from the M5. It was smooth, powerful, and gorgeous from every angle.
2000 BMW Z8
Though it wasn’t built for the track, the Z8 delivered driving joy and turned heads wherever it went. James Bond drove one, collectors chased them, and BMW made fewer than 6,000 units. It was more sculpture than sports car—but it earned its place in BMW history.
1987 BMW 750iL (E32)
The 750iL was a turning point—it marked BMW’s entry into true flagship luxury. As the first post-war BMW with a V12 engine, it took on Mercedes head-to-head. It was powerful, smooth, and packed with groundbreaking tech like electronic dampers, traction control, and xenon headlights.
1987 BMW 750iL (E32)
The long-wheelbase version added limousine levels of rear-seat space. For BMW, the 750iL wasn’t just a big sedan—it was a statement. It told the world that BMW could do comfort and class as well as it did corner carving. This car helped shape the modern luxury sedan as we know it.
1998 BMW M Coupe (“Clown Shoe”)
With its shooting-brake design and aggressive personality, the M Coupe was unlike anything else on the road. Based on the Z3, it crammed in the M3’s engine, suspension, and attitude, creating one of the most entertaining (and odd-looking) cars BMW ever built.
1998 BMW M Coupe (“Clown Shoe”)
The M Coupe was rigid, fast, and surprisingly practical. Critics loved it, but buyers didn’t know what to make of it—until it became a cult classic. Today, it’s one of the most collectible BMWs of its era. The “Clown Shoe” might’ve looked strange, but it drove like a dream and refused to be forgotten.
1983 BMW 325i (E30)
The 325i helped the 3 Series explode in popularity—especially in the U.S. With its smooth inline-six, manual gearbox, and balanced handling, it offered affordable performance and everyday comfort. It wasn’t flashy, but it nailed every part of the driving experience.
1983 BMW 325i (E30)
The E30 325i built BMW’s reputation among enthusiasts and young professionals alike. It was the car that convinced many first-time buyers to become lifelong fans. It’s also why the 3 Series became BMW’s bread and butter. Simple, elegant, and endlessly fun, the 325i made “driving enjoyment” something you didn’t have to be rich to afford.
2011 BMW 1M Coupe
Short-lived but unforgettable, the 1M Coupe brought raw driving fun back to the M brand. It was compact, rear-wheel drive, manual-only, and full of attitude. Using a turbocharged inline-six and parts from the M3, it was quicker than its size suggested. It had wide fenders, aggressive styling, and a focused chassis that made it a joy to throw into corners.
2011 BMW 1M Coupe
BMW only built it for one year, making it an instant collector’s item. In an era of growing cars and fading manuals, the 1M reminded drivers what made M cars great in the first place. The BMW 1-Series was a rather unique car although it never caught on with consumers.
2007 BMW Hydrogen 7
While not a performance hero, the Hydrogen 7 was bold in a different way. Built on the 760Li platform, it ran on both gasoline and liquid hydrogen—making it one of the first true dual-fuel luxury cars. It wasn’t fast or light, but it was smooth, quiet, and showed BMW’s commitment to clean tech before electric cars took over.
2007 BMW Hydrogen 7
It wasn’t a sales success and had major infrastructure hurdles, but it gave a glimpse into BMW’s future-thinking mindset. The Hydrogen 7 wasn’t built to thrill—it was built to explore, experiment, and push boundaries in sustainability.